Dr. Travis D. Tramel
How Should Parents
Talk to Their Children
About Dental Health?
journey back to health as he makes tough,
but good, choices.

“I want [kids] to see themselves in this
book. I want them to reach up and get
help from those who can help them,”
Tramel says.

Tramel also wants parents to know that
it’s OK if they haven’t always been perfectly
on top of things. Everyone starts some-
where. Don’t be afraid to look into your
child’s mouth, and don’t be afraid to take
your health into your own hands, he says.

Do research and ask questions.

“Rather than threatening of the consequences,
play up that you want them at their best.

They want to wake up happy and energized.

They want to do well in school, look good, do
well in sports—it all has to do with what they
eat,” Maples says. “Explain that everything
you put in your body shapes that.”
To help children make healthy choices,
parents can swap out unhealthy, processed
snacks for whole foods, she says. Healthy
snack alternatives include steamed or roasted
veggies, fruits, nuts, olives, legumes, popped
corn or any snack foods with fewer than five
ingredients. Parents can also swap ranch
dressing for hummus or guacamole.

Another way parents can approach
the subject of healthy eating is through
children’s books.

Tramel wrote “Sam Saves His Smile” for
just this purpose. In the book, Sam the
dolphin makes bad decisions about what
to eat because of his environment, and
this causes his health, mood and social
life to suffer. The book follows Sam’s
Ask the Expert:
What’s Your Dental
Health Routine?
For Tramel’s own dental health, he focuses
on eating raw fruits and vegetables and
his routine is relatively simple, with flossing,
brushing and rinsing.

For Maples, she uses a power brush and
flosses thoroughly two times per day. Her
toothpaste is CTX4 gel. But remember,
dental routines will vary.

“I don’t have periodontal disease, so my oral
hygiene is relatively simple,” Maples says. P
Resources F Find “Brave Parent” and
other children’s health
information at
beabraveparent.com. F Find “Sam Saves
His Smile” at
barnesandnoble.com/ w/sam-saves-his- smile-
travis-d-tramel/ 1142556130.

F Learn more about
GeriSmiles and
where Tramel
will be next at
gerismilesfoundation.org. For children ages 12 to 19, 57% have had a cavity in their
permanent teeth, according to the CDC.

30 Washington FAMILY JUNE 2023
TOOTH: BEZVERSHENKO; TOOTHBRUSH: ALEAIMAGE; BOTH FROM
ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS. HEADSHOTS PROVIDED
Dr. Susan Maples