7 New Ways to Prepare Your Kids for Fall
There are a lot of “sevens” in September. There’s the name; which is derived from the Latin “Septem,” literally meaning seven; then there’s the fact that other than the vowel “e,” the word September has seven different letters in it (neat!); and the curious fact that September was actually the seventh month of the year at one point. Wait, what? Yes, you see, when the Romans originally created the calendar used in the West today, “day one” was set to the first day of spring, which is in March. Since there was no January or February till some time later, September was initially the seventh month, not the ninth, as it is today. Pretty cool, huh? So, with all those “sevens” already there, we figured one more won’t hurt. Here’s a checklist of seven new dental health ideas to carry you through this fall season.
Clean Out that Mouth! If you’re a homeowner, you’re probably thinking about cleaning out your gutters this time of year. After all, twelve months of debris raining on the eaves of your roof means you’ve probably got a lot of junk to clear. The same goes for your children’s teeth – particularly if it’s been twelve months! So, pull out your calendar early, because the schedule at your dental office can start to get busy this time of year.
Replace Your Toothbrush: Homeowners and renters are familiar with the time-honored drill of replacing heating and air conditioning filters with the change of seasons. It’s also a great time to switch out your toothbrush. So, when you change the filter, have your kids change their toothbrush as well! Here are a few tips on choosing the right toothbrush to make sure you pick the right one.
Pick up a Pack of Xylitol Gum: This is one little secret that’s starting to catch on. Use a sugar-free gum that contains Xylitol – a natural sweetener derived from plants. It doesn't break down like sugar and can help keep a neutral pH level in the mouth. Both of which can help your kids avoid cavities.
Help Your Children Eliminate a Habit: Whether it’s smoking, acidic beverages, or chewing habits that can wreck your teeth, try working with your children to help them eliminate a habit that does harm to their teeth. Doing so now is a good idea because outside the holidays, there are fewer demands on willpower reserves, making a successful effort that much more likely.
Pick up a Habit: There are a lot of good dental habits that do good by your kids’ teeth year-round. This fall, have them try out a few they’re not yet familiar with and give their mouths boost. A few new ones might be: dry brushing, going with the right food choices, or wearing a mouthguard if they play sports. Try a few on for size to see what works.
Buy Them an Early Holiday Gift: Who says you have to wait until the holidays to play gift-giver? Why not start now by picking up a dental care tool that will make your children’s teeth look great, their gums feel great, and their breath smell great! There are a lot of options that are easy to use and easy on a budget, including teeth whitening, interproximal brushes, dental irrigators, and even tongue scrapers!
Check in on Your Insurance Benefits! As the end of your insurance year approaches, you’re going to want to take advantage of any unused dental benefits that may still be available. In most cases any unused portion is lost when your new insurance year starts. So, be on top of this … after all, they’re benefits you have already paid for! And, don’t forget, many of those dollars can be used for items other than actual exams!
