I have always enjoyed going to the dentist.  I'm not sure why or what about visiting a dentist makes me feel complete in some way, but it does.  I vividly remember my mom taking me to my dental checkups when I was younger and then eventually that morphed into my regular orthodontic appointments.  I guess you could say I've always been a "teeth" person.  It's one of the first things I notice about someone when I first meet them. 

So, it's no surprise that I am vigilant when it comes to my own kids' oral health.  We make sure they have their regular 6 month dental checkups and we supervise (and assist) their brushing twice daily.  Flossing is a bit harder to squeeze in to our already rushed bedtime routine, but I certainly do try!

I was totally shocked when I read through the recent survey conducted by the Hispanic Dental Association (HDA) and Crest & Oral-B!  We all know the barriers that many Hispanics face when it comes to health care, but it didn't even occur to me that the same challenges are there with regard to oral health.  Some of their survey results truly shocked me.  Like, for example, that when asked, 30% of survey respondents believe that regular brushing would make cavities go away.  And, that 45% of them are without dental coverage. 

Our family actually pays for our own health and dental coverage since neither my husband nor I have access to a group insurance plan, so I know first-hand how expensive dental coverage is!  But lack of dental health can lead to so many more health issues like diabetes, stroke, heart disease and more!  What's even more concerning is that the children of the survey respondents will likely be given inaccurate information when it comes to dental health and in turn, will not receive adequate care for their teeth either.

So what is the most important aspect of dental health that you try to pass on to your children?  Do you find that access to quality and affordable care are issues that prevent you from achieving good oral health?

Or do you value the quality of teeth that can be achieved using Clear Aligners, or other cosmetic options to enhance your childs’ life experience? These are fundamental questions to ask moving forward.

 

For more information on this survey and its findings, visit here.

{Disclosure: I wrote this post while participating in a compensated campaign with Procter & Gamble and Latina Mom Bloggers. However, all opinions expressed are my own.}