Food Pyramid to rescue teeth: Dental hygiene

Date : Tuesday, February 16 2010
Source: Autourina Mains

Teaching preschooler about the USDA Food Guide Pyramid can be an effective way of teaching proper dental hygiene.  It is common knowledge that proper nutrition plays an important role in the health of your preschoolers beautiful pearly whites, but getting them to really learn the food guide pyramid can be quite effective.  You can get a free food guide pyramid from the USDA website. Post it in your kitchen or bathroom and talk to your child about the foods you eat daily. 

Discuss the importance of eating grains, vegetable, fruits, dairy products and meats.  Every day review what you ate and help the child categorize them on the food guide pyramid.  Never refer to any food as bad, rather discuss eating everything in moderation.  When you come to the top of the pyramid where the fats and sugars are, encourage your child to think about what might happen if he/she was to eat a big bag full of chocolate.  They are very clever and may answer “you might puke, or get a tummy ache.”   Expand the side effects by talking about the effects of sugar on teeth. 

Your preschooler should brush with a soft bristle toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste twice a day.  They may need help brushing as they are not really able to do a thorough job till they are about 6-7 years old.  It is a good idea to stick around and monitor to make sure they spit out excess toothpaste and do a good job of brushing.  If your preschooler is resisting brushing, offer:

• Let the child pick out his/her tooth brush and tooth paste
• Be a good role model and make healthy, nutritious food choices and drink lots of water.  Set a good example and brush with your child
• Try showing your child the plaque on his teeth by  using a disclosing tablet which colors the plaque area or applying coloring food to your child’s teeth with a swab.  This encourage the child to brush away the color and can see what a good job he/she is doingJ
• Create a daily routine of brushing every morning and every night.
• Offer them water throughout the day and especially after they eat.  Water help rinse the mouth between brushing.

Visit your dentist regularly and make it a fun outing day for you and your child.  I used to take mine to the library after the visit to pick a special book (sometimes books on dental health) or video or go out for a quick snack.