The Pieta Amber Flag Initiative recognises our efforts to create a healthy, inclusive environment that supports the mental well-being of our school community.
According to the Dental Health Foundation:
One of the best things you can do to ensure good oral hygiene for your child, is regular brushing twice daily, and introduce brushing and flossing as part of the daily routine. This will help to establish good oral habits as an important part of your child's day.
Brushing Instructions:
- Brush two teeth at a time (width of the toothbrush).
- 'Count to ten' for every two teeth you brush.
- Brush gums and teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste in a circular motion.
- Brush top and bottom teeth.
- Brush outside of teeth and gums, inside of teeth and gums and biting surface.
- Spit out after brushing – no rinsing so that the effects of fluoride are not diluted.
Diet Tips for Healthy Teeth:
- Choose healthy snacks and drinks between meals such as whole fruits. Suggestions include fruit, crisp raw vegetables, sandwiches, variety of breads, yoghurts, low fat cheese, plain popcorn and scones.
- Cereals such as porridge and shredded wheat are excellent energy providers, but avoid the sugar-coated types. In general, the sugar and salt content of breakfast cereals should be checked as some breakfast cereals are high in one or the other or both.
- Limit sweets, chocolate, biscuits and sugary drinks to mealtimes, maximum once or twice a week.
- Unflavoured milk and water are the most tooth friendly drinks and suitable to drink between meals.
- Limit fruit juice, pure juice or fruit smoothies to a small glass once a day, with a meal and always choose unsweetened.*
- Read food labels for sugar content. Less than 5g per 100g is low sugar.
- Drinks containing added sugars, including probiotic and yoghurt type drinks, should be consumed at meal times.
- Regular intake of carbonated drinks, including sparkling water, can lead to enamel erosion of the teeth and should be avoided.
*Fruit juices are an important source of vitamins in the diet. However, they should be taken with meals for two reasons. The frequent consumption of these can lead to enamel erosion and although pure juices may not contain sucrose they are rich in fructose and can also be cariogenic (cause tooth decay). As fructose in whole fruits pose little or no threat to dental health, whole fruits rather than fruit juices/smoothies should be consumed between meals.
Sports Tips:
- Always make sure your child wears a mouthguard when playing contact sports, to help reduce the risk of dental injuries.
- Water and Milk are the best sports drinks for rehydration and milk also aids in muscle recovery
- Check what to do if a tooth gets knocked out on the Dental Health Foundation's website.
Check out the website for more practical and useful information on dental hygiene!
The food pyramid is very useful in guiding us to make informed food choices.
'Start' from Safe Food gives helpful advice on how to make healthy decisions for our children, which can be challenging in today's world. Changing a family’s diet and lifestyle is a process, not a one-off event. These tips will help you make that start and put you and your children on the road to a healthier future.
Taste Buds- Introduction to the Food Pyramid video aims to help children make healthier choices by learning out more about the different types of food their body need to help them grow, learn and have fun. Start by watching the Food for Life animation. Try this interactive food pyramid quiz afterwards!
Below you will also find links to a food pyramid information sheet and the Safe Food lunchbox leaflet.
We were very proud to receive our plaque for being a 'Mind Me- Mind You' Ambassador School. This is in recognition of all our work promoting good mental health and taking care of ourselves.
The Primary Schools’ Programme ‘Mind Me – Mind You’ is designed in line with the well-being curriculum to support teachers in building the foundations of good mental health education and well-being in children. It fosters the creation of healthy relationships, personal development and skills central to maintaining future health and well-being.
Childhood marks the beginning of a lifelong journey of development and lays the foundations for positive healthy learning and well-being. Now more than ever, children are dealing with complex challenges which significantly impact their well-being.
This child-centred programme promotes resilience and social and emotional competence, equipping children with the knowledge and skills needed to address a multitude of life situations throughout their development.
We do lots to promote our wellbeing at school with different activities and programmes. Below are some resources and ideas that you might find useful for promoting wellbeing at home also.
