Dental Education for Children

A Habit That is Good to Teach Your Children
Dental health should be something the entire family is involved in when it comes to teaching. Anyone that has children knows that they are constantly mimicking what they see. Here are four suggestions on creating a great dental habit.

Create a tooth brushing routine together

Just because your kid is old enough to put on her pajamas doesn’t mean she should be little Miss Independent in the bathroom. Make tooth brushing a do-together activity. Anyone that has children knows that they are constantly mimicking what they see. When you brush together, she can mirror all your smooth brushing moves, and you’re making sure that no corners are being cut!

Choose the right tooth tools.

Make sure that you are using the correct toothpaste for your child. A fluoride toothpaste should not be introduced until you are sure that your child is old enough and will not simply ingest the toothpaste. When picking a toothbrush, dentists recommend a brush that has soft to medium bristles, has a flat head and handle, and easily fits into your mouth. You do not want to use a brush that is to big. And be sure to replace those toothbrushes often! Mom and dad should change toothbrushes four times a year and your children’s toothbrushes even more frequently. And don’t forget to floss! Try to find a flavored dental floss that your kid can actually get into. They also now have handheld flossers that you can find almost anywhere that are easy for kids to use.

Establish healthy eating habits.

Nothing fights tooth decay like eating the right foods. Teeth are actually denser than the rest of the bones in your body. So to keep your teeth strong, maintain a family diet that’s rich in calcium with foods like lowfat yogurt and cheese sticks, and yes, all those green, leafy veggies! And remember to keep sweet treats and desserts to a minimum.

Find a great family dentist.

The best way to make sure your kid doesn’t dread the dentist? Pick a great pediatric dentist who can treat the whole family. That way, you can make your appointments together. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) says to avoid using alarming words like pain, hurt, drill, shots, etc., when discussing the dentist. You want to make visits to the dentist a positive experience.

Above article from www.starsmilez.com

East Berlin Smiles knows the importance of children's dental health!  Visit our main website to learn more about our dental care services for children in East Berlin PA.

East Berlin Smiles 

Tel: 717-259-9596

418 West King Street

East Berlin, PA 17316

USA

Caring for Babies Teeth

How to Brush Your Babies Teeth
Getting your baby to brush his or her teeth can sometimes be difficult. But, it’s important to get your little one in the habit of brushing at least twice a day as soon as possible. And don’t wait until baby’s teeth have come in. Start brushings your baby’s teeth with a soft finger brush or washcloth after each feeding.

Here’s how:

1. Sit with your baby in your lap facing you, or sideways, so you have a good angle into his or her mouth.

2. Wet the toothbrush, soft finger brush or washcloth. Babies under the age of two don’t need toothpaste and should only use water – they’ll get enough fluoride from tap water.

3. Gently scrub and massage the teeth and gums, starting with the front teeth and moving towards the back. Brush in a slow, circular motion on the teeth, and move gently up and down into the gums.

4. Give the tongue a little scrub. (Say ‘ahhhhh!’)

5. If any teeth are touching, be sure to floss after brushing. Try floss geared towards kids that comes with an easy-to-hold handle.

6. Smile… you’re done!

And remember, ideally your baby should have his or her first appointment with the dentist by their first birthday.

Above article from www.starsmilez.com

East Berlin Smiles provides dental care services for children in East Berlin PA and the surrounding areas.

East Berlin Smiles 

Tel: 717-259-9596

418 West King Street

East Berlin, PA 17316

USA

Interesting Dental Facts

Super Fun Dental Facts

32% of Americans cite bad breath as the least attractive trait of their co-workers.

38.5 total days an average American spends brushing teeth over lifetime.

73% of Americans would rather go grocery shopping than floss.

32% of Americans cite bad breath as the least attractive trait of their co-workers.

60% of people who don’t know that a sore jaw, when combined with chest pain, can signal a heart attack-especially in women

38.5 = the total days an average American spends brushing teeth over a lifetime.

73% of Americans would rather go grocery shopping than floss.

Dentists have recommended that a toothbrush be kept at least six (6) feet away from a toilet to avoid airborne particles resulting from the flush.

A toothpick is the object most often choked on by Americans.

Every year, kids in North America spend close to half a billion dollars on chewing gum

The number of cavities in the average mouth is down and people are keeping their teeth longer. People, on average, have healthier mouths than even 10 years ago. Specifically:

• The decline in tooth decay was greatest among kids but holds across every age group.
• Only 40% of young people age 6 to 19 had ever in their lives had cavities. That’s down from 50% a decade ago.
• Over the last ten years the proportion of people age 60 who’d lost all their teeth had decreased from 33% to 25%.
• Use of dental sealants, which block tooth decay on the chewing surfaces of kids’ vulnerable molars, was up 64%. 30% of kids had had at least one sealed tooth.
• Adults with post-high-school degrees had an average of three more teeth than those without a high school diploma.
• Smokers remain three times more likely than non-smokers to lose all their teeth. This figure has not changed from a decade ago.
• Socio-economic status plays a definite role in one’s general and dental health….33% of low-income adults have untreated decay. This compared with 16% of middle- and higher-income adults. 19% of kids living in poverty have untreated decay compared with 8% of wealthier kids. CDC & ADA 1/06

Above dental facts from: www.starsmilez.com

East Berlin Smiles 

Tel: 717-259-9596

418 West King Street

East Berlin, PA 17316

USA