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“Did you remember to brush your teeth?!”
I’m
sure you’ve all heard Mom or Dad ask you
this and think this is just one more way for
them to nag you, but they really do have a
point.
If you don’t brush your teeth, something
call plaque will form on your teeth very
quickly. What is plaque? It’s a film that
grabs onto your teeth. It squirts harmful
acids on your teeth. This acid causes your
teeth to decay.
Plaque forms all the time, 24 hours a day.
Imagine all that nasty bacteria trying to
cling to your teeth paving the way for
cavities, bad breath, irritation, bleeding
gums and worse.
This is why it is so important to brush your
teeth at least twice a day and floss at
least once a day. You see, if you take the
time to brush and floss, you stop the nasty
plaque from forming and harming your teeth
and gums.
You should brush your teeth at least twice a
day….just after breakfast and before you go
to bed are the best times. Take your time
and make sure you brush all your teeth in
the front and back. The brush should be
placed against the teeth at an angle. A
careful brushing should take about 3
minutes.
Soda vs. water: It's your choice
Drinking lots of liquids is very important
to overall health. As an active youngster,
you lose two or more quarts of water daily,
so your body needs to a good supply of
liquid.
Today, many kids and adults sip bottled soda
pop or sports drinks while on the go. But,
did you know drinking acidic, sugary
beverages all day can lead to tooth decay?
Drinking lots of soda has also been linked
to other health problems too, like diabetes,
obesity and osteoporosis.
So, next time you’re thirsty, reach for a
bottle of fluoridated water. The water is
refreshing and the fluoride protects against
tooth decay, rebuilds tooth enamel and
strengthens bones.
If you do drink soft drinks: |
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Soda pop and sports drinks are okay as an
occasional treat, but water is the best way
to refresh yourself during and after
physical activity. You’ll feel more hydrated
and energized. And since water has no sugar,
no acid and no calories, your body and teeth
will thank you! |