Is your New Year’s Resolution for better health for you and your children? Put your oral health at the top of the list because having good oral health is vital for overall health and well-being.
Did you know that many diseases and health conditions can be linked to oral health? Your oral health might affect or contribute to cardiovascular disease, gum disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s, endocarditis, and more. Not only that, but your oral health contributes to one’s self-image, self-confidence, and emotional well-being.
In fact, the CDC states that 51 million school hours are lost each year due to dental problems. Kids with poor dental health miss 3X as much school due to dental pain.
The key to good oral health includes:
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
- Floss daily.
- Use mouthwash daily.
- Eat a healthy and limit between-meal snacks.
- Replace your toothbrush as directed – usually every 3-4 months, or whenever you are sick.
- Get dental checkups twice annually (read Why Dental Checkups are Important for Kids)
I blog a lot about the importance of good oral health for both children and adults.
Floss for a Healthier New Year
All of the above is important and I feel like most of us brush twice daily and teach our kids this, but how many floss? Only 10-40% of people floss daily. Yikes! Did you know that some even claim that flossing is more important than brushing? Toothbrushes don’t clean between teeth or below the gum line, so it is critical to floss daily. Dental floss is designed to remove plaque, tarter buildup, and food from tight spaces between your teeth and under your gums.
You should start flossing your child’s teeth as soon as they have two teeth that touch and continue assisting until your child is 7 or 8 years old and able to do it on their own. While kids are young, it might be easier to use floss sticks or picks instead of traditional floss. There are many kinds of brightly colored kids floss sticks with kid-friendly handles and even characters that makes it fun for kids too. My kids like the Plackers Kids Flossers.
It is recommended to floss before you brush your teeth so that the fluoride from your toothpaste can reach in between your teeth. It is also recommended to use mouthwash before you brush. Colgate makes a great line of mouthwashes for kids.
Flossing is a simple step to add to your routine that will have lasting benefits for better health in the New Year and beyond.
If you are looking for a pediatric dentist in the Akron, Ohio area, I recommend Dr. Adam Pollock Dentistry. My kids have been patients for years and we are very pleased with their services. Dr. Pollock and the staff are experts in caring for children and those with special needs, as well as making kids (and parents) feel comfortable and welcomed. Take a look around their office with this 360° tool.
Dr. Adam Pollock D. D.S. Pediatric Dentistry
1707 Portage Trail
Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223
(330) 929-3091
Monday: 8:30a – 4:30p
Tuesday: 8:30a – 4:30p
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 8:30a – 4:30p
Friday: 8:30a – 4:30p
Dr. Adam Pollock Pediatric Dentistry is located in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, just minutes from Akron, Stow, Munroe Falls, Kent, Hudson, Peninsula, Tallmadge, Ellet, Copley, and Fairlawn, Ohio.
Visit Dr. Adam Pollock Akron Pediatric Dentistry online and Like Dr. Adam Pollock Pediatric Dentistry on Facebook.
