“I wrote this blog post while participating in a Trident blogging program, making me eligible for a gift card. “
The ADA, American Dental Association, states that “By taking care of your teeth, eating a balanced diet and visiting your dentist regularly, you can have healthy teeth and an attractive smile your entire life.”[1]
I know that proper Oral Hygiene not only can lead to healthy and happy kids, but can also provide less expensive visits to the dentist.
Trident asked moms like myself to post 5 simple things that we do in our households to keep our Children’s Smiles Healthy and Bright.
1. Have them brush daily. The ADA recommends brushing your teeth twice a day, with a
soft-bristled brush.[1]
2. Visit the dentist regularly. We all go together and make it a family event. Also, before our son’s very first offical dentist visit, we had him sit with us in the room while we were getting our cleanings done. Then, we read him a book about what was going to happen and through this, he knew what to expect and wasn’t afraid.*
3. Avoid sodas, sweetened drinks, and candy. I try to avoid buying them but if I do, I limit the consumption.
4. Eat balanced meals including fresh fruits and vegetables. I furnish a variety of foods at each meal to encourage healthy eating.
5. Speak to our kids about the importance of good oral health. This way we know they understand why they need to brush and visit the dentist. Plus, my husband and I hope it will influence their choices in food when they are visiting friends homes and making selections at school.
For more oral health care tips visit Oral Health Topics ADA
In addition, my children aren’t old enough yet to chew gum, but as they mature, this would be a great option for good oral care. ADA states that, clinical studies have shown that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes following meals can help prevent tooth decay.[2] Trident is a sugar free gum containing Xylitol, which according to the Trident site, Xylitol has been shown, when chewed 5 times per day, to reduce plaque, and make it easier to remove plaque when brushing [3]
*Here are some examples of childrens books about the dentist and dental care:
A Visit To The Dentist (Little Bill) by Eleanor Fremont, Andy Mastrocinque (Illustrator)
Dear Tooth Fairy by Alan Durant, Vanessa Cabban (Illustrator)
Little Rabbit’s Loose Tooth by Lucy Bate
For a complete list click here: Apples For the Teacher – Dental Care
I hope you find this information helpful and informative. For more information on Trident Gum click here: Trident Gum
[1] American Dental Association Oral Health Topics http://www.ada.org/2624.aspx
[2] American Dental Association Chewing Gum http://www.ada.org/1315.aspx
[3] Trident All Products http://www.tridentgum.com/textonly/faq.php
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