National Oral Health Care Month #ChurchandDwight
Did you know that April is National Oral Health Care month? It’s also the perfect reminder that it’s important to pay special attention to our teeth and overall oral hygiene, which can have a tremendous impact on our overall health. Did you know that poor oral health can lead to gum disease, which left untreated, can lead to the loss of teeth…and sometimes heart disease?
Now that my kids are teenagers I discuss the impact of poor oral health care on them more than I ever used to do. Both my girls are old enough to understand that there are no short cuts to good oral health care. Skipping brushing, missing flossing, can lead to cavities and costly dentist’s appointments.
Life is all about the little moments. What’s oral health care got to do with that? Well, here’s my take. Don’t shy away from the smiles and the selfies when you are having a good time. Capture all the smiles. Then hold them close. They will carry you through some of the harder days. So take care of those pearly whites and flash them every chance you have.
To get you started on the path towards a brighter, whiter smile, I suggest the following tips:
Oral Health Care for the kids:
Children often look at mom and dad as role models, so make sure you lead by example and talk to them about the importance of taking care of their teeth and gums! Let them see you brushing your teeth.
· Suggest using a timer or a song to ensure that the kiddies are brushing for as long as they’re supposed to. You can even make it a family activity by doing it all together.
· Give your kiddos a bonus for brushing. A sticker chart that keeps track of their brushing habits is a great way to give them an incentive to brush.
· Introduce a toothpaste and brush that features one of your kids favourite characters – such as the Orajel™ Spiderman™ and My Little Pony™ Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste and the Kids Spinbrush™ My Little Pony™ Battery Toothbrush. It keeps things exciting while practicing healthy habits!
Oral Health Care For adults:
Make sure you’re brushing and flossing at least twice a day to achieve optimal oral health.
· The Canadian Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush or toothbrush head every three months or sooner if it becomes worn, for an optimal clean.
· Use a battery-powered toothbrush with sonic pulsating action. For example, the new Arm & Hammer™ Sonic Pulse Battery Toothbrush is clinically proven to remove 2X more plaque versus a manual toothbrush. This toothbrush has a slim, ergonomic handle, and comes with a replaceable head and battery! This one is my favourite! It keeps my teeth shiny and works better than a manual toothbrush.
· If you can’t resist desserts and candy, pay attention! Foods that contains a lot of sugar can stain your teeth and soften tooth enamel. I recommend Arm & Hammer™ Truly Radiant™ Clean & Fresh™ Toothpaste for enamel safe whitening and lasting freshness plus it prevents tartar build up. This is an area where I need to improve.
Arm & Hammer has a great resource page with dental health details. Take the time to check it out.
This month make it your goal to wear a smile and take care of your teeth. How are you practicing good oral health habits?
I am a Church and Dwight ambassador and as such I receive compensation. My opinion is all my own and is also truthful.
24 Comments
Tamara
I didn’t know it was Oral Health Care Month! My kids just recently went to the dentist. I go four times a year to clean my gums. I’m super serious about it! I had heard about the heart disease connection and it scared me.
paula schuck
Wow four times is very serious! Good for you!
Jacqui S
I freely admit that I stink at flossing. I know it needs to be done, but I don’t do it! My teeth are hard to keep up with too. They are weak and I get cavities pretty easy, unfortunately. But, happy to say, it’s been awhile! My son is the same way. But, he’s good with brushing and such, maintaining his braces.
paula schuck
Boo! That’s too bad. Mine are also pretty weak. The enamel for some reason is not that strong on my teeth which leaves them vulnerable. Thanks for commenting!
E. Smith
Good oral health is SO important, yet often overlooked on the busy list of daily things to do. We have a family ritual of brushing our teeth together and swishing with mouthwash – and my 6 year old son keeps us on top of it!
paula schuck
Oh Hahaha!! Well it’s a good thing that the 6 year old is on top of it! I wish my teenager was on top of her teeth more often.
Monica
A good reminder of the importance of keeping on top of brushing, flossing and regular trips to the dentist.
Gingermommy
My kids love to pick out their own toothbrushes. I also give them new ones in their stocking and Easter Baskets to make it more fun. Great tips!
paula schuck
That is a good way to do it. I give toothbrushes to my niece and nephews all the time. It must seem very boring to them. LOL. They get them every birthday and every Christmas!
Jenn
Oral heath care has always been important in our family. We started teaching our girls really young, and making it fun has always been a big bonus. Love that there are so many great products to help with this now.
paula schuck
Jenn – that is very smart. Making it fun and not a chore matters over time because kids will forget and they will get bored with the repetition. Glad you have had a great experience with oral dental health.
Kerri Olkjer
I didn’t know it was oral health care month! Great tips here. I learned something. I didn’t know you were supposed to change your toothbrush that often!
paula schuck
Thanks Kerri! I know it seems like that is pretty frequent! Which means it is almost time for me to change out the brush heads on my kid’s brushes.
lisalisa
I stress this subject with my kids and grandkids every time they brush and floss. I’m a firm believer in changing toothbrushes often and we like using the Arm & Hammer™ Truly Radiant™ Clean & Fresh™ Toothpaste too! It works great! Great tips and thanks for sharing this post with us!
Jocelyn
…and this reminds me that I have to make a dental appointment. I’ve been avoiding it since October. You know, April is also National Donate Life month as well!
paula schuck
Jocelyn: You actually also reminded me that I think we might have missed an appointment that we rescheduled for my one daughter. She’s now at this age where she has like two different tooth specialists – you know – the dentist and then the orthodontist and I just had the one very expensive appointment but I think I might have missed one. Now I need to make a call. Thanks for taking time to comment – I really appreciate it.
Kiwi
I had no idea this was national Oral Health Month! Wow there is a month/day occasion for everything now! The older I get the more I want to make sure I use the best toothbrushes and tooth pastes for better oral health myself.
paula schuck
I agree Kiwi. I like to have good products for my teeth now. I am a grownup and I can afford to buy what I need and take the time to care for my teeth properly.
Olivia
My oldest had some cavities when she was younger (soft enamel) so we are super careful about flossing and brushing, and she uses MI paste as well to help harden her enamel. I also get my girls to pick out their own toothbrushes. The oldest has a lightsaber toothbrush that lights up and flashes so it’s fun and tells her how long she needs to brush.
paula schuck
I like that light sabre one too!! I have seen that. Anything that gets them brushing and flossing is a good thing! Thanks for commenting Olivia. Have a great week!
MissJHENZ
It’s true that kids look up to adults as role model so we need to be a very good example. I use waterpik as my floss. It seem to clean up all the mess floss can’t reach or it may be some food residue.
Ali Rost
I didn’t realize April was Oral Health Care month. When my kids were little .. a family friend had such terrible gum disease that it started an infection that really effected his his overall health. After watching that .. getting the kids to the dentist or brush their teeth was never a struggle. It left such a lasting impression on our family that even today we’re all really diligent about oral health.
paula schuck
That sounds awful Ali! When I was small – before my mom was hired full time as a staff elementary school teacher she was on contract and we had no dental care plan. I remember having gum disease the first time we went in ever at about 6 and 8 years old. Now I am better at caring for my teeth – thank goodness. I would never want that to happen again./ But I totally understand why my Mom had that challenge when we were small.
Bites for Foodies
Even though my kids ‘know’ how to brush their teeth we are constantly hounding them and standing by them making sure they are doing it correctly. They are only 4 and 6 so they obviously still need guidance.