November 1st is National Brush Day

For millions of kids around the country, today marks one of the highlights of the year. It’s Halloween!!! It’s one of the only days that dressing up is encouraged for all, and, even on a school night, kids get to hang out with their friends and roam the neighborhood. For free candy. It doesn’t get much better than that, unless you’re a dentist, of course. Tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease in the United States, and acquiring a massive stockpile of candy isn’t going to help. In an effort to emphasize the importance of dental hygiene, the Kids’ Healthy Mouths campaign, a national initiative launched by The Partnership for Healthy Mouths, Healthy Lives and the Ad Council in 2012, celebrates National Brush Day on November 1.

Conveniently scheduled for the day after Halloween, AKA national candy eating day, National Brush Day was created to support parents in reinforcing the importance of brushing teeth twice a day, for at least two minutes. Kids and parents can participate in the event by using the hashtag #NatlBrushDay on social media when sharing “brushing selfies.” Parents can also enter the Teeth Fairies You Make Me Smile Sweepstakes for a chance to win a prize package worth $850. Simply upload a picture of your smiling child by October 31. For more information, visit facebook.com/teethfairies.

Even though tooth decay has been identified as the most common childhood disease, studies have shown that parents still place their children’s dental health near the bottom of their priorities. Through programs like National Brush Day, dental professionals hope to encourage good oral health habits in both kids and their parents.

From all of us at Miami Dental Sedation Spa, have a safe and very happy Halloween! Just don’t forget to brush!