Bye, Bye Germs

Written by Anna Pence Illustrated by Trudy Barsness

This book was created by the Minnesota Oral Health Project. We would like to acknowledge the contributions of the leadership team for its support of this book and, in particular, a team of four who envisioned and made this book a reality. That team includes Anna Pence, Trudy Barsness, Cris Gilb, and Susan Metoxen.

The book was professionally edited by Christopher Wheeler and translated into Karen by Kalay Moo.

Cavities can be 100% preventable with proper oral care! The mission of the Minnesota Oral Health Project is to:

1. Increase public awareness of the caries crisis affecting high-risk children

2. Improve access to early caries preventative services through training and support for medical and dental providers, and

3. Educate caregivers about healthy dental practices

Our activities focus on dental health for children 0-6 years of age in Greater (rural) Minnesota.

Our hope is that this book will further the mission of the Minnesota Oral Health Project and will help us crush childhood cavities.

Edition 2 in 8.5 x 11 in Karen/English Copyright 2019 Minnesota Oral Health Project. All rights reserved.

Emma was all ready for bed. She was so tired.

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She jumped under the covers. “Goodnight, Mom!”

2

Mom reached for the light. “Did you brush your teeth?”

“Yeesss…”, says Emma quietly.

Mom paused. This was suspicious. “Oh, really?”

3

Emma sat up sheepishly. “No, I didn’t. But I don’t need to.”

4

Mom gasped. “Of course you do! Your mouth is crawling with germs!“

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Emma ran to the bathroom. She brushed her teeth as fast as she could, then dashed back to bed.

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“Brushed my teeth! Good night, Mom!”

Wow, that was fast! Good night, Emma. Sleep tight!

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“I wonder why mom thinks brushing my teeth is so important.”

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And Emma drifts off to sleep.

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SPLAT! An ugly, sludgy blob appeared, oozing slowly toward her.

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“Who, who are you?” Emma whimpered.

The blob laughed. “My name’s Jerry, Jerry the Germ. It’s so nice to finally meet you.”

“What do you want? ” Emma asks nervously.

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Jerry sneered. “I want…

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…YOUR TEETH. bwahahaha!”

He leapt into Emma’s mouth and wrapped himself around a tooth.

Emma screamed.

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“This is what happens when you don’t brush!” Jerry cackled.

“No!” Emma cried, “Help!”

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Swoosh! A red-caped figure with a perfect smile swooped in to save her!

“Have no fear! Timmy the Toothbrush is here.”

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Timmy leapt to the rescue, brushing away at Jerry the Germ.

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As Jerry disappeared, he howled, “I’ll get you next time, Emma, and your little teeth too!

“All in a day’s work, Emma. I’ve defeated Jerry and his germy friends many times before.”

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“Phew. Thank you for saving me, Timmy!”

Timmy smiled. “Oh, germs live in your mouth…”

“Where do germs come from?” asked Emma.

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“But they come out more when you eat sugary things like cookies and ice cream.

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All that sugar sticks to your teeth and makes the germs extra-hungry.”

Emma frowned. “But I really like cookies and ice cream.”

22

“You can still have those things once in a while, just not all the time. You should eat more healthy foods, like apples, bananas, broccoli, and milk.”

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“Me too!” replied Timmy.

Emma was relieved. “Okay! I like those foods too.”

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Timmy became serious. “Emma. Jerry tried to eat your teeth because you didn’t brush them for two minutes before bed.”

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“Two minutes is not a long time to brush.” Just sing your ABC’s three times, or use a timer.”

“I’ll teach him!” Emma said with excitement.

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“You could make it a game with your little brother. He has germs in his mouth too.” said Timmy.

“Now, it’s almost morning, and I have many children to save from germs. Remember - two minutes, twice a day.”

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“TEETH-TASTIC!”

Emma gave him a big hug. “I won’t forget, Timmy. Thank you for everything!”

28

Emma ran to the bathroom. She brushed her teeth carefully this time.

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“Bye, bye germs,” she burbled through the bubbles. “I won’t be seeing you anymore.”

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The End

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Brush, Brush, Brush Sung to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Verse 1 Brush, Brush, Brush is what I'll do So I'm healthy just like you If I want my smile so bright I will brush them day and night Verse 2 Brush, Brush, Brush is what I'll do So I'm healthy just like you For two minutes I will brush, Clean them up without a rush. Verse 3 Brush, Brush, Brush is what I'll do So I'm healthy just like you I will not eat sweets all day To keep all the germs away Verse 4 Brush, Brush, Brush is what I'll do So I'm healthy just like you See my dentist twice a year And I keep my toothbrush near

Ending Brush, Brush, Brush is what I'll do So I'm healthy just like you.

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