June is National Smile Month and we here at Kids Dental Home want to help you have the best smile ever!

Browse through the sections below to learn about everything from keeping your teeth and mouth healthy, how good oral care is linked to your overall health, and interesting facts about the history of dentistry. And if you have any dental concerns or haven’t been to the dentist in a while, give us a call! We’d love to see you!

Fun Fact!

The earliest known evidence of dentistry dates back to 7000 B.C. in the northwestern regions of South Asia!

Did you know?

Problems in your mouth can affect other parts of your body.

Fun Fact!

Children have 20 teeth and adults have 32!

Pro Tip

Set the timer on your smartphone to time your toothbrushing.

Many electric toothbrushes even have timers built in!

The Mouth

Our mouth serves a vital role in our overall health and it’s important to take care of it.

Here are some things you can do to make sure your mouth stays healthy as can be.
  • Close your mouth when swimming in a pool because chlorine can wear down the protective enamel on your teeth.
  • Not only is green tea delicious but it has antiseptic properties, which can help keep your gums healthy.
  • Drinking water after every meal helps wash out some of the residue from sticky and acidic foods and beverages.
  • Visit your dentist at least twice a year. In addition to a thorough exam and cleaning, they can take care of issues, like cavities, before they get too bad.

The Daily Routine

Keeping your teeth healthy and your smile confident requires daily care.

We have some great tips for your daily routine!
  • Brush your teeth twice per day and always brush before going to bed. This gets rid of the plaque and germs that gather in your mouth during the day.
  • Be sure to floss daily. If you don’t, you’re missing approximately 40% of the surfaces of your teeth.
  • Don’t forget your tongue! Brush your tongue with a toothbrush or scraper to remove the plaque that builds up on it.
  • Rinse your mouth after brushing. Swishing with water or mouthwash will help clear tidbits of toothpaste and food that even brushing and flossing can miss.

Your Mouth & Your Body

Did you know that if you don’t take good care of your mouth, other parts of your body can get sick?

  • Germs from your mouth can sometimes travel in your bloodstream to your heart, causing an infection called endocarditis.
  • Other heart issues can also be caused by bad mouth care, so be sure to brush and floss daily!
  • Did you know that you can get pneumonia from certain bacteria in your mouth? Pneumonia is where you get a buildup of fluid in your lungs, making it hard to breathe.
  • There are certain conditions, like diabetes, that make it necessary for you to take even better care of your teeth and mouth. Your immune system is already compromised so any infection could be bad.

Dental History

We’ve come a long way since the earliest days of dentistry!

Check out these cool facts!
  • The first toothbrushes, called “chew sticks” were made from frayed twigs! The ancient Egyptians and Babylonians invented them!
  • Ancient Egyptians even invented the first toothpaste! Theirs was made out of crushed rock salt, mint leaves, and dried iris flowers. It was known to make their gums bleed, though. Aren’t you glad we have our modern toothpaste today?
  • Would you ever brush your teeth with a toothbrush made out of hog hair? People in China way back in 1498 did! They invented the first toothbrush with bristles, kind of like the ones we use today… except the bristles were made from hog hair and the handles were made from bamboo or even bone!