June is Oral Health Month, and dentists everywhere – including our volunteer dentists at the Ben Massell Dental Clinic – will tell you that prevention is key when it comes to maintaining good oral health.

Good habits start early, and in the home – no office visit required! To see how students looked at oral health, we asked our staff members to reach out to their favorite elementary schoolers for the inside scoop. Here are some of our favorite responses:

What happens if you don't brush your teeth?

"You will get a cavity. Your teeth could start hurting...you could have bad breath! You get yelled at by your parents!" - Eleanor, age 6

"Germs crawl up your teeth and give you a cavity. You could have bad breath and you might need to go to the dentist to get a filling. They fill your cavity in with, hmm, I think metal or glue??" - Oliver, age 8

“You’ll get a cavity!” -Miriam, age 6

“If you don’t brush your teeth, your breath will stink!” -Raniya, age 9

“Your teeth will be brown, and your breath will stink.” - JaNaeyah, age 12

“They rot, and bacteria gets on them, and you get cavities. So, brush your teeth!” -Penny, age 9

“If you don't brush your teeth, you'll get cavities, and your mouth will be dirty” -Sue, age 7

“You will have to get your teeth pulled by the dentist.” -Nailah, age 7

If toothpaste could be any flavor, what would you choose?

"It should be whatever flavor you want because people like different things and different flavors. I would pick strawberry!" - Eleanor, age 6

"Any flavor that makes your teeth feel the cleanest...that isn't mint. I would choose grape or plain." - Oliver, age 8

“Birthday Cake.” -Robyn, age 5

“Mint chocolate chip ice cream flavored, because mint chocolate chip is the best ice cream ever! Why are you asking these questions, are you going to a toothbrush academy or something?” -Maddie, age 9

“Mint, or bubble gum!” -Sam, age 6

“Any flavor without MINT!” -Harold, age 11

“Bubble gum flavored-not chicken soup flavored!” -David, age 4

“Lemonade flavor!” -Sue, age 7

“Toothpaste should taste like cupcakes!” -Nailah, age 7

Thanks to our young contributors for the brush-up on good habits. Birthday cake toothpaste, anyone?

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