Getting Kids to Take Care of Their Teeth
February 04, 2012, By Jack Heffron 0 comments
Getting kids to brush their teeth regularly—and to do it right—is one of those parental challenges that we don't talk much about or even think a lot about except when we're telling them to do it in the morning and before they go to bed. Maybe that's why the American Dental Association declared February National Children's Dental Health Month. It reminds us as parents, maybe even more than it reminds the kids.
Given the importance of establishing good dental habits, I'm not sure why they chose the shortest month of the year. February also is National Chocolate Lover's Month, National Snack Food Month and Great American Pie Month (and at least a dozen other "national months" including sweet potato and bird-feeding), none of which seem like good ways to achieve strong and healthy teeth. But maybe that's all the more reason to make kids and parents even more aware of good dental health habits. With all the sugar kids tend to consume during the late-in-the-year holidays, beginning with Halloween, February is probably an excellent choice for promoting dental health.
The ADA rolls out quite an impressive program to heighten awareness among kids about dental care. This year's slogan is "Rock Your Smile," emblazoned on a colorful poster for kids and another one more appropriate for, and appealing to, teens. On the site, parents and teachers can find fun dental health activities that make kids aware of the need to brush—from coloring sheets to crossword puzzles and word games to instructional sheets on brushing and flossing, even a "Healthy Smile Certificate" that kids can sign and hang in some place of high honor.
For younger kids, you also can download the story of Flossy and Buck McGrinn, lively twins who, with their friends Den and Gen Smiley, are, according to the ADA's promotional page, "dancing and singing their way to a healthy smile." Older ones might give this story, which is so sweet it could lead to a cavity or two all by itself, but the younger set will learn—and get excited—about taking care of their teeth while being entertained.
What can you do as a parent to take advantage of this opportunity to develop good dental care habits in your kids? Well, ask them if they're talking about dental health at school and if their teachers are doing any of these activities in class. If they are taking advantage of the program, you can use the downloadable material on the ADA's site to support what they're learning. If not, you can lead the lessons—and the fun—at home.
My own kids developed the brushing habit early, though if I let them do it on their own they usually set speed records. A big glob of toothpaste invariably remained in the sink afterward, so I'm not sure how much of it actually made contact with their teeth. I had to join them and suggest that maybe they should scrub each and every tooth with their brushes before rinsing. Flossing? Forget about it. At least when they were younger. That one kicked in, if still a bit sporadically, when they became teenagers. But the lessons eventually paid off, and now it's as ingrained as getting dressed.
The ADA's campaign will help you embed those lessons in a painless way—no nagging or cajoling or threatening involved. The campaign itself provides the reminders of the importance of dental health, and the materials give you opportunities to do some fun stuff with your kids. Given that we're in a leap year, you even get an extra day to do it. And then we're into March, which is National Flour, Peanut, Noodle, Frozen Food and Foot Health month. Think of the discussions you can have!
