June is Oral Health Month and Smile Month: Share More Smiles!

It’s June and that means it is also national oral health and smile month. We want our Li’l Sunshine Smiles patients to share more smiles. Learn how to keep your smile bright, healthy and ready to be shared all year long.

The official start of the summer season is this weekend. But, even though school is out, dental school never ends! Parents are some of the best teachers children will ever encounter. And, parents get the added privilege of leading by example in the home with oral health and wellness habits. 

The Right Way to Brush – Use a Video to Help!

When it comes to oral health, one of the biggest preventive care measures is teeth brushing. But, not just any kind of teeth brushing. The amount of time spent, the tools used, and the method of brushing are crucial for keeping cavities away. 

The American Dental Association has made this fun, interactive video parents can consult and use as a visual aid when teaching their children to brush their teeth (AND keep it fun.) Also, the video explains how much toothpaste your child should be using (0-3 size of a rice grain; 3+ pea-sized) and how to motivate children with positivity. 

Watch the Sweets and Snacking

One of the best ways you can keep your child’s mouth happy is to be more selective about what comes in contact with their teeth. Some tips: 

• Be intentional when it comes to avoiding added sugars. The World Health Organization states that children should have no more than 3 tsp.
• Avoid foods that stick to your teeth. Dried fruits seem like a healthy choice, but even they can be problematic. Fruit snacks, chewy candies, anything that sticks to the tooth enamel can accelerate tooth decay. 
• When choosing a beverage, choose water over juice or soda.
• Reach for dairy as a low-sugar alternative. Milk, and other dairy products like cheese and yogurt, are low in sugar which helps preserve teeth enamel.  And, dairy products have protein and calcium which help make teeth strong.
• Be careful with carbs. Tooth decay is caused by acid-producing bacteria that are activated by carbs. Reach for nuts, strawberries, celery, eggs and lean meats. 

Have Regular Dental Exams

Dedicated brushing and flossing at home is a great preventive step for removing plaque. But,  tartar can’t be removed on your own. Plan having your child visit Dr. Botero every six months for a routine cleaning and examination.

During the cleaning, Dr. Botero will use her professional tools and skills to carefully (and gently) remove tartar from teeth surfaces.  After, teeth are polished to remove surface stains and flossed to keep all surface areas clean. During a dental exam, Dr. Botero will check for cavities, evaluate gum health, and inspect your tongue, throat, neck, face, and head for signs of swelling or redness.

The Benefits of a Healthy Smile

Smiles boost your child’s confidence, social lives, interactions and (future) careers. A healthy smile can transform our physical appearance in startling ways. But, not only does a healthy smile feed a healthy mind-set, but it also affects your overall health as well. Research shows that oral health can impact our risk for heart disease, dementia, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and cancer. 

Oral health is a group effort.  A visit to your Li’l Sunshine Smiles dental home can help you learn more about treatments to keep smiles bright and white.  Call to schedule an appointment at 813-576-0200!