It’s about protecting children’s teeth with a regular oral health habit!
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Health Care South Africa, today announced the continuation of their Aquafresh Oral Health programme in primary schools, which, they believe, will continue to drive awareness of the need for a regular oral health habit to protect children’s teeth from decay and eventual tooth loss. The third programme was launched on 2 March 2018 at the Theo Katjimune Primary School.
The purpose of this programme is two-fold, firstly to educate and inform parents about the importance of adopting a regular oral health habit within their families and secondly to encourage children to brush their teeth twice a day.
We are all aware of the exciting milestone when your children get their first tooth. So, getting them into the good tooth-brushing habit can never start too early. As children get older, changes in diet and other habits mean the need for extra protection. Around the age of six, a child’s adult teeth start coming through. When ‘big teeth’ arrive, it’s time to move to a big-tooth level of protection¹
GlaxoSmithKline manufactures the Aquafresh range of toothpastes amongst which are toothpastes specifically formulated for children at various stages from first tooth to big teeth. Aquafresh Big Teeth promotes strong teeth, healthy gums and fresh breath, with a sugar free bubble mint flavour to encourage regular brushing².
One of the key factors causing tooth decay is the ingestion of excessive sugars. Sugars are everywhere in our diets, not just in the obvious snacks – sweets, chocolates biscuits and cakes – but also in less obvious places such as cereals, bananas, cooking sauces, crisps and bread. Sugar is used by bacteria in the mouth which then produce acids, which can dissolve the protective minerals in the surface of the tooth. In time, the sugar acid can dissolve mineral from the tooth, leading to cavities³
Aquafresh toothpasts include fluoride that helps to protect teeth in two ways. Firstly, by binding to the enamel and helping to reduce the amount of mineral dissolved, and secondly, by drawing new minerals into the tooth structure thus helping to repair tiny holes leaving them harder and stronger, and more resistant to decay.
The Aquafresh Oral Health programme is in its third year. The programme works with the Ministry of Education on an educational programme in primary schools throughout the country reaching thousands of children. The intervention not only teaches children a habit that will stand them in good stead throughout their lives, but also ensures healthier teeth and gums and the prevention of cavities that often results in tooth loss.
Teachers have applauded Aquafresh for the 21-day programme and confirm that it now forms part of the educational syllabus in schools around the country. The programme is seen as a bonus to students as it is a practical exercise of what they have been taught in school.
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