Dentist educates kids on proper oral hygiene

Third-graders from Washington Elementary School in Marysville took a break Wednesday from reading, writing and arithmetic to learn about teeth.

The children took a field trip to Dr. Christopher Brieden's office to learn about the importance of dental hygiene.

Brieden, an orthodontist for 32 years, has had student field trips to his office for more than a decade. He started by visiting schools when his practice was new, he said. He pays for the bus transportation for the students to get to his office.

"Every February is National Children's Dental Health Month, and that's when us professionals are encouraged to go the extra mile," he said. "... I feel an obligation to give back to the community and teach the kids."

Students visited stations at the office to learn about giving a patient braces, taking X-rays and making dental molds. Children also learned the proper way to floss and brush their teeth.

"I liked it because they are teaching you why you should brush your teeth and what's gonna happen if you don't brush your teeth," said third-grader Kendell Lindsay, 8. "You're gonna lose your teeth because they're gonna rot. And once you lose your permanent teeth, you won't get any more."

Kendell said her favorite part of the trip was learning how dental molds are made and learning about braces.

"I think it's a good idea that they are starting to put braces on the inside of the mouth so people can't see it," she said.

Brandon Parsons, 8, and Kelsey Ureel, 9, enjoyed learning how dental molds are made, they said.

They said the field trip was cool.

"They teach us a lot of stuff, like what happens when you get a cavity," Brandon said.

In addition to learning about dental hygiene, Brieden said he hopes the field trip will help the children be less scared about going to the dentist or orthodontist.

"I think it takes away a lot of the fear factor," he said. "And, they learn a little bit of why early evaluation is one of the most important things."