National Children’s Dental Health Month February 2016
Office of Human Resources Employee Benefits & Work/Life Ithaca College 953 Danby Road Ithaca, NY, 14850 http://www.ithaca.edu/hr/benefits/wrklife/
National Children’s Dental Health Month raises awareness about the importance of oral
health. It promotes the benefits of good oral health to children and adults, caregivers,
teachers, and many others. Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular
dental visits helps children to get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.
Brushing your teeth is an important part of dental care. For a healthy mouth and smile:
Brush teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled brush. The size and shape of your brush
should fit your mouth allowing you to reach all areas easily
Replace your toothbrush every three or four months or sooner if the bristles are
frayed. A worn toothbrush won’t do a good job of cleaning teeth
Make sure you use ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste
The correct brushing technique is to:
Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums
Gently move the brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes
Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth
To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make
several up-and-down strokes
Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and keep your breath fresh
Six Essential Steps for Your Dental Health Routine
1. Gather your tools. Make sure you
have fluoride toothpaste, dental
floss and a toothbrush with soft,
rounded bristles.
2. Set a schedule. Dentists
recommend brushing at least twice
a day and flossing at least once.
When possible, brush immediately
after eating sweet or starchy foods,
but wait half an hour after eating
acidic foods to avoid damaging
your softened enamel.
3. Be thorough. Brush for at least two
minutes each session, angling your
toothbrush at 45 degrees and using
short, circular strokes. Apply just
enough pressure to feel the bristles
without squishing them. When
you’re done, brush your tongue to
remove bacteria.
4. Don’t forget to floss. Floss
removes plaque from between
teeth and below the gum line.
Don’t worry if your gums feel
tender or bleed at first. By flossing,
you’re fighting the source of the
problem: the bacteria causing your
sensitive gums.
5. Rinse to refresh. After brushing
and flossing, vigorously rinse your
mouth with mouthwash or water
to remove any loosened plaque
and food particles.
6. Go pro. Twice-a-year dental
cleanings are an important part of
maintaining your oral and overall
health. Call your dentist for an
appointment today.
THE OPPOSITION
The secret to a healthy smile? Understanding what you’re up against.
Learn about your teeth’s enemies and how to fight back.
PLAQUE
Your biggest rival is plaque – a sticky, colorless film that collects on your teeth every day. When you
eat, bacteria in plaque transform food sugars to acids, which then attack tooth enamel for 20
minutes afterwards. Over time, plaque forms tartar, a hard deposit that only your dentist can remove.
Since plaque is invisible, fight back with your secret weapon: disclosing solution. Buy one at a
drugstore or make your own by mixing two drops of blue or green food coloring with two teaspoons
of water. The solution “discloses” the location of plaque on your teeth, revealing any spots you’ve
missed while brushing.
DECAY
When plaque isn’t conquered regularly, tooth enamel breaks down, causing decay. Decay spreads
from the outside towards the center of your tooth. Detected early, it can be treated by a dental
filling; left untreated, it will spread to the center of the tooth where it will typically cause
tremendous pain. Abscessed teeth often require a root canal or extraction.
DIET
What you put in your mouth matters to your teeth. And, in addition to what you eat, how often you
eat and how long foods remain in your mouth can make a difference. Sugar in any form, including
honey and even natural sugars found in fruit and dairy products, can damage your teeth. The most
harmful sugars are those that stick to the teeth, like gummy candy, and those that remain in the
mouth for a while, like hard candies. Starchy foods, such as potatoes, also contain sugars that affect
teeth. Save them for meals – and brush after.
KNOW YOUR BRUSHES!
Do you ever stand in the dental care section of the store,
wondering what toothbrush to choose? With so many options,
it can feel overwhelming! Here are the facts you need to know:
Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush: Also known as a
“power toothbrush”, this is the kind you plug into the wall to
recharge, keeping the handle and replacing the brush head
every three months
Regular Manual Toothbrush: These are the basic
toothbrushes you’re probably accustomed to with a
plastic handle and various nylon bristle designs on the
brush head. It doesn’t require any power sources
Battery Powered Toothbrush: These are another kind of “power
toothbrush” due to their use of an AA battery. While similar in design
to regular manual toothbrushes, battery power toothbrushes have just
enough vibration to add some extra cleaning action
The Bottom Line: When used correctly, every toothbrush can get the job done!
Replace your toothbrush or brush head every three months, and smile on!
The App Store Children can have a difficult time brushing
their teeth for a full two minutes. Explore
the App Store on your mobile device for
these free, entertaining toothbrush
timers!
Brusheez – The Little Monsters Toothbrush Timer
Make brushing time fun! Pick a pal and make them jump, flip, giggle, wiggle, gasp, and go dizzy! Change the colors of the hair, pajamas and toothbrush! Set the timer, and get ready to brush and dance! Cost: Free Compatible with: iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch
Heroes of Hygiene: Toothbrush Timer
Children choose from Captain Molar, Enamel Girl, Max Floss, and Pearly White! The heroes guide them through the proper technique and keep them brushing for the entire two minutes! The Heroes remind kids of the 2-2-2 Rule, which says to visit your dentist 2 times per year, and brush and floss 2 times per day
for a whole 2 minutes! Cost: Free Compatible with: iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch, Android
Sparkle: Icky’s Toothbrush Playtime
The winner of the 2014 Family & Parent Choice Award! This app provides a fun activity for kids to learn about personal hygiene. This complete activity helps kids learn all the steps in brushing their teeth, including fun, silly, and engaging animations. Cost: Free Compatible with: iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch
Tooth Fairy Timer Children love the tooth fairy! This app allows children to choose a beautiful tooth fairy that joins them during their 2-minute tooth brushing routine. Once you press the Start button, happy music plays. A great app for Tooth Fairy lovers! Cost: Free Compatible with: iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Disney Magic Timer by Oral-B
Now featuring twenty-three of your favorite Disney, Marvel and Star Wars characters, use this app to seamlessly encourage your kids to brush longer. Collect a new digital sticker after each successful two minutes of brushing; track progress with stars and milestone badges on the Brushing Calendar! Cost: Free Compatible with: iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android
Fact or Fiction: Children’s Dental Health!
Fact or Fiction: Children’s Dental Health! Answer Sheet
1. Babies get fever when teething
o FICTION - Contrary to popular belief, it is not normal for a teething baby
to have a fever. Diarrhea and rashes are also not normal. If your infant
has a fever or diarrhea while teething or continues to be cranky and
uncomfortable, call your physician.
2. Baby teeth are important
o FACT - Baby teeth hold places in the mouth for adult teeth. When a baby
tooth is lost too early, the permanent teeth can drift into the empty
space and make it difficult for other adult teeth to find room when they
come in. This can make teeth crooked or crowded. Taking good care of
your child’s baby teeth may help to avoid other problems when he or
she is older.
3. Malocclusions, or bad bites, aren’t serious
o Fiction - Malocclusions, or bad bites, can be serious. If not treated early,
a bad bite can make it difficult to keep teeth and gums clean where
teeth are crooked or crowded, increasing the risk for cavities and gum
disease.
4. Diluting juice with water is better for your children’s teeth
o Fiction - There’s a saying in the dental world that goes like this: “Snack
and sip all day? Risk decay!” Don’t put your smile at risk by drinking too
many sugary drinks. If you do drink something sweet, try and rinse your
mouth with water afterward. Brush your teeth two times a day with
fluoride toothpaste.
5. Getting a sealant put on a tooth hurts
o Fiction - Sealing a tooth is fast and easy and protects your child’s teeth
from decay. Sealants act as barriers to cavity-prone areas.
