Which foods are good for our teeth?
It’s not just cleaning our teeth that can help keep them strong and healthy. Food and drink can make a big difference. Did you know some foods invite tooth decay? It’s like sending them an
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World Book Day is a charity event held annually in the United Kingdom and Ireland on the first Thursday in March.
World Oral Health Day is observed annually on 20 March, and launches a year-long campaign dedicated to raising global awareness of the issues around oral health and the importance of oral hygiene.
Between 13 May and 13 June 2024, the Oral Health Foundation will be raising awareness of important oral health issues.
It’s not just cleaning our teeth that can help keep them strong and healthy. Food and drink can make a big difference. Did you know some foods invite tooth decay? It’s like sending them an
Teeth are built to last a lifetime. First, our milk teeth – or primary teeth – arrive, which start falling out naturally by around the age of six-years-old, and our secondary adult teeth arrive as
The Rotters are based on real bacteria that live in our mouths from birth, called streptococcus mutans. There are other oral bacteria in there too, but this strain is the one scientists have identified as
Did you know that tooth enamel is the hardest substance on our bodies? It’s harder than gold! Stronger than our bones! But the difference is that enamel can’t heal itself like bones, so we need to look after our teeth. Then they’ll last a lifetime!
Here are some of the foods I should have eaten less of, and most importantly brushed off! How many can you name? And are there others you’d add to the list?
Here’s a pic of me and the gang first thing in the morning. Together we’re known as the bacteria, streptococcus mutans. I know! We look better in clothes. But hey, you won’t usually get to see us, because this picture magnifies us by 8,000 times our usual size!
Pssst. I’m gonna tell you a little secret. Did you know tooth decay is caused by our terrible toilet habits? We eat, wee, rot, repeat. Fact! Tooth decay is made with our wee! I’m not kidding. Would I lie to you..? Here’s a random picture of a laughing horse because he’s got great teeth and I don’t want to show you a toilet!
I don’t suppose you’ve got a bun? How many of these can you name?
Darling, did you know there are lots of different types of streptococcus bacteria? But ‘mutans’ is the bit that means Strep, Toc and Occus only want to live in a mouth! Yes, it’s ME, ME, ME who makes us such a special toothy gang! I’m not looking my best in this shot, but it’ll do.
Did you know fluoride is a natural element that strengthens teeth and prevents decay? In children younger than six, fluoride is already in the enamel (outer shell) of permanent teeth, which makes your teeth more resistant to bacteria and acids in food. So use toothpaste with fluoride to double paste those Rotters!
Did you know that children have 20 primary teeth until around six-years-old? Then these teeth fall out naturally and permanent teeth arrive. Take a look at the picture to see how many permanent teeth you end up with!
Did you know I’m made of leftover food and saliva? I know. I’m gorgeous! Like sea anemones! But I like to compare myself to a pair of tights (also known as pantyhose in the US). I cling to your teeth like a very fine slippery net and build a revolting group of friends. That’s when my bestie Tartar arrives. He won’t leave unless that dreadful dentist gets rid of him!
Did you know the first toothbrushes were made from twigs and leaves? Ouch! But better than nothing!
Did you know healthy teeth need one very important mineral called calcium? All the foods in the photo are rich in calcium. How many can you name?
Here I am chillaxing on someone’s tooth. I’m also known as calculus or scale. I appear when plaque’s been there a while. I’m the hard, old version of Plaque. I’m like a beautiful coral reef, with lots of rough, tough places for other Rotters to hide in. The SCG can’t get rid of me alone! They need help from a dentist. I’m such a meanie. You gotta love me!
Here are pictures of the bacteria the characters are based on in The Rotters, taken using a scanning electron microscope to magnify the bacteria by
It’s not hard to picture a long day, when perhaps things haven’t gone as smoothly as you’d have liked. Imagine it’s early evening, you haven’t
Here are a few links to some useful websites:
Cazzie Phillips is available for readings, signing events, and workshops about dental health and healthy eating. Please contact info@seadragon.co.uk to find out how The Rotters could complement your classroom activities on oral hygiene.