National Children’s Dental Health Month

It’s finally here – National Children’s Dental Health Month!

Why all the excitement, you ask? This annual event is always exciting because National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM) is the perfect time to help people understand the importance of dental health.

Dental health helps you have strong, attractive teeth that help you eat food, talk, and smile!

About National Children’s Dental Health Month

The American Dental Association sponsors the event every year during February. Each year, the group proclaims a new topic regarding dental health in children and then creates posters, program planning guide, and other resources that contain information about those dental topics.

Unlike today’s NCDHM that lasts a month, the first National Children’s Dental Health observance was a one-day event in Cleveland on February 3, 1941. A one-week event followed that same month in Akron, Ohio. The American Dental Association turned it into a national event when they held their first observance on February 8, 1949. The observance grew to a one-week long event in 1955 and then went to a one-month program in 1981.

Today, the American Dental Association reaches millions of important messages about dental health during National Children’s Dental Health Month.

Brush with Fluoride Toothpaste and Clean Between Your Teeth

The theme for 2018 is “Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth for a healthy smile.”

Bacteria living in your mouth consume sugar for energy and, in the process, create acid as a byproduct. This acid can eat away tooth enamel to cause tooth decay and cavities. Brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice daily helps prevent tooth decay and cavities by making the teeth more resistant to the acid.

The bacteria that cause tooth decay often hide in the nooks and crannies between your teeth. Removing the bacteria from between teeth helps reduce your risk of cavities there. Floss at least once a day.

Get excited during National Children’s Dental Health Month this February! This is the perfect opportunity to emphasize brushing and flossing in your children’s lives. For more tips, tricks, and to schedule a cleaning for your child, call Sunshine Smiles today! Our pediatric dentistry in Melbourne, Florida would love to meet your family and help your children smile more. 321-622-6254.