Parents have a big role to play in the oral health of their children. Toothbrushing can be a tedious task for children, but there are ways for parents to get their children engaged. One such way is called the Oreo test, which can be effective in many ways. This month is National Children’s Dental Month, meaning it is an excellent time for parents to promote the importance of good oral health.
This month is National Children’s Dental Month, which offers a chance for the oral health of children to be focused on. It also presents a chance for parents to remind children of the importance of their dental health.
Parents have a big responsibility to their children. It is crucial that they teach them strong oral hygiene from a young age. This has many long-term benefits.
There are many different ways that parents can help their child engage with brushing their teeth. One successful method is called the Oreo test!
What is the Oreo test?
The Oreo test is an interesting technique that parents can use to see how effective their child is at brushing their teeth. Toothbrushing is a crucial skill that a person will need throughout their life.
The Oreo test is a fun and simple activity. It involves a child eating an Oreo biscuit, before then brushing their teeth, as they would do normally [1].
After the child has finished brushing, the idea is to then get the child to open their mouth wide. If crumbs from the Oreo are still visible, it shows that the child is making mistakes when brushing their teeth [1].
The test works for all parties. For children, they get a tasty snack before bed. They also get a visual look at how effective their brushing is. For parents, they can see if improvements are required.
If crumbs are still there, then it shows the parents that there is room for improvement in their child’s oral hygiene [1]. They should be taught how to improve their brushing technique.
To mark the progress of a child’s improvements, the test can be repeated when necessary. This way, the child will continuously have something to aim for. Throughout this, parents should support and congratulate their child for any improvements made.
The importance of good oral health for children
Good oral health is crucial for children to attain. This is a topic that Elise Sarvas – Clinical Associate Professor of Paediatric Dentistry at the University of Minnesota – has frequently spoken about [2].
Sarvas says that having good oral health as a child “lays the groundwork for many important milestones” in life [2], These milestones include talking, growing healthily and establishing self-esteem, all of which oral health plays a part in [2].
Sarvas has also said that the mouth is “an integral part of the body” [2]. Because of this, it is therefore important that parents underline the importance of oral health to their children.
Studies show that children who brush their teeth from a young age will typically go on to have better oral hygiene in adulthood [3]. Therefore, parents should get their children to form healthy habits from a young age.
National Children’s Dental Health Month
It is important to have a month dedicated to children’s dental health. It should serve as a chance for parents to assess how they are helping, or impeding, their child’s oral health.
While the Oreo test outlined above can be useful, there are other approaches too that can be successful. Among the most important is to have a healthy and nutritious diet with a low sugar intake.
Trying to consume fresh fruit and vegetables is important. Moreover, drinking water as opposed to soda or juice is another measure that can be very useful for children over time.
Soft-bristled toothbrushes are generally best for children. But it is important for children to use these gently, as using them too aggressively can result in gum irritation. It is recommended to avoid giving a child an electric toothbrush at first.
Sarvas recommends that parents attend when their child goes to a dental clinic for the first time for a check-up [2]. Sarvas suggests that this should take place either after their first birthday, or after they grow their first tooth [2].
But parents should always check on their children’s brushing habits. Sarvas highlights that toothbrushing can be a difficult experience for children [2]. As a result, parents should supervise their toothbrushing from a young age.
It is also important for parents to practice strong oral hygiene themselves. Therefore, parents should attend dental check-ups at least twice a year. After all, parents’ use of oral health services is closely linked to children’s use of these services [4].
Finally, it is important to remember that these measures shouldn’t just be enacted for the National Children’s Dental Health Month. Instead, parents must remain committed all-year round to their child’s oral health.
Thinking points…
- 1) This article talks about the Oreo test; while it is useful for children, it is also very relevant for adults too! Consider doing the Oreo test yourself, and see how you do. It will give you an insight into how good your brushing habits are. Therefore, you will be able to see ways of improving your brushing.
- 2) Have you got a young child? If so, the Oreo test is a great way of assessing how well a child is brushing their teeth. Remember to praise them for doing well, and suggest improvements if they struggle. Remember to do what you can to emphasize the importance of oral health.
- 3) It is also very important for adults to set a good example for their children. This includes brushing your teeth a minimum of twice a day and attending regular check-ups. You may choose to bring your child to your check-up. Therefore, this would show the child how it is important to take oral health seriously.
What we offer at Savanna Dental
Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that offers many services, including regular check-ups, cavity fillings, root canals and some cosmetic services.
It is important for dental problems to be addressed early. Any oral-based problems will be identified at check-ups. This helps to prevent the problem getting worse. If and when further treatment is needed after a check-up, our patients receive a clear treatment plan.
The best way of avoiding extra treatment is to have strong oral hygiene. This includes brushing our teeth at least twice a day, flossing regularly, and getting a dental check-up at least twice a year. Avoiding sugary foods and drink and not smoking also helps.
Our Calgary-based dental clinic Savanna Dental also follows the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. This means our prices are competitive, transparent and affordable.
We would love you to visit us here at Savanna Dental soon! You can see more about us by visiting our website https://savannadental.ca.
References
- [1] Helyar, H., & Cardoso, A. (2022). What is the “Oreo Test” When Toothbrushing? Does it work?. Available: https://www.generation95.com/what-is-the-oreo-test-when-toothbrushing-does-it-work/. Last accessed: 13th February 2022.
- [2] Medicalxpress. (2022). The ‘Oreo test’ and other ways to help kids’ oral health. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-02-oreo-ways-kids-oral-health.html. Last accessed: 11th February 2022.
- [3] Atarbashi-Moghadam, F., & Atarbashi-Moghadam, S. (2018). Tooth Brushing in Children. Journal of Dental Materials and Techniques. 7 (4): p181-184.
- [4] Isong, I. A., Zuckerman, K. E., Rao, S. R., Kuhlthau, K. A., Winickoff, J. P., & Perrin, J. M. (2010). Association Between Parents’ and Children’s Use of Oral Health Services. Pediatrics. 125 (3): p502-508.
