Joan Lunden on ABC's "The View"
"Super Mom" Promotes Good Dental Health for Children
Lunden has partnered with Oral B and the American Academy of Pediatrics to educate the public about dental health habits for infants and children.
Joan Lunden, former host of Good Morning America, appeared on the ABC program "The View" on January 24 to promote dental health for children.
Lunden was introduced by "The View" host Elizabeth Hasselbeck, who recently returned from maternity leave herself. Hasselbeck spoke admiringly of "Super Mom." Joan Lunden has a total of seven children. She had three daughters by a previous marriage and has two sets of twins with her present husband.
When asked about her marriages, Joan Lunden joked that when she married her first husband she was 29 and her husband was 39. When she married her second husband she was 49 and he was 39. Thus she married two different men who were the same age at the time she married them. She said that the second marriage is working much better and that her husband is a wonderful person and a real hands on dad.
Joan, who stated that she is 57 years old, looked gorgeous. She appeared graceful and relaxed. In fact she stated that she is a much more relaxed mother this time around. They showed a picture of her older three girls and a picture of her two sets of twins sitting of the sofa together.
The quote of the interview came when they were talking about the two sets of twins. Whoopi Goldberg looked pointedly at Lunden and asked "What the hell were you thinking?"
Tips to Start Children on the Road to Good Dental Health
- Joan Lunden is currently a spokesperson for Oral B and the American Academy of Pediatrics to educate the public about the dental health of children. When asked how to get children in the habit of brushing teeth, Lunden advised starting early. She said that even before infants have teeth, parents should get in the habit of rubbing the infant's gums with a soft cloth so they get used to the sensation.
- When the first tooth comes out, the parent should make a point to clean the tooth gently, so the child associates the sensation of brushing with a pleasant feeling. She said that she did this with her own babies.
- Children should visit a pediatric dentist before their first birthday, which will help them get into the habit of seeing a dentist early. According to the Oral B website, children should have their first dental visit between the eruption of the first tooth and the child's first birthday.
- Children should never be allowed to go to bed without brushing. Foods that are high in sugars and starches help bacteria that cause decay to form acids that destroy the teeth.
- Lunden spoke passionately about the value of the fluoridation of water to prevent tooth decay in children. She pointed out that the popularity of bottled water means that children are not getting the benefits of fluoride which is added to the public water supply. People with well water also do not get the benefits of fluoridation. People with questions about fluoridation should consult their dentist.
Joan Lunden's appearance on "The View" on ABC, was relatively brief but informative. Getting children started in the habit of good dental health early requires a few relatively simple steps by their parents. Good dental hygiene habits will benefit today's children for their entire life, preventing serious health problems, such as periodontis, in the future.
