The Oreo test and other ways to help children’s oral health

(HealthDay)—Worried that your child isn’t brushing their teeth properly? You might want to try the Oreo test.

“If the child is eating an Oreo and brushing their teeth and the parent can still see the Oreos, they should check and help them brush,” said Elise Sarvas, clinical associate professor of pediatric dentistry at the University of Minnesota.

Sarvas offers the Oreo test and other ideas for good oral health in recognition of National Children’s Dental Health Month in February.

“The mouth is an integral part of the body,” Sarvas said. “For children, good oral health lays the foundation for many important milestones: getting enough nutrition to grow healthy bodies, having teeth to learn how to pronounce syllables correctly, making room for growing jaws, and establishing self-esteem in a critical period of self-development”.

To maintain a healthy mouth, parents need to make sure that children choose healthy snacks that get enough fluoride and drinking a lot of water, Sarvas said.

Water not only hydrates kids, it makes their teeth stronger and offers a healthier option than juice or soda, Sarvas said.

“THE American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids drink no more than 4 ounces of juice a day, and the average juice box is 6 ounces,” Sarvas said, adding that good snack options include “fresh fruits and vegetables, cold meats and cheeses.”

When it comes to cleaning your teeth, parents shouldn’t underestimate how hard brushing can be for kids who are still developing motor skills, Sarvas said.

“I used to say that children need supervision until they can write their name with letters, but now that children are no longer taught that, I say until they tie their shoes on their own, which shows good motor control,” Sarvas said. he said. “We all look forward to the independence that comes with growth – it’s great for children to start brushing on their own, but always have a parent come back and check for any missed spots.”

Sarvas says the best toothbrush for any child is the one they’ll actually use, but added that softer bristles are better for oral health.

“Soft bristles fit more easily into the many grooves in the teeth and prevent gum wear,” Sarvas said.

Not all kids like the feel of an electric toothbrush, so Sarvas would only recommend one if you’re sure your child will tolerate it.

“What’s most important is to brush your child’s teeth at least twice a day with toothpaste that contains fluoride. There are many different flavors on the market now, so find what your child likes best,” Sarvas said.

Finally, parents should bring their child on their inaugural trip to dental office following what Sarvas calls the “dental age of the child”—either their first tooth or their first birthday.

“This gives us enough time to counsel the family, check growth and development and provide general education,” Sarvas said. “You also want to create a children’s dental office so that if there are concerns later, families know where to go outside of the emergency department, which can’t always help and can be very expensive.”

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