Here he goes again…spoiling our holiday fun with all that dental hygiene nonsense.
Well yes I am. Why? Well as your kid’s dentist for 25 years or so, that’s my job. You see, one Monday a month, I’m a dental surgeon. A pediatric dental surgeon repairing the teeth of kids that are sometimes two or younger. Rotten teeth. If you didn’t know any better you’d think these teeth belonged to an elder from the 1860’s, back when it wasn’t manly to brush your teeth. That’s why cowboys in those old black and white photos aren’t smiling, because their teeth had rotted out of their heads. This shouldn’t happen to anyone in the 21st century, let alone a two year old.
All we need to do is brush and floss twice a day. That’s all, really. Where little ones are concerned, let’s make sure they’re brushing and flossing at the end of the day. And if they’re very young, Mom or Dad, Aunt or Uncle needs to help with that. And please, please, please don’t let them have any juice, candy, Gatorade, ice ceam, anything like that before they go to bed. Why?
That gives the sugars all night to do their dirty work on the teeth of your little ones. And that’s how a two year old ends up with rotten teeth and that’s why I end up doing dental surgery on the teeth of a two year old.
So right now in grocery stores and banks and your car dealership and perhaps your doctor’s office, there’s bowls of candy just waiting for your kids. So be strong and offer them a distraction. Because when they ask for candy, maybe we can ask them if they want to be a cowboy or cowgirl when they grow up.
I know it’s tough. I’m a Dad with lots of kids and some of them still have a sweet tooth. And for Valentine’s Day, I’ll give them all apples. And if you know someone looking for a fun Pediatric Dentist, one that really, really values the importance of healthy smile, please share this post with them. Or click here. And have a happy Valentine’s Day.
