April is dental health month

News Release
NWHU

How sweet is it? Did you know that the average person consumes about 56 pounds* or 25.5 kg of sugar in a year! How much and how often we eat or drink sugary snacks directly affects our teeth and bodies. Every time we put sugar in our mouth, acid attacks our teeth for up to 20 minutes. Also, depending on how sticky the food is, the acid attack may be much longer. If you have sweet snacks or drinks often between meals, this can add up to hours a day that your teeth are being eaten away by the acids forming in your mouth. Between 60-90% of our school-aged children are affected by tooth decay. However, parents and care-givers need to know that 100% of tooth decay is preventable.
Parents/guardians/teachers can help by following these simple steps:
(Limit sweet treats or drinks to meal or snack times.
(Help or remind children to brush twice a day for 2 minutes, in the morning and before bed.
(Reward children with a hug, a sticker or a special activity, not with sweets.
(Encourage children to eat healthy foods, drink water often, and be a good example to them.
(For the best dental health, bring your child to a Dental Professional by age one.

Think about your teeth! Call the Northwestern Health Unit, Preventive Dental Services for more information and preventive services available to help every child have a healthy smile, or visit www.nwhu.on.ca

*Statistics Canada Food Stats 2004, Vol. 4, No. 2, Statistics Canada, November 2005