Body Boosters

Dental health

Healthy teeth and gums are important to your long-term health and well-being. To keep your teeth and gums healthy requires more than simply regular brushing and flossing (although they are crucial, too!) A good diet is vital in keeping calcium at necessary levels and means you will minimise tooth decay by avoiding sugar-loaded foods.

It is recommended that you keep to a minimum your intake of any food that has ‘added sugar’, including:

• Cordials and sugary fizzy drinks
• Cakes, puddings, sweet biscuits, lollies and chocolates
• Sweetened cereals and muesli bars
• Jams, stewed fruit, fruit canned in sweetened syrup, and sweetened fruit and vegetable juices
• Chocolate drinks and tea or other beverages with sugar.

Try and remember to read labels on foods, and if possible choose those without added sugar.

How do I best care for my teeth?

There are several things you can do to help keep your teeth in the best possible condition:

• Brush at least twice a day and floss once a day
• Use fluoride toothpaste
• Manage your sugar consumption by avoiding the foods above. If you do eat and drink these foods, try and brush soon afterwards
• Use a mouthguard when playing contact sport, including sports such as squash and basketball
• Visit a dentist for regular check-ups

What should I do if I injure my mouth or teeth?

All injuries to the mouth or jaw – no matter how slight they appear to be – should be checked by a dental professional as soon as possible. Make sure you tell your parents or coach that you’ve been knocked in the mouth, so an appointment can be made for a check-up. If there is injury to the lips, cheek or mouth, have a parent, school nurse or other adult apply a cold compress to reduce bleeding and swelling.

What should I do if a tooth is knocked out?

Pick your tooth up by the crown – the end that you see in your mouth. Try not to touch the root. Look for help from an adult, or ask a friend to find help.

If the tooth is dirty, rinse quickly in milk, saline (or water as a last resort) then:

• Place the tooth back immediately in the space it was knocked from
• Hold the tooth in that position with a piece of aluminium foil
• Seek professional dental advice urgently.

If you can’t put it back in:

• Place the tooth in milk, saline (or water as a last resort)
• Have an adult take you to a dental professional immediately

If the tooth can’t be found, have an adult take you to a dental professional while others search for the tooth. When it has been found, place in milk and take to the dentist.

What if my tooth is broken?

If you break a tooth during sport or play, place the broken piece in milk, and have an adult take you to a dentist immediately.
 

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