Help Us Celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month
Ξ February 16th, 2009 | → Comments Off | ∇ Uncategorized |
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. It’s sponsored each year by the American Dental Association (ADA) and we feel that it is of critical importance that children of all ages establish good oral health practices and maintain them.
The best way to ensure that your child does not get cavities or gingivitis is to instill proper oral habits early. Even before teeth begin to erupt, thoroughly clean your infant’s gums after each feeding with a water-soaked washcloth or gauze pad to stimulate the gum tissue and remove food. When the baby’s teeth begin to erupt, brush them gently with a small soft-bristled toothbrush. At age two, you can begin to teach your child proper brushing techniques, but must continue to follow up your child’s attempt with your own thorough brushing.
Schedule regular oral health appointments starting around your child’s third birthday. Our office will check for cavities and watch for developmental problems, as well as help create a positive experience so your child will look forward to future visits.
We all know that candy causes cavities, however, the most damaging things for your teeth are soda and sports drinks such as Gatorade and Red Bull. They are extremely acidic and contain lots of sugar. A 12 oz. can of Mountain Dew contains 46 grams of sugar. 4 grams equal one teaspoon, so that means that one can of soda contains 11_ teaspoons of sugar! A can of Coke has 8 teaspoons of sugar. Having these treats once in a while is not a big deal, but if you or your child has them every day, you are sure to end up with cavities. As you continue to sip that can of soda, you are constantly bathing your teeth in sugar. This is becoming very prevalent not only in children and teens, but into adult life.
Here is a simple science experiment you can do with your child. Find two old tarnished pennies that are about the same color. Put one in a glass of any cola and turn the penny over after one day. Do not do anything to the other penny. After two days, the acid of the cola will have eaten away all the oxidation and dirt on the penny. The color of the untreated penny will be used as a comparison to show just how much the penny in the soda has changed. If the acid from soda can erode a copper penny, imagine how much damage it could do to your teeth!
As your dentist, our goal is to help you keep your teeth for your entire life. We are always available to answer any questions you may have and we look forward to seeing you at your next appointment.
Dr. Fred Peck and staff
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