Your mouth is full of many kinds of microorganisms, including bacteria. Thankfully, most of them are harmless, and practicing good oral hygiene can help reduce the amount of bad bacteria in your mouth. In this video, kids will learn that the health of their mouth relates to the health of their entire body. Discover that the risk for heart issues like heart disease and problems with the heart valves, as well as diabetes, premature birth, and low birth weight is greater for people who also have gingivitis or periodontal disease. Because of this, it’s important to brush your teeth twice a day, floss, and make regular visits to the dentist in order to maintain your oral health as well as the overall health of your body.
For more information about the connection between your oral health and your overall health, check out the resources here and here. Use the first resource to hear directly from a dental hygienist about the connection between the mouth and the body and why it’s so important to take care of your oral health if you want better overall health. Use the graphic provided in the second resource as additional support so you can better understand what is directly connected and how oral health conditions impact the body as a whole.
Ask the following discussion questions to make sure that the children recall and understand the importance of good dental hygiene and how to prevent gum disease that harms the rest of your body.
Discussion Questions
How can poor dental health affect your overall health?
How much greater of a chance do people with gum disease have at also having heart disease?
What are some things that gum disease has been connected to?
What are some things you can do to prevent gum disease?
How many times a day should you brush and floss? For how long?