Dental Care is Health Care

I have an odd soapbox issue that might surprise you. It’s not about Lunchables or sexism in the workplace or appropriate hemlines for women over 40.

Dental hygiene. Seriously. Have you ever seen those gum disease images. Blech.

I remember one night when Bird had a friend sleep over I went in to check on them while they were monkeying around instead of brushing their teeth. Bird is generally fastidious so as soon as he heard me coming he brushed carefully with his timer counting away while his friend was chuckling. I asked his little buddy if he had brushed his teeth. He told me that he never actually brushes unless his parents are watching. He just swirls some toothpaste in his mouth and spits it out. I ewwwwed audibly, which was really not the appropriate reaction, but my gut got the best of me. Bird squealed ewwww too, making me feel a bit better. I made his friend brush his teeth and watched the whole time the blue sand trickled through the hourglass timer. I reserved judgement and lecturing but did make him brush on my watch again the next morning.

Proper tooth brushing is more important than people realize. If we just brushed for minty breath we’d all just pop some Altoids and call it day. When I was pregnant two things in my doctor’s office struck me every time I went in for a prenatal visit – all the posters about resources for pregnant women being abused and posters about the importance of oral care while pregnant. I found it odd that my OB/GYN always asked me about my teeth and checked in my mouth. Um, wrong cavity!

I haven’t had a cavity since I was in fifth grade, and so far Bird and Deal are cavity-free. Because I talk too much and carry around a portable soapbox, I’ve always told my sons about the importance of oral hygiene. When they are of smooching age they will thank me. I tell them that brushing their teeth is just one more thing we do to be healthy, just like eating fruits and veggies and exercising. Did you know that poor dental care can actually affect your overall health? Did you know that poor dental care can contribute to ailments like heart disease and diabetes? I kid you not.

I jumped at the opportunity to gab about dental care for National Children’s Health Month. I’m telling you, your kisser is as important to take care of as your ticker. Brushing alone misses 75% of your mouth! Imagine how much Bird’s friend was missing by swishing around some toothpaste. I’ll say it again…ewwwwwww. We’re all taking the LISTERINE Healthy Habits for a Lifetime Oral Care Challenge. This means that we’ll all continue to brush diligently and swish around some LISTERINE twice a day. The boys are very good swishers. As for me, my dirty little secret is that the only time I use floss is when I’m stringing beads. Go ahead, you can say it….ewwwwww. But I’m pledging to change!

Want to join us? You can get some ideas on how to improve your kids’ oral care habits (and your own, ahem) and get some deals on oral care products. Need some incentive? Check it out: There are more germs in your mouth than there are people on earth. Ewww….

 

Disclosure:
I received products and compensation from Johnson & Johnson and The Motherhood as part of my participation in the Oral Care Challenge. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are my own. And I didn’t make up the bit about the kid who swishes toothpaste instead of brushing.