Brushing buffalo teeth is kid’s play

Caren Barnes brushes the teeth of her pet buffalo, Mandy.

Even buffalo need their teeth cleaned.

Which is exactly what Caren Barnes did Wednesday in honor of dental health month.

Barnes, coordinator of the Cruzan Center for Dental Research at the UNMC College of Dentistry, invited several preschoolers and media to her ranch in Denton, Neb., to watch her brush the teeth of her 38-year-old buffalo, Mandy.

Surrounded by children ranging in age from 2 to 6, Mandy stood quietly while Barnes talked to the children about the importance of taking care of their teeth and how to properly brush them.

“Up like a rocket, down like a plane, back and forth like a choo-choo train,” Barnes said.

Then Barnes took her giant red toothbrush and gently placed it next to Mandy’s mouth.

“Come on girl,” Barnes said, trying to coax the 850 lb. bison into opening her mouth.

“You’re not use to all this attention are you?” she said.

Six-year-old Jason Rainforth pets Mandy during a visit to Caren Barnes ranch on Wednesday. Jason is the son of Jay and Kelly Rainforth of Denton, Neb.

It didn’t matter whether the buffalo complied or not, the kids giggled in delight at being close enough to pet the animal.

The oral cavity is an important part of the body, Barnes said. Research evidence suggests a link between dental disease and systemic disease and other health problems such as coronary heart disease. Early, regular dental examinations, cleanings and fluoride treatments can set the stage for a lifetime of good dental health.

“When good cleaning habits are established at a very young age, the child will accept it as a part of their normal routine,” she said.

Barnes also provided the following tips for parents.

• Children should begin seeing the dentist between the ages of one and two.
  
• Children age 3-5 need only a pea-size amount of toothpaste to clean their teeth.
  
• Parents should assist with their child’s brushing until approximately age 7.
  
• Once the child begins brushing on his/her own, parents should check for thoroughness after the child is finished.
  
• Parents should floss their children’s teeth for them until the age of 9.

Coincidentally, February also is National Pet Dental Health Month, said Barnes, who also houses American Quarter horses, Texas Longhorns and a variety of chickens at her ranch.