It is essential that children understand the importance of good dental hygiene, so they can develop excellent habits as they grow up.
One way dental practices that offer teeth whitening products could teach youngsters about looking after their oral hygiene is by introducing a friendly character, such as the Tooth Wizard.
This is what is happening in Pekin in the US, with the Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation rolling out a free programme to deliver the message of healthy brushing to school students, the Pekin Times reports.
Earlier this week, students at the Good Shepherd Lutheran School were visited by the Tooth Wizard, who went on to fight against the evil PlaqueMan to victory.
Second grade teacher Judi Hicks was reported by the newspaper as saying that the characters were “showing [children] very creative and interesting ways to remember what they need to do with their brushing and flossing and eating healthy”.
The fun and engaging programme is aimed at encouraging youngsters to make good food choices, as well as take care of their mouths by brushing, using mouthwash and flossing.
According to the US Surgeon General, the most common chronic childhood disease in America is tooth decay. Rolling out a strategy such as the Tooth Wizard could help prevent that from becoming the case in the UK too.
Indeed, recent findings analysed by the Health and Social Care Information Centre revealed that 33,781 children under ten had teeth removed in 2014/15, an increase of nine per cent in three years. As many as 14,000 of these were kids five years old and under.
Shockingly, more than 128,000 youngsters aged ten and under have had at least one tooth removed since 2011.
