March Is Nutrition Month

Eat Right focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. Registered Dietitian Day, also celebrated in March, increases awareness of registered dietitians as the indispensable providers of food and nutrition services and recognizes RDs for their commitment to helping people enjoy healthy lives.

The 2013 National Nutrition Month theme is “Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day.”

Check their website for more info http://www.eatright.org/Media/content.aspx?id=7849#.UTZcdDCG1Cg

Prevent Decay with Dental Sealants

What are dental sealants?

Made of plastic, dental sealants applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to protect tooth enamel from decay-causing bacteria and acids. These sealants fit perfectly into the depression and groves (pits and fissures) of your children’s teeth, protecting them from decay.

When should dental sealants be applied?

Decay can begin early in life, so children should receive sealants on permanent molars as soon as they erupt – around age 6 for first molars and age 12 for second molars.

Are sealants safe?

Yes. Although in rare cases, some people may have an allergic reaction to the plastic.

Will my insurance pay for sealants?

Dental insurance typically will pay for sealants for children and teenagers’ permanent molars.  Be sure to check with your dental insurance company about your plan, as coverage does vary.

Pacifiers and Oral Health

Pacifiers can be great for children, especially during their first six months. It has calming effects and aids in the development of jaw muscles. Although pacifier use is generally a healthy habit, continued or improper use may ultimately have a negative impact on your child’s oral and overall health.

Potential pacifier problems:

Increased risk of middle ear infection

Improper growth of the mouth

Misalignment of teeth

Dental crossbite and/or open bite

Development of a thumb-sucking habit

Tips for correct pacifier use:

Purchase orthodontically designed pacifiers

Check for cracks, discoloration or tears in rubber

Clean pacifier daily with mild soap and water

Do not tie pacifiers around your infant’s neck

Saying goodbye to the pacifier:

Limit pacifier use gradually over time

Reduce pacifier satisfaction by piercing the pacifier’s nipple

Dip the pacifier in a safe but undesirable flavor, such as white vinegar

Go “cold turkey” and refuse to offer the pacifier

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.