{"id":70,"date":"2019-02-07T18:34:42","date_gmt":"2019-02-07T18:34:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mydentistrybydesign.com\/blog\/?p=70"},"modified":"2019-03-07T18:35:52","modified_gmt":"2019-03-07T18:35:52","slug":"70","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mydentistrybydesign.com\/blog\/index.php\/2019\/02\/07\/70\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrate Children\u2019s Dental Health Month with These Tips from a Children\u2019s Dentist in Bartlesville"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"YourDo you want your family to have healthier teeth and gums? Of course you do. A great way to start is by making appointments with your children\u2019s dentist in Bartlesville<\/a>. While you\u2019re at it, have your children pick out new toothbrushes designed to remind them of their favorite characters. Wrap it all up by making a fun color chart, trying a plaque disclosure test, and hosting a sugar-free celebration. There is no better way to set the tone for a tooth-positive 2019.<\/p>\n

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Healthy Teeth? There\u2019s a Month for That<\/h2>\n

February is National Children\u2019s Dental Health Month, 28 days during which both dental professionals and parents focus on helping kids to cultivate good tooth care habits for a lifetime. Here are some of the ways the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends observing this annual event:<\/p>\n

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  1. Make your dental appointments for the rest of 2019. <\/strong>Scheduling these visits for February or March means you won\u2019t have to worry about going back to the dentist until August or September, right about the time school starts back. Tying family appointments to annual events can help you to remember them. Don\u2019t forget to put them on your calendar or in your planning app as well.<\/li>\n
  2. Do a toothbrush overhaul<\/strong>. Most of us keep our toothbrushes far too long. Encourage your children to choose new brushes decorated with their favorite cartoon, movie, or comic book characters. Not only will this encourage them to brush, it will make the experience more fun.<\/li>\n
  3. Create a handy reminder chart to hang in your bathroom.<\/strong> You\u2019ll find examples of these on the official ADA website. They are a great way to help motivate your loved ones as well as yourself to brush and floss as needed.<\/li>\n
  4. Pick up some plaque disclosure tablets.<\/strong> These are available at your dentist\u2019s office. These pills reveal areas on the teeth and gums where plaque remains after brushing. They can show you what you\u2019re doing wrong as well as what you\u2019re doing right.<\/li>\n
  5. Make flossing fun.<\/strong> Dental experts recommend daily flossing as an important supplementary step to brushing. Yet all too many families overlook this important task. You\u2019ll find floss strings on the market in a variety of widths and with wax coatings to make the task easier. Some brands even have yummy sugar-free flavorings for added inducement.<\/li>\n
  6. Find a mouthwash or dental rinse for your entire family.<\/strong> Many traditional formulas are alcohol-based, which can be hard on little ones. Fortunately, there are now plenty of alcohol-free versions available at most pharmacies and mass retailers. You can also ask your dentist to recommend a brand.<\/li>\n
  7. Host a sugar-free celebration. <\/strong>You\u2019ll find plenty of recipes online for cookies, cakes, pies, brownies, and other delicious indulgences made with alternative sweeteners such as sucralose or aspartame. You get all the fun and flavor while avoiding the cavity-causing sugar.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    2019 is still just getting started. You still have lots of time to start laying the foundation for a tooth-friendly rest of the year. Come the holidays you\u2019ll look back at the preceding months with lots of reason to smile.<\/p>\n

    About the Author<\/h2>\n

    Dr. Luke Lumpkin is a proud member of the ADA and a graduate of the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. With more than a decade of professional experience under his belt, he has the training and experience needed to care for every member of your family. You can reach his office online<\/a> or by calling (918) 336-6777.
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