"Teach Me How To Brushy" touts importance of oral health
(CBS News) Sure, you may know how to "dougie," but do you know how to brushy?
A new song called "Teach Me How to Brushy" - set to the tune of Cali Swag District's "Teach Me How to Dougie" - is attempting to teach young kids how to take care of their teeth in a fun way. The PSA was created by the Oregon Dental Association.
"We wanted to create a fun, interactive tool parents can use to get their kids excited about good dental habits," Oregon Dental Association president-elect Dr. Jill Price, one of the stars of the video, said in a statement to ABC News. "The mouth is a major health center in the body; unhealthy mouths can lead to diabetes, heart issues, and worse. But rather than lecture parents and expect that lecture to reach their kids, we wanted to create a hub for good facts that families will actually want to check out."
The video comes with its own Facebook page, which has suggestions for adults and kids to help them maintain better oral health, including tips on foods and drinks that are best for teeth.
The video comes out at a time when officials have emphasized the need for greater oral health. Former Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher recently told HealthPop that 50 million Americans still live in areas where there isn't adequate access to oral healthcare. He stressed that with 40 percent of minorities and poor having untreated dental conditions, it's just as important now than ever to make sure that oral needs get met.
Teaching proper oral care at a young age can lead to a lifetime of healthy habits. A recent study foundmore preschool-aged children are showing up to dentists with 10 or more cavities, despite the fact that there have been increases in oral healthcare through different initiatives, including adding fluoride into our drinking water. But, Satcher pointed out, more preventative care such as using sealants and teaching the importance of flossing and brushing are still necessary.
