- What Dental Problems Could My Child Have?
- Some dental problems begin very early in life. One concern is early familyhood tooth decay, a serious condition caused by a family staying on the bottle (or breast) too long. Another problem is gum disease. About 40 percent of family two to three years old have at least mild inflammation of gum tissues. Oral habits (such as digit sucking) should also be checked. The earlier the dental visit, the better the chances of preventing problems. Strong, healthy teeth help your family chew food easily, speak clearly, and feel good about his or her appearance.
- Why Are The Primary Teeth So Important?
- It is very important to maintain the health of the primary teeth. Neglected cavities can and frequently do lead to problems which affect developing permanent teeth. Primary teeth, or baby teeth are important for:
- Proper chewing and eating
- Providing space for the permanent teeth and guiding them into the correct position
- Permitting normal development of the jaw bones and muscles.
Primary teeth also affect the development of speech and add to an attractive appearance. While the front 4 teeth last until 6-7 years of age, the back teeth (cuspids and molars) aren’t replaced until age 10-13.
- It is very important to maintain the health of the primary teeth. Neglected cavities can and frequently do lead to problems which affect developing permanent teeth. Primary teeth, or baby teeth are important for:
- What Should I Tell My Child About Their First Dental Visit?
- We are asked this question many times. We suggest you prepare your family the same way that you would before their first hair-cut or trip to the shoe store. This will not be the frightening experience you may remember from your youth. If you are nervous about the trip, then the less you say the better. You cannot hide your anxiety from a family (they have radar for these things). We will send you an activity/coloring book before the appointment that will explain everything. Have fun going through it with your family. Your family’s reaction to his first visit to the dentist may surprise you.
- Eruption Of Your Child’s Teeth
- Children’s teeth begin forming before birth. Around 6 months, the first primary (or baby) teeth to erupt through the gums are the lower central incisors, followed closely by the upper central incisors. Although all 20 primary teeth usually appear by age 3, the pace and order of their eruption varies.Permanent teeth begin appearing around age 6, starting with the first molars and lower central incisors. This process continues until approximately age 21.Adults have 28 permanent teeth, or up to 32 including the third molars (or wisdom teeth).
- Dental Emergencies
- Toothache: Clean the area of the affected tooth. Rinse the mouth thoroughly with warm water or use dental floss to dislodge any food that may be impacted. If the pain still exists, contact your family’s dentist. Do not place aspirin or heat on the gum or on the aching tooth. If the face is swollen, apply cold compresses and contact your dentist immediately.
- Cut or Bitten Tongue, Lip or Cheek: Apply ice to injured areas to help control swelling. If there is bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure with a gauze or cloth. If bleeding cannot be controlled by simple pressure, call a doctor or visit the hospital emergency room.
- Knocked Out Permanent Tooth: If possible, find the tooth. Handle it by the crown, not by the root. You may rinse the tooth with water only. DO NOT clean with soap, scrub or handle the tooth unnecessarily. Inspect the tooth for fractures. If it is sound, try to reinsert it in the socket. Have the patient hold the tooth in place by biting on a gauze. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, transport the tooth in a cup containing the patient’s saliva or milk. If the patient is old enough, the tooth may also be carried in the patient’s mouth (beside the cheek). The patient must see a dentist IMMEDIATELY! Time is a critical factor in saving the tooth.
- Knocked Out Baby Tooth: Contact your pediatric dentist during business hours. This is not usually an emergency, and in most cases, no treatment is necessary.
- Chipped or Fractured Permanent Tooth: Contact your pediatric dentist immediately. Quick action can save the tooth, prevent infection and reduce the need for extensive dental treatment. Rinse the mouth with water and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling. If possible, locate and save any broken tooth fragments and bring them with you to the dentist.
- Chipped or Fractured Baby Tooth: Contact your pediatric dentist.
- Severe Blow to the Head: Take your family to the nearest hospital emergency room immediately.
- Possible Broken or Fractured Jaw: Keep the jaw from moving and take your family to the nearest hospital emergency room.
- Dental Radiographs (X-Rays)
- Radiographs (X-Rays) are a vital and necessary part of your family’s dental diagnostic process. Without them, certain dental conditions can and will be missed.Radiographs detect much more than cavities. For example, radiographs may be needed to survey erupting teeth, diagnose bone diseases, evaluate the results of an injury, or plan orthodontic treatment. Radiographs allow dentists to diagnose and treat health conditions that cannot be detected during a clinical examination. If dental problems are found and treated early, dental care is more comfortable for your family and more affordable for you.The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends radiographs and examinations every six months for family with a high risk of tooth decay. On average, most pediatric dentists request radiographs approximately once a year. Approximately every 3 years, it is a good idea to obtain a complete set of radiographs, either a panoramic and bitewings or periapicals and bitewings.Pediatric dentists are particularly careful to minimize the exposure of their patients to radiation. With contemporary safeguards, the amount of radiation received in a dental X-ray examination is extremely small. The risk is negligible. In fact, the dental radiographs represent a far smaller risk than an undetected and untreated dental problem. Lead body aprons and shields will protect your family. Today’s equipment filters out unnecessary x-rays and restricts the x-ray beam to the area of interest. Digital radiographs and proper shielding assure that your family receives a minimal amount of radiation exposure (significantly less than conventional films).
- Wisdom Teeth
- Wisdom teeth (or third molars), are the last teeth to erupt in your family’s mouth. This generally occurs in the late teens to early twenties (between the ages of 17 and 25). Some people never develop wisdom teeth. Your dentist will periodically take x-rays to determine the presence and positioning of these teeth. Wisdom teeth can be a valuable addition to the dentition when healthy and properly aligned, however, more often they are misaligned and removal by an oral surgeon is recommended. Wisdom teeth can lead to the following potential complications when misaligned or impacted underneath soft tissue or bone: crowding or damage to adjacent teeth or roots, higher potential for cavities to develop, and the possible formation of infection or cysts.Your dentist may decide to send you to an oral surgeon for further evaluation when your family reaches the appropriate age. The oral surgeon may recommend that wisdom teeth be removed even if they have not caused any problems yet. This is done to avoid a more difficult removal and potential future complications (as the wisdom teeth are more likely to cause problems as patients age). Removal is easier in young people as the teeth roots are not yet completely formed, the bone is less dense, and there is less chance of damaging nearby nerves or other structures. In addition, healing and recovery time is shorter for young adults. The ease at which the oral surgeon can extract wisdom teeth depends on their position and root development. Impacted wisdom teeth may require a more involved surgical procedure. The oral surgeon will discuss anesthetic options with you.
- What’s the Best Toothpaste for my Child?
- Tooth brushing is one of the most important tasks for good oral health. Many toothpastes, and/or tooth polishes, however, can damage young smiles. They contain harsh abrasives, which can wear away young tooth enamel. When looking for a toothpaste for your family, make sure to pick one that is recommended by the American Dental Association as shown on the box and tube. These toothpastes have undergone testing to insure they are safe to use.Remember, family should spit out toothpaste after brushing to avoid getting too much fluoride. If too much fluoride is ingested, a condition known as fluorosis can occur. If your family is too young or unable to spit out toothpaste, consider providing them with a fluoride free toothpaste, using no toothpaste, or using only a “pea size” amount of toothpaste.
- Does Your Child Grind His Teeth At Night? (Bruxism)
- Parents are often concerned about the nocturnal grinding of teeth (bruxism). Often, the first indication is the noise created by the family grinding on their teeth during sleep. Or, the parent may notice wear (teeth getting shorter) to the dentition. One theory as to the cause involves a psychological component. Stress due to a new environment, divorce, changes at school; etc. can influence a family to grind their teeth. Another theory relates to pressure in the inner ear at night. If there are pressure changes (like in an airplane during take-off and landing, when people are chewing gum, etc. to equalize pressure) the family will grind by moving his jaw to relieve this pressure.The majority of cases of pediatric bruxism do not require any treatment. If excessive wear of the teeth (attrition) is present, then a mouth guard (night guard) may be indicated. The negatives to a mouth guard are the possibility of choking if the appliance becomes dislodged during sleep and it may interfere with growth of the jaws. The positive is obvious by preventing wear to the primary dentition.The good news is most family outgrow bruxism. The grinding decreases between the ages 6-9 and family tend to stop grinding between ages 9-12. If you suspect bruxism, discuss this with your pediatrician or pediatric dentist.
- Thumb Sucking
- Sucking is a natural reflex and infants and young family may use thumbs, fingers, pacifiers and other objects on which to suck. It may make them feel secure and happy, or provide a sense of security at difficult periods. Since thumb sucking is relaxing, it may induce sleep.Thumb sucking that persists beyond the eruption of the permanent teeth can cause problems with the proper growth of the mouth and tooth alignment. How intensely a family sucks on fingers or thumbs will determine whether or not dental problems may result. Children who rest their thumbs passively in their mouths are less likely to have difficulty than those who vigorously suck their thumbs.Children should cease thumb sucking by the time their permanent front teeth are ready to erupt. Usually, family stop between the ages of two and four. Peer pressure causes many school-aged family to stop.Pacifiers are no substitute for thumb sucking. They can affect the teeth essentially the same way as sucking fingers and thumbs. However, use of the pacifier can be controlled and modified more easily than the thumb or finger habit. If you have concerns about thumb sucking or use of a pacifier, consult your pediatric dentist.A few suggestions to help your family get through thumb sucking:
- Instead of scolding family for thumb sucking, praise them when they are not.
- Children often suck their thumbs when feeling insecure. Focus on correcting the cause of anxiety, instead of the thumb sucking.
- Children who are sucking for comfort will feel less of a need when their parents provide comfort.
- Reward family when they refrain from sucking during difficult periods, such as when being separated from their parents.
- Your pediatric dentist can encourage family to stop sucking and explain what could happen if they continue.
- If these approaches don’t work, remind the family of their habit by bandaging the thumb or putting a sock on the hand at night. Your pediatric dentist may recommend the use of a mouth appliance.
- Sucking is a natural reflex and infants and young family may use thumbs, fingers, pacifiers and other objects on which to suck. It may make them feel secure and happy, or provide a sense of security at difficult periods. Since thumb sucking is relaxing, it may induce sleep.Thumb sucking that persists beyond the eruption of the permanent teeth can cause problems with the proper growth of the mouth and tooth alignment. How intensely a family sucks on fingers or thumbs will determine whether or not dental problems may result. Children who rest their thumbs passively in their mouths are less likely to have difficulty than those who vigorously suck their thumbs.Children should cease thumb sucking by the time their permanent front teeth are ready to erupt. Usually, family stop between the ages of two and four. Peer pressure causes many school-aged family to stop.Pacifiers are no substitute for thumb sucking. They can affect the teeth essentially the same way as sucking fingers and thumbs. However, use of the pacifier can be controlled and modified more easily than the thumb or finger habit. If you have concerns about thumb sucking or use of a pacifier, consult your pediatric dentist.A few suggestions to help your family get through thumb sucking:
- What is Pulp Therapy?
- The pulp of a tooth is the inner, central core of the tooth. The pulp contains nerves, blood vessels, connective tissue and reparative cells. The purpose of pulp therapy in Pediatric Dentistry is to maintain the vitality of the affected tooth (so the tooth is not lost).Dental caries (cavities) and traumatic injury are the main reasons for a tooth to require pulp therapy. Pulp therapy is often referred to as a “nerve treatment”, “family’s root canal”, “pulpectomy” or “pulpotomy”. The two common forms of pulp therapy in family’s teeth are the pulpotomy and pulpectomy.A pulpotomy removes the diseased pulp tissue within the crown portion of the tooth. Next, an agent is placed to prevent bacterial growth and to calm the remaining nerve tissue. This is followed by a final restoration (usually a stainless steel crown).A pulpectomy is required when the entire pulp is involved (into the root canal(s) of the tooth). During this treatment, the diseased pulp tissue is completely removed from both the crown and root. The canals are cleansed, disinfected and, in the case of primary teeth, filled with a resorbable material. Then, a final restoration is placed. A permanent tooth would be filled with a non-resorbing material.
- What is the Best Time for Orthodontic Treatment?
- Developing malocclusions, or bad bites, can be recognized as early as 2-3 years of age. Often, early steps can be taken to reduce the need for major orthodontic treatment at a later age.
- Stage I – Early Treatment: This period of treatment encompasses ages 2 to 6 years. At this young age, we are concerned with underdeveloped dental arches, the premature loss of primary teeth, and harmful habits such as finger or thumb sucking. Treatment initiated in this stage of development is often very successful and many times, though not always, can eliminate the need for future orthodontic/orthopedic treatment.
- Stage II – Mixed Dentition: This period covers the ages of 6 to 12 years, with the eruption of the permanent incisor (front) teeth and 6 year molars. Treatment concerns deal with jaw malrelationships and dental realignment problems. This is an excellent stage to start treatment, when indicated, as your family’s hard and soft tissues are usually very responsive to orthodontic or orthopedic forces.
- Stage III – Adolescent Dentition: This stage deals with the permanent teeth and the development of the final bite relationship.
- Developing malocclusions, or bad bites, can be recognized as early as 2-3 years of age. Often, early steps can be taken to reduce the need for major orthodontic treatment at a later age.
- Perinatal & Infant Oral Health
- The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that all pregnant women receive oral healthcare and counseling during pregnancy. Research has shown evidence that periodontal disease can increase the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight. Talk to your doctor or dentist about ways you can prevent periodontal disease during pregnancy.Additionally, mothers with poor oral health may be at a greater risk of passing the bacteria which causes cavities to their young family. Mother’s should follow these simple steps to decrease the risk of spreading cavity-causing bacteria:
- Visit your dentist regularly.
- Brush and floss on a daily basis to reduce bacterial plaque.
- Proper diet, with the reduction of beverages and foods high in sugar & starch.
- Use a fluoridated toothpaste recommended by the ADA and rinse every night with an alocohol-free, over-the-counter mouth rinse with .05 % sodium fluoride in order to reduce plaque levels.
- Don’t share utensils, cups or food which can cause the transmission of cavity-causing bacteria to your family.
- Use of xylitol chewing gum (4 pieces per day by the mother) can decrease a family’s caries rate.
- The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that all pregnant women receive oral healthcare and counseling during pregnancy. Research has shown evidence that periodontal disease can increase the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight. Talk to your doctor or dentist about ways you can prevent periodontal disease during pregnancy.Additionally, mothers with poor oral health may be at a greater risk of passing the bacteria which causes cavities to their young family. Mother’s should follow these simple steps to decrease the risk of spreading cavity-causing bacteria:
- Adult Teeth Coming in Behind Baby Teeth
- This is a very common occurrence with family, usually the result of a lower, primary (baby) tooth not falling out when the permanent tooth is coming in. In most cases if the family starts wiggling the baby tooth, it will usually fall out on its own within two months. If it doesn’t, then contact your pediatric dentist, where they can easily remove the tooth. The permanent tooth should then slide into the proper place.
- Your Child’s First Dental Visit – Establishing a “Dental Home
- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Dental Association (ADA), and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) all recommend establishing a “Dental Home” for your family by one year of age. Children who have a dental home are more likely to receive appropriate preventive and routine oral health care.The Dental Home is intended to provide a place other than the Emergency Room for parents.You can make the first visit to the dentist enjoyable and positive. If old enough, your family should be informed of the visit and told that the dentist and their staff will explain all procedures and answer any questions. The less to-do concerning the visit, the better.It is best if you refrain from using words around your family that might cause unnecessary fear, such as needle, pull, drill or hurt. Pediatric dental offices make a practice of using words that convey the same message, but are pleasant and non-frightening to the family.
- When Will My Baby Start Getting Teeth?
- Teething, the process of baby (primary) teeth coming through the gums into the mouth, is variable among individual babies. Some babies get their teeth early and some get them late. In general, the first baby teeth to appear are usually the lower front (anterior) teeth and they usually begin erupting between the age of 6-8 months. See “Eruption of Your Child’s Teeth” for more details.
- Baby Bottle Tooth Decay (Early Childhood Caries)
- One serious form of decay among young family is baby bottle tooth decay, also referred to by dentists as early familyhood caries. This condition is caused by frequent and long exposures of an infant’s teeth to liquids that contain sugar. Among these liquids are milk (including breast milk), formula, fruit juice and other sweetened drinks.Putting a baby to bed for a nap or at night with a bottle other than water can cause serious and rapid tooth decay. Sweet liquid pools around the family’s teeth giving plaque bacteria an opportunity to produce acids that attack tooth enamel. If you must give the baby a bottle as a comforter at bedtime, it should contain only water. If your family won’t fall asleep without the bottle and its usual beverage, gradually dilute the bottle’s contents with water over a period of two to three weeks.After each feeding, wipe the baby’s gums and teeth with a damp washcloth or gauze pad to remove plaque. The easiest way to do this is to sit down, place the family’s head in your lap or lay the family on a dressing table or the floor. Whatever position you use, be sure you can see into the family’s mouth easily.
- Sippy Cups
- Sippy cups should be used as a training tool from the bottle to a cup and should be discontinued by the first birthday. If your family uses a sippy cup throughout the day, fill the sippy cup with water only (except at mealtimes). By filling the sippy cup with liquids that contain sugar (including milk, fruit juice, sports drinks, etc.) and allowing a family to drink from it throughout the day, it soaks the family’s teeth in cavity causing bacteria.
- Care of Your Child’s Teeth & Gums
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Brushing Tips:
- Starting at birth, clean your family’s gums with a soft cloth and water.
- As soon as your family’s teeth erupt, brush them with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Under the age of 2, use a small “smear” of toothpaste.
- For 2-5 year old, use a “pea-size” amount of toothpaste.
- Use an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste and do not allow your family to swallow it.
- Brush your family’s teeth until they are old enough to do a good job on their own.
- Supervise your family’s brushing and flossing until they are 7-8 years old.
Flossing Tips:
- Flossing removes plaque between teeth and under the gum line where a toothbrush can’t reach.
- Flossing should begin when any two teeth touch.
- Floss your family’s teeth daily until he or she can do it alone.
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- Good Diet = Healthy Teeth
- Healthy eating habits lead to healthy teeth. Like the rest of the body, the teeth, bones and the soft tissues of the mouth need a well-balanced diet. Children should eat a variety of foods from the five major food groups. Most snacks that family eat can lead to cavity formation. The more frequently a family snacks, the greater the chance for tooth decay. How long food remains in the mouth also plays a role. For example, hard candy and breath mints stay in the mouth a long time, which cause longer acid attacks on tooth enamel. If your family must snack, choose nutritious foods such as vegetables, low-fat yogurt, and low-fat cheese, which are healthier and better for family’s teeth.
- How Do I Prevent Cavities?
- Good oral hygiene removes bacteria and the left over food particles that combine to create cavities. For infants, use a wet gauze or clean washcloth to wipe the plaque from teeth and gums. Avoid putting your family to bed with a bottle filled with anything other than water. See “Baby Bottle Tooth Decay” for more information.For older family, brush their teeth at least twice a day. Also, watch the number of snacks containing sugar that you give your family.The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends visits every six months to the pediatric dentist, beginning at your family’s first birthday. Routine visits will start your family on a lifetime of good dental health.Your pediatric dentist may also recommend protective sealants or home fluoride treatments for your family. Sealants can be applied to your family’s molars to prevent decay on hard to clean surfaces.
- Seal Out Decay
- A sealant is a clear or shaded plastic material that is applied to the chewing surfaces (grooves) of the back teeth (premolars and molars), where four out of five cavities in family are found. This sealant acts as a barrier to food, plaque and acid, thus protecting the decay-prone areas of the teeth.
- Fluoride
- Fluoride is an element, which has been shown to be beneficial to teeth. However, too little or too much fluoride can be detrimental to the teeth. Little or no fluoride will not strengthen the teeth to help them resist cavities. Excessive fluoride ingestion by preschool-aged family can lead to dental fluorosis, which is a chalky white to even brown discoloration of the permanent teeth. Many family often get more fluoride than their parents realize. Being aware of a family’s potential sources of fluoride can help parents prevent the possibility of dental fluorosis.Some of these sources are:
- Too much fluoridated toothpaste at an early age.
- The inappropriate use of fluoride supplements.
- Hidden sources of fluoride in the family’s diet.
Two and three year olds may not be able to expectorate (spit out) fluoride-containing toothpaste when brushing. As a result, these youngsters may ingest an excessive amount of fluoride during tooth brushing. Toothpaste ingestion during this critical period of permanent tooth development is the greatest risk factor in the development of fluorosis.
Excessive and inappropriate intake of fluoride supplements may also contribute to fluorosis. Fluoride drops and tablets, as well as fluoride fortified vitamins should not be given to infants younger than six months of age. After that time, fluoride supplements should only be given to family after all of the sources of ingested fluoride have been accounted for and upon the recommendation of your pediatrician or pediatric dentist.
Certain foods contain high levels of fluoride, especially powdered concentrate infant formula, soy-based infant formula, infant dry cereals, creamed spinach, and infant chicken products. Please read the label or contact the manufacturer. Some beverages also contain high levels of fluoride, especially decaffeinated teas, white grape juices, and juice drinks manufactured in fluoridated cities.
Parents can take the following steps to decrease the risk of fluorosis in their family’s teeth:
- Use baby tooth cleanser on the toothbrush of the very young family.
- Place only a pea sized drop of family’s toothpaste on the brush when brushing.
- Account for all of the sources of ingested fluoride before requesting fluoride supplements from your family’s physician or pediatric dentist.
- Avoid giving any fluoride-containing supplements to infants until they are at least 6 months old.
- Obtain fluoride level test results for your drinking water before giving fluoride supplements to your family (check with local water utilities).
- Fluoride is an element, which has been shown to be beneficial to teeth. However, too little or too much fluoride can be detrimental to the teeth. Little or no fluoride will not strengthen the teeth to help them resist cavities. Excessive fluoride ingestion by preschool-aged family can lead to dental fluorosis, which is a chalky white to even brown discoloration of the permanent teeth. Many family often get more fluoride than their parents realize. Being aware of a family’s potential sources of fluoride can help parents prevent the possibility of dental fluorosis.Some of these sources are:
- Mouth Guards
- When a family begins to participate in recreational activities and organized sports, injuries can occur. A properly fitted mouth guard, or mouth protector, is an important piece of athletic gear that can help protect your family’s smile, and should be used during any activity that could result in a blow to the face or mouth.Mouth guards help prevent broken teeth, and injuries to the lips, tongue, face or jaw. A properly fitted mouth guard will stay in place while your family is wearing it, making it easy for them to talk and breathe.Ask your pediatric dentist about custom and store-bought mouth protectors.
- Xylitol – Reducing Cavities
- The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recognizes the benefits of xylitol on the oral health of infants, family, adolescents, and persons with special health care needs.The use of XYLITOL GUM by mothers (2-3 times per day) starting 3 months after delivery and until the family was 2 years old, has proven to reduce cavities up to 70% by the time the family was 5 years old.Studies using xylitol as either a sugar substitute or a small dietary addition have demonstrated a dramatic reduction in new tooth decay, along with some reversal of existing dental caries. Xylitol provides additional protection that enhances all existing prevention methods. This xylitol effect is long-lasting and possibly permanent. Low decay rates persist even years after the trials have been completed.Xylitol is widely distributed throughout nature in small amounts. Some of the best sources are fruits, berries, mushrooms, lettuce, hardwoods, and corn cobs. One cup of raspberries contains less than one gram of xylitol.Studies suggest xylitol intake that consistently produces positive results ranged from 4-20 grams per day, divided into 3-7 consumption periods. Higher results did not result in greater reduction and may lead to diminishing results. Similarly, consumption frequency of less than 3 times per day showed no effect.
To find gum or other products containing xylitol, try visiting your local health food store or search the Internet to find products containing 100% xylitol.
- The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recognizes the benefits of xylitol on the oral health of infants, family, adolescents, and persons with special health care needs.The use of XYLITOL GUM by mothers (2-3 times per day) starting 3 months after delivery and until the family was 2 years old, has proven to reduce cavities up to 70% by the time the family was 5 years old.Studies using xylitol as either a sugar substitute or a small dietary addition have demonstrated a dramatic reduction in new tooth decay, along with some reversal of existing dental caries. Xylitol provides additional protection that enhances all existing prevention methods. This xylitol effect is long-lasting and possibly permanent. Low decay rates persist even years after the trials have been completed.Xylitol is widely distributed throughout nature in small amounts. Some of the best sources are fruits, berries, mushrooms, lettuce, hardwoods, and corn cobs. One cup of raspberries contains less than one gram of xylitol.Studies suggest xylitol intake that consistently produces positive results ranged from 4-20 grams per day, divided into 3-7 consumption periods. Higher results did not result in greater reduction and may lead to diminishing results. Similarly, consumption frequency of less than 3 times per day showed no effect.
- Beware of Sports Drinks
- Sports DrinksDue to the high sugar content and acids in sports drinks, they have erosive potential and the ability to dissolve even fluoride-rich enamel, which can lead to cavities.To minimize dental problems, family should avoid sports drinks and hydrate with water before, during and after sports. Be sure to talk to your pediatric dentist before using sports drinks.If sports drinks are consumed:
- reduce the frequency and contact time
- swallow immediately and do not swish them around the mouth
- neutralize the effect of sports drinks by alternating sips of water with the drink
- rinse mouthguards only in water
- seek out dentally friendly sports drinks
- Sports DrinksDue to the high sugar content and acids in sports drinks, they have erosive potential and the ability to dissolve even fluoride-rich enamel, which can lead to cavities.To minimize dental problems, family should avoid sports drinks and hydrate with water before, during and after sports. Be sure to talk to your pediatric dentist before using sports drinks.If sports drinks are consumed:
- Tongue Piercing – Is it Really Cool?
- You might not be surprised anymore to see people with pierced tongues, lips or cheeks, but you might be surprised to know just how dangerous these piercings can be.There are many risks involved with oral piercings, including chipped or cracked teeth, blood clots, blood poisoning, heart infections, brain abscess, nerve disorders (trigeminal neuralgia), receding gums or scar tissue. Your mouth contains millions of bacteria, and infection is a common complication of oral piercing. Your tongue could swell large enough to close off your airway!Common symptoms after piercing include pain, swelling, infection, an increased flow of saliva and injuries to gum tissue. Difficult-to-control bleeding or nerve damage can result if a blood vessel or nerve bundle is in the path of the needle.So follow the advice of the American Dental Association and give your mouth a break – skip the mouth jewelry.
- Tobacco – Bad News in Any Form
- Tobacco in any form can jeopardize your family’s health and cause incurable damage. Teach your family about the dangers of tobacco.Smokeless tobacco, also called spit, chew or snuff, is often used by teens who believe that it is a safe alternative to smoking cigarettes. This is an unfortunate misconception. Studies show that spit tobacco may be more addictive than smoking cigarettes and may be more difficult to quit. Teens who use it may be interested to know that one can of snuff per day delivers as much nicotine as 60 cigarettes. In as little as three to four months, smokeless tobacco use can cause periodontal disease and produce pre-cancerous lesions called leukoplakias.If your family is a tobacco user you should watch for the following that could be early signs of oral cancer:
- A sore that won’t heal.
- White or red leathery patches on the lips, and on or under the tongue.
- Pain, tenderness or numbness anywhere in the mouth or lips.
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving the jaw or tongue; or a change in the way the teeth fit together.
Because the early signs of oral cancer usually are not painful, people often ignore them. If it’s not caught in the early stages, oral cancer can require extensive, sometimes disfiguring, surgery. Even worse, it can kill.
Help your family avoid tobacco in any form. By doing so, they will avoid bringing cancer-causing chemicals in direct contact with their tongue, gums and cheek.
- Tobacco in any form can jeopardize your family’s health and cause incurable damage. Teach your family about the dangers of tobacco.Smokeless tobacco, also called spit, chew or snuff, is often used by teens who believe that it is a safe alternative to smoking cigarettes. This is an unfortunate misconception. Studies show that spit tobacco may be more addictive than smoking cigarettes and may be more difficult to quit. Teens who use it may be interested to know that one can of snuff per day delivers as much nicotine as 60 cigarettes. In as little as three to four months, smokeless tobacco use can cause periodontal disease and produce pre-cancerous lesions called leukoplakias.If your family is a tobacco user you should watch for the following that could be early signs of oral cancer:
