In the Know for You to Know

What makes teeth so exciting? After all they’re just teeth, right? Well, not so much.

There are lots of cool and surprising facts about how teeth function and develop that can make children excited to learn more. And we all know good things happen when children are excited to learn.

When children understand more about their teeth they become more confident and ready to show off their smile.

Here are some cool facts about teeth that you and your children might not know.

#1. YOUR TEETH ARE AS UNIQUE AS YOUR FINGERPRINT

Our fingerprints are entirely unique to us. The same is true about your teeth. No 2 people in the world have the same shape, size, and alignment, not even identical twins.

Your teeth are special to you. This is part of what makes your smile so unique and wonderful.

Your teeth are special and they are yours, so take good care of them.

#2. Tooth Enamel Is The Hardest Part Of Your Body

Yes it is. The enamel on your teeth is stronger than your muscles or bones.

Like your bones, tooth enamel is made up of calcium and phosphorous. But it also has specific proteins and a crystalline structure that makes it even stronger.

Enamel is the outer most layer of your teeth. Think of enamel like a shell that’s there to protect teeth from break down and decay.

This is why brushing and flossing are so important!

#3. TEETH START TO FORM EVEN BEFORE A CHILD IS BORN

Baby teeth start forming under the gums before you are born. That’s why most babies have their first tooth by 6 to 12 months old.

Isn’t it amazing how early children’s smiles start developing?

#4. 1/3 OF A TOOTH IS UNDERNEATH THE GUMS

Teeth are sort of like icebergs, the whole tooth isn’t visible to the eye. 1/3 of a tooth is hidden underneath your gums.

Which means it’s just as important to take care of your gums as the part of your teeth you can see.

#5. YOUR SALIVA CAN FILL 2 BATHTUBS

You produce about a quart of saliva a day. Over a year that’s enough saliva to fill 2 medium size bathtubs.

Saliva is extremely important. It helps protect teeth and gums, lubricates the mouth, helps digest our food, fights germs, and protects our teeth from bacteria.

#6. TEETH BY NUMBERS AND LETTERS

We have 2 chances to grow teeth. 1st are our baby teeth and 2nd come our adult teeth.

Children have 20 baby teeth. We count them by singing the ABC’s. Baby teeth start falling out around age 6 and are replaced by their adult teeth. We count them by singing our 1,2,3’s.

Since we don’t get a 3rd set of teeth, it’s important to take good care of the ones we have.

#7. ON AVERAGE YOU’LL SPEND 38 DAYS BRUSHING YOUR TEETH OVER YOUR LIFETIME

If you brush your teeth for 2 minutes 2X’s a day, you’ll spend more than 1 month of your life brushing.

It’s a small amount of time for something so important that keeps your smile healthy.

#8. THE 1 THING YOUR TEETH CAN’T DO

Unlike your skin or bones, teeth can’t heal or regenerate if they’re damaged. Tooth enamel isn’t a living tissue, so a tooth can’t regrow the lost enamel.

This is why it’s so important to protect your teeth from cavities and injuries.

#9. MORE PRESSURE DOESN’T MEAN MORE CLEAN

Be gentle when brushing your teeth. Vigorous scrubbing can actually wear down your enamel and damage your gums.

Use a soft bristle toothbrush in light, circular motions. You want to remove the soft plaque. Please don’t scrub your teeth.

#10. TYRANNOSAURUS TEETH

Tyrannosaurus Rex had some of the most fearsome teeth in history. A single T. Rex tooth could be up to 12 inches long. They were shaped like bananas and had serrated edges to help them eat through their prehistoric meals.

Can you imagine trying to brush a tooth that large?

The more we know about our teeth, the more we appreciate how much work they do for us every single day.

What fun and cool dental facts have you heard? Have you played dental trivial pursuit? Tell Us, We’d really like to know! Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@proton.me Like Us on Facebook

More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!

In the Know for You to Know

What makes you smile?

Is it your child’s healthy smile? Is it your child laughing with friends at camp, at the park, or on play dates? Is it their fresh breath when you’re snuggling and cuddling?

Did you know that learning good oral hygiene habits early can help them develop healthy dental habits for life?

And that leading by example and practicing good daily habits for yourself has an important impact on your child?

So what does oral hygiene have to do with fresh breath? The answer is, Everything.

Here’s what I want you to know.

What Is National Fresh Breath Day?

National Fresh Breath Day is celebrated every year on August 6th.

This day highlights the significance of maintaining good oral hygiene to achieve fresh breath and its relationship with overall well-being.

It’s a reminder of the value of good daily oral hygiene and the broader health implications linked to it.

When Did National Fresh Breath Day Start?

The history of this day dates back to Dr. Harold Katz in 1994. Dr. Katz founded this day to promote regular brushing, routine flossing, and dental check ups.

Why Is Oral Hygiene Important?

Good oral hygiene is a twofold process, involving professional preventive care and personal daily practices like proper brushing and flossing.

This is about your child’s dental health and how it affects them having fresh breath.

6 Reasons Why It’s Important For Children To Learn Good Oral Hygiene Early

1. Teaching children proper oral hygiene habits at an early age lays the foundation for life long dental health;
2. Young children who develop daily consistent brushing and flossing habits are more likely to maintain healthy teeth and gums into adulthood;
3. National Fresh Breath Day provides an excellent opportunity for parents to explain why brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits matter. As children grow they begin to understand the reasons behind these habits and become more motivated to practice them consistently;
4. Good oral care also reduces the risk of cavities, gum problems, and school absences caused by tooth pain;
5. As children grow older, they come to understand that maintaining good oral hygiene insures fresh breath, is a confidence booster and contributes to their long term wellness;
6. Positive reinforcement, fun educational activities, colorful toothbrushes, and family brushing routines encourage children to view oral care as part of daily life.

Does Oral Health Have An Impact on The Body?

The correlation between oral health and systemic health is now being increasingly recognized within the medical community.

Even for children, the health of their mouth is a mirror to the overall well being of their body. Their mouth reflects systemic conditions that may be developing but otherwise remain invisible.

Examples Of Oral Health’s Systemic Effect

• Studies suggest that poor dental hygiene, gum disease and tooth decay can be a significant risk factor for heart disease;
• Diabetes: Poor oral health can exacerbate diabetes by increasing blood sugar levels;
• Gum Disease and Respiratory Infections: Bacteria from the mouth can be inhaled, leading to lung infections;
• Oral Inflammation and Kidney Disease: Chronic oral inflammation can weaken kidneys, potentially leading to disease;
• Self-esteem: Poor oral health can lead to low self-esteem;
• Chronic Pain: Conditions like gum disease and infections can cause persistent pain, contributing to stress and anxiety.

What Are The Daily Habits For Fresh Breath?

Ensuring a daily, consistent supervised routine for your child is the way to maintain their fresh breath.

Did you know your child’s mouth is home to billions of bacteria? While many of them are perfectly normal, here’s how to help keep the harmful bacteria under control so your child’s smile stays healthy and strong:

• Twice daily tooth brushing with a fluoride toothpaste: 2 minutes 2x’s a day,
• Nightly flossing: Floss removes food particles and plaque between teeth that toothbrushes can’t reach. Floss before brushing and then brush all the “stuff” away,
• Brush their Tongue: Brush away the food and plaque off their tongue to enhance oral hygiene and breath freshness,
• Toothbrush: Choose a soft bristled, age appropriate sized brush. Replace it every 3 months or when bristles fray,
• Eating a balanced diet and avoiding foods with strong odors can also help maintain fresh breath,
• Crunchy vegetables like celery, apples, cucumbers and carrots aren’t just nutritious but also helpful in maintaining fresh breath. Their high water content stimulates saliva, and crunchy texture helps scrub away bacteria which leads to better hygiene between meals and fresh breath,
• Drink water: Drinking water throughout the day aids in maintaining fresh breath. Staying hydrated increases saliva production, which naturally cleanses the mouth and helps reduce bacteria that can cause bad breath,
• No smoking or vaping: Smoking in any form is bad, it’s detrimental to everyone’s health. It adversely impacts oral hygiene, causing issues such as gum disease and oral cancer. It also leads to bad breath due to the accumulation of toxins and drying of the mouth,
• Schedule and keep up with regular dental check ups.

What I Want You To Know

National Fresh Breath Day is a reminder that small daily habits produce the greatest long term health benefits. This is what makes us smile!

How will your family celebrate National Fresh Breath Day? What new habits will you begin? Any habits you want to update? Give us a shout out, We’d really like to know! Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@proton.me Like Us on Facebook

More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!

In the Know for You to Know

Do you know over 51 million school hours are lost each year due to dental related absences? Cavities are the most common chronic childhood disease, but the good news is they are largely preventable. Keep your child smiling and in the classroom by building strong, healthy dental habits every day.

To help you achieve this, we’ve put together super practical teeth tips to encourage and ensure bright, healthy smiles.

Building Life Long Healthy Smiles

Investing in your child’s oral hygiene isn’t just about having clean teeth today. This lays the foundation for a lifetime of healthy habits and confident smiles.

The Foundation

• Brushing harder does not mean brushing better. Brushing too hard can actually wear down teeth and gums over time.
• Having trouble getting your child excited to brush? Try making it a group activity. Brushing together can turn a daily routine into something fun and help kids build healthy habits by following your lead.
• Rushing through brushing? Turn it into a game. Set a 2 minute timer, play their favorite song, or use a brushing app. Making brushing fun helps kids stick to good habits that last a lifetime. Remember, don’t rush when you brush.
• Want to make brushing even more special? Encourage independence for your older ones by creating a reward system such as a sticker chart, a special song, or a small toy prize for brushing independently. Using motivating words and phrases is a great way to kickstart your child’s independence.
• Even little gums need attention. Help your child brush along the gum line and floss once a day to remove food and plaque that can cause irritation. Healthy gums support strong teeth and confident smiles for years to come.
• Studies show that people who brush and care for their teeth are at a lower risk for heart disease and health problems. When children learn to take care of their oral health, they can establish habits that last a lifetime.
• The tongue plays an important role in your child’s oral health and even reflects their overall health. Keeping it clean with a toothbrush or a tongue scraper is a simple step that helps support a healthy, happy smile.
• Friendly reminder, Is it time for a new toothbrush? Toothbrushes should usually be replaced every 3 months or sooner if the bristles start to look frayed. When choosing a toothbrush for your child, look for one designed for smaller hands with a head size made for their mouths. Soft bristles are typically the best choice for keeping smiles clean and comfortable.
• When picking out a toothbrush for you or your child softer is the better choice. Soft or extra-soft bristles are gentle on tooth enamel and gentle on the gums, while still doing a great job removing plaque. Hard bristles will wear down enamel and irritate gums over time. Choosing a soft brush helps keep smiles clean, comfortable, and healthy everyday.
• Want to keep your toothbrush as clean as possible? Store it upright, make sure it’s not touching other brushes, and keep it in a cabinet or closet instead of out in the open air (especially near flushing toilets and sinks, yuck!). If you use a toothbrush cover, choose one with small holes so moisture can escape.

Preventing Cavities

• A little toothpaste goes a long way. Most people use more than they need. Using the right amount makes brushing safer and more effective. Children under age three only need a small smear of toothpaste, while older kids should use a pea sized amount. Small changes like this help build healthy brushing habits for a lifetime.
• One of the easiest ways to fight cavities is by drinking water. Drinking water after meals helps wash away leftover food that cavity causing bacteria love.

Establishing Positive Daily Routines

• Most school age kids are not getting enough sleep, and bedtime can feel like a whole event. If your child has trouble winding down, try turning off screens a little earlier and keeping the same simple routine each night. The more consistent it is, the easier bedtime gets. And of course make brushing and flossing part of the routine so their smile is ready for their sweet dreams.

Lifestyle Choices Support Oral Health

• Can you use a smile today? Just 1 little smile? Smiling naturally boosts all the feel good hormones that improve mood and reduce stress. It has even been linked to supporting your immune system. A simple smile can go a long way, so keep sharing yours!

What To Remember

Today, kid’s oral health emphasizes not only preventive care but also creating positive habits and experiences. Dental professionals encourage using age appropriate toothbrushes, exploring toothpaste brands, and incorporating fun routines.

Investing your time in your child’s oral hygiene isn’t just about having clean teeth today. This lays the foundation for a lifetime of healthy habits and confident smiles. When children learn early, they develop both responsibility and self care routines that extend into their adulthood.

Are you ready to put these tips into action? Share your tips and experiences that has worked your child. Tell Us, We’d really like to know! Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@proton.me Like Us on Facebook

More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!