All Smiles

February is typically the month of love, and this month, I’ve discovered a newfound love of… teeth.

Yes, teeth.

I’ve recently undergone some dental procedures that require me to eat soft foods for a while. Considering that tortilla chips, popcorn and pretzels make up about 30% of my diet, this has been a trying time indeed. As much as I like yogurt, apple sauce and mashed potatoes, eating soft food has reminded me about the importance of teeth and all the joy they bring. Healthy, functional teeth are awesome! Teeth allow you to eat nachos and crunchy tacos! Teeth should never be taken for granted.

It’s kind of ironic that my teeth woes are happening around this month, because February is National Children’s Dental Health Month — a month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. Good dental habits begin during childhood, and the routines you establish now will set the stage for your child’s dental health in the future.

I want my children to have healthy teeth for life, so their dental health is one of my priorities.

Taking your child to the dentist — especially for the first time — can come with many questions. Turn to “Tooth Truths: Your Pediatric Dentist Questions Answered” on page 14 to learn the answers to questions that pediatric dentists get asked the most. Have a question that we didn’t cover? Don’t be afraid to ask your child’s dentist — they won’t bite! (Ha!)

Wishing you lots of healthy smiles this month!

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