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Tooth Fairy Teaches Kids About Healthy Teeth
BUTTE COUNTY, Calif.
Feb.13 the Tooth Fairy and Butte County Public Health Department will visit Oroville Gymnastics Academy’s preschool class to teach children the importance of healthy teeth in recognition of National Children’s Dental Health Month.
“Children can learn at a young age about which foods are healthy and which foods are not,” said Aimee Myles, Tooth Fairy and health education specialist for Public Health. “Often they’re surprised when they learn how much sugar and fat are in certain foods.”
Public Health’s goal is to teach children how to keep their teeth clean, what foods help prevent cavities, how to manage foods high in sugar and starches, and why healthy teeth are so important. Foods high in sugar and starches should be eaten in moderation. Snacks should be low in sugar with alternatives like vegetables with low fat dip, low fat cheese or cottage cheese.
Many foods high in sugar are also high in fat which not only leads to cavities, but overweight children. It is important for parents and guardians to learn to read nutrition labels on food items and to teach their children to understand nutrition labels too.
Public Health will again be at the Gymnastics Academy on Feb. 27 to speak to children age 6 and older who attend the regular scheduled gymnastics classes. The department also has outreach events planned for February at other locations in Butte County, where children receive little or no dental health education.
The American Dental Association sponsors National Children’s Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. Developing good dental health habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children
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