Category: Holiday

Mark your calendar! Every February, the American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes National Children’s Dental Health Month. All month long, thousands of American dental professionals promote the benefits of excellent oral health and raise awareness about children’s dental disease.

At Smiles Dentistry for Kids, Dr. Matt motivates children and their families in Overland Park, KS,  and surrounding communities, by committing to child-centric patient education and high-quality pediatric dental care. Continue reading to find out how you can best support your child’s oral health right now.

Why is National Children’s Dental Health Month significant?

Which common chronic childhood disease is five times more common than asthma? If you answered, “tooth decay,” then you’re exactly right. 

National Children’s Dental Health Month measures to inform children of the importance of consistent, satisfactory dental health habits early to assure a lifetime of healthy smiles. Aside from promoting anti-cavity prevention, dental professionals also dive into children’s dentistry specific topics, including:

• Promoting healthy gums
• Preventing misaligned teeth
• Easing dental anxiety and phobia

What can parents do to advocate for their child’s dental health?

1. Invest in a New Toothbrush

When was the last time your child changed their toothbrush? Every 3 to 4 months, toothbrushes should be replaced.  With extended use, the bristles begin to fray and toothbrushes lose their effectiveness. Encourage your child to get excited for bushing by letting them pick their toothbrush. With a wide range of colors and characters, odds are they will find one that they will like! As a bonus, don’t forget a kid-friendly flavor of toothpaste too.

2. Monitor Your Child’s Brushing and Flossing Technique

Keeping up with daily oral care is essential. Do your children brush in a rush or floss like a boss? If you’re unsure, take time this month to check in on their daily at-home oral hygiene habits. As general principles, we encourage children to:

• Gently brush for at least two minutes with a soft brush and toothpaste with fluoride.
• Brushing after waking up and right before bed.
• Floss removes bacteria and food particles between the teeth and along the gumline.

3. Help Your Child Conquer Dental Anxiety and Fear

Dental anxiety and fear can affect people of any age. While there are many causes of dental fear, the consequences of avoiding the dentist are even scarier than the fear itself. For children, it may mean fewer regular visits to the dentist, which could lead to untreated oral health issues, improper development, and unexpected tooth loss. 

Being a bit uneasy about the dentist is a relatively normal part of childhood, but it doesn’t have to be. Creating familiarity and positivity with dentistry can help young patients feel more calm and confident: 

• Roleplay that you are the dentist (and vice versa)
• Use positive language and reinforcement
• Establish dental hygiene habits as part of a routine
• Don’t wait too long between visits

4. Schedule a Children’s Dental Appointment

In most cases, we recommend regular dental visits at least twice a year for an oral examination and professional cleaning. If you haven’t booked your child’s twice-annual dentistry appointments, there’s no time like the present. Also, if you make an appointment right now, your child’s next annual appointment should fall just in time for the back-to-school season. Call (913) 685-9990 or request an appointment conveniently online to schedule your child’s next dental appointment with Dr. Matt at Smiles Dentistry for Kids.

We could all use some good fortune in 2022, and every culture has its ways to ring in the new year. Some New Year’s traditions center around starting on the right foot, while others indicate what will come your way. No matter how you choose to celebrate the coming of the new year, some traditions from around the world can help your family achieve a healthier smile.

United States: Greens and Black-Eyed Peas

With origins in the American South, many families enjoy greens and black-eyed peas for good luck and prosperity for the coming year. Leafy green vegetables resemble paper money, while round black-eyed peas represent coins. Besides being American New Years staples, greens and black-eyed peas are superfoods packed with nutrients that keep our bodies healthy:

• Greens: Whether they’re collard, mustard, or turnip, greens are packed with vitamin A and C. Leafy green vegetables help keep the immune system healthy (which attacks invading bacteria and viruses).
• Black-eyed peas: Black-eyed peas are a rich source of complex carbohydrates, protein, minerals, and antioxidants. A serving of black-eyed peas contains 8% of the daily recommended calcium intake, a mineral famous for strengthening bones.

Spain and Latin America: Grapes

At the stroke of midnight, people across Spain and some Latin American countries eat twelve grapes. Each grape symbolizes good luck for each month in the upcoming year. While this may seem like a lot to chew, grapes are full of flavonoids, antioxidants that fight free radicals in the body and reduce inflammation. 

Furthermore, scientists have discovered that certain grape products can improve oral health:

• Grape seed extract: Proanthocyanidin (PA) is found in grape seed extract, which helps increase collagen synthesis and may potentially be used as an adjunct or alternative to fluoride in the future.
• Raisins: Despite being about 60% sugar by weight, raisins contain antimicrobial compounds that combat oral pathogens and plaque.

Turkey: Pomegranates

In Turkey, the pomegranate is a symbol of prosperity and abundance. The Turkish traditionally give pomegranates as a gift or smash them against their homes on New Year’s Eve to make way for good fortune in the coming year.

Instead of crying over spilled pomegranate kernels, eat them! Pomegranates contain antibacterial qualities that may help:

• Curb inflammation of soft tissues
• Impede the development of dental plaque

China: Fish

This year, Chinese New Year falls on February 1st. Celebrate the Year of the Tiger by eating lots of fish. In Mandarin, the word for “surplus” (余, yú) sounds like the word “fish” (鱼, yú), so enjoying fish in Chinese culture is thought to welcome wealth for the entire year.

While we can’t guarantee that you get rich from eating fish, we can confirm that fish is rich in:

• Omega 3 fatty acids: DHA and EPA have anti-inflammatory properties that can enhance gum health.
• Vitamin D: This crucial vitamin helps the body absorb calcium, which keeps dental enamel strong.

Make a New Year’s Resolution to Visit the Dentist at Least Twice This Year

The concept of New Year’s resolutions is not new and goes back to 2,000 B.C. in Babylon. While people promise to accomplish a wide range of dreams in the New Year, commit to a goal that can help your child establish a healthy smile for life: visiting the dentist every six months. Schedule your child’s dental appointments for 2022 without hesitation with Dr. Matt by calling (913) 685-9990 or messaging us online.