How Healthy is Your Mouth This Month?

Each February, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children’s Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral hygiene and dental health. This is usually geared to help children learn about how to have a healthy mouth. But, it is also a great reminder for adults to make that dental appointment if they have not yet this year. It also helps them remember they need to take care of their teeth, as well.

Why National Children’s Dental Health Month?

Did you know learning about dental care can be fun? It might not seem like a topic you want to chat about over dinner and drinks, but it’s something we try to make enjoyable for children and adults alike. When February comes around, it is a great opportunity for dentists to make learning about a healthy mouth something that is memorable.

Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Not all children are taught at home about the importance of dental care. This gives local dentist the opportunity to make sure everyone understands the importance of taking care of your teeth.

The National Children’s Dental Health Month campaign has reached millions of people in communities across the country with the message of good dental health.

How Can I Teach My Child About Good Dental Habits?

There are a number of resources that will allow you to share with your child the importance of taking good care of their teeth for their entire lives. There are books you can read with your child to help make learning about this subject fun.

Here are a few I recommend:

• A Visit to the Dentist (Little Bill) by Eleanor Fremont
• The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist by Stan Berenstain

• I Know Why I Brush My Teeth by Kate Rowan
• Show Me Your Smile!: A Visit to the Dentist (Dora the Explorer) by Christine Ricci

In addition to these fun books to read with your child, there are also several activities you can do with them to help drive home the importance of dental care.

• The American Dental Association has some great activity sheets for kids.
• There are also interesting dental experiments to do with older children.
• The Chicago Dental Society has both activities and lesson plans to teach children about dentistry.

You are never too old to start taking great care of your teeth. February is a great time to examine your own dental habits and make sure your mouth is as healthy as it should be. It’s also a great time to teach your children about taking care of their own teeth, as well.