Teeth and Dental Health
- Humans have two sets of teeth during their lifetimes, the 'baby' or milk teeth and the adult set.
- First baby teeth usually appear before children are a year old, 20 teeth are in this set in all.
- Baby teeth start to fall out and get replaced by adult teeth from about the age of 6. There are 32 teeth in an adult set, although the last of these may not come through until the adult is in their 20s.
- There are four different types of teeth: incisors (shovel-shaped, for biting and cutting); canines (pointed, for tearing food); pre-molars and molars (broad and rough edged, for grinding and chewing).
- Dentists advise visiting for check-ups (not just when problems occur) at least once a year, and brushing teeth with toothbrush and toothpaste, twice a day.
- Fluoride is put into toothpaste to help protect teeth from decay.
- Tooth decay is caused by bacteria. Sugary foods contribute to tooth decay because this provides food for the bacteria. Cutting down on sugary foods and regular brushing help to reduce the amount of sugar available to these bacteria. Eating sugary foods as part of a main meal is better for dental health than frequent snacking.
- Foods with a high sugar content include: sweets, chocolate, mints, many fizzy drinks (unless sugar-free) and some breakfast cereal. Sugars may also be present in foods that would not be regarded as being 'sweet', such as baked beans.
- Sugar provides energy for growth but it should be eaten in moderation, considering the effect on dental health (see above).
- Sugar is contained in many foods, including some that pupils may not regard as being 'sweet' (see above)
- Energy can also be provided by other foods such as potatoes, rice, pasta and bread. (Pupils are introduced to the idea that these are 'carbohydrates' or 'starchy' foods, but this terminology may be a little abstract).
- Fatty foods also provide energy. These include butter, margarine, meat, cheese and fried foods (including crisps).
- Food packaging often has information about the amount of energy (such as sugars and fats) the food contains. This help with food choices and striking a balance.
- The body needs energy to grow and work properly. You even need some energy to think and when you're asleep - energy foods are not just for when you do sport or exercise.
- There is a balance when deciding how much food to eat for energy.
- The body also needs another kind of food for growth (and repair) - this is also called protein. Meat, eggs and fish contain a lot of this. It' especially important for a growing person (child) to eat enough protein.
- Food labels also give information about proteins (food for growth).
- A balanced diet should include some foods for growth (proteins).
- Calcium is important for healthy growth. It is useful for development of teeth, bones, muscles and the heart.
- Calcium is found in brown bread, milk, cheese and other dairy products such as yoghurt.
- Vitamins are also important for healthy growth. There are many different types of vitamins (Pupils may have heard of Vitamins A and C). Vitamins are found in many different foods, for example Vitamin C is found in fresh fruit and vegetables.
- Different vitamins help with the healthy development of many different parts of the body, including the blood, teeth, eyes, skin, hair, heart, bones and muscles.
- A balanced diet includes foods that will provide: energy, food for growth, calcium and vitamins. It?s also important to drink enough fluid (water, juice, etc).
- The balance comes in not eating too much of any one thing, especially not eating too much of very sugary, fatty or salty foods. Too much sugar, fat or salt in the diet can be unhealthy in the long run.
- It's possible to have a balanced diet and still eat some treats such as chocolate - it's all about the balance.
- Potatoes provide food for energy.
- There are many different ways of cooking them - some are more fatty than others (roasting, frying as chips and crisps).
- Potatoes are important in the Irish diet now and in the past. It is an important crop.
- Potato blight was the disease that affected many potato crops in the great famine. It was caused by a fungus which spread very easily from one plant to another.
- Many diseases are caused by 'germs' which include bacteria and viruses. They are so small you would need a microscope to see them.
- Colds are caused by viruses and are easily spread by coughing and sneezing. It's better to cough or sneeze into a hanky to stop spreading your cold.
- Your body uses different ways to fight the viruses that cause colds.
- Viruses also cause other diseases like chicken pox and flu.
- Antibiotics kill bacteria, not viruses, so they are no good for treating a cold.
- Vaccines can stop you from getting some types of disease.
- Bacteria can cause tooth decay, or give you nasty illnesses like food poisoning.
- Washing hands is one way to cut down the number of nasty germs you might carry and pass on to others.