Sunday, January 06, 2008

Health Tips for January 6

Health Tip: Make Reading a Daily Activity

Developing reading and communication skills is a vital part of a child's growth.

The Nemours Foundation offers these suggestions for encouraging a daily dose of reading:

* Keep a book or magazine with you, and encourage your child to read while running an errand or waiting for an appointment.
* Have your child read you recipes while you cook dinner, or read recipes aloud to other children.
* Encourage your child to read magazines, catalogs and other mail you receive.
* Encourage family members to write letters or emails to your child.
* Have your child read aloud to you while you clean the house or do other chores. Or, read to her while she does her chores.

Health Tip: Athletes Should Wear a Mouth Guard

As vital as a helmet is to protecting an athlete's head, a mouth guard can help defend against injury to the mouth and teeth.

The California Dental Association offers these additional reasons for why mouth guards are important:

* Injuries to the mouth are very common in both contact sports (basketball, football, hockey) and non-contact sports (baseball, biking and skateboarding).
* Mouth guards help prevent injuries such as fractured jaw, broken teeth, damage to roots and nerves of the teeth, and serious cuts to the cheek and tongue.
* Mouth guards help provide a cushion for the mouth, jaw and teeth.

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