1. Presented by: Holli Seabury, CEO McMillen Center for Health Education

2. ChildrenEarly Childhood EducatorsParents Doctors 3. Why Should You Care? 4. Dental Decay in Infants and Preschoolers The extent of the problem The importance of primary teeth and how decay relates to school success Signs of decay 5. Dental Decay in Infants and Preschoolers How to prevent decay How nutrition relates to decay Using the Brush curriculum 6. Extent of The Problem 7. The Extent of The Problem Dental decay is the most common childhood illness; 5 times more common than asthma 8. The Extent of The Problem Decay has dropped for all age groups except preschoolers they have seen a rise 28% of preschoolers have dental decay Low-income children have 3 times the amount of decay 20% of the children have 80% of the cavities 9. Dentists nationwide say they are seeing more preschoolers with 6 to 10 cavities or more. The level of decay is so severe that they often need to use general anesthesia. 10. Children miss 51 million hours of school due to dental decay. Much of this is due to the secondary ear, nose and throat infections caused by decay. 11. Primary Tooth Timeline 12. Healthy Primary Teeth Are Important! In learning to speak properly For chewing the healthiest foods like fruits and vegetables To keep permanent teeth spaced properly Decayed baby teeth can also decay the permanent teeth below 13. Healthy Primary Teeth Are Important! Loss of baby teeth is a self-esteem issue Children who are in pain from dental decay have problems paying attention and learning Decayed teeth can cause repeated ear and throat infections 14. Healthy Primary Teeth Are Important! If children are in pain, are sick, arent sleeping, cant eat healthy food, and have self-esteem issues, they are less likely to succeed in school. 15. Signs of Decay 16. White spots on teeth are the first sign of decay. 17. White spots are followed by brown, and then black, spots on teeth. 18. Severe decay can result in loss of primary teeth and can damage the permanent teeth under the gums. 19. How to Prevent Decay We have control over tooth decay! 20. Brush Teeth 2 times a day for 2 minutesFloss 1 time per day Dentist 2 times per year 21. Wiping babies gums should start at birth and be done twice a day. 22. Brushing twice a day with an infant toothbrush should start when baby gets his first tooth. 23. The bacteria that causes tooth decay is contagious. Parents should not share spoons, or put pacifiers or bottles in their mouths. 24. Smear (under 2)Pea-sized (over 2) 25. Flossing should start when baby has two teeth that touch. A childs floss pic is usually easier to use than string floss. 26. The first dentist visit should be at one year of age. Babies should see the dentist earlier if they have signs of decay or if siblings or parents have decay. 27. Nutrition and Dental Decay Much of the decay in childrens teeth is from too much sugar in their foods and drinks. 28. Its not just the sugar in candy that damages teeth. Many candies are gummy and get down in between teeth. 29. Drinks Damage Teeth 30. Fruit Juice Can Damage Teeth Even 100% Fruit Juice. 31. Milk With Meals -Water Between Meals. 32. Bottle Decay Children should never be put to bed with a bottle. 33. Baby Bottle Decay 34. Nutrition and Dental Decay Much of the decay in childrens teeth is from too much snacking. 35. Snacks Gummy fruit snacks are one of the most common snacks and one of the most damaging to teeth. 36. Fruit Snack IngredientsCorn syrup, sugar, modified corn starch, juice from concentrate, fruit purees, citric acid, lactic acid, natural and artificial flavors, sodium citrate, gelatin, coconut oil, carnauba wax, red 40, yellow 5 and blue 1. 37. Encourage Real Fruit and Vegetables as a Snack 38. Healthy Snacks at Regular Times, Not ALL the Time. Avoid processed snacks Cheese Yogurt Veggies Fruit 39. Brush Seeks to Prevent Decay by Reaching: Parents Children Early childhood learning environments 40. Brush! Themes Theme 1: Brushing teeth at least twice a day. 41. Brush! Themes Theme 2: Visiting the dentist regularly. 42. Brush! Themes Theme 3: The importance of good nutrition and understanding which foods help teeth and which foods hurt teeth. 43. Brush! Themes Theme 4: The importance of primary teeth (in speech, chewing healthy foods, in protecting the adult teeth). 44. Brush! Themes Theme 5: How dental health relates to school readiness and school success. 45. Curriculum A 12 month curriculum The curriculum has weekly literacy, math, health or art activities which reinforce dental care, dental visits and nutrition Teachers can choose which lesson they want to complete each week Childrens DVD Educator training 46. Brush Lesson 47. Brush in Your Center Kick-off by McMillen Brush bags for children Curriculum for teachers Twice monthly parent newsletters 48. Free Resources www.mouthhealthy.orghttp://www.colgate.com/app/CP/US/EN/OC/ Information.cvsp www.aquafresh.cm/ForKids 49. Review The extent of the problem The importance of primary teeth and how decay relates to school success Signs of decay How to prevent decay How nutrition relates to decay Curricular resources 50. Group Activity List 3 things you learned. How will this change your practice in your classroom? How will what you learned change how you interact with parents? 51. Contact Information Holli Seabury hseabury@mcmillencenter.org Toll free: (888) 240-7268 For the most up to date information join Brush Dental Curriculum on Facebook