Your Child’s First Dental Visit

It’s important for children to visit the dentist early to ensure they are off to a good start with their oral health.  The first dental visit is an extremely important step in a child’s life long oral health.

The ideal time for a child to visit the dentist is six months after the child’s first (primary) teeth erupt – an d no later than his or her first birthday. 

Make the upcoming appointment something for your child to look forward to.  There are a number of

children’s books about going to the dentist.

Often a first visit is simply a time to acquaint your child with the dentist and the practice.

Your child’s appointment should be scheduled earlier in the day, when your child is alert and refreshed.

What happens at the first visit?

A gentle but thorough examination of the teeth

A gentle cleaning 

A demonstration on how to properly care for your child’s mouth and teeth at home

Children, like adults, should see the dentist every six months.

Talk of good nutrition in the dentist’s chair

Mention the word “dentist” and one of two emotions-love or hate-arise. I’ve always been in the love category. My dentists have always been kind and gentle and have taken every opportunity to educate me on the hows and whys of brushing, flossing, the prevention of gum disease and the importance of regular check ups.  But should they be talking to me about my eating habits and nutrition, too?

Lisa Mallonee, Associate Professor at Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry, says absolutely yes. As both a Registered Dietitian and Registered Dental Hygienist, Mallonee possesses a rare combination of credentials and she’s on a course to change the conversation that takes place in the dentists chair.  ”In dentistry, it is not our job to help our patients lose weight but rather to encourage eating habits that will maintain both a healthy mouth as well as a healthy body.”

In the dental world when it comes to nutrition—three basic things are assessed regarding the diet and determining oral disease risk:  Form, Frequency and Timing.

Form:  categorized as sticky, liquid or slow dissolving

Timing:  when is food/beverage consumed?  With a meal or in between meals?  Are beverages consumed all at once or sipped on all throughout the day?

Frequency:   occasionally or every single day, consumed multiple times throughout the day

Mallonee says that from a dental perspective, patients should be encouraged to consume certain forms of foods such as acidic beverages ( juices, soda, coffee, wine, sports drinks) slow dissolving sugars (hard candies, cough drops, breath mints, and antacid tablets) and retentive foods in moderation. These foods should be consumed within a meal rather than sipping and snacking on them frequently throughout the day.  I had no idea that healthy foods such as baked chips, pretzels and whole wheat bread are considered to be “retentive” and don’t clear from the mouth as readily. “Highly acidic fruits and vegetables that are consumed in large amounts or frequent juicing can have erosive potential,” cautions Mallonee. “Dental professionals shouldn’t discourage these healthy choices. Instead, we should reinforce good oral hygiene in conjunction with good eating habits.”

Mallonee recommends these three habits to her patients in order to promote good oral health.

1. Consume acidic foods and beverages WITH a meal rather than in between meals.

2. Try to balance meals and snacks with lean protein, healthy fats and complex carbohydrates to stabilize the pH in the mouth.

3. Brush after meals and floss daily.  If brushing isn’t an option, chew gum with xylitol (such as Trident) for at least 5 minutes following a meal to reduce the bacteria in the mouth that contributes to risk of caries. (cavities)

As is true for most things related to the diet and good health, all things in moderation rings true for healthy teeth, gums and mouths!

By Robin Plotkin / Contributor
 September 21, 2012 | Permalink

Every Child Deserves a Healthy Smile

Dental decay is the most common chronic childhood disease with more than 16 million kids suffering from untreated tooth decay in the U.S. The mouth is the gateway to a person’s overall health, and an unhealthy mouth can be linked to diabetes and even heart disease. In the U.S., oral disease causes kids to miss 51 million school hours and their parents to lose 25 million work hours annually. Additionally, oral disease disproportionately affects children from low-income families and these children have almost twice the number of decayed teeth that have not been treated by a dentist as compared to others in the general population.

Fortunately, you can take action to start the process of preventing dental pain and disease. The Partnership for Healthy Mouths, Healthy Lives—a group of 34 organizations recognized as experts in the field of oral health—was created to help you take action and teach your children the importance of good oral health. By using the information on this website, you can give your children a head start on having healthy mouths for the rest of their lives.

Check out the following sites for valuable information on children's oral health

http://www.healthymouthshealthylives.org/

http://www.2min2x.org/

National oral health ad campaign to encourage brushing “2min2x”

An unhealthy mouth can be linked to obesity, diabetes and heart disease.  It also can impact a child’s ability to learn develop self-esteem and speak properly.  Compounding these problems, more than 16 million children suffer from untreated tooth decay. 

These are just a few of the reason a three-year national advertising campaign on the importance of good oral health is kicking off during the week of August 6^th.  The campaign is a collaborative effort among the nationally recognized Ad Council, New York-based Grey Advertising and the Partnership for Healthy Mouth, Healthy Lives dental coalition.  CDA is a participating member of the coalition, which is made up of 40 dental groups led by the Dental Trade Alliance Foundation.

A survey with teeth

Most of us have no idea what we're talking about when it comes to dental habits and oral health

The ADA released the survey results alongside the launch of mouthhealthy.org, which aims to bring oral health enlightenment to the masses — from what to do when you crack a tooth to what foods to eat when you have canker sores. You can take a modified version of the quiz on the site.

Vigilance about the state of your mouth and small habit changes can go a long way toward preventing tooth decay and catching a problem before it becomes more costly, Cooper said.

Nine out of 10 adults ages 20 to 64 have had cavities in their permanent teeth, and dental disease is the most common chronic disease suffered by children, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Twenty-four percent of adults have untreated cavities in their mouths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Among children ages 6 to 19, it's 16 percent.

Here are some common misconceptions people have about their teeth, according to the ADA's survey of 1,500 adults, which was conducted in May.

Survey says: 90 percent of respondents believe they should brush after every meal.

ADA says: Brush only twice a day.

Survey says: 65 percent of respondents believe they should replace their toothbrush twice a year.

ADA says: Replace your toothbrush every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles become frayed.

Survey says: 75 percent of respondents don't know what age to take their child to the dentist for the first time.

ADA says: A child's first trip to the dentist should be within six months after the first tooth appears or no later than the child's first birthday.

Survey says: 81 percent of respondents think that sugar causes cavities.

ADA says: Cavities are caused by germs in the mouth that feed on sugar and then produce acid which attacks tooth enamel. In time, the acid attacks weaken the enamel to the point where a cavity forms.

Survey says: 59 percent of respondents don't realize cavity-causing germs can be passed from person to person.

ADA says: Yes, they can. Parents and caregivers can pass bacteria that cause cavities to their children by pre-chewing food, sharing utensils or licking a pacifier to clean it.

Survey says: 53 percent of respondents think you should floss twice a week.

ADA says: Floss once a day. Tooth brushing doesn't clean between the teeth so germs can grow there and cause tooth decay and gum disease.

July 11, 2012|By Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz, Tribune Newspapers

Dental Signs May Indicate your Overall Health

Regular dental exams not only help decrease your risk of oral diseases, such as cavities and gum (periodontal) disease, but may also help to diagnose other, sometimes life-threatening, medical conditions. Your dentist is an important part of your healthcare team. Dentists are able to assess your overall oral health and may recognize symptoms of serious diseases, including diabetes and cancer, which often manifest as signs and symptoms inside your mouth. There are many diseases with oral manifestations that, in many cases, may first present in the mouth.

Diabetes

More than 25 million people in the United States suffer from diabetes. Diabetes is associated with high levels of blood sugar and is known to lower resistance to infection and increase the chance of the following:

·          Gum disease, including gums that bleed easily or are tender and swollen

·          Tooth decay

·          Taste impairment

·          Inflammatory skin disease

·          Persistent bad breath

·          Changes in teeth position 

Additionally, patients with diabetes (especially those with dentures) are more likely to experience oral fungal infections, including thrush and oral candidiasis.

Oral Cancer

During your regularly scheduled dental check up, your dentist will also search for signs of oral cancer. Oral indicators of cancer include:

·          Sores that bleed easily or do not heal

·          Crusted, rough areas of the skin

·          Lumps or thick hard spots

·          Red, brown, or white patches

·          Changes in the lymph nodes or other tissues around the mouth and neck

·          Tenderness or pain, numbness inside the mouth

·          Changes in the way the teeth fit together

While dentists check all patients for these signs and symptoms, patients with a history of smoking, using smokeless tobacco, or drinking heavily are at an increased risk for developing oral cancer.

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, physically damage both your oral and overall health. These disorders, which include patterns of insufficient or excessive food intake, can rob the body of much needed vitamins and minerals. These vitamin and mineral deficiencies can present themselves orally. Without proper nutrition, the gums can lose their healthy pink color and become increasingly soft and tender, bleeding easily. Additionally, disorders that involve excessive vomiting, such as bulimia, can cause discoloration and erosion of the teeth through constant contact with stomach acid. Those with eating disorders may also experience:

·          Swollen salivary glands

·          Dry mouth

·          Thin, sensitive teeth

·          Loss of tooth enamel

Alcohol Use Disorders

Alcohol use disorders affect more than 17 million adults in the United States alone. In addition to causing irreparable social and medical problems, alcohol use disorders can severely impact your oral health. Dentists treating patients with alcohol abuse problems may observe the following signs and symptoms:

·          Tooth decay

·          Tooth erosion

·          Moderate to severe gingivitis (gum disease)

·          Gum irregularities

·          Poor dental hygiene

 

Be proactive about your Oral Health

Diseases that negatively impact your general health can also damage your teeth, gums, and mouth. Regularly scheduled dental exams allow dentists to detect or monitor these diseases. Patients should inform their dentists about all medical conditions they have or medicines they are taking, which may affect their oral health. Remember, maintaining a healthy body includes taking care of your oral health.

Source: Academy of General Dentistry

Aspirin May Lower Lung Cancer Risk Among Women

Women who took aspirin at least a couple of times a week had a much lower risk of developing lung cancer, whether or not they ever smoked, according to a study of more than a thousand Asian women.

The findings, published in the journal Lung Cancer, linked regularly taking aspirin to a risk reduction of 50 percent or more, although researchers cautioned that they did not prove aspirin directly protects against lung cancer.

But the study does back up a number of previous studies that linked regular aspirin use to lower risks of certain cancers, including colon, prostate and esophageal cancers.

click on link for full article 
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/24/us-cancer-aspirin-idUSBRE83N01T20120424

Sugary Drinks May Impact Heart Health
Drinks may not only harm tooth enamel, but they also are associated with more than 20% increased risk of heart attack in men, according to a study published in March 12, 2012, issue of Circulation. Researchers at Harvard University found that men who consume one 12-ounce, sugar-sweetened drink every day have a 20% increased risk of heart attack than those who do not drink these sugar-laden treats.  The healthiest drink choice is water.

source: AGD Impact May 2012

Dentists stress preventative oral care for children

Tooth decay is nearly 100 percent preventable yet it's the most common chronic childhood disease in the U-S. Tooth decay is five times more common than asthma.

"As a parent you are charged with a lot of different things and you have a million different things going on but oral heath is something that as Pediatrician Dentist we really want to stress upon parents the prevention and intervention," Pediatric Dentist Dr. Sean Whalen said.
Most dentists say parents should lead their children by example when it comes to oral hygiene. "Most kids and academy guidelines require that we see kids at the age of one or within six months of the first tooth eruption," he said.

Aside from tooth decay, there are several other dental issues that affect children. "Saliva sharing activities like passing along spoons, cleaning off pacifiers, all of these things take the bacteria that causes cavities and inoculate our kids with it," Whalen said.

National Women's Health Week is May 13-19, 2012 What your employees don't know can hurt them It seems like there's always a to-do list. And when we're busy, our health needs don't always land at the top...especially when we're feeling fine. For your female employees, that could mean missing out on important health check-ups and screenings for things like high cholesterol or blood pressure, breast cancer, diabetes, colon cancer and ovarian cancer. This week, during the 13th annual National Women's Health Week, coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health and sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross, remind your female employees and spouses to put their health at the top of their list - for themselves and those that depend on them

Children Don't See Dentist Early Enough
By visiting the dentist by age 1, the child and parent can establish a relationship with a dentist, which can help set a foundation for good dental health care and habits. And studies show that early preventive dental care like check-ups and cleanings can save in future dental treatment costs. When a child can't articulate the pain resulting from dental infection, once he or she visits the dentist, the damage can be so severe it requires multiple dental visits, oral surgery or extractions - all of which could have been avoided with proper dental care.Tooth decay is nearly 100 percent preventable.

APRIL IS ORAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

In 2012 nearly 37,000 patients (in just the U.S.) will be diagnosed with some form of oral or head and neck cancer. The Oral Cancer Foundation is encouraging patients to go to a dental or medical office for screenings.

source: The Dental Advisor

Study Reaffirms Value of Professional Dental Cleanings

Professional tooth scaling was associated with fewer heart attacks and strokes in a Taiwanese study presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2011.Those who had their teeth cleaned by a dental professional had a 24% percent lower risk of heart attack and 13% lower risk of stroke compared to those who had never had a dental cleaning. The study included more than 51, 000 adult participants and were followed for an average of 7 years.

source: Dentistry Today

Vitamin D

600 IU's is the recommended daily allowance for Vitamin D for adults under age 70

source: National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements

Mouthguards can prevent injuries in all kinds of sports

Every year, about five million teeth are knocked out due to sports-related injuries, according to doctors. Dr. Armond Kotikian, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon,said many of the injuries could be prevented if athletes of all ages wore mouthguards.

source: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/health/your_health&id=8609155

Exercise for Better Sleep

150 weekly minutes (30min 5x week) of moderate to vigorous exercise leads to a 65% increase in quality of sleep.

source: Mental Health and Physical Activity

Smokers Continue to Hide Their Habits

Despite the health concerns and risks associated with smoking, approximately one of 10 smokers still hide their from their health care providers, according to survey results released by the national public health organization Legacy on 1/6/2012.

source: www.agd.org

Help us determine why certain things are going on with your oral health.

Lack of dental coverage sends patients to ER

More Americans are turning to the emergency room for routine dental problems a choice that often costs 10 times more than preventive care and offers far fewer treatment options than a dentist's office, according to an analysis of government data and dental research.

The recession has contributed to the trend, when a family member loses a job, dental care may take a back seat to food and other necessities.

Preventive dental care such as routine teeth cleaning can cost approximately $100, versus $1,000 for emergency room treatment that may include painkillers for aching cavities and antibiotics from resulting infections.

click to read complete article

Top rationalizations for not going to the dentist

The top rationalizations for not going to the dentist in 2011:

1. Don’t have dental insurance

2. The economy

3. Insurance will not pay for the service

4. Hate dentists

5. Kids in school

6. Single parent

Brush Up for Heart Health

A number of recent studies have revealed a link between periodontal (gum) disease and heart disease. And since heart disease is the leading cause of death for Americans, it's time to brush up on the facts.¹

Gum disease can occur without any evident warning signs and is often painless, but several indicators can signal the disease. Talk to your dentist if you notice any of these indicators:²

• Gums that bleed easily
• Red, swollen, tender gums
• Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
• Persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth
• Permanent teeth that are loose or separating
• Any change in the way the teeth fit together when biting
• Any change in the fit of partial dentures

Research shows a correlation between gum disease and an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease.³ Specifically, researchers found that gum disease plays a role in blood vessel dysfunction, a condition that improves with intensive periodontal treatment (which may include scaling and root planing, locally administered antibiotics and tooth extraction), according to a study reported in the New England Journal of Medicine.⁴

These studies, along with other research, confirm that dental benefits continue to play an important part in maintaining overall health. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups are more important than ever for your heart and general wellness.

source

Getting the Most Out of Dental Insurance Plans

In today’s challenging economy, there are a number of tips consumers can follow to ensure they get the most they possibly can out of their individual dental insurance plans.

1. Dig into the details to find the right plan. The availability of information online to help individuals find high-quality, affordable dental care is at an all-time high, which means individuals can protect their dental health in spite of a struggling economy. Before consumers select an insurance provider, they should use trusted insurance websites to obtain all the facts they need to make the best choice. For example, consumers should compare coverage, exclusions, and the calculation and payment of benefits. In addition, those who already have a dentist that they want to keep may want to ask their dentists about the plans they participate in and recommend.

2. Get regular checkups. Dental insurance is rarely for emergencies only. After a consumer has selected an individual dental insurance plan, the most basic way to ensure they get the most from it is to visit their dentist regularly. Doing so will help to ensure they get the preventive care they need to stay healthy

3. Understand the plan’s benefits to maximize returns. As with all investments, it is in consumers’ best interests to understand what they are paying for. Fortunately, the law requires that consumers with dental coverage receive a description of their benefits. They can therefore fully research the coverage, limitations, and exclusions of their plans and use the benefits to the maximum.

4. Plan together for dental health. Together, consumers and their dentists should develop a personalized dental plan that goes beyond regularly scheduled checkups and exams. A personal dental plan may be as simple as brushing and flossing on a regular basis, or it may include corrective care and the steps needed to carry it out efficiently and effectively within the terms of the consumer’s current or anticipated dental plan.

5. Control expenses with a “predetermination” or “pre-treatment” review. Consumers who are considering an expensive treatment are wise to have their dental carrier confirm coverage in advance.

Source: PRWeb® ; DentalInsurance.com, a leading innovator and provider of dental insurance and discount protection to individuals and employers

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) February 14, 2012

A study concluded that soymilk and powdered baby formula
can be recommended as suitable storage media for avulsed
teeth (knocked out) for up to 8 hours. Please see your dentist right away.
source: Dental Traumatology