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February is Dental Health Month

Shelby Moore

February 22, 2011

As a college student, all education majors at Indiana University were required to choose a concentration. I chose myconcentration to be in health education. In high school one of my favorite classes was health class, and I think that is what led me to focus on health education in college—and now I am so glad I did!

With child obesity at an all time high, I believe that it is so important to teach our children proper hygiene, health and nutrition. Unfortunately, health isn't always a subject that is addressed in the classroom. There are no set objectives for me as a Kindergarten teacher to teach my students about the proper health things they should or shouldn't be doing. I have found that the school nurse is a great resource to have come into your child’s classroom and discuss some of the health issues and concerns geared toward your child’s grade level. Since no real emphasis is placed on health except what the teacher chooses to include, is why I especially love when a month has been set aside just for focusing on awareness of a certain health topic.

This February, among heart disease awareness, is Dental Health Month. What a great way to make sure you are helping your children at home with proper oral hygiene. Dental Health Month is particularly special to me because growing up my dad was a dentist and I guess you could say his passion for good oral care rubbed off on me a bit.

Working at an inner-city school in Houston, it is apparent that many children need to “brush up” on what they know about oral hygiene.

Here are some things you may want to discuss with your child since February is Dental Health Month for kids:

  • Good foods for your teeth vs. bad foods that may cause cavities.
  • Proper brushing techniques and how long to brush for. We had a dentist come to our school and they gave each child a little hourglass timer so they would know how long to brush for. If you would like a timer for your child just ask the next time you are at the dentist office, which should be every 6 months!
  • Frequency of brushing
  • Flossing--for small kids the Oral-B Stages Kids Flossers are great!
  • Loosing your baby teeth and getting your permanent teeth.
  • What to expect when you visit the dentist. Visiting the doctor or the dentist may raise your child’s anxiety level (it still does for many adults too). Talk to your child about what they will see and hear when they visit the dentist.

For more tips go to: http://www.oralb.com/topics/dental-hygiene-tips-fo​r-kids.aspx

In addition to the dental tips, I leave you with a great website for kids that focuses on kids health: http://kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/body/teeth_​care.html 

What tips do you have to get your kids to brush their teeth?

What other healthy choices have you helped your child to develop?

Stay Healthy!

~Shelby Moore