Because developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums, the American Dental Association sponsors National Children’s Dental Health Month each February.
Now in its 63rd year, this month-long national health observance brings together thousands of dedicated dental professionals, health care providers and others to promote the benefits of good oral health to children and adults, caregivers, teachers and many others.
Parents and teachers can help kids celebrate and learn more about the importance of a healthy smile. The ADA offers free downloadable information, kid-friendly oral health worksheets and games on MouthHealthy.org, the ADA’s consumer website. Click on the For Kids tab on the left side of the page for a variety of age-appropriate activities, games and videos and presentations. There are also teaching guides that adults can use at home, in the classroom or in other community-based settings.
To read the entire article visit Colgate.com.
It’s never too early to get children in the habit of good oral care. Of course, it’s up to parents to take the “first steps.” Finding new ways to model good dental habits and practice them with your kids is key. The sooner kids begin to take charge of their own teeth, the happier and healthier they (and you) will be. And the payoffs over a lifetime are immeasurable.
Don’t Worry-You’re Not Alone
If you think it’s a challenge to teach your kids good oral care, you’re in good company. Tooth decay is one of the most common childhood diseases. And studies show that almost 50% of kids between six and eight have had at least one cavity.1 These are just a couple of reasons why it’s so important to help kids understand right from the start that proper dental habits are a smart idea.
To read the entire article visit OralB.com.
Having your kids brush their teeth before they go to bed each night helps them learn good oral hygiene practices. And while twice-daily toothbrushing is good for developing teeth, it always enough to stop bad breath from occurring. Bad breath isn't always solely an oral health issue, there can be other causes that need a different solution. Here are five surprising causes of bad breath in children and how to stop them.
Sinus Infection
Have any of your kids complained about a sore throat or stuffy nose lately? It might be a sinus infection. Sinus issues cause fluid to collect in the nasal passages and throat, making your child's throat the perfect place for bacteria to gather. The result? Stinky breath that can't be cured with toothbrushing and mouthwash alone. If you suspect a sinus infection (potential sore throat, burning nasal passages and post nasal drip), call your doctor for a visit and see if antibiotics will be prescribed.
Foreign Objects
It may not be your first thought, but your child's bad breath could be the result of something stuck in her nasal passages. Kids are curious, and their nostrils are just the right size for inserting small items such as beads, beans, toy accessories and food. Pediatrician Dr. William Sears explains that when an object gets lodged in a child's nasal passages it can create a nasty smell. If you suspect this is what is causing your child's bad breath, you'll need a doctor to help check your child's nasal passages and remove the object.
To read the entire article written by Jae Curtis , please visit Colgate.com
Parents are a child's first teacher in life and play a significant role in maintaining his or her overall health. Providing oral health education to mothers and families is essential to teaching children healthy habits and preventing early childhood tooth decay, according to an article published in the May/June 2010 issue of General Dentistry, the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).
With all of the challenges that new parents face, they may not think much about the link between their child's oral health and overall health. In fact, an understanding of oral hygiene can help parents to prevent tooth decayóthe single most common chronic childhood disease in Americaóand to create a lifetime of healthy habits for their child.
"Ideally, the oral health education for any family will begin with prenatal education and the establishment of a dental home by the time the child is 12 to 18 months of age," says Tegwyn Brickhouse, DDS, author of the study. "Many people don't realize that the oral health of the mother affects both the infant's future oral health and the child's overall health. In fact, some studies show that periodontal disease has been linked to preterm labor. That's why pregnant women should be evaluated for cavities, poor oral hygiene, gingivitis, loose teeth and diet."
After the child is born, families should become familiar with their child's dental and oral health milestones, which will be determined by discussion with the family dentist or a pediatric dentist. Children should have their first dental visit at age 1 or within six months of the eruption of their first tooth. A dentist will be able to discuss when parents can expect to see a child's first tooth and the best technique for brushing his or her new teeth.
Diet is another factor that affects a child's oral health. Frequent and long-term exposure to liquids that contain sugars commonly results in tooth decay. In addition to eliminating sugary drinks altogether from a child's diet, parents can adopt other habits to prevent tooth decay due to beverage consumption.
"Parents should avoid giving their children milk, formula, juice or soda at naptime or nighttime," says Bruce DeGinder, DDS, MAGD, spokesperson for the AGD. "The sugars will linger on their teeth and gums for a prolonged period of time, promoting decay."
Parents are responsible for their child's oral hygiene practices and are advised to meet with a general dentist to determine the best way to establish and maintain their child's oral health. A general dentist also can provide families with oral health literature that is designed to educate both the parent and child. This education has multiple benefits; as Dr. Brickhouse notes, "Healthy teeth in early childhood can provide a positive self-image and improve the child's quality of life."
To read the entire article please visit KnowYourTeeth.com
Your child's first visit to the dentist should happen before his or her first birthday. The general rule is six months after eruption of the first tooth. Taking your child to the dentist at a young age is the best way to prevent problems such as tooth decay, and can help parents learn how to clean their child's teeth and identify his or her fluoride needs. After all, decay can occur as soon as teeth appear. Bringing your child to the dentist early often leads to a lifetime of good oral care habits and acclimates your child to the dental office, thereby reducing anxiety and fear, which will make for plenty of stress-free visits in the future.
To read the entire article, visit: KnowYourTeeth.com
The Best Preventive Treatment
Even careful brushing may miss hard-to-reach areas in the back teeth. As bacteria, acid, and plaque form, decay will set in. Any amount of care is permanent damage requiring a restoration.
One application of a dental sealant will greatly help to reduce the start of cavities. Here is how it works:
- All teeth are first clean and then sanitized.
- One thin application of the sealant is applied to the biting surfaces of the teeth. The clear or white sealant is invisible.
- With a curing light, our dentist bonds the sealant to the tooth.
And that is the whole treatment that takes just a few minutes! No shots or drilling or tooth removal is necessary. This is the best preventive treatment that can help a child or adolescent keep his or her natural teeth for a lifetime!
Marengi Dental
15 Concord Road
Sudbury, MA 01776
(978) 424-4038
MarengiDental.com
Your Children's Dentist is an Important Part of Their Healthcare
We take the best care of your children's teeth during their visits, but it is equally important that they maintain good dental hygiene at home. Children's teeth are very susceptible to dental caries for a variety of reasons:
- Children do not always do a thorough job of brushing. We encourage parents to supervise their brushing and flossing.
- Children eat frequently throughout the day, and every time they eat, acid is produced in the mouth. Acid can add to the formation of bacteria and plaque on teeth, which leads to decay.
- If teeth are not as clean as they should be, that produces additional acid that can increase the rate at which cavities develop.
With better, healthier food choices and consistent daily dental care, the development of cavities can be minimized. The best treatment for the prevention of cavities is an application of a dental sealant, which mineralizes the teeth to fortify them against cavities.
Parents Are Very Pleased with Our Care for Their Children
Our dentists at Marengi Dental can make your children feel relaxed and comfortable for every type of dental treatment. We use the latest advancements for children's dental care, and we provide these services with gentleness and compassion. Children are taught at an early age how to take care of their teeth so they will have their natural teeth for a lifetime. We enjoy them at their first visit at age one and every year thereafter as they grow and change.
We want all generations of children to grow up without anxiety about dental visits. Parents have let us know how successful we are in calming their children. Our office provides a happy environment that children feel comfortable in. No matter the problem, we can help to make every child's visit easy for them and their parents.
Marengi Dental
15 Concord Road
Sudbury, MA 01776
(978) 424-4038
MarengiDental.com
Because developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums, the American Dental Association sponsors National Children’s Dental Health Month each February.
