Here’s How to Celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month This February

The month of February is about a lot more than just flowers, chocolates, and romantic love. It’s also National Children’s Dental Health Month! This observance was created by the American Dental Association (ADA) in order to raise awareness of how important it is that kids take care of their teeth and gums. Here are just a few ways to celebrate with children’s dentistry in Edison.

Schedule a Checkup and Cleaning

One of the best ways to start February off on the right foot is to book an appointment with your child’s dentist. Your son or daughter should attend regular checkups and cleanings about every six months to keep their teeth clean and decay-free. As an added bonus, the more you take your child in to see their dentist, the more comfortable they’ll be going to the dentist as an adult, and they’ll have better oral health for the rest of their life. If you schedule an appointment now, your child should be due for another one in August, right before school starts. That way their smile will be nice and bright just in time for yearbook pictures!

Buy Them a New Toothbrush

According to the ADA, you should replace your toothbrush every three to four months, or sooner if you’ve been sick or the bristles are worn or frayed. National Children’s Dental Health Month is a perfect opportunity to purchase a brand-new brush for your child. The next time you go to the grocery store or pharmacy, let them tag along. Allow them to select a toothbrush featuring their favorite cartoon character. Let them pick out their favorite flavor of toothpaste as well. They’ll be more excited to brush when they had some input in the purchasing process.

Do a Brushing Checkup

If your child brushes their teeth unattended, take some time to evaluate their oral hygiene skills. You may find them to be lacking. Maybe your little one doesn’t use enough toothpaste. Perhaps they skip out on flossing entirely. By doing a “brushing checkup,” you can set your child on the right track when it comes to their brushing and flossing skills.

Keep Track of Their Progress

Buy a pack of stickers and place one on the calendar for every day that your child remembers to brush and floss without your reminding them. When a whole month has passed and the calendar is filled with stickers, treat your child to a fun outing. Your little one will then start to associate good oral hygiene with family fun time!

This February, National Children’s Dental Health Month might be even more important than Valentine’s Day. By taking the time to learn more about oral hygiene together, you can help your child look forward to taking good care of their pearly whites.

About the Author

Dr. Steven Resnick is a dentist in Edison, NJ who has been trained in pediatric dentistry at the Rose Kennedy Center for Exceptional Children in the Bronx. In addition to being in private practice, he is an Associate Clinical Professor at the NYU College of Dentistry in the Department of Cariology and Comprehensive Care. He is passionate about helping patients of all ages achieve their healthiest smiles. To learn more, visit his website.