{This is a sponsored post. I received LISTERINE® Brand products from Johnson & Johnson Consumer, Inc. as part of my participation in this project. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are my own.}
Our latest dental visit confirmed what I suspected about my kids’ increasing endeavor for independence…they simply aren’t brushing and flossing sufficiently to maintain a healthy mouth. You can imagine this mom’s response to the news, given that I’ve never had a cavity in my entire 30-something years of life.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20% of children between the ages of 5 and 19 have some form of tooth decay. The importance of starting healthy oral care habits from the moment your child’s first tooth appears cannot be overemphasized. Oral health impacts every aspect of a person’s life including school, work, and relationships.
Oral disease is widely prevalent in our country, with nearly half of American adults over the age of 30 suffering from gum disease and increases with age, 91% of adults over the age of 20 diagnosed with at least one cavity, 27% of adults with untreated cavities, and nearly half of all Americans between the ages of 20 and 64 suffering the loss of a tooth due to oral disease. What surprised me most about this nationwide survey was the fact that when asked, most Americans think they have a healthy mouth when in fact they actually suffer from some form of oral disease. These numbers are staggering, and while for many adults, treatment and prevention of future disease is the answer, I think there is great value in protecting your child’s teeth from an early age.
The impact of oral disease extends beyond the health of your mouth. Oral health is a sensitive issue and can affect a person’s self esteem and interpersonal relationships. Studies show that more than 66% of Americans are embarrassed by oral health issues , 3 in 4 Americans say that the state of their mouth determines how they look and feel. On the contrary, 93% of adults say that they feel better overall when their mouth feels clean. The link between oral health and a person’s overall health has been clearly documented. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, diseases of the immune system and even Alzheimer’s have all been linked to poor oral health, mandating that Americans take preventive action.
Our oral care routine takes no more than 10 minutes every morning and night, including flossing, brushing, and rinsing, so time isn’t a valid excuse in our family. We know the importance of healthy oral care habits and it’s been instilled within my children more times than any of us can count, so knowledge isn’t an excuse. I can only speak for our family, and what I find is that sometimes in the midst of homework and Disneyland, we don’t place the type of importance on oral care that we should. I can’t tell you the number of times my kids have been “too tired” to brush their teeth and I’ve given them an oral care pass. But the statistics speak for themselves, and as a parent, it is my job to model healthy oral care habits and insist that my children floss, brush, and rinse correctly every single night.
One interesting thing I’ve noticed with my kids is that my oldest seems to have a predisposition towards cavities. Lately, I’ve been looking at other ways to protect my children’s teeth in addition to our oral care routine. These 5 Tips for Protecting Your Child’s Teeth may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s been helpful for our family to write them down and remind ourselves regularly about why diet, dental visits, and other day-to-day habits can make a significant difference in mediating the risk we as Americans face when it comes to oral health.
1. Model health oral care habits. Children imitate both the good and the bad that they see in their parents and your actions speak louder than your words. Consider flossing, brushing, and rinsing together as a family. This will give you an opportunity to assess whether or not your child is taking care of his/her teeth correctly.
2. Begin an oral care routine when the first tooth emerges. I brushed both of my kids’ teeth for many years until I was certain they could do so independently. There are times when my 5-year-old still requires assistance and I’m happy to do so to ensure that her teeth are properly taken care of. Some tips that help include allowing children to pick out the flavor of their toothpaste/rinse, selecting a toothbrush with his/her favorite character, and incorporating a timer so children know exactly how long. It’s also important to remember that brushing alone can miss nearly 75% of your mouth, leaving germs behind that can lead to plaque and gingivitis. Be sure to ask your dentist if rinsing with LISTERINE Antiseptic, which can clean nearly 100% of your mouth for healthier gums is right for your family.
3. Take your child to the dentist by his/her first birthday. You might consider finding a Pediatric dentist who is trained to work with children. Very often these offices are also kid-friendly, incorporating engaging diversions (i.e. kid flicks) and positive reinforcement (i.e. the treasure box) to motivate children to want to take care of their teeth. Remember that these first experiences can set the precedent for your child’s future oral health so strive to make it positive.
4. Be mindful of your child’s sugar intake. If you pick up nearly any packaged food at the grocery store, you’ll likely find it has more sugar than you might imagine. Some of the unexpected foods you’ll find sugar in include store-bought bread, jarred pasta sauce, and juice. The germs that cause cavities feed off of sugar, so it’s important to both minimize your child’s intake and practice regular, healthy, oral care habits to mitigate the risk.
5. Ask your dentist about dental sealants. I attribute part of my cavity-free life to the sealant my dentist applied when I was a child. This coating can protect your child’s most vulnerable teeth from cavities. Many insurance companies cover sealants and I encourage you to ask your dentist if this is the right solution for your family.
Twitter Party!
I invite you to join me on Tuesday, October 27th, 2015 at 9 am PT/12 pm EST for a Twitter party where we will be discussing oral health and hygiene. Even though we’re still a few weeks away, I encourage you to begin tweeting today with the hashtag #LISTERINE since every tweet between now and December 1st, 2015 will result in a $10 donation from LISTERINE to Oral Health America (up to $40,000).
How do you protect your child’s teeth? I would love to hear your best tips! And to learn more about the LISTERINE survey, visit the brand’s website.
Photos: LISTERINE unless otherwise noted
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