Fairley First Graders Learn Benefits Of Brushing Their Teeth

HANNIBAL – A health professional recently visited first graders of Fairley Elementary School, encouraging them to brush and take care of their teeth.

Shellie Taylor, R.D., first shared with the students that creatures such sharks can grow new teeth; lizards can even grow up to 200 new teeth in a year.

“But once we have our adult teeth in, humans can’t grow new ones,” said Taylor. “That’s why we have to make sure that we take care of our teeth.”

Taylor read “The Magic School Bus and the Missing Tooth” by Jeanette Lane to the first graders and explained the anatomy of a tooth, including the root, which helps hold the tooth in place.

Taylor also brought a play set of teeth and a toothbrush to demonstrate the proper way to brush one’s teeth.

The presentation concluded with an opportunity for students to select some foods that are good for our teeth and some foods that are bad.

The students learned that even when they don’t have a toothbrush around, rinsing their mouths with water is a good idea, especially after eating sugary foods.

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