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Small Smiles to Big Smiles
Tips for soothing babies during teething time
Striking a balance
Small Smiles to Big Smiles
The A-B-Cs of caring for your family’s teeth
by Greg LoPour, D.D.S.
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. By caring for your child’s teeth and your own teeth, you are setting a healthy example that will benefit your family for a lifetime.
Small Smiles
Did you know your child’s “baby teeth” are just as important as his or her permanent teeth and require the same amount of dental care and attention? Baby Teeth (primary teeth) erupt between the age of 6 months and 1 year and although temporary, play an important role in a child’s chewing, speaking, and jaw development. They also act as “place holders” by saving space in the jaw for future permanent teeth that are growing under the gums. If a baby tooth is lost too early, the teeth beside it may drift into the empty space, causing the permanent teeth to be crowded and crooked. Therefore, starting infants off with good oral care can help protect their permanent teeth for decades to come.
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends a dentist examine a child’s mouth when the first primary tooth appears or before the child’s first birthday. This is called a well-baby checkup. Benefits are early diagnosis of dental decay and other problems, instruction on proper care of baby teeth, and helpful information on evaluating the level of severity of adverse habits such as thumb sucking.
Tips on Preventing Cavities in Baby Teeth: Do’s and Don’ts
Limit the time teeth are exposed to liquids containing sugar such as juice, formula and even milk. Never put your child to bed with a “sippy” containing sugary liquids. Don’t dip your child’s pacifier in sweeteners, not even honey.
Allow your toddlers to go with you on your regular dental appointments. Let them sit in your lap in the dental chair and interact with the friendly dental staff. Encourage your child to play games like opening and closing his or her mouth so the dentist can shine a light into your child’s mouth. Reward your child’s slightest effort. This will greatly reduce the fear associated with visiting the dentist in the future.
Big Smiles
Permanent teeth erupt around age 6 or 7 and continue erupting into teenage and early adult years. Permanent teeth are meant to last, and once they are gone, they are gone forever. The vulnerability of teeth to decay and disease is much higher than people realize. Establishing good healthy habits early in life by focusing on keeping teeth and gums healthy is essential.
In addition to aesthetics, healthy teeth and gums play an important role in a person’s overall health. There is a direct correlation between inflammation in the mouth and inflammation in the body. Evidence shows poor oral health and gum disease significantly increases the risk factors associated with diabetes, heart disease, stroke, pneumonia and pregnancy complications.
Furthermore, decay (cavities) penetrates the enamel of the tooth and destroys the pulp within it, while the build up of plaque and tartar allow bacteria to grow leading to gum disease (periodontitis). Left untreated, both decay and periodontal disease lead to tooth loss. These problems are easily preventable with regular brushing and flossing along with regular dental teeth cleanings and checkups
Regular Visits to the Dentist: The Benefits
There are several reasons why your entire family should visit the dentist on a regular basis.
Protect Your Gums. Professional dental cleanings remove plaque and tartar, which lead to periodontal (gum) disease. Symptoms to watch for include inflamed and bleeding gums, tooth sensitivity, moving teeth and bad breath and possible tooth loss.
Discover Problems Early. The earlier the issue is diagnosed, the easier and less expensive it is to fix.
Maintain a Whiter Smile. Teeth stain. It’s a fact. Regular dental cleanings can remove many minor stains while dental whitening systems can be used to remove extensive staining.
Prevent Tooth Loss. Gum disease is the main reason for tooth loss. Once plaque turns into tartar, bacteria begin to grow causing periodontitis (advanced stage of gum disease). Untreated, gums are unable to support the teeth, which begin to fall out. A periodontal maintenance program beginning with a deep cleaning to remove the tartar, followed by routine dental cleanings every 3 or 4 months will allow the gums to reach a level of health in which they can support your teeth with minimal mobility and prevent further disease.
For more information about symptoms and prevention of tooth decay and related oral health topics, visit the American Dental Association at www.ADA.org.
Greg LoPour, D.D.S., specializes in family and cosmetic dentistry.
Tips for soothing babies during teething time
Family Features
Soothing a teething infant can be challenging in the wee hours of the night, especially when the entire household is feeling junior’s pain.
Finding just the remedy to make your little angel a little more, shall we say – angelic, may take a bit of trial and error. And as any mom can tell you, what proved to be the miracle cure for your firstborn won’t necessarily ring true for those that follow.
The following are some tried and true ideas to bring relief to an achy, teething baby (and mom, to boot!):
• Playtime Distractions: Some babies experience only mild pain and can be distracted from their discomfort quite easily. Offer a new toy or some interactive playtime as an initial step to ward off teething-time fussies.
• Wintry Washcloths: Whether simply rinsed, or dampened then frozen, washcloths are an inexpensive way to ward off tender gums. Just wet and wring out a clean cloth, and either offer it immediately or place in the freezer for later. Some babies also will enjoy the texture of small knots tied in the corners, and babies over one year old may find extra comfort from a cloth dipped in chamomile tea before freezing.
• Clever Cloves: Clove oil, which is extracted from the clove plant, possesses local anesthetic properties and has been used for generations as a natural way to treat oral pain. This is the philosophy behind new Baby Orajel Naturals Teething Gel, which relies on the soothing power of this essential oil as a natural option for teething pain relief, and is benzocaine-free, alcohol-free and dye-free.
• Chew, Chew, Chew: As babies begin teething, they are inclined to put things into their mouths. This reflects a natural urge to self-soothe by adding pressure that helps break down the gums and allows new teeth to emerge. Many toys are made specifically for teething, with textures that provide comfort. Some are liquid-filled and can be chilled to provide extra relief.
• Tasty Treats: Age appropriate snacks can be especially effective at soothing sore gums. Ideal for early teethers, netted feeders filled with frozen bananas or other frozen fruit help to ease irritated gums. •
Article courtesy of Family Features. For additional tips and advice for teasing out those toothy grins, visit www.orajel.com.
Striking a balance
compiled by Kiki Bochi
While exercise appears to be useful in keeping colds at bay, too much of a good thing can backfire, according to scientists preparing for the next summer Olympics in London.
Exercise can significantly decrease your chances of catching a respiratory infection — but if you go too far and wear your body down, it can also increase the chances you’ll get sick, says the British Society for Immunology.
At issue are upper-respiratory tract infections (URTIs), acute infections that affect the nose, throat and sinuses, and include the common cold, tonsillitis, sinusitis and flu. Generally, URTIs are caused by viruses that circulate in the environment. While we are constantly exposed to these viruses, the state of our immune system determines whether we succumb to infection or not.
Exercise can have both a positive and negative effect on immune function, combined with genetics and other external factors like stress, poor nutrition and lack of sleep. Collectively, these factors determine an individual’s susceptibility to infection.
While regular moderate exercise can reduce the risk of catching cold-like infections, prolonged strenuous exercise, such as training for marathons, can make an individual more susceptible.
“If you have a tendency to be a couch potato, then you probably have an average risk of catching an infection – typically 2-3 URTIs per year. Research shows that those undertaking regular moderate exercise, such as taking a daily brisk walk, can reduce their chance of catching a respiratory infection, such as a cold, by up to almost a third,” says Prof. Mike Gleeson from Loughborough University. This effect has been shown to be the result of the cumulative effect of exercise leading to long-term improvement in immunity.
“Conversely, in periods following prolonged strenuous exercise, the likelihood of an individual becoming ill actually increases. In the weeks following a marathon, studies have reported a 2-6 fold increase in the risk of developing an upper respiratory infection,” says Gleeson. “The heavy training loads of endurance athletes make them more susceptible to URTIs,” he adds.
There is a clear take-home message here, Gleason says. Staying indoors during cold and flu season will work against your family, especially if you are couch potatoes. So get out the stroller or sled, snap on the dog’s leash, take the children and the spouse by the hand, and head outside for a while. “Moderate exercise has a positive effect on the immune system. To keep colds at bay, a brisk daily walk should help,” Gleeson says. “It’s all about finding a happy medium.”
