Page 33 - 2018_Healthy LEAP_Coaches Guide_Preschool

Healthy Mouth and Teeth!

What is oral hygiene?
• Steps you can take to keep your mouth
and teeth healthy

What can happen if I don’t have good oral
hygiene?
• A sticky film called plaque can build up on
your teeth and can cause cavities.
• Plaque can also cause gingivitis, which is
when your gums (the pink tissue in your
mouth) can become red, swollen, and hurt.
• Bad breath

What should you do to keep your mouth and
teeth healthy and strong?
• Brush your teeth
○ Brush your teeth at least 2 times a day
for 2-3 minutes each time; after break
fast and before you go to bed at night.
Your parent/guardian needs to be with
you when you brush your teeth.
○ Toothpaste
▪ You should only use the kids tooth
paste that your dentist or parent/
guardian gives you
▪ Do not use more than a pea-sized
amount of toothpaste on your
toothbrush each time you brush.
▪ Do not swallow toothpaste; spit it in
the sink after brushing.
○ Brush all of your teeth on all sides
○ If you have been sick, throw away your
old toothbrush and use a new
toothbrush.

Floss your teeth
• Flossing cleans between your teeth.
• Floss looks like a piece of string.
• Your dentist will tell your parent/guardian
when to begin flossing your teeth and your
parent/guardian will floss your teeth for
you once a day.
• When you are a little older, your dentist,
oral hygienist, and/or your parent(s)/
guardian(s) will teach you how to floss
your teeth and you can floss by yourself.
But for now, let your parent/guardian floss
your teeth for you. 18