The tooth fairy is cool again
May 14, 2010
A traditional reward programme to encourage children to take good care of their teeth has just become cool again with the launch of Twentieth Century Fox’s Tooth Fairy movie (28th May).
As Dwayne Johnson’s rendition of the tooth fairy hits cinema screens nationwide, local dentist, Sandeep Mohal says it’s the perfect opportunity for parents to remind their children of the importance of brushing their teeth and eating the right foods.
He said: “Evidence suggests that the later you get your first cavity, the better your lifetime of oral health will be,” said Sandeep Mohal. However, milk teeth are sometimes dismissed because they ‘will fall out anyway’. In fact, they should be brushed with just as much care and attention.
“Teeth grow healthy and decay is totally preventable. Although regular visits to the dentist are important, much of the work to keep teeth and gums healthy is done at home. Parents should not underestimate their role in the supervision of the twice-daily tooth-brushing routine. The recommended age to keep a watchful eye on your children as they brush is seven,” said Sandeep Mohal
“As children naturally prefer sweet food, the challenge is to balance their diet by giving them the food they love while looking out for their teeth and gums. The trick is to encourage them to eat sweets at the end of a meal, rather than constantly nibbling throughout the day,” said Sandeep Mohal
Top tips for parents to remember:
• take your children to the dentist from as young an age as possible to familiarise them with the sounds, sights and smells before they even have to sit in the chair
• brush with a fluoride containing toothpaste for two minutes, twice daily
• supervise children’s brushing up until around the age of seven years
• cheese is a great way to finish off a meal as it neutralises the acid levels in the mouth which attack/soften the enamel
National Smile Month comes to Sandhurst
May 14, 2010
Confidental is helping to spread the message of good oral health in Sandhurst, Berkshire for National Smile Month.
National Smile Month 2010 is taking place between May 16 and June 16 under the tagline ‘Teeth4Life.’ The campaign will focus on the vital importance of looking after your mouth in order to keep your body healthy. Significant scientific evidence has proven the systemic links between oral health and overall health, with research clearly linking gum disease to heart disease, diabetes, strokes and premature and low birth weight babies.
To get into the spirit of things Confidental in Sandhurst is promoting Teeth4Life, the practice is hoping to teach patients about the importance of a healthy diet.
Dr Sandeep Mohal commented: “We are delighted to get involved in National Smile Month and to give a little bit back to our patients. Good oral health is very important and it promises to be great fun!”
This year’s National Smile Month maintains the British Dental Health Foundation’s key messages:
• brush twice-a-day with fluoride toothpaste,
• cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks and
• visit the dentist regularly as often as they recommend.
Confidental has joined the many dental practices, schools, health professionals and community groups promoting good oral healthcare under the umbrella of the National Smile Month campaign.
“A good oral healthcare routine can help guard against all sorts of oral and general health conditions from bad breath and decay to gum disease, which has been linked to a number of more serious health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and strokes.
“By promoting good oral healthcare in a fun and imaginative way we hope to persuade more people of the importance of taking care of their teeth.”
For more information on National Smile visit the website: www.smilemonth.org
For further information on this call Confidental on 01252 877 309, or email on info@confdentalsmiles.co.uk
For general information about National Smile Month www.nationalsmilemonth.org. Alternatively, you can contact the Foundation press office on 01788 539 792 or pr@dentalhealth.org.
ADVICE FROM CONFIDENTAL:
Recent figures suggest at least 50 per cent of under–fives experience signs of tooth decay as parents allow them too many sugary snacks.
Be kind to your teeth