Australia sees more birthdays celebrated between May and October than at any other time of the year, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). No doubt the sales of cake will rise in that period too and rightly so. All parents want to ensure that their children enjoy a fun-filled birthday, and what is a birthday party without a cake?
Yes, you might worry, seeing your child tuck into birthday cake and other sweet treats, but what if you could use this occasion to encourage your child to care for their teeth?
A Healthy Smile Today Brings Success Tomorrow
The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released a report which showed that parents today spend as much money on things like toys as they do on healthcare. But many of those toys will quickly become obsolete and useless in the near future. What if you could purchase a gift for your child's birthday that would benefit their oral health today and in the future?
A healthy, attractive smile brings success, in relationships, in social interactions and at work. Therefore, if your child has a birthday coming up, consider giving them one of the following gifts.
An Electric Toothbrush
Parents need to constantly remind their children; no matter what their age, to brush their teeth. To children, dental care is just another chore and chores are boring. Electric toothbrushes on the other hand, can add a little fun to dental hygiene. Not only do they come in many colours and styles, but electric toothbrushes also come with music, timers, rinse cups and removable heads.
Add to all that the fact that an electric toothbrush does most of the work, and your child may actually enjoy brushing their teeth in future.
A Dental Cleaning
No matter how young or old your child, a dental cleaning is a present that may offer benefits for many years. Not only will the visit allow a hygienist to identify any teeth that might need dental work, but it will also ensure that any plaque build-ups can be removed early.
Plaque can build up in the spaces between teeth and even just below the gum line. If not removed, plaque can cause cavities and tooth decay, leading to dental emergencies and tooth loss in future.
Orthodontic Treatment
Teenagers are notoriously difficult to please. They are also obsessed with their appearance. If you have noticed that your child doesn't smile very often, they may not be comfortable with their teeth. Likewise, if your pre adolescent child's teeth are crooked, this may become an issue when they attend high school. A brace can straighten a crooked smile in 12 months provided the crookedness isn't too severe. There is also an array of options available. Invisalign is removable and invisible, perfect for teenagers, and ceramic braces are another almost invisible option that is slightly cheaper but non-removable.
If you are wondering what to get your child on their next birthday, consider investing in the future of their smile. Not only will a healthy smile bring them success in the future, but it will also require much less dental work!
