Happy National Children’s Dental Health Month! What, you didn’t know NCDHM was February? During this time, dental professionals, healthcare providers, and educators all come together to talk about the best ways to take care of Denver’s littlest smiles. This year, the slogan is, “Choose Tap Water for a Sparkling Smile.” Today, your dentist in Denver from Pearl Dentistry is going to talk a little more about NCDHM, and how you can use it to help your child’s smile.
Choose Tap Water
So out of all the possible slogans the American Dental Association (ADA) could have put on their poster for NCDHM, why did they choose to talk about tap water?
The reason is that tap water is actually very beneficial for your child’s teeth, even more so than bottled water. Why? Here’s why:
- Tap water typically has fluoride, which helps your child’s teeth fight cavities. Bottled water, on the other hand, does not.
- Unlike sodas or juices, water is not packed with added sugar, so your child can drink as much as they want when they are thirsty and not harm their teeth.
- Also, it rinses the teeth of plaque and food particles, making it the next best thing to brushing their teeth.
The first point is especially important, as an overreliance on bottled water has actually increased the rate of cavities in children. This is because they get less fluoride in their diet, which is an important part of fighting tooth decay. If it’s a choice between bottled or tap water, always choose tap!
How You Can Use NCDHM
The main point of NCDHM is to get the people around your child to talk about why they should be taking care of their teeth. You’re probably already doing this, but we’re sure a little extra help is always appreciated. That is why the ADA has made a variety of worksheets and games for your child to do that will get them thinking about their teeth (available in both English and Spanish). These are intended to help them understand how their diet affects their teeth, as well as how to properly brush. This will reinforce everything you are already saying to them, which may help it finally stick for a child that has difficulty brushing consistently.
Of course, when it comes to your child’s teeth, you are not alone. Dr. Walker and Dr. Glamm are also fantastic resources when it comes to your child’s oral health. Not only can they clean their teeth professionally, but they can also talk to your child about why taking care of them is so important. Sometimes, simply by hearing the same thing from a different person, a child will start to listen. You can also talk to the doctors about ways to help your child, what type of products they should be using, and basically use them as a guide for anything involving their teeth. They are here to help, and will always make sure you know how to take care of your littlest smile.
Have Questions?
NCDHM is intended to help your child stay healthy, so we hope this extra emphasis placed on their dental care will help them for all the months to come!
If you have any questions about your child’s dental care or want to schedule their first appointment for 2017, please give us a call today.