May 19th to June 19th is Britain’s “National Smile Month”. You don’t have to be British to celebrate though. I reached out to my friends at the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) to see if there were any new dental recommendations since I last posted about family dentistry.
Dr. Edward Moody, DDS (current president of AAPD) shared the following five AAPD-approved tips for kids:
1. Kids should brush their teeth at least twice a day, once in the morning and once right before bedtime. Parents should be sure to supervise the brushing of teeth for school-aged children until they are seven or eight years old.
2. Avoid giving kids carbonated beverages which can erode enamel on teeth; sport drinks and juice pouches are also bad for teeth as they keep acid levels high in the mouth.
3. Keep an eye on snacking—ideally children should have no more than three snacks a day. Limit sugar intake by checking labels and buying sugar-free varieties of food options, if available.
4. As summer approaches, remember to protect your child’s teeth with a mouthguard when they participate in physical activities, including sports and leisure activities.
5. Remember to schedule regular check-ups with your child’s pediatric dentist every six months – these check-ups are as important as your child’s well-visits to the pediatrician for their overall health and well-being!
You can find more tips about caring for your children’s teeth as well as find a pediatric dentist (if you need one) at mychildrensteeth.org.
