This is a sponsored post, but all opinions are my own.
A doctor once told me that health begins with the mouth. At first, I really did not know what to think. How can total body health begin with your mouth?
How can poor dental hygiene affect your heart, or your diabetes?
It just did not make sense at the time.
But, over the years, I have read article after article that proves that the doctor that told me that health begins with the mouth was right. WebMD calls it, “Your Mouth, the Gateway to Your Body” and this is right – How we treat our mouth directly correlates with how our bodies function. This includes what we put in our mouths, what we put on our mouths, and of course, how we clean our mouth.
This is why clean eating and good oral hygiene is so important.
Our family tries to eat organic food as much as possible and we even raise our own pigs and chickens in order to make that a bit easier to accomplish.
This is one way that we try to keep a clean mouth and healthy body, but just because we eat organic food does not mean that we do not have to incorporate dental hygiene into our routines.
When it comes to children, it can be very challenging (for parents) to teach proper dental hygiene in order for young kids to not only grasp the concept and fully understand it, but also incorporate it into their everyday lives.
Unfortunately, many children in the United States do not practice proper dental hygiene at all. According to the CDC, “Tooth decay (cavities) is one of the most common chronic conditions of childhood in the United States.”
Thankfully, we can beat this statistic one family at a time and I hope to be a small part of that in my family and by writing this today in order to spread awareness and provide families all over the world with tips that they can incorporate into their families dental hygiene routines. Here are a few easy ways to teach your young kids how to brush:
Make It Fun
The American Dental Organization recommends brushing for a full two minutes each time you brush, but that can be hard for young kids since they get bored and distracted very easily. Instead of just standing there, or fighting with your kids to stay still while you brush for the full two minutes, spice things up and try to make it fun and entertaining.
This is much more effective compared to fighting the entire time and on top of that, if they associate brushing their teeth with a ‘boring’ or ‘awful’ time, there is a possibility that they could become scared and boycott it completely.
When you are not actively brushing, try other fun activities like pretend brushing with dolls and animals and always make sure that you are a good role model and show your kids how you think brushing is so much fun! 😉
Obviously, at one years old, your kids will not fully understand why they are brushing their teeth, but as they age, you can begin explaining why it is so important.
In fact, a good understanding on what can happen is essential because it will make them want to take care of their teeth and want to brush themselves. Be honest with them, but try not to scare them.
Instead of saying a phrase like, “If you don’t brush your teeth, they will fall out,” you could try saying, “We need to brush our teeth in order for them to stay healthy and strong.” Once they start aging a bit, you can begin explaining the dangers of poor dental hygiene and of course, answer any questions that they have.
Take Your Time
According to Metro Decatur Dental Group PC, “Baby teeth are important as they not only hold space for permanent teeth but they are important to chewing, biting, speech and appearance.
For this reason it is important to maintain a healthy diet and daily hygiene.” This means that you need to start daily dental hygiene at a very young age, but don’t worry, you have time to figure out how to do it! Instead of getting overwhelmed and frustrated, take your time and be patient – your kid(s) will catch on! Incorporate all of the techniques that we talked about above, do more research, and chat with your other mommy friends and of course, your dentist for more recommendations.
You will get there – just stick with it and be positive!
Visit The Dentist
Last but not least, one of the most important aspects of dental health is of course, visiting your dentist every six months. If you have never been to the dentist with your child, you may be scared of not knowing what the process looks like.
Thankfully, Metro Decatur Dental Group PC explains the process on their website in detail. According to them, the first dental visit is typically very short and requires very little treatment. Your child can sit in your lap as they gently examine their teeth and gums. X-rays may be taken and they may clean your child’s teeth and apply topical fluoride to help protect the teeth against decay. They also make sure that your child is receiving adequate fluoride at home.
Dr. Gary A Simms, along with the rest of the staff at Metro Decatur Dental Group PC believes that when you feel good about yourself, it shows in your appearance. Born in England, but raised in Queens for most of his life, Dr. Gary Simms started his career by obtaining his bachelor’s degree in Science at the University of New York. After getting his degree, Dr. Simms went on to obtain his D.M.D. degree at the University of New Jersey School of Dental Medicine. While at the University of New Jersey, Dr. Simms participated in a number of outreach programs that included visits to Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. Once he completed his dental residency, he opened up his own practice in Bronx, New York, but in 2006, he decided to make the change and move to Georgia, opening up Metro Decatur Dental Group PC. He believes that even a subtle change can help your self-confidence and self esteem skyrocket.
How did you teach your toddlers to brush their teeth? How do you make it fun?