The other day, I was visiting a friend with a little boy the same age as my niece, Emily. The kids were in the back bedroom playing while we caught up on current events. After a much-too-long period of dead silence, we went to see what the kiddos were up to.
There they were, playing “house.” They both held the “traditional” household roles; Emily was the mother and caretaker and Stevie was the father and breadwinner. They took their jobs seriously! It was interesting to be reminded of the natural adult behaviors kids emulate in their play.
It got me thinking, kids play “doctor” and “cops and robbers” and “store.” But have you ever walked in on your kids playing “dentist?” I bet not.
Maybe we as a society do not place enough importance on good oral health. It’s surprising, after all oral health is tied to overall health. Terrible conditions like heart disease and diabetes are tied to dental disease. If we all took our oral health as seriously as our overall health, we’d be a much healthier population in-deed.
So why aren’t people aware of the importance of dental health?
We know some of the answers. Some people may understand that seeing a dentist is important, but cannot afford dental care. These folks view it as a luxury, and its importance diminishes. Do you want dinner tonight or do you want that cavity filled? I know what I would choose.
Other people follow the routine, they visit the dentist twice a year, and brush and floss daily, but they have no idea about the serious connection between their mouth and body. Going to the dentist is simply a mundane chore to check off the To Do list.
Regardless of why people don’t recognize the importance of good oral health, it is still very important. It truly can make or break your overall health. I wonder when society will buy into the concept.
To learn about oral health and its connection to your overall health, visit www.MonthlyMouthfulCO.com.