Archive for the ‘Pediatric Dentistry’ Category
Dental Fear in Kids Can be Brought on By Parents
Last Updated on Tuesday, 4 December 2012 11:50 Written by Dental Education Blog Tuesday, 4 December 2012 11:50
A study conducted by scientists in Madrid, Spain has revealed that there is a connection between the amounts of fear parents exude in regards to a dental visit to that of their children. What is most prevailing about this study is that although it has been confirmed that the fear levels of parents were associated with that of their children, the role of the father and mother play differently into this phenomenon.
Author of the study América Lara Sacido explains that “Along with the presence of emotional transmission of dentist fear amongst family members, we have identified the relevant role that fathers play in transmission of this phobia in comparison to the mother.” In this research of 183 children aged seven to 12, Lara Sacido concluded that “Children seem to mainly pay attention to the emotional reactions of the fathers when deciding if situations at the dentist are potentially stressful.”
To help children experience less fear at the dentist the study suggested that dental visits involve both the mothers and fathers and help the child minimize anxiety by showcasing that dental fear need not exist. The dental practices working with children were encouraged to work with the parents to relax them to ensure that the children would relax as well. “Through the positive emotional contagion route in the family, the right attitude can be achieved in the child so that attending the dentist is not a problem,” Lara Sacido concluded.
Tags: dental fear | Posted under Archives, Dental Fear, Featured Articles, Pediatric Dentistry | No Comments
Worried About Your Kids Oral Health Post-Halloween?
Last Updated on Tuesday, 6 November 2012 03:09 Written by Dental Education Blog Tuesday, 6 November 2012 03:09
Worried about your kid's oral health post Halloween?
After Halloween parents may be concerned about the amounts of candy their children are eating and the effect it will have on their teeth. Candy contains a lot of sugars and carbohydrates which can ultimately contribute to a child’s risk of developing cavities. The candy can result in the development of acids in the mouth which can attack the teeth and lead to cavity susceptibility. According to research done by pediatric dentists, the acid environment in the mouth can take up to an hour to dissipate after consuming such foods.
This means that after candy is eaten the mouth will be affected by way of acids. From the time the candy is eaten it may take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes for the mouth to establish normal levels of acid balance. This is why some dentists actually recommend that if children are to eat large amounts of candy they do so in shorter periods of time. If candy is eaten throughout the day, the acid on the teeth stays for prolonged periods of time and keeps the teeth in an acidic environment, enhancing the risk that they will become decayed.
Parents should take note of these facts and encourage their kids to eat their candy in one sitting rather than constantly throughout the day. In other words, don’t tell your kids that “They can have one piece now, and one piece later,” and one piece much later than that. If you are going to allow your kids to eat candy anyway you are better off letting them eat a bunch in one sitting so that the pH values in their mouths have time to return to normal and you can minimize their risk or cavity development while still letting them enjoy the holiday.
Realistically it is difficult to prevent or discourage a child to eat candy that is part of a holiday. Instead, allow your child to enjoy themselves with the knowledge that their habit will be limited to a short period of time. If parents are still concerned about the risks of acidic foods such as candy, they can encourage their children to rinse their mouths out with water as well as brushing their teeth after eating candy. These two methods can help to rinse away the amount of acids in the mouth and prevent the potential risks of cavities.
Tags: candy, cavitities, oral health | Posted under Archives, Dental Health, Pediatric Dentistry | No Comments
Bottled Water Contributing to Pediatric Tooth Decay?
Last Updated on Friday, 23 March 2012 02:44 Written by Dental Education Blog Friday, 23 March 2012 02:44
Bottled Water Causing Tooth Decay
A more recent look into what has been causing the rise in tooth decay in children has suspected bottled water to be the cause. It appears that “Bottled water may not have a sufficient amount of fluoride, which is important for preventing tooth decay and promoting oral health” according to a statement made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Just when parents thought that they were aiding in the prevention of tooth decay by leaning their children towards drinks that were free of sugar it appears a shock to most. Bottled water is everywhere and it has always seemed the healthiest choice in terms of choosing it over water out of the tap. In fact, a study by the Archives of Pediatrics found that about 45 percent of parents give their kids bottled water all of the time, completely avoiding tap water altogether. Another study, this time in the journal Pediatric Dentistry, found that 70 percent of parents gave bottled water alone or with tap water.
Tooth decay is affecting children of all income classes too, with decay showing in over half the children in lower income levels and by a third of the children in higher income levels.
Although there is no direct evidence that supports that bottled water is the cause for the rise in tooth decay amongst children, there is evidence that fluoride, the agent that is contained in tap water that protects against tooth decay, is not present in all bottled waters. The International Bottled Water Association admits that at least 20 of its 125 bottlers offer fluoridated bottled water.
If children were to neglect brushing with fluoride toothpastes as well as neglect recommended biannual checkups, they would likely be more susceptible to tooth decay. As fluoridation of water is known to directly prevent tooth decay, avoiding its use, either directly or indirectly, would be a mistake. This is perhaps why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have labeled fluoride “One of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.”
Posted under Archives, General Dentistry, Oral Hygiene, Pediatric Dentistry, Preventative Dentistry | No Comments
Pediatric Dentistry Birth to Age Three
Last Updated on Friday, 21 October 2011 12:14 Written by Dental Education Blog Friday, 21 October 2011 12:14
Pediatric Dentistry
Pediatric dentistry is the preventive and restorative oral health care for infants and children. Dental health is important for children as soon as the first tooth erupts and should be maintained throughout the child’s life. It is the responsibility of the parents to ensure proper oral health for their children until they exhibit the motor skills to brush, floss and take care of their teeth on their own. We will discuss some general information regarding pediatric dentistry for children from 0 to age three.
Tooth development of a child begins at seven weeks in utero and is influenced by illness, medications, and metabolic deficiencies. Women who are pregnant are encouraged to visit a dentist to determine if any of the above mentioned factors can influence the oral health of their child. Also gum disease in pregnant women is shown to lead to preterm birth so this is an additional reason women should visit the dentist if pregnant or considering getting pregnant.
At six to seven months the first teeth begin to erupt and by age three most of the primary teeth have erupted. Dentists recommend a visitation within the first year of age to establish a relationship with a pediatric dentist, assess any risk factors, and to help the parents contribute to continuing oral health care. At home oral health care is important because the parents must help to remove and prevent the development of plaque. Parents need to perform tooth brushing yet do not need to worry about flossing until interdental contacts become present. Brushing needs to become a daily routine to get the child accustomed to the habit. Parents can try to make brushing fun by adding a song or some other amusing activity to the experience.
Generally children should avoid sugary or acidic foods that can damage their teeth and cause cavities. Ask your dentist what foods they should be avoiding as things like sodas and even fruit juices can contribute to dietary issues. Getting your child on a consistent health care regime is the start to a lifetime of good oral health care. Instilling these practices early make it easy to prevent oral health problems and will save time and money in the dental chair and prevent restorative dental procedures.
Posted under Archives, General Dentistry, Pediatric Dentistry | No Comments
