Dental Health Month

February is National Children's Dental Health Month! Oral health significantly impacts both overall body health and wellness.

Tooth decay is one of the most common children diseases...five times as common as asthma and seven times as common as hay fever in five to seventeen year olds. Children miss school because of pain from cavities. Prevention is the key to good oral health. The American Dental Association recommends having the first dental visit before age two, and then at least twice a year there after.

The best defense to fight tooth decay:

• Follow a diet choosing a variety of foods every day limiting foods that are sweet.

• Limit fruit juice to 4-6 ounces per day. Sodas have at least 10 teaspoons of sugar, calories that children's growing bodies don't need.

• Drink fluoridated water and BRUSH teeth at least twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste.

• Floss teeth daily before brushing.

• Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months or sooner if bristles become frayed. A worn toothbrush will not do a good job of cleaning and cant tear at the gums.

Flu Precautions

Please take a few extra precautions regarding communicable diseases:

WE must insist that ill students stay home until they have a normal temperature for 24 hours without the use of fever lowering drugs like Tylenol and Ibuprofen.