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Promoting Good Oral Health:
Absorbed Within Our Classrooms
Tooth decay is is the the most common chronic infectious disease of of childhood 3 states the the American Academy of of of Pediatrics One out of of of 10 two-year-olds already has one one or or or or more more cavities cavities and by age five nearly 50% of children children have one one or or or or more more cavities cavities 4 These statistics are alarming and confirm that we cannot neglect children’s dental health Teaching good oral hygiene to children is extremely important Many parents assume that cavities in in in in “baby teeth” are are of no concern since the teeth teeth teeth teeth will fall out eventually However tooth decay in in in baby baby teeth teeth teeth teeth can can negatively affect permanent teeth teeth teeth and can can be a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a precursor for future dental dental problems When parents discuss good dental dental habits with their children children children they help to promote healthy teeth throughout the the the the children’s children’s lives Early intervention in in in in in children’s children’s oral health health is is the the the first line of defense in in in in in preventing dental problems such as as gum disease plaque and cavities Children who are are taught good oral hygiene are are also more likely to to embrace a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a basic dental routine such as as as brushing their teeth teeth twice a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a day with fluoride toothpaste flossing between teeth teeth daily eating a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a healthy diet that limits sugary beverages and and and and snacks and and and and seeing a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a dentist regularly for prevention and and and and treatment of oral disease Maintaining this healthy healthy regimen is is key to a a a a a a a a a a a a healthy healthy mouth and and and a a a a a a a a a a a a beautiful smile At Children’s Friend Friend educating young children about the the the importance of of good oral hygiene is an an integral part of of the the the the the the curriculum Jennifer a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a preschool teacher at at the the the the the the Friendship Center in in in in in in Providence for for 10 years loves teaching children about the the the the the the importance of caring for for their their teeth teeth In addition to to brushing their their teeth teeth daily after lunch students also engage in in in in in in in classroom activities such as as as flossing Play-Doh in in in in in in in plastic egg cartons and observing the the the the the the proper brushing motion “For many of these these children children this this is is is their first experience with dental dental hygiene ” Jennifer states “It’s so critical to to instill these these important dental dental habits in in in children children who have not been exposed to to good oral health at at this this early age ” In another classroom activity students are are are are asked to to to to identify which which foods foods are are are are healthy compared to to to to which which foods foods are are are are sugary and and and may lead to to to to tooth decay Jennifer reflects on on her her her important role as as as a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a teacher and and and making a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a genuine impact in in in in in a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a child’s life She says “It’s so so rewarding when I I I know a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a child child understands a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a particular lesson It’s It’s like a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a light goes off in in in their their head and a a a a a a a a a a big smile appears on their their face ” Dental Homes: A Continued Positive Upward Trend
The partnership is is raising awareness of of the importance of of a a a a a a a a a dental dental home home More families have a a a a a a a dental dental home home and with their increased knowledge of oral health care care they have gained the the self- sufficiency to engage in in dental care care on their own 3 How How to to to Prevent Prevent Tooth Decay in in Your Baby (Copyright © 2004 American Academy of Pediatrics Updated 09/2015)
Retrieved from: https://www healthychildren org/English/ages-stages/baby/teething-tooth-care/Pages/How-to-Prevent-Tooth-Decay-in-Your-Baby aspx
4 Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5 5 6th Edition (Copyright © 2015 American Academy of Pediatrics) Retrieved from: https://www healthychildren org/English/healthy-living/oral-health/pages/teething-and-dental-hygiene aspx