February is National Children’s Dental Health Month!

The title says it all – February marks National Children’s Dental Health Month! That’s right – in our world, this whole month is dedicated to bringing together dental healthcare professionals, providers and educators to promote the benefits of good oral health to children, their caregivers and anyone else who may have a hand in your child’s dental health routine.

We’d like to take time this month to share links to pieces of useful content that we’ve created that are pertinent to children’s dental health:

• Pediatric Dentistry: First, we’d recommend that you review our service page about pediatric dentistry.
  At HDG, we’re committed to promoting and preserving your child’s dental health from infancy through the teenage years, and beyond. We take pride in training our staff to treat child-specific issues & behaviors as well as children with special needs. Our goal is to leverage our expertise in preventive and therapeutic oral health care to ensure that ALL children are comfortable throughout the duration of their visit with us.
• Baby Teeth: Back in November, we released a piece focused on highlighting what parents need to know about baby teeth. From learning about when your child’s first tooth might erupt and what age you should start brushing their teeth to information about the impact of nursing, concerns about spacing & much more, this piece is chock full of information that new parents especially may find to be very helpful.
• Oral Hygiene Tips: While this article about maintaining oral hygiene features tips that are focused on doing so around Halloween, it can really apply to any holiday or to any child with an extra active sweet tooth. It explores everything from how to create a plan and identifying the best time of day to enjoy a sweet treat to treats you should avoid and why hydration is key.
• Establishing an Oral Hygiene Routine: This post was originally intended to inspire motivation for establishing a back to school oral hygiene routine. However, in a time where it seems like we’re constantly starting over, starting fresh and resetting, it’s a good reference point for when you need a refresher on how to establish an oral hygiene routine for your children.
• Changing Your Toothbrush: Even for children, it’s important to change your toothbrush (or toothbrush head) every 3-4 months. Learn about how to preserve the life of a toothbrush, when you absolutely need to change it, and enjoy some general toothbrushing facts and tips in this post as well.
• National Tooth Fairy Day: Guess what? National Tooth Fairy Day actually happens TWICE each year, and it’s coming up on February 28th! See, there’s actual fun during Children’s Dental Health Month, too. Catch up on the phases of tooth loss: this post features everything from preparing your child on what to expect with a loose tooth, how to be an awesome Tooth Fairy, and how to celebrate this milestone in your children’s lives.
• Flossing: Having trouble getting your children to floss? Don’t worry, that’s normal. Not only is it new to them, but the sensation may feel odd and they’re probably still getting the hang of how to properly brush their teeth. Check out our flossing tips to help you help them!
• Foods that Protect Tooth Enamel: If you need insight and inspiration into foods that will positively impact and protect your children’s tooth enamel, we have a post for that too. From foods that are rich in calcium and fruits & vegetables to cheese (YES, we said CHEESE!), there are a variety of healthy choices that you can make for your children and their teeth.
• 5 Ways to Make Teeth Brushing Fun for Kids: Check out these 5 ways that you can help to make brushing teeth fun for kids while simultaneously encouraging healthy dental habits.
• Airways & Sleep Issues in Children: The airway concept can refer to tongue ties, issues with tonsils / adenoids, or any other obstacle that makes it difficult for kids to breathe properly and, therefore, experience poor sleep and even endure behavior challenges due to lack of quality sleep.

We hope that you find this information useful as you help your children to navigate their dental health journey this month and beyond. As a parent, we believe it’s imperative that you’re equipped with as much information as possible so that you can promote the importance of oral hygiene and dental health to your most precious assets. Have questions? We’re here. Contact us at any time!