February is National Children's Dental Health Month

Each February, the American Dental Association sponsors National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health.

Poor Oral Health Can Lead to Digestive Issues.  Your mouth is the entry way to your digestive tract.

The presence of bad bacteria in your mouth can cause your gums to become inflamed which can lead to gum disease. 

Harmful bacteria present in your saliva travels to your digestive tract when you swallow. This can cause an imbalance in your digestive system, and subsequently lead to digestive diseases.

Some easy things you can do for good oral and gut health are:

• Eat plenty of prebiotic foods
• Eat plenty of foods that are high in fiber
• Eat foods that are fermented
• Eat mostly foods with little or no added sugar
• Talk to your doctor about taking a probiotic
• Floss your teeth every day
• Brush your teeth twice each day for two minutes each time
• Have two professional teeth cleanings each year

Developing good oral habits at an early age helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.