Video: TPSD First Graders Get Lesson In Dental Hygiene

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TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – As they filed into the Thomas Street School Auditorium, these first graders were about to get a lesson in dental care and hygiene.

Throughout the month, representatives from the office of Doctors Richard Caron and John Kinney, known as Tupelo Smiles, will visit with every first grader in Tupelo Public Schools and the youngsters won’t go home empty handed.

“We wanted to offer every first grader in the Tupelo School District a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss from Tupelo Smiles,” said Carey Snyder, director of marketing for “Tupelo Smiles”

All first graders get a brief presentation on basic facts about dental health. And using stuffed animals, the students are shown the correct way to brush.

The American Dental Association encourages dentists to find fun and creative ways to teach kids about proper hygiene.

“The earlier you learn to take care of your teeth, the better your health is overall, because we know now that later on in life if you have bad oral health, you can get diseases like diabetes and it can inflame into periodontal disease,” Snyder said.

The youngsters were not only excited to get the goody bag full of dental care products, but they also learned something from the assembly.

“You have to use water to get sugar off and have to brush your teeth everyday,” said Mason Martin.

Why is it important to take care of your teeth?

“Because your teeth will rot and then some people will make fun of you if you don’t brush your teeth,” Penelope Fisher said.

“If you don’t the acid will get into your teeth and it will create a little hole into your teeth,” said Dayne Wray.

What’s that called ?

“A cavity,” Wray said.

By the end of the month, all TPSD first graders will have seen the presentation, that hopefully can help them prevent cavities, with proper dental care and hygiene.

Later this month, Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton will be a special guest at one of the dental hygiene presentations.

www.tupelosmiles.com