4 Tips for Kids to Promote Healthy Dental Habits

(Feb. 01, 2017) – For many parents, playing the role of Tooth Fairy is one of their first jobs in building the foundation for their children’s lifelong dental health. During Children’s Dental Health Month (February), Great Expressions Dental Centers (GEDC) is celebrating by sharing simple Tooth Fairy tips for parents to use to help their children maintain optimal dental health.

An estimated 17 million children in America go without dental care each year, which can lead to tooth decay – the most common chronic childhood disease – thus, making proper dental hygiene critical at an early age. Baby teeth serve a number of critical functions, including being involved in speech development, so taking care of your children’s teeth from the earliest stages is essential to long-term oral health.

“Many parents don’t realize how early they should begin caring for their children’s teeth,” said Dr. Robert Brody of Great Expressions Dental Centers. “We encourage families to begin working with their family dentist as early as six months to prevent baby bottle tooth decay. While tooth decay is one of the most common diseases in young children, it’s also one of the most preventable.”

In an effort to increase parent’s involvement in early dental care, GEDC is encouraging parents to take their Tooth Fairy role seriously and make dental care a fun topic for their children. Following are simple Tooth Fairy tips for parents to use:

• Leave Notes!The Tooth Fairy’s job begins before a tooth even falls out. Share brushing and flossing tips by leaving little notes on the bathroom mirror or send a Tooth Fairy note with lunch to remind your children to floss after their meal.
• Be fun with it and get creative! Make your children excited about the Tooth Fairy visiting! Try leaving a glitter trail from the window to the bed or leave a fun receipt. Consider leaving something extra special for teeth in good condition to encourage your children to take care of their teeth before they fall out.
• Encourage healthy eating! Educate your children on healthy foods for their teeth by having the Tooth Fairy leave a sample shopping list and recipes. Take your child to the store and have them help pick out the items to encourage healthy eating habits.
• Make dentist visits fun! Many young children fear the dentist, but use the Tooth Fairy to ease the fear. Have the Tooth Fairy send them a new tooth brush and toothpaste and practice so they become comfortable before their visit.

In addition to these tips, Great Expressions Dental Centers has launched a Facebook contest to further encourage kids to participate in good oral hygiene practices. The contest, “Grin and Win,” offers parents a chance to submit a photo of their child’s smile for a chance to win a $100 VISA, a free bike or movie bundle. Visit www.facebook.com/greatexpressions to enter.

To schedule an appointment or for more information, call 888-SMILE-80 or visit greatexpressions.com.

About Great Expressions Dental Centers

For nearly 40 years, Great Expressions Dental Centers has been a leader in preventative dental care, orthodontics and specialty care with offices in Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas and Virginia. Great Expressions is consistently recognized for contributions to improving oral health through quality and safety initiatives, affordable dental care services, patient convenience, research and more. Great Expressions Dental Centers branded practices are independently-owned and operated in specific states by licensed dentists and their professional entities who employ the licensed professionals providing dental treatment and services. ADG, LLC provides administrative and business support services and licenses the Great Expressions Dental Centers brand name to independently-owned and operated dental practices. ADG does not own or operate dental practices, or employ the licensed professionals providing dental treatment and services. For more information, please visit www.greatexpressions.com.

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Contact:
Megan McCarl, on behalf of Great Expressions Dental Centers
Lambert, Edwards & Associates