Did you know that today, September 8th is ToothsDay? Yes it is!
Today is the day we celebrate everything about teeth. No matter getting teeth, baby teeth, grownup teeth, teeth for biting into food, teeth for chewing food, teeth for talking, teeth for smiling, teeth for flossing, teeth for brushing.
Here are 3 great ways to celebrate Toothsday and give your child their best smile —
1. Mirror Mirror on the Wall – looking in the mirror to make sure you floss and brush away all the food and sugar that sticks to your child’s teeth and tongue is a great way to teach healthy habits. 2 Minutes 2X’s a day keeps the sugar bugs away.
2. Sweets are treats. There are so many goodies to choose from so keep an eye on snacking and drink choices. With sugar less is more.
3. Celebrate ToothsDay and National School Pictures Day together. That’s right, both are celebrated on September 8th. Pick out your child’s perfect outfit, work on that awesome hairstyle, and practice their best and brightest smile. Mom and Dad you remember this from your childhood, now it’s time for your child to go in front of the camera, think about the deep sense of pride and joy this brings to you.
Today is all about making memories and beautiful smiles together.
The annual ritual for back to school is here. Daycare, Preschool, Elementary School, Middle School, High School – your school year schedule is back.
For the last few weeks so many of you have been out there checking off clothing and school supply lists. Finding the perfect outfit for 1st day pictures, school pictures and practicing your child’s adorable smile.
While you were busily hunting for the treasured lunch box your child has been asking for, you were also planning what you were going to be packing into it for snacks and lunch that meet your child’s seal of approval.
You know it is important for your child to have a healthy balanced diet. Snacks and lunch at school need to provide a good source of protein, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables and grains.
If your child purchases their school lunches this is a great opportunity for you both to have a conversation about healthy food choices. If vending machines line the hallways or lunch room at your tween’s or teenager’s school, this is a good time to sit down and discuss healthy selections.
What are some good choices to include in their lunch box?
Sticky and chewy snacks need an upgrade. Fresh fruit and veggies are always flavorful and appealing. Have your child help you select their apple, pear, strawberries, orange, grapes. To make eating them more fun for your child to eat you can pre-peel a Clementine or Mandarin Orange, or cut their fruit and veggies into different shapes with your cookie cutters.
Know what goes great with fruit and is good for teeth? Cheese! The calcium in cheese is healthy for growing teeth and growing bones. So it’s a win-win 2 for 1.
When thinking about bread and crackers, whole grains are a great addition to stay on that healthy track.
A healthy drink to wash down a good lunch and snacks is water. Drinking regular plain old water is best. It’s best to avoid juice boxes and soda. To encourage your child to drink more water try having them select their own water bottle. With some reminding they’ll be more likely to bring it along on all your outings.
You’ll be surprised how satisfied your child is with their lunch and snacks, and how happy you are knowing they are eating healthy.
I’ve got this!
More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!
I can’t wait to show my Teacher my shiny new teeth!
In the Know for You to Know
Making sure your child starts and ends the day in a healthy way! Brushing for 2 Minutes 2 Times a Day makes for a happy and healthy smile for everyone.
With the new school year here you want to brush up on your tooth brushing habits. The best way to start is with spiffing up your night time brushing. To do this all you and your child have to remember are the 4B’s.
That’s right, the 4B’s are the key to a pleasant and consistent bed time routine, so that this is a time for both of you to enjoy together.
By incorporating these 4B’s you are turning challenges into an easy routine and protecting those little teeth in a big way.
So What Are The 4B’s?
The 4B’s are …. Bath, Brush, Book, Bed
Bath bath time – a warm bath along with comfy and cozy pj’s encourages your child to start to relax and wind down from the day.
Brush brushing time – 2 Minutes with a soft wet wash cloth or a soft toothbrush while singing your favorite brushing song puts brushing in a whole new light, stress free. Remember, nothing to eat or drink afterwards keeps the sugar bugs away.
Book book time – children love the sound of their parents voice. Spend time together reading a good night book, singing, acting out stories, or simply talking. Then as your child gets sleepy it’s book away and into their comfy snuggly bed.
Bed bed time – hugs and kisses for sweet dreams and restful nights with clean sparkling teeth.
You Have The POWER
What makes your 4B routine powerful is how you do this. Be consistent in your timing so you have enough time between when you start and your child’s bed time. Pretty soon your diligence will rub off on your child and they will be reminding you.
Thank You Mommy and Daddy, I love my beautiful Smile
School’s out, Camp and Vacations are in. Long lazy days, family traditions, and fun times are here!
While you’re having fun you can also keep up your families good habits (or tweaking not so good ones) like your balanced diet and oral hygiene routine. This way those eagerly awaited treats taste extra special.
Keep a Routine
Start with putting together your summer dental kit – toothpaste, floss, tooth brush, finger brush, wash cloths.
While you’re doing your regular grocery shopping be on the look out for their fun flavor tooth paste or a tooth brush with their favorite character.
This way if schedule changes disrupt your habits you’re prepared and can start up where you left off.
Also keep in mind that bottles and sippy cups may be good for comforting a tired child, however falling asleep with one in their mouth increases their risk of cavities.
My toothbrush is in my Daddy’s knapsack
Healthy Diet = Healthy Teeth = Happy Family
Those fun foods your child always looks forward to are a special part of summer. Adding them to their healthy diet of fresh fruits, fresh veggies, whole grains, plain milk and water, go a long way to helping you decrease their cavity risk. And they are an incentive for your child to eat the way you want them to (Added Bonus!).
Sticky, Gooey, Chewy
Gooey, sticky and chewy are fun to eat, not so much fun to brush away from teeth.
Yes it’s about those candy apples from the specialty shop you always seem to go to, and the taffy at the seashore which are talked about for days before you get there. Or it’s the ice cream cone with the crunchies on top from the ice cream man coming down the street playing his familiar and anticipated summer tune that your child looks forward to every day.
While these are amazingly delicious and we all love them, the stickier, gooey, chewier and crunchier foods tend to stick into the nooks and crannies of teeth and are really hard to brush out and away.
What to do? Let’s face it when your child is enjoying these treats it is not always at a time you can take out the floss and tooth brush. When you can it is definitely best to do so. If changing your fun food selection is not possible then drinking water will help dilute all that sugar and also help wash away the food on the surface. Perhaps your child is okay with trying something else (think new family tradition), then chocolate (with no mix ins) is a good option since it is smooth and will slide off their teeth.
What’s Most Important?
Keep a consistent daily routine that can be done in a fun way and which you can continue in the summer.
Do something fun to keep their attention while flossing and brushing —
Talk about the great stuff they did today and build anticipation for tomorrow.
Floss and brush together and have a brush-a-thon to your child’s favorite summer tunes.
Make a summer sticker chart and sticker the chart every morning after brushing (2 Minutes) and every night after flossing and brushing (2 Minutes).
Above all, don’t stress, have fun and make wonderful memories.
More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!
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