How can it be in the heat of summer, families are preparing to head back to school? Online, there are many digital articles giving instructions to improve the back-to-school transition. Some start 1 month or 2 weeks in advance all the way up to the morning of. One common thought process among most lists is keeping a routine. As I browsed through detailed recommendations, I did not see any reminders to brush teeth! This small self-help function needs to become a habit as well.

According to an on-line article from Cleveland Clinic, children age 3 and older should brush their teeth for a 2-minute duration 2 times a day. As I thought about this, I’m not sure statistics would prove that most adults even follow this guideline.

At First Love on Main (FLOM) medical and dental clinic, we do not offer dental treatment to children at this time. However, many adults we care for often speak regret that they did not know or practice better brushing habits as children. In this clinic, we see the importance of the daily habit to brush teeth and strive for appropriate dental care.

So, if you are working off a checklist in preparation for school, add twice a day dental brushing to the need to do list. Stress to children that dental care is a part of total body health as children but especially into adulthood. With that, add a Bible verse to memorize while brushing. This will help pass the time of 2 minutes beneficially plus it will help hide God’s Word in their heart. That’s a habit with great dividends!!

Parents, it is important to teach your children the basics of dental care and encourage them to continue this habit as they start school. FLOM will happily donate a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss to get the process started if needed.

Think Abouts

1.) Among adolescents age 12-19, ____% have had a cavity in their permanent teeth?
Which is the correct answer? 81% 36% 57% 21%

2.) True or False:
Why do kids get cavities easier? The enamel on baby teeth is softer than adults so baby
teeth are more vulnerable to decay.

Answers: 1) 57% 2) True

Sources:
www.cdc.gov/ Oral health survey/report, trends on dental carries-2011-2016, Atlanta
Georgia
www.clevelandclinic.org/childrensdentalhealth;HowtocareforyourkidЍsťeeťh.
www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/publications

Vonda Jennings RN, BSN Volunteer FLOM