Tips For a Healthier Smile

Isn't it nice to have a pretty white smile? Your teeth are one of the first parts of your body that someone else notices and more importantly they are an important part of your overall health. That is why you must pay special attention to how you take care of them.

Why do I need to brush my teeth?

If you do not brush your teeth they can build up with something called plaque. Plaque is a sticky film, which is made up of bacteria and will stick to your teeth. If it is not removed from your teeth it can cause your teeth to begin a process called decay. Decaying teeth will not give you a pretty white smile and can also cause you pain.

How often should I brush my teeth?

According to the American Dental Association, brushing your teeth at least two times a day with toothpaste that has fluoride in it is very important. Helping mom or dad pick out your toothpaste can make brushing your teeth more fun. Cleaning between your teeth with dental floss is also very important because it helps remove the plaque and helps to prevent tooth decay. REMEMBER'..Don't swallow the toothpaste, make sure you spit it out!

What else is important to help prevent tooth decay?

What you eat can help prevent the decaying of your teeth. Sugar, which is something most kids like, is also liked just as much by bacteria. The bacteria are what make up the plaque and the plaque causes the harm to the teeth. Eat different foods that make up the five major food groups. The five major food groups are:

  • Breads, cereals and other grain products
  • Fruits
  • Vegetables
  • Meat, fish, poultry
  • Milk, cheese and yogurt

Ask your mom and dad if you can help with the grocery shopping so you can make some choices of your own that fit into these food groups.

Limit the number of snacks that you eat. Instead of eating cookies for a snack, try something like plain yogurt or some cheese and crackers.

Visiting your dentist on a regular basis is one of the most important parts of your dental health. Going to the dentist can be a fun trip! The dentist usually has many different flavors you can choose from when you get your teeth cleaned. You may get a new toothbrush and dental floss. If you are an outstanding patient for the dentist you may even get a prize!

Where else can I find information about my teeth?

Other websites that can be fun and informational are:

www.ada.org

http://www.pg.com/docYourhome/docCrest/oral_health/

Remember, brushing and cleaning between your teeth is important for a healthy smile..

Past Health Information

What to Do when you are bugged?

If you've ever played outside, chances are that you've been bugged by bugs! Maybe unwelcome ants joined your picnic or a bee buzzed around your head while you were playing catch. None of this may have bothered you unless you were bitten or stung. Ouch! Don't worry. You can still play outside and have lots of fun if you know a little bit more about the insects that are around you.

Why Do Insects Bite or Sting?

Insects like bees, wasps, spiders, and hornets usually attack when they feel like they are in danger. Sometimes they are protecting their territory, web, or nest. If you see a bee or wasp nest, stay away! Don't play near it or touch it. They will be very angry that you are bothering their home and they will come after you!

Other insects like mosquitoes and ticks suck blood so they can survive. Female mosquitoes need blood to lay their eggs; males don't bite at all. Ticks live by sucking blood from animals or people.

When a bug bites or stings you, it injects venom into your skin. Most of the time, venom is like soap in your eyes - it is uncomfortable, but doesn't really hurt you. The venom will make a small, itchy bump about the size of a pea appear on your skin. When you scratch it, your skin becomes red and itches more. A tick bite can cause a red rash that looks like a bull's eye. This can happen right away or it can take up to a week to appear. When a bee stings you, the area becomes swollen and a stinger is left in your skin.

What Should You Do?

As soon as anything bites or stings you, tell an adult. He or she will look at the bite or sting to see what needs to be done. Most of the time, the adult will be able to help you at home, but sometimes a trip to the doctor might be necessary (if you are allergic to bee stings or if a black widow spider bites you).

Mosquito Bites

Try not to scratch! It's hard sometimes, but scratching will make the itch even worse and can cause the bite to swell, bleed, or get infected.

Stings

If you are stung by a wasp, yellow jacket, or hornet, an adult will remove the stinger by scraping it lightly with his or her fingernail (using the edge of a credit card also works). Don't pick out the stinger yourself with your fingers or tweezers! This could accidentally squeeze the stinger and cause more venom to be released, which will make it hurt even more.

Honeybee Stings

If a honeybee stings you, you should leave the stinger alone. This kind of stinger has a curve on the end that hooks into your skin. An adult will help you keep the area clean and the stinger will go away on its own in a few days. Have an adult apply ice to the area off and on for the first 24 hours after the sting. An antihistamine (say: an-tie-his-ta-mean) can help stop the itching, pain, and swelling. Tylenol or acetaminophen (say: uh-see-ta-mi-no-fen) can also help stop the sting from hurting. A hydrocortisone (say: hy-dro-kor-ti-zone) cream or calamine lotion will help take away the itch. An adult will decide which medicine is best for your sting.

Tick Bites

If you find a tick on you, don't try to remove it yourself. Get an adult to help you. The adult will grab the tick with tweezers as close to your skin as possible to pull the entire tick off in one quick, smooth motion. After the tick is removed, be sure the flush it down the toilet. Never try to crush the tick in your hands. It's a good idea to have an adult help check your hair and skin for ticks after you play in wooded or grassy areas. You often don't feel ticks or their bites right away.

Information provided courtesy of Kids Health.


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