FALL FOR SMILES A Lifetime of Healthy Smiles!
by Oral Health America with support from Patterson Dental 2016 Presented
What is Fall for Smiles? Fall for Smiles is an annual campaign presented by Oral Health America (OHA) and supported by Patterson Dental in an effort to educate the public about the positive impact their oral health habits have on overall wellness.
About Oral Health America Oral Health America’s mission is to change lives by connecting communities with resources to drive access to care, increase health literacy and advocate for policies that improve overall health through better oral health for all Americans, especially those most vulnerable. In 2010, in partnership with the Dental Trade Alliance’s Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait initiative, OHA created Fall for Smiles to engage communities with tools aimed at educating the public about the importance of a healthy mouth. For more information about Oral Health America, visit oralhealthamerica.org.
Patterson Dental’s Commitment Through the campaign efforts, Oral Health America’s goal is to ensure that Americans of all ages understand how they can positively impact their overall health by practicing good oral health habits like: • Brushing, flossing and rinsing as part of a daily oral health routine • Making regular dental appointments • Choosing healthy foods for a nutritious diet and healthy mouth • Avoiding the use of traditional and new forms of tobacco As dental professionals, you already know how essential a healthy mouth is to wellness. Join Oral Health America, Patterson Dental and other professionals across the country as we promote the importance of healthy habits for a lifetime of healthy smiles!
2
#fallforsmiles
Patterson Dental provides a complete range of consumable dental products, equipment and software, turnkey digital solutions and value-added services to dentists and dental laboratories throughout North America. Patterson Dental has been an industry leader since 1877, and takes responsibility for working to improve healthcare access and treatment options for everyone. Patterson supports Fall for Smiles because it’s never too late to establish good oral care habits. Learn more at pattersondental.com.
How to Get Involved! As kids head back to school and families settle into their fall routines, it’s a great time to refocus everyone’s attention on oral health. Here are some ways you and your team can support Fall for Smiles this season:
• Download activities, coloring sheets, brushing charts and other materials to print for your patients, at oralhealthamerica.org/fallforsmiles • Get social with Fall for Smiles! Use #fallforsmiles to share what your office is doing to promote healthy mouths for people of all ages • Join us for Advocacy Week, an entire week filled with activities to raise your voice about the issues that impact the oral health of your patients and your community • Engage friends, family, patients and others in dialogue about oral healthcare and overall wellness. Use the resources in this booklet to help guide the conversation. For more information about the campaign and all available resources, visit oralhealthamerica.org/fallforsmiles. During Advocacy Week in 2015, Oral Health America and Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait, an initiative of the Dental Trade Alliance, hosted a briefing on Capitol Hill. The event, Aging in America: You Can’t Be Healthy Without Good Oral Health,
engaged policymakers and oral health leaders in a dialogue to prioritize the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act. This year we are hosting a full week, themed Red or Blue: Oral Health Should Matter To You! Join us during Advocacy Week to engage policymakers, your community, family and network in a national dialogue around oral health. For more information about Advocacy Week and how to participate, visit oralhealthamerica.org/RedOrBlue.
Let Us Fall for Your Smile Share photos of your patients’ and team’s healthy smiles! • •
Post your photos to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using #fallforsmiles Email photos to brittany.wright@oralhealthamerica.org, subject line “Let Us Fall for YOUR Smile.” Enter as many times as you like!
Dental professionals play an essential role in educating families about the importance of oral health and its impact on their overall health. We are excited to continue our support of the Fall for Smiles initiative again this year. It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to partner with Oral Health America and other organizations to empower dental health professionals to spread such an important message. We encourage you to check out opportunities to participate in the campaign. Together, we can bring healthy smiles to life.
Eric Shirley Vice President and General Manager, Dental Division, Midmark
oralhealthamerica.org/fallforsmiles
3
Tips for a Healthy Mouth developed in collaboration with LISTERINE
Positive oral health leads to improved overall health, which is why you should practice preventive care daily. Check out our tips to help everyone maintain a healthy mouth, no matter what their age.
For Babies and Toddlers • •
Starting at birth, parents should gently brush a baby’s gums after every feeding with either a baby toothbrush or a washcloth Children should have their first dentist visit by their first birthday or as soon as their first tooth appears
For Kids • • • •
Kids ages 2-6 should use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, with a little more for older children. Everyone, including kids, should brush their teeth twice a day for two minutes Caregivers shouldn’t hesitate to brush a young child’s teeth again after the child brushes to ensure all teeth are reached Children’s teeth should be flossed once a day as soon as there are two teeth that touch each other. For younger children, parents should floss for them To teach an older child to floss, take about 18 inches of floss and wrap it around the middle fingers on both hands, wrapping the used floss around one finger as it gets used. Alternatively, try flosser handles or water irrigators that may assist in developing lifelong, good oral hygiene habits
For Older Adults •
4
Older adults who have trouble swallowing can use less toothpaste when brushing (or none at all). The most important part is the actual act of brushing away food and plaque
#fallforsmiles
• • •
Consider a child-sized toothbrush or electric toothbrush to accommodate dexterity impairments Dental appliances should be cleaned every day and stored in water when not in use. Metal frames, acrylic and resin surfaces should be cleaned with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste, and rinsed in warm water Patients should make sure their dentist has an up-to-date list of medications and medical conditions
For the Whole Family • • • •
Brush teeth for two minutes, twice a day Replace toothbrushes for the entire family every 3-4 months or sooner if the bristles show wear or if the brusher has been sick Eat a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables and avoid all tobacco products Visit the dentist and dental hygienist twice a year for regular cleanings and checkups
Activities for the Whole Family Teaching kids about the importance of taking care of their mouths can be fun! These family-friendly activities encourage proper oral health habits and show what happens when you don’t take care of your teeth.
“A Rainbow Bright Smile” - To show the importance of brushing and rinsing What you’ll need: • Food coloring • Water • Measuring spoons Do the activity: 1. Mix three or four drops of the child’s choice of food coloring into a few tablespoons of water. 2. Have your child swish it around in their mouth for 10 seconds, then spit it out. Show your child where the food coloring stuck to their teeth, indicating plaque buildup. Have them brush and rinse their teeth, and then swish with the colored water again, noting how much less plaque there is after brushing and using mouthwash.
“Why Did the Chicken Floss Her Teeth?” - A memorable way to demonstrate how to floss What you’ll need: • Egg carton • Yarn Do the activity: An easy way to show kids how to floss is to demonstrate the proper technique using an upside-down egg carton (the “teeth”) and a piece of yarn (the “floss”). Once your child has mastered the egg carton flossing technique, you can show her why it’s important to floss with the “Hand in Hand” activity (see next page).
oralhealthamerica.org/fallforsmiles
5
“Hand in Hand” - See why brushing alone isn’t enough to get rid of plaque What you’ll need: • Disposable rubber glove • Washable finger paint • Paper towel or washcloth • Yarn Do the activity: 1. As the adult, put a rubber glove on your hand, and coat it in paint. 2. Next, hold your fingers tightly together and, using a wet paper towel or washcloth, wipe the paint off your hand. This represents brushing your teeth. 3. Show your child all the paint left between your fingers that brushing alone doesn’t reach. Then you can practice together “flossing” between your fingers with yarn.
“Hard-Boiled Science” - Reveal the true effects that soda pop can have on teeth What you’ll need: • 2 hard-boiled eggs, shell on • Soda pop • Two glasses or cups large enough to hold one hard-boiled egg each, with room • Fluoride toothpaste Do the activity: 1. Take one hard-boiled egg and place it in a glass filled with soda pop. 2. Take a second hard-boiled egg and coat it with the toothpaste, then place it in a second glass of soda pop. 3. After one or two days, take the eggs out of the soda pop and note how the shell of the first egg is brown but that the toothpaste protected the second egg from being damaged by the chemicals in the liquid.
6
#fallforsmiles
BONUS! Smiley Snacks Healthy eating is just as important as brushing and flossing when it comes to maintaining a healthy mouth. Encourage kids to eat mouth-friendly foods by creating smiley faces out of healthy snacks. Take photos of your kids’ creation and then let them enjoy their tasty – and healthy – snacks! Snack suggestions include: • Carrot slices • Nuts • Orange and apple slices • Celery sticks • Broccoli florets • Red, yellow, orange or green peppers Access and download all the available activities and resources at oralhealthamerica.org/fallforsmiles.
oralhealthamerica.org/fallforsmiles
7
Test Your Tooth Wisdom with our fun quiz!
Now you can also take the quiz online at oralhealthamerica.org/fallforsmiles to share your tooth smarts with your friends and family.
1. How often should you visit the dentist and dental hygienist?
A) B) C) D)
Once a year Twice a year Once every two years Only when you have a dental issue
A) One minute B) Two minutes C) 90 seconds
D) 30 seconds
2. Dental coverage is included in Medicare
7. Eating a healthy diet is important for both oral health and overall health
True or False
True or False
3. How long should you swish mouthwash in your mouth for?
8. How often should you replace your toothbrush?
A) 10 seconds B) 5 min
C) As prescribed on the bottle
A) B) C) D)
4. When should a child first see the dentist?
E) A and D
A) Six months B) By his or her first birthday C) At age 3
9. Certain medications can impact your oral health
D) Before starting school
5. Smokeless tobacco is safer than cigarettes
A) Both are bad for your oral health B) Smokeless tobacco is safer
C) Cigarettes are safer
Answers: 1. B, 2. False, 3. C, 4. B, 5. A, 6. B, 7. True, 8. E, 9. True, 10. A
8
6. How long should you brush your teeth twice a day?
#fallforsmiles
Every 3-4 months Every month Every 5-6 months When worn or after being sick
True or False
10. When should you use mouthwash?
A) B) C) D)
When you brush your teeth Once a day Once every two days To freshen your breath
Brushing Chart t r a h C g Brushin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . st two
r at lea you need to brush twice a day fohealthy, a e To keep your teeth ic tw sh ru b ed to FA ealthy, you neday everyeach time, h r S a th d e n te le a r c u o e LLfloss for at least two minutes and y Erinse. th p n e o x o L To ke b e I th in l f il F o . M r S e, floss and rinse ellness! every time you brush to w Fill in the box on the calendar f o e m ti fe li a minutes each tim r habits fo lop healthydevelop e v e d habits for aeach lifetime to sh ru b u day for at least two minutes time, flossofandwellness! rinse. e yoyour teeth healthy, you need to brush twice ahealthy tiTomkeep
Brushing Chart
Fill in the box on the calendar every time you brush to develop healthy habits for a lifetime of wellness!
S MORNING NIGHT MORNING NIGHT MORNING NIGHT
MORNING NIGHT
M
T
W
Th
F
S
YOUR TEETH ARE HAPPIER ALREADY!
HALFWAY TO A MONTH OF HEALTHY SMILES!
GREAT JOB CLEANING THOSE PEARLY WHITES!
YOU DID IT! KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK FOR A HEALTHY MOUTH!
oralhealthamerica.org/fallforsmiles
9
JOIN HU-FRIEDY AS WE
REMEMBER TO: • Visit your dentist every 6 months • Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes and floss too • Avoid tobacco products and make healthy food choices
CONNECT WITH US Hu-Friedy.com Friends of Hu-Friedy: FriendsOfHu-Friedy.com OralHealthAmerica.org Facebook: Oral Health America | Twitter: Smile4Health
10 #fallforsmiles
oralhealthamerica.org/fallforsmiles
11
Presented by Oral Health America in Partnership with Patterson Dental
With Generous Support From:
Get involved in this year’s Fall for Smiles campaign! Visit oralhealthamerica.org/fallforsmiles and help spread the message of the importance of oral health. 16P1590 (7/16)