Where There Is No Dentist 2012 11
BE A GOOD EXAMPLE
Other people like to watch what you do before they try something different.
First show members of your family and then they will be an example to
others in your community. For example:
1. Instead of buying all your foods from the store, buy fresh fruits and
vegetables from the market. It is even better to grow food in your
own garden.
Learn to use several different kinds of
foods in each meal. Mixing foods is a
healthy idea. Invite friends to share your
meals and see the number of different
foods you have at each meal.
2. Do not buy fizzy drinks like Coca-Cola or Fanta.
They have a lot of added sugar which quickly
makes children’s teeth rotten.
Also, do not sweeten your child’s milk or tea.
When she is young she can learn to enjoy
drinks that are not sweet.
Clean, cool water, tea with little sugar, milk, or
water from a young coconut are best to drink.
Fresh fruits are delicious when you are thirsty.
Most important: do not give your child a feeding bottle,
especially one with a sweet drink inside. (See page 3.)
3. Keep your children’s teeth clean.
Your friends will notice clean
teeth or teeth that are dirty or
have cavities. Remember, clean
teeth are healthy teeth.
An older child can clean his own
teeth if you show him how.
A younger child cannot. He needs
help. Each day someone older
should clean his teeth for him
(page 18).