Let’s Talk Teeth: What Is Good Oral Health and Why Is It Important?

Were you a child who lost their two front teeth at the same time? If so, you might have learned the hard way about the importance of teeth, as biting into anything can be challenging without your two front incisors. Not only do our teeth help us to chew food, but they also help us to speak clearly and give our face structure with our beautiful smiles.

How to maintain oral hygiene

Having good oral health means to properly care for your teeth and visit the dentist for cleanings/check-ups. Children learn these oral hygiene habits from the adults in their lives, and thus it is imperative that we teach them proper cleaning techniques. Brushing, with a rounded-bristle toothbrush and pea-sized drop of fluoride toothpaste, should occur at least twice a day (morning and evening) for two entire minutes each time. Brushing all surfaces of all teeth, and the tongue, will help remove built-up plaque and prevent decay. Brushing should be followed by dental flossing, at least once a day, to remove plaque from the spaces in-between teeth where toothbrush bristles can not reach. Finally, rinsing properly with a fluoride rinse should happen if it is suggested for you by your dentist.

How oral health affects overall health

Individuals with good oral health are more likely to feel good about themselves, have confidence when speaking to others, and care about the health of the rest of their body. The Byrnes Health Education Center (BHEC) has been dedicated to its mission of educating and inspiring people of all ages to make healthy choices since 1995. In addition to synchronous in-person and live-virtual health education programs, www.LearntobeHealthy.org is the BHEC’s fully online delivery platform built with thirteen different (synchronous or asynchronous) eLearning kits.

How to learn more

Are you looking for more comprehensive curriculum on oral health? With our “Decay? No Way!” eLearning kits on www.LearntobeHealthy.org students will not only learn about but also experience the importance of oral health with our friend “Sheriff Tex-Tooth”. For full access to all of the health content on the website, specifically the twelve activities in the “Decay? No Way!” eLearning kits (including a pre/post test, puzzle, WebQuest, interactive video, collage, Tooth Impressions, Tex’s Tooth Models Lab, Showdown at the D.K. Corral, Tooth and Gum Café Arcade, Save Our Tooth!, and Tic Tac Teeth), join www.LearntobeHealthy.org today!