Guest Author - Susan Thompson

In keeping with the National Children’s Dental Health Month theme I started last week, here is a review of some of the newest products on the market. My children and I have tested all of the following products and would recommend them all. For your children’s safety, read the directions and suggested ages for use on all of the following products.

Inspector Hector Plaque Detector – The Plaque Detector is a blue liquid that children swoosh around their mouths. The blue will stick to plaque so kids get a view at where they need to brush better. Don’t worry, the blue coloring easily rinses away, so your children won’t be going to school looking like they just ate a blue lollipop! Inspector Hector Plaque Detector adds fun to brushing, so kids will want to brush more.

Inspector Hector Tooth Protector – Is a fluoride rinse for kids to use after brushing. It comes in a bubble gum flavor. The tooth protector protects tooth enamel, strengthens teeth, and kills germs and bacteria.

Sonicare Electric Toothbrush – This is the best electric toothbrush on the market. Its dynamic action removes plaque in hard to reach places. This toothbrush removes stains and with regular use whitens teeth. Sonicare leaves you teeth feeling like you just had you teeth professionally cleaned. Although your original investment will be slightly high, in the long run, you won’t regret it.

GUM Go Between Cleaners – Easier to use than floss. This device is a little larger than a toothpick and has a small bristled head that fits between teeth to remove plaque. After each rinse the brush. Discard the brush after one week’s use. This product is great for kids with braces. Also, they are very handy to keep in kid’s backpacks.

Now that I have given you some of the best products available, let’s go over some of the worst things for you kids teeth.

We all know that sugary candies are bad. Unless they are sugar free, you should limit any kind of hard candy or lollipops. Not only does the sugar from these candies accumulate on teeth because it stays in the mouth for a long time, but kids have a tendency of biting lollipops or chewing hard candies which can damage tooth enamel. The same goes for ice cubes, you should discourage your children from chewing on ice cubes.

Drinks that are bad for your teeth? Soda contains phosphoric acid which can wear away tooth enamel. It may surprise you that the worst drinks for your children’s teeth are sports drinks and the new vitamin waters. As much as these drinks are promoted to be good for your health replacing electrolytes lost during exercise, they contain a high amount of sugar. My daughter recently started vitamin water habit. She usually has great dental check up results. Last week she visited the dentist for a cleaning and has several cavities. When questioned about what had changed in her diet, she mentioned the vitamin water that has recently become a staple for her. The hygienist is convinced that is where the cavities came from. Here’s wishing you children a lifetime of great dental health.