Plaque is a sticky film of germs that grows on teeth every single day. You can't see the germs, so the book gives them faces, hair and very bad manners.
Here's how they cause trouble:
1. They eatGerms gobble up the sugar left on your teeth.
2. They poopThen they leave acid behind. Yes, really.
3. Teeth hurtThat acid makes soft spots that turn into cavities.
Inside the book
A sneak peek
Meeta kid with a big smile.Uh-ohthe plaque moves in.Snack timefor the germs.Pee-yewthings get stinky.Dragon breatharrives.Teethin trouble.Helpfrom the dentist.Swooshthe toothbrush strikes back.
Scroll sideways to see more pages.
Brush like a boss
Two minutes. Four corners. Zero plaque.
Press start and brush each part of your mouth for 30 seconds. Every critter you scrub away disappears.
Top left
Top right
Bottom left
Bottom right
2:00
Grab your toothbrush and a pea-sized blob of fluoride toothpaste.
Brush twice a day
Morning and bedtime, for two minutes each. Little kids need a grown-up to help until they can tie their own shoes.
Floss where teeth touch
A toothbrush can't reach between teeth. Floss once a day to evict the critters hiding there.
Starve the plaque
Save sweets and juice for mealtimes and drink water between meals. Less sugar means fewer plaque snacks.
Visit the dentist
Go by your first birthday, then about every six months. Dentists are plaque detectives.
Spit, don't rinse
After brushing, spit out the extra toothpaste but skip the big rinse. The fluoride keeps working.
Use the right amount
Under age 3, a smear the size of a grain of rice. Ages 3 to 6, a blob the size of a pea.
For parents, teachers and dentists
Gross-out humor that gets kids brushing
Kids remember a story about pooping germs long after they forget "brush your teeth."
Bright, full-page art works for bedtime reading and for a classroom read-aloud.
The tips on this page follow guidance from the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
This site is for fun learning and doesn't replace advice from your child's dentist.
About the author
Kim McCrady
RDH, BA · Dental hygienist
35+years in dentistry
My name is Kim McCrady RDH, BA. I have been in the dental field for over 35 years. I have always been fascinated by dentistry. As a little girl, I loved going to the dentist and even played “dentist” at home with my semi-willing sister, Michelle.
Early education about the etiology of dental disease is critical to establishing and maintaining overall wellness. As we continue to learn more about the oral systemic connection, the need for oral health education continues to grow stronger.
Many of my patients asked me to write Plaque Poop to reach more patients than just those in my chair. When my granddaughter was born, I knew it was time. As a proud mother and grandmother, I hope this story inspires and educates youth and adults alike.
Finally, to my fellow hygienists, the work we do matters. Keep educating and making a difference.
Kim
Get the book
Bring Plaque Poop home
A full-color picture book about the critters on your teeth and how to send them packing.
