paulhayton.co.nz

Tonight I watched a track on TVNZ’s Close Up programme concerned with ensuring kids start the new year with good teeth brushing habits.

It’s almost laughable that in 2009 we should find ourself as a country in this sad state of affairs.

That the national broadcaster must interview a ‘dental nurse’ and demonstrate for parents and kids alike how to correctly brush your teeth clearly shows just how far we’ve come in the past 25 years.

An interesting fact gleaned from the guest was that teeth brushing habits formed at age 5 carry through to your mid 20′s.

That being the case then god help us all if there is already a significant cohort moving through with the teeth brushing skills of a 9 month old.

Now we face not only the inevitable burdens placed on our public health system but the pending assault on our olfactory senses as we mix and mingle with folks who give new meaning to the words ‘body odour’

I know that’s a bit of an over the top reaction (it kept you reading though) but seriously, we owe it to all our kids to give them good oral hygiene skills.

For their own health and self esteem we should all take ownership of the problem and ensure those parents who do not are held accountable for their inaction.