February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, the first Friday and Saturday are also Give Kids a Smile Day, and February 9th is National Toothache Day, so it appears that February is a good time to talk about kids’ dental health.
Give Kids a Smile
The Give Kids A Smile® (GKAS) program, launched nationally in 2003, provides underserved children with free oral health care. Each year approximately 6,500 dentists and 30,000 dental team members volunteer at local GKAS events to provide free oral health education, screenings, preventive and restorative treatment to over 300,000 children.
In 2002, Drs. Jeff Dalin and B. Ray Storm held the first Give Kids A Smile® (GKAS) event in a run-down, soon-to-be-demolished dental clinic in St. Louis, where 15 patient chairs were scraped together to deliver free dental care to nearly 400 children.
The ADA (American Dental Association) recognized that this grassroots effort had great potential to raise awareness nationally about the importance of oral health to overall health, and about the staggering need that exists among millions of children who go without care. So, in 2003, Give Kids A Smile evolved into a nationwide program with the goal of providing free oral health care to underserved children.
Go to the ADA Foundation website to find out more and how you can help!
Toothache Day
Toothaches aren’t always serious, but they are most often a sign that something is wrong with your teeth or gums. Symptoms include:
- Pain or sensitivity in or around your teeth and jaws especially when eating or drinking something hot, cold, sweet, or acidic. (You’ll know this one if you’ve ever experienced the sensation of lightning striking in your mouth).
- Sharp, shooting pain in or around your teeth when you bite down.
- Dull, throbbing, constant pain that can range from mild to severe.
Why Your Teeth Hurt
Not sure how those nasty toothaches come to be in the first place? According to perfectteeth.com, here are some of the most common causes.
- Tooth decay or gum disease
- Worn enamel
- Abscessed tooth
- A cracked tooth or filling
- Grinding teeth
- TMJ (Temporomandibular joint and muscle) disorders
- Sinus or ear infection
What To Do If You Have A Toothache
Make an appointment to see your dentist, especially if you’ve been experiencing a toothache for longer than two days. Don’t put it off! Your toothache might not be serious, but it can be the sign of bigger problems. Your dentist will examine you and find out what is going on. Wouldn’t it be nice to get some relief from the pain?
Here’s what you can do until your appointment:
- Floss to remove any food particles that might be causing the pain.
- Rinse with warm salt water.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever.
How You Can “Celebrate” National Toothache Day
If you don’t have a toothache, then you may just want to celebrate. Here are a few ways you can:
- Find ways to cut out sugary foods and drinks from your diet.
- Schedule an appointment with your dentist for an exam and cleaning.
- Take a picture of your pearly whites and use #NationalToothacheDay to post on social media.
- Commit to brushing and flossing every day!
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