Join the “Sugar Wars” for Children’s Dental Health Month 2016

Kids and adults can improve oral health by understanding the impact of sugar on teeth.

Every year since 1981, February has been recognized by The American Dental Association as National Children’s Dental Health Month. During this month, dental professionals and educators work together to help raise awareness of the importance of good oral hygiene for kids.

This year, the theme of National Children’s Dental Health Month is “Sugar Wars.” Posters created for the event by the ADA depict the struggle as a group of kids in a spaceship fighting against aliens called the “Sweet Tooth Invaders.” Parents and teachers can download all kinds of activity sheets including puzzles and coloring sheets that will help teach kids where hidden sugars lurk in common foods and drinks.

The campaign seeks to not only show kids the negative effects of sugar on teeth—which include tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss—but also teach kids how these negative effects can be prevented with proper oral hygiene. In the context of the “Sugar Wars” campaign, this is called defeating “Monster Mouth.”

The ADA’s top tips for defeating “Monster Mouth” include:

• Rinsing out your mouth after having sugary foods or drinks
• Following the 2×2 rule (brushing twice per day for two minutes)
• Visiting the dentist twice per year for a professional dental cleaning and exam
• Having the dentist check kids’ brushing and flossing techniques at every visit to make sure they are correct

This Message Isn’t Just for Kids

Though the “Sugar Wars” campaign is aimed at kids, the message is certainly relevant to people of all ages. After all, many kids and adults are affected by dental decay and dental disease. According to the National Institutes of Health, dental decay is the most common chronic disease in kids. Many adults suffer from decay as well, and in fact dental decay is one of the top two most common causes of tooth loss in adults.

Reducing or avoiding sugary foods and drinks and maintaining good oral hygiene at home are both excellent ways to reduce the risk of tooth decay. However, it is very important to understand that no one can keep their teeth free of dental plaque (which hosts tooth decay-causing bacteria) on their own. Professional dental cleanings are essential.

If it has been a while since your last dental cleaning, please contact California Dental Group today for an appointment.