Help your child maintain a healthy smile

Help your child maintain a healthy smile

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and this year’s slogan is

“Choose Tap Water for a Sparkling Smile.” As always, you will see posters in

various locations featuring the NCDHM characters Smileys, McGrinns and K9,

and promoting healthy choices when it comes to oral hygiene.

The American Dental Association has long emphasized the importance of

teaching children good oral hygiene habits when they are young. The month-long

educational effort actually started as a one-day event some 76 years ago in

Cleveland.

This year’s theme touting tap water is aimed at encouraging children to choose

tap water over sugary beverages. There is an added benefit to this choice for

children who live in communities where fluoride is added to the drinking water.

February is a great month for parents to emphasize oral health at home, with so

many dental professionals and healthcare providers taking part in the NCDHM

promotion. These professionals and the ADA continue to point out that American

students in general miss 51 million hours of school each year because of oral

health issues, having a direct impact on educational performance.

For more information about educating children on good oral hygiene for life and

how prevent tooth decay, contact Thomas & Associates Dental, specializing in

pediatric dentistry in North Canton and the surrounding Stark and Summit County

areas.