Drink Water, Drink Healthy

Smile! February is National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM)

To some, February might mean valentines and chocolate, there’s another reason February is so special: National Children’s Dental Health Month.

It is time to increase awareness about kids’ dental hygiene. By:

Taking some time to talk to your kids about dental health — and even scheduling a dental checkup — you set a good example and precedent for the rest of the year.

Developing good dental health habits at an early age, including scheduling regular dental visits, helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

This year’s campaign slogan is “Fluoride in water prevents cavities! Get it from the tap!“

As we know in certain regions of Kenya, the fluoride levels in water are extremely high.

The optimum levels recommended are 0.7ppm. If you are not sure, you can send a sample of your water for testing to ensure that you and your family are consuming ( cooking and drinking) healthy levels of fluoride.

1. Schedule an Appointment

One of the best ways you can celebrate the theme for February is to schedule an appointment at your dentist’s office.

Regular cleanings should happen every 6 months, and the more exposure to the dentist that you give your kids, the more comfortable they’ll be when they visit the office.

2. Buy New Toothbrushes

Did you know that you’re supposed to replace your toothbrushes every 3 to 4 months?

Frayed bristles decrease the effectiveness of a toothbrush.

National Children’s Dental Health Month is the ideal time to toss out old toothbrushes and grab some new ones.

Let your kids pick out toothbrushes with their favorite characters on them and toothpaste that they’ll like to use and to get them excited about their regular hygiene routine.