How a childhood tradition can help improve oral health into adulthood

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. — In the United States, the most common disease kids face during childhood are cavities. That’s according to the CDC. And, according to the Cleveland Clinic, about 36% of Americans fear seeing the dentist, especially children.

But experts say the tooth fairy can actually help combat all of that.

While it may sound silly, data collected as part of a poll by Delta Dental indicates kids who get visits from the tooth fairy are more likely to be tuned into their dental health as they grow up.

The tooth fairy is like, a great way to bring that excitement, you know?” said Nevin Mathai, Dental Director for Delta Dental Missouri. “Kids love stories, they love fairy tales, they love princesses and superheroes. So, there’s something magical about childhood and that tooth fairy is super magical. So, reminding a child that the tooth fairy is coming because you’re doing a good job, that you’re growing up, you’re becoming an adult and that dollar or five dollars ten dollars, you’re getting under your pillow is a good reward for growing up.”

The CDC reports more than half of kids ages six to eight years old have had at least one cavity in one of their baby teeth, with more than half of adolescents 12 to 19 years old having had a cavity in one of their permanent teeth.

Mathai says it’s important for parents to teach kids the importance of brushing their teeth and making it a part of their regular routine.

“I always tell my kids that go to school, you brush your teeth in the morning so that you don’t have bad breath so that you keep your friends, and you brush your teeth at night, so you keep your teeth,” Mathai continued. “Kids love structure and they need structure. So, getting them into the habit of when you wake up first thing you do is brush those teeth and the last thing you do before bed is brushing those teeth. It’s such a great way to help kids just realize ‘oh this is just part of my life. It’s just as important as drinking water and going to sleep. Is brushing my teeth’. “

By instilling the importance of brushing at an early age, Dr. Mathai says it’s more common that children will grow up with better oral health habits.

Toothbrushes range in prices, but is it important to always purchase the most expensive ones?

“There’s no right or wrong thing,” Mathai said. “What I have found my recommendation is get a toothbrush that you will use. I have found if it has the ADA symbol on it, the American Dental Association, it’s a good toothbrush.”

Dr. Mathai highly encourages brushing your teeth at night.

Many people enjoy snacking at night, but you may be doing yourself a disservice if you brush before bed and eat afterwards.

“Think of it as a clean surface right. At night you don’t have saliva normal water coming in your mouth that’s kind of washing everything away,” Mathai added. “So, it’s almost like you have eight hours where your teeth are kind of in a weakened state or they’re kind of at risk. So, it’s really important that when you go to sleep you have a super clean surface on those teeth, so nothing is kind of getting in there and doing work on your teeth. Nothing is causing cavities on those teeth.”

And as kids grow into adolescence and adulthood, it’s important they know the dangers of nicotine.

For anyone who has switched to vaping over cigarettes with the thought that it may improve oral health: think again.

Dr. Mathai says there are studies showing vaping can negatively impact your gums, and your teeth are only as strong as the gum tissue around them.

If you feel pain or irritation in your mouth or teeth, it’s best to always see a dentist, as you could be making things worse by prolonging it.