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FebrUARY
Help Your Kids Get A Good Start On A Lifetime Of Healthy Teeth
February is National Children's Dental Month
By: Dr. Michael Foley
Did you know that February is National Children’s Dental Health Month? The American Dental Association (ADA) held the first national observance day on February 8, 1949 in hopes of raising awareness about the importance of oral health with our nation’s children. The single day observance became a week long event in 1955. In 1981, the program was extended to a month long celebration known today as National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM).
NCDHM messages reach millions of people in communities across the country and at numerous armed service bases. Local observances often include poster, coloring and essay contests, health fairs, free dental screenings, museum exhibits, classroom presentations and dental office tours.
The theme for this year’s campaign is “For a Sparkly Smile, Remember to Brush & Floss Everyday!”
February may be the shortest month of the year, but it is the busiest month for health care providers and organized dentistry intent on improving the oral health care services to children. The sad truth is, despite remarkable advances in oral health care, children still suffer unnecessarily from dental disease, which makes this annual observance even more relevant.
As in recent years, the focus of the 2010 NCDHM observance will be improving outreach to children through education programs, contests and promotional events. The featured local event for the month of February will be “Give Kids A Smile” day event, an American Dental Association initiative aimed at improving children’s access to dental care.
This year hundreds of children and their parents will fill the dental clinics in the School of Dental Medicine at the University at Buffalo on the first Friday in February to participate in the program. Children from across Western New York who do not have access to dental care receive dental treatment free of charge on this day, as part of the UB Dental School’s Community Outreach Programs.
Children ages 1-18 (who do not have access to dental care) from local Head Start centers, elementary, middle and high schools are transported to the Dental School.Over 180 volunteer dental faculty members, dental alumni, hygienists, dental assistants, residents, and dental students provide dental exams, fluoride treatments, X-rays, sealants, oral hygiene instruction, consultations and referrals as needed.
You do not have to be a member of a group to request an appointment. Contact the UB Smile Team at 716-861-3593.
The event is supported nationally by the American Dental Association, Colgate, Dexis and Henry Schein, and locally supported by the Eighth District Dental Society as well as the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine.
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. It is critical to educate parents and children about how important oral health really is. It is never too early to begin.
The American Dental Association along with the Academies of Pediatric Dentistry and Pediatrics have adopted a position on infant oral health recommending that a child’s first dental visit occur within 6 months of the eruption of the first primary tooth or no later than 12 months of age.
This recommendation is based on the recognition that many children by age 3 years had already experienced dental decay and, more troubling, that those children who experienced decay remain prone to recurrent decay even with preventative intervention. In many studies and in my own experience, by 5 years of age, as many as half of children have had cavities. Cavities are the most common chronic infectious disease — they are 5 times more common than asthma!
So how do children acquire this disease? Recent research suggests that children are infected with cavity causing bacteria by their caretakers, primarily mothers. If the child’s mother harbors cavity causing bacteria and has poor oral health, then transmission via kissing, shared food, or other contact can occur and begin the process. Once the bacteria have established themselves, as sugar or carbohydrates are consumed, the bacteria use the sugar and carbohydrates to manufacture acids that dissolve the teeth and cause an infection in the tooth. This infection is called decay which in many cases can be prevented by early intervention. The early oral exam is aimed at preventing common pediatric oral diseases like cavities by identifying children at risk and providing the necessary counseling on diet, infant oral hygiene, and maternal oral health.
Who is available to help? A pediatric dentist, general dentist, or dental hygienist.
What is pediatric dentistry? Pediatric Dentistry is an age–specific specialty that provides comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health care for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health care needs.
Pediatric dentists work in coordination with other health care providers and members of social disciplines for the benefit of children. We are specifically trained to identify and treat the many areas of oral care that are unique to children. Pediatric dentists receive an additional 2 years of training on the special oral health needs of children.
Pediatric dentists are specifically trained on how to make children feel comfortable about dental treatment and how to make the experience as pleasant as possible for children and parents. In addition, pediatric dentists have received extensive training on treating mentally or physically challenged children.
Tips on the first dental visit.
You can make the first visit to the dentist enjoyable and positive.
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Depending on your child’s age, he or she should be informed of the visit and told that the dentist and the staff will explain all procedures and answer any questions. You should also refrain from using words around your child 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 child.
In our practice, parents are welcome to accompany their child for their first visit. Pediatric dentists are all highly experienced
in helping children overcome anxiety; in our office we encourage children to sit in the parent’s lap if necessary. A great way to calm fears is to read a book about a child going to the dentist and make sure they are well rested!
Helpful hints once teeth start to erupt: Once your child’s teeth begin erupting, you can begin cleaning them by wiping them with a moist washcloth. As your child gets more teeth, you can begin to use a soft child’s toothbrush.You should use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste until your child is able
to spit it out (too much fluoride can leave
white blemishes on their permanent teeth).
To help your child understand the importance of brushing, it can be sometimes fun and helpful to let them eat or drink something that will “stain” their teeth temporarily and then brush them clean. You can also purchase disclosing tablets from the drug store for them to chew that will disclose those areas on the teeth that contain plaque. A mechanical toothbrush may just get them motivated or there are even toothbrushes that now play music!
It is a very good idea to create a “tooth brushing routine.” And stick to the same routine each day. Brush your child’s teeth once in the morning and just before they go to sleep.
Cavity Prevention: Most of the time cavities are due to a diet high in sugary foods and a lack of brushing.
Limiting sugar intake and brushing regularly, of course, can help. The longer it takes your child to chew their food, the longer the residue stays on their teeth and the greater the chances of getting cavities. Every time someone eats, an acid reaction occurs inside their mouth as the bacteria digest the sugars. This reaction lasts approximately 20 minutes. During this time the acid environment can destroy the tooth structure, eventually leading to cavities.
Consistency of a child’s saliva also makes a difference as thinner saliva breaks up and washes away food more quickly. When a child eats a diet high in carbohydrates and sugars, they tend to have thicker saliva, which in turn produces more of the acid-producing bacteria that causes cavities. We have an in office saliva test to evaluate the consistency and chemistry of your child’s saliva to determine if it is functioning properly.
Some tips for cavity prevention:
• Limit frequency of meals and snacks
• Encourage brushing, flossing, and rinsing
• Watch what you drink
• Avoid sticky foods
• Make treats part of meals
Dr. Michael Foley is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist who stays at the forefront of his specialty by attending numerous continuing education courses which enable him to offer his patients the latest advancements in preventative, restorative, and orthodontic care. His practice, Winning Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, is located on Sheridan Drive in Amherst, NY.
