you are born with 20 baby teeth. most kids have all of their baby teeth by age 3

You are born with 20 baby teeth. Most kids

have all of their baby teeth by age 3.

You lose your baby teeth and grow

permanent adult teeth because you need

bigger, stronger teeth to last the rest of your

life.

People get 32 adult teeth. They can last a

lifetime if you take good care of them.

All 32 adult teeth usually come in by age 21.






life.




These teeth come in between age 6 & 9.






life.






Your teeth are important to your overall health. You need healthy teeth to eat and speak well.

Your smile is also a big part of how you look and feel.

Studies show that one of the first things people notice about someone is their smile. A good

smile creates a good self-image.

What happens if you don't take good care of your teeth?

cavities

gum disease

tooth loss

What is a cavity?

A cavity is a small hole in a

tooth, also known as tooth

decay. When your teeth

decay, they lose their strength.

The decay can spread

throughout your tooth.

Cavities

Cavities

What causes cavities?

One thing that plays a big part in causing cavities is plaque.

Plaque is a sticky, clear film that forms on your teeth 24 hours a day.

Bacteria in plaque make acid that attacks tooth enamel -- the hard outer

layer of each tooth. The stickiness of plaque keeps the harmful acids

against the teeth. The acid breaks down tooth enamel and forms a cavity.

Repeated acid attacks make cavities grow bigger.

Cavities

Cavities do not go away by themselves. Only a dentist can fix

a cavity, by removing the decay and filling the hole.

Gum Disease

Gingivitis

If plaque is not removed with daily brushing and cleaning

between teeth with floss, it hardens into tartar.

Tartar must be removed, because it makes your teeth harder

to clean. If tartar is not removed, it can lead to gingivitis, an

early form of gum disease. Gingivitis means inflamed gums.

Gum Disease

Signs of gingivitis:

Gums that bleed easily

Bright red gums

Gums are tender to touch

Mouth sores

Swollen gums

Gums look shiny

Gum Disease

Periodontitis

If not treated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis.

Periodontitis is when infection spreads from the gums to the

tissues and bones that support the teeth. In time, teeth

become loose and fall out.

Gum Disease

Signs of periodontitis:

Gums that bleed easily

Bright red gums

Gums are tender to touch

Swollen gums

Bad breath

Loose permanent teeth

A Quick Checkup ...

How long can your adult teeth last?

A. Your whole life.

B. Until wisdom teeth come in to replace them.

C. Up to 30 years.

Click on the correct answer to continue.

Sorry!


You chose:

Go back to try again.

Your wisdom teeth (third molars) are the last of your adult teeth to come in.

After all 32 adult teeth come in, you won’t grow any new teeth.

B. Until wisdom teeth grow in to replace them.

Sorry!


You chose:


C. Up to 30 years.

Good!


You chose:

That’s right! Continue to the next question.

B. Your whole life.

A Quick Checkup ...

How do cavities form?

A. Tartar builds up on teeth, making them hard to clean.

B. Bacteria make acid that breaks down tooth enamel.

C. Infection spreads from the gums to the teeth.


Sorry!


You chose:

A. Tartar builds up on teeth, making them hard to clean.


If you do not remove plaque, it turns into a hard deposit called tartar. Tartar

irritates and inflames the gums.

Sorry!


You chose:


Infection can spread from the gums to the tissues and bones that support the

teeth. That can make teeth come loose and fall out.

C. Infection spreads from the gums to the teeth.

Good!


You chose:

That’s right! No more questions for now. Continue on to the next section.

B. Bacteria make acid that breaks down tooth enamel.

Take Good Care of Teeth

There are three main ways to keep teeth

“pearly white” and healthy:

1. Brush and floss

2. Good eating habits

3. Regular dental visits.

Take Good Care of Teeth

Proper Brushing

Brushing cleans food and plaque off teeth

and fights the acid that causes cavities.

Brushing also makes your mouth feel clean,

and your breath smell good.

Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.

Fluoride toothpaste helps prevent cavities by

protecting tooth enamel.

How To Brush

Place your toothbrush at a slight angle to the gums.

Move the brush back and forth gently in short strokes.

How To Brush

Brush the top, front, and back sides of each tooth.

1

How To Brush

To clean the inside surface of front teeth, tilt the brush like this. Make several up-

and-down strokes.

1

2

How To Brush

Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and keep your breath fresh.

1

2

3

How To Brush

A toothbrush does not last forever.

If your toothbrush looks like this

with bent or broken bristles, it’s time to toss it and get a new one. Use a

toothbrush that is easy to hold and easily reaches all tooth surfaces.

How To Floss

You should floss once a day.

Flossing removes bits of food and plaque from between teeth,

where a toothbrush can’t reach.

Floss gently. It doesn’t take a lot of muscle to remove the

plaque and debris from between your teeth.

How To Floss

Break off about 18 inches of floss. Wind most of it around one of your middle

fingers. Wind the rest around the same finger of the other hand.

How To Floss

Hold the floss tightly between the thumbs and forefingers. Gently insert it between

the teeth.

1

How To Floss

Curve the floss into a “C” shape against the side of the tooth.

2

1

How To Floss

Rub the floss gently up and down, keeping it pressed against the tooth. Don’t jerk

or snap the floss.

2

1 3

How To Floss

Floss all your teeth. Don’t forget to floss behind your back teeth.

42

1 3

Good Eating HabitsWhat you eat and drink, and how often, affects the amount of acid in your mouth.

Plaque bacteria turn sugar and starches from food and drinks into acid. Every

time you have sugary snacks and drinks, acid attacks your teeth.

Good Eating HabitsIf you have sweets, eat or drink them with meals, because saliva helps wash acid

off your teeth. If you need a snack between meals, choose things like fruit, low-

fat cheese, low-fat yogurt, or raw vegetables.

Good Eating HabitsIt's OK to chew gum for about 20 minutes right after you eat as long as the gum

is sugarless. Chewing sugar-free gum helps your mouth make more saliva to

rinse acid off your teeth.

Visit the DentistIt is important to see a dentist regularly

to be sure your mouth is healthy and

to get your teeth cleaned.

Even when you brush well, some

plaque stays on your teeth. Over time,

plaque hardens into tartar. Only a

professional cleaning can remove

tartar. If tartar is not removed, it can

lead to gum disease.

A Quick Checkup ...

How often should you brush and floss?

A. Brush twice a day, floss once a day.

B. Brush and floss twice a day.

C. Brush twice a day, floss 2-3 times a week.


Sorry!


You chose:


B. Brush and floss twice a day.

Sorry!


You chose:


C. Brush twice a day, floss 2-3 times a week.

Good!


You chose:

That’s right! Continue to the next question.

B. Brush twice a day, floss once a day.

A Quick Checkup ...

The right way to brush your teeth is to

A. Scrub hard to remove built-up plaque.

B. Use toothpaste that is fluoride-free.

C. Brush the top, front, and back sides of each tooth.


Sorry!


You chose:

A. Scrub hard to remove built-up plaque.


Brushing too hard can harm your teeth and gums. Brush gently.

Sorry!


You chose:


Fluoride is a key ingredient in toothpaste. It helps strengthen your tooth enamel.

Always use toothpaste with fluoride to prevent cavities.

C. Use toothpaste that is fluoride-free.

Good!


You chose:

That’s right! No more questions. Continue on to the next section.

C. Brush the top, front, and back sides of each tooth.

More Ways To Protect Teeth

Don’t use tobacco. It’s bad for your entire body,

including your mouth.

All forms of tobacco can cause mouth, tongue and lip

cancer:

Cigarettes

Cigars

Smokeless tobacco (chew, snuff, dip or

spitting tobacco)

All tobacco products stain your teeth and can cause

gum disease and tooth loss.


Mouth jewelry can chip or crack your teeth.

A vast amount of bacteria live in your mouth. Getting

your tongue or lip pierced puts you at risk for a painful

bacterial infection.

An infected tongue can swell up big enough to close

off your airway.

Piercing can also cause nerve damage and heavy

bleeding.

If the piercing isn't done in a sterile way, you could

get hepatitis, a viral infection of the liver.


Using a mouthguard during all active sports protects

your teeth from getting broken or knocked out. That

includes non-team sports like skateboarding and

gymnastics.

A mouthguard is a piece of soft, molded plastic that

covers your upper teeth.

A dentist can make one that fits your teeth exactly.

You can also buy an unshaped mouthguard that can

be softened in hot water and shaped to fit over your

teeth.

This Is To CertifyThat

Has completed the Oral Health eLearning module, and is entitled to collect one

“Rock Your Smile” bracelet.

Click the print icon to print your certificate. Write your name on the line and present the certificate to the School Nurse to claim your bracelet.