Children's Dental Health Month Tip #6: Sing a song

Sing your child's favorite song, such as "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," for two minutes to encourage brushing for the dentist-recommended time. For older children, play a song from their favorite pop singer for two minutes.

Dr. Maloley discusses the VVP Business Success Awards

Children's Dental Health Month Tip #5: Limit Sweetened Drinks

Frequent consumption of beverages that contain sugar causes tooth decay. Soft drinks and other flavored drinks are common culprits, but milk and juice are also guilty. Constant beverage consumption, such as bringing a sippy-cup to bed or taking occasional sips of a drink throughout the day, results in the teeth being coated with sugar for long periods. This increases the bacteria growth and acid production that produce tooth decay. Your child can have these beverages at meals or snack time, but substitute water for the periods in between.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/206323-dental-tips-for-kids/#ixzz1D1SjiwHC

Children's Dental Health Month Tip #4: Get your child started early with visits to the dentist.

Your Child's Age 1 Dental Visit

A common question new parents have is "When should my child first see a dentist?"

The short answer is "First visit by first birthday," according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. America's pediatricians agree. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children who are at risk of early childhood cavities should visit a pediatric dentist by age 1. Although the idea of such early dental visits is still surprising to many new parents, the infant visit is endorsed by leading national public health groups.

More than 1 in 4 children in the United States have cavities by the time they are 4 years old, sometimes as early as age 2. To prevent early childhood cavities, parents first have to find out their child's risk of developing cavities, then learn how to manage diet, hygiene and fluoride to prevent problems before they start.

But cavities aren't all that parents need to learn about their child's dental health. The age 1 dental visit lets parents discuss:

• How to care for an infant’s or toddler's mouth
• Appropriate use of fluoride for your child
• Oral habits, including finger and thumb sucking
• Ways to prevent oral and facial accidents and trauma
• Teething and developmental milestones
• The relationship between diet and oral health

After this first visit, the dentist will suggest a schedule of follow-up visits. In the past, dentists typically recommended follow-up visits every six months. Now, dentists are increasingly tailoring children's visits to their individual needs and risks. As your child grows, the dental team can share information that will help you prevent common oral problems.

http://www.colgate.com/app/Colgate/US/OC/Information/OralHealthAtAnyAge/InfantsAndChildren/ToddlersChildren/YourChildsFirstDentalVisit.cvsp

Children's Dental Health Month Tip #3: Seal out decay.

Q: What are sealants?


Sealants protect the grooved and pitted surfaces of the teeth, especially the chewing surfaces of back teeth where most cavities in children are found. Made of clear or shaded plastic, sealants are applied to the teeth to help keep them cavity-free.
Q: How do sealants work?

Even if your child brushes and flosses carefully, it is difficult—sometimes impossible—to clean the tiny grooves and pits on certain teeth. Food and bacteria build up in these crevices, placing your child in danger of tooth decay. Sealants “seal out” food and plaque, thus reducing the risk of decay.

Q: How long do sealants last?

Research shows that sealants can last for many years if properly cared for. Therefore, your child will be protected throughout the most cavity-prone years. If your child has good oral hygiene and avoids biting hard objects, sealants will last longer. Your pediatric dentist will check the sealants during routine dental visits and recommend re-application or repair when necessary.

Q: What is the treatment like?

The application of a sealant is quick and comfortable. It takes only one visit. The tooth is first cleaned. It is then conditioned and dried. The sealant is then flowed onto the grooves of the tooth and allowed to harden or hardened with a special light. Your child will be able to eat right after the appointment.
Q: How much does it cost?

The treatment is very affordable, especially in view of the valuable decay protection it offers your child. Most dental insurance companies cover sealants. Some companies, however, have age and specific tooth limitations. Check with your benefits provider about your child’s coverage and talk to your pediatric dentist about the exact cost of sealants for your child.

Q: Which teeth should be sealed?

The natural flow of saliva usually keeps the smooth surfaces of teeth clean but does not wash out the grooves and fissures. So the teeth most at risk of decay—and therefore, most in need of sealants— are the six-year and twelve-year molars. Many times the permanent premolars and primary molars will also benefit from sealant coverage. Any tooth, however, with grooves or pits may benefit from the protection of sealants. Talk to your pediatric dentist, as each child’s situation is unique.

Q: If my child has sealants, are brushing and flossing still important?

Absolutely! Sealants are only one step in the plan to keep your child cavity-free for a lifetime. Brushing, flossing, balanced nutrition, limited snacking, and regular dental visits are still essential to a bright, healthy smile.

http://www.aapd.org/publications/brochures/sealants.asp

Children's Dental Health Month Tip #2: Remember, a child's dental care begins before birth

Pregnant women who have periodontal disease may be seven times more likely to have a baby that is born too early and too small.

For a long time we've known that risk factors such as smoking, alcohol use, and drug use contribute to mothers having babies that are born prematurely at a low birth weight.

Now evidence is mounting that suggests a new risk factor – periodontal disease. Pregnant women who have periodontal disease may be seven times more likely to have a baby that is born too early and too small.

More research is needed to confirm how periodontal disease may affect pregnancy outcomes. It appears that periodontal disease triggers increased levels of biological fluids that induce labor. Furthermore, data suggests that women whose periodontal condition worsens during pregnancy have an even higher risk of having a premature baby.

All infections are cause for concern among pregnant women because they pose a risk to the health of the baby. The Academy recommends that women considering pregnancy have a periodontal evaluation

Also, A child's teeth form between the third and sixth month of pregnancy. An expectant mother must practice good health habits to ensure proper development of her unborn child's teeth.
 
http://www.perio.org/consumer/mbc.baby.htm

Children's Dental Health Month Tip #1: Have your kids wear mouthguards to protect against dental injuries and concussions

Athletic Mouthguards Protect Children Who Play Sports


Wouldn't it be great if mouthguards were all the rage this year? They'd be seen on all the runways, from skateboarding parks to organized team sports.

The ADA has assembled quite a list of sports for which mouthguards are recommended: acrobatics, bandy, baseball, basketball, bicycling, boxing, equestrian events, field events, field hockey, football, gymnastics, handball, ice hockey, in-line skating, lacrosse, martial arts, racquetball, rugby, shot putting, skateboarding, skiing, skydiving, soccer, softball, squash, surfing, volleyball, water polo, weight lifting and wrestling. In addition, boxing, football, ice hockey, men's lacrosse and women's field hockey actually require mouth protection according to their governing bodies.

There are two major goals in wearing a mouthguard for active play. One is to protect teeth against the impact of an object or body part. The second is to protect against concussions. A crushing blow from an elbow or implement transferred through the mandible and into the skull can cause severe damage, not just broken teeth but a concussion that can have long-lasting consequences.

Responsibility

Children, for the most part, follow the rules set out by sports organizations. They wear the gear set out by the regulations committee. If mouthguards are required and donned by all the other participants, they'll be worn. It's better if the sports committees make the rules than some outside "ruler" like insurance companies.

High school football, for instance, has strict penalties for players who do not wear their protective gear, including properly fitted mouth guards. Penalties such as loss of time-outs or worse are available for officials to use, yet they are hesitant to use those penalties. Officials that do not enforce these rules are sending the wrong message.

The decision to wear a mouthguard is made for children by their parents and the coaches, and enforced by officials in organized play. But what about unorganized play? Taking a second look at the list provided by the ADA we find that synchronized swimming is the only sport not on the list. Interestingly, age is not addressed.

Store-bought mouthguards are easy to chew through and they grow longer with chewing, causing an uncomfortable choking sensation. This acute sensation renders the wearer totally distracted by the gag reflex and ineffective on the playing field. In order to be worn, a mouth guard must be comfortable.

Properly fitted mouthguards are recommended for all activities that require gear. They come in fun colors, with team logos or animal designs. Parents that are active should be encouraged to wear mouth protection during their sporting activities. Parents are role models for their children and their children's friends. Wearing protective gear, from rain coats to mouthguards, is a marvelous, no-time commitment way to show kids that safety is all the rage.

http://www.dentistry.com/treatments/mouthguards/athletic-mouthguards-protect-children-who-play-sports