Encouraging your child(ren) to brush their teeth twice a day and floss are all important steps to ensure your child’s smile stays healthy, happy, & cavity-free! Yet, there’s a single ingredient found in our water and our toothpaste that naturally acts as “nature’s cavity fighter.” You likely have heard of something called “fluoride” before, but may not be aware about its importance!

What is fluoride?

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that appears in most bodies of water, rocks, plants, and even some foods. We’ve come to discover that fluoride is a proven way to prevent tooth decay, so the mineral is often added to community water sources and dental products, like the toothpaste in your cabinet!

Why is fluoride important?

When we eat or drink, the bacteria in our mouths feed on sugar/starches and ultimately release acids that break down food. The problem is, these acids can also erode the enamel that protects our teeth. When enamel breaks down, that’s when tooth decay, cavities, and other oral hygiene issues can occur.

Is fluoride safe for children?

It sure is! Fluoride is safe for children in the correct dose. However, too much fluoride in early childhood can lead to fluorosis, which may result in white spots or pitting of the enamel. If you’re ever concerned about your child getting too much fluoride, please talk with a pediatric dentist at Eversmiles! We’re more than happy to help you determine the correct amount of fluoride to keep your child’s smile healthy!

Where can I find more information about fluoride?

Please view the following sources if you’re interested in learning more about fluoride:

Read the American Dental Association’s Fluoridation Facts.
Review Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines related to fluoride and fluoridation.
Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Visit the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Campaign for Dental Health website.

June is finally here, summer is right around the corner and the 1st of the month officially kicks off Oral Health Month!

The kids might be out of school for the next few months, but continuously teaching skills about healthy oral hygiene practices can and should occur year-round — especially when sharing these practices with young kids who absorb information at a heightened level!

More than anything, leading by example is the first step in showcasing best practices for oral hygiene. Healthy habits like brushing, cleaning between your teeth, cleaning your tongue, and seeing your dentist can all greatly affect your overall oral health and can make a big difference in the health of your entire family.

A Mini History Lesson

While oral hygiene practices have improved astronomically over the course of human history, there were practices set in place thousands of years ago in the hopes of maintaining oral health. While different in design, toothbrushes were conceptualized all the way back in 3500 BC by the Babylonians and Egyptians who used split twigs to clean their teeth. The “split twigs” eventually transformed into “chewing sticks” by the Chinese in 1600 BC and eventually transitioned into the modern-day equivalent of the toothbrush by 1780 AD.

The Ancient Greeks even used pumice, talc, alabaster, and iron rust as toothpaste. Clearly, not nearly as minty-fresh as today’s popular toothpaste choices, but again, oral health has been explored for thousands of years.

With the advancement of technology, dental hygienists, nurses, and doctors have all been able to grasp a much stronger idea of how oral health practices affect our teeth and have conducted extensive research into developing practices to best maintain our smiles over the course of our lives.

Each year throughout National Children’s Dental Health Month in February, the American Dental Association promotes a different campaign targeting a new dental health goal. This year’s theme is “Sealants Make Sense.”

National Children’s Dental Health Month brings together dental health professionals, caregivers, parents, and teachers to give children the best start on oral health. From brushing and flossing to healthy snacks and routine dental visits, the month also includes Give Kids A Smile Day on February 6th.

Tips for Brushing

Don’t skip – Making it a habit requires sticking to the schedule. Even when there is a special occasion or if our child is tired, we need to reinforce the importance of brushing.
Make it fun – Songs that last 2 minutes will help. Reading to your child while they brush may help, too. Even a puppet brushing his teeth can be motivating.
Learn by example – Children emulate their parents. Brush with your children and they will want to be just like you.
Trial and error – Try different kinds of toothpaste until you find the one junior likes. Try using the smallest amount he will allow and working your way up to the recommended amount. Even a tiny amount is better than no toothpaste.
Don’t give up – The pain of cavities and lifelong dental issues is more costly and damaging than dealing with these few moments of nagging battles twice a day.

Article originally published to National Day Calendar.

Make your child’s first (or tenth) visit to the pediatric dentist a good one with this helpful checklist!

It’s the New Year — a time when many parents and caregivers focus on healthy habits and routines for themselves and their families. Because baby teeth are the blueprint for permanent teeth, caring for them is important. While tooth decay can impact children’s ability to eat and sleep, it can also impact a child’s ability to learn at school and speak clearly. Remember to schedule a visit with Eversmiles Pediatric Dentistry to ensure healthy little teeth and keep this checklist handy for an enjoyable visit and as a refresher for future check-ups.

Schedule your first pediatric dental visit to establish a “home base,” for your child’s dental needs by your child’s first birthday. Remember, it’s never too late! If your child has already visited Eversmiles, consider scheduling a visit after the first of the year to kick 2022 off with clean teeth!
Answer all your child’s questions positively and be careful about using scary words. Check-ups and 90 percent of first visits do not have anything to do with “hurt,” so don’t even say the word!
Read your child a story about a character who had a good dental visit. Try asking your pediatric dentist for suggested reading.
Give your child some control over the dental visit. Such choices as “Will you hold your bear or should I?” or “Which color toothbrush do you like?” will make the visit more enjoyable.
Give center stage to the pediatric dentist and allow them to do most of the talking to build a better relationship with your child. Remember, you will be able to discuss with the pediatric dentist after the examination.

This post is brought to you by My Children’s Teeth.

Nature’s Cavity Fighter Called Fluoride

What is fluoride?

Why is fluoride important?

Is fluoride safe for children?

Where can I find more information about fluoride?

Oral Health Month

It’s National Children’s Dental Health Month!

Tips for Brushing

Healthy New Year’s Resolutions: Check Off a Visit to Eversmiles

Eversmiles Pediatric Dentistry

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