Wednesday, September 9, 2015
How Do I Care for My Toddler's Teeth?
Caring for
toddler's teeth can be a challenge. Although a toddler's teeth are small, they
are like the teeth of an adult and must be properly cared for in order to
maintain good oral health and hygiene. These tips and guidelines will help you
keep your toddler's teeth and overall oral health in the best condition
possible.
Create a Routine
Your
child's oral health starts with you. As a parent, you need to make sure you are
doing your part in your child’s brushing and flossing routine because children
do not develop adequate hand-eye coordination to do a good job brushing and
flossing until about the ages of 8 to 10 years. The most important times a
child should brush and floss his or her teeth are in the morning and before
they go to bed. Creating a routine can be difficult but it's not impossible.
You will have to help your toddler each time.
It is best to let the child brush and floss first, so that way he or she
gets to practice and can develop the needed hand-eye coordination to do a good
job. The best way to teach your toddler how to brush his or her teeth is to
lead by example. Brush your teeth the same time your toddler is brushing his or
her teeth.
Locate a Dental Office
Finding a
dental office you are comfortable with is in the best interest of you and your
child. A children’s dentist is the ideal dentist for your child. A general dentist can be
used, but a kids' dentist specializes in the comfort, care and health of
children. When you are trying to find a dental office for your toddler,
consider its location, how far it is from your home and the type of insurance
that is accepted.
Schedule Regular Check-Ups
Scheduling
regular check-ups is perfect preventative care for cavities, gum disease and
other issues that can occur due to poor oral hygiene. By your toddler's first
birthday, your child should be seen by a kid-friendly dentist.
Ration the Juice
While it
is okay to give your toddler juice, do not let them sip it for an extended
period of time. The time it takes them
to drink the juice is more critical than the amount of juice they drink. Juice can be given to your toddler each day
but it is only recommended with meals. Water or a sugar free beverage should be used
for between meals or for sipping.
Teach Good Habits
Teaching your toddler good habits
is the best way to prepare for the future. Teach them how to properly use a toothbrush,
toothpaste and floss, and tell them why it's important to brush and floss their
teeth at least twice each day.
Create a Routine
Your
child's oral health starts with you. As a parent, you need to make sure you are
doing your part in your child’s brushing and flossing routine because children
do not develop adequate hand-eye coordination to do a good job brushing and
flossing until about the ages of 8 to 10 years. The most important times a
child should brush and floss his or her teeth are in the morning and before
they go to bed. Creating a routine can be difficult but it's not impossible.
You will have to help your toddler each time.
It is best to let the child brush and floss first, so that way he or she
gets to practice and can develop the needed hand-eye coordination to do a good
job. The best way to teach your toddler how to brush his or her teeth is to
lead by example. Brush your teeth the same time your toddler is brushing his or
her teeth.
Locate a Dental Office
Finding a
dental office you are comfortable with is in the best interest of you and your
child. A children’s dentist is the ideal dentist for your child. A general dentist can be
used, but a kids' dentist specializes in the comfort, care and health of
children. When you are trying to find a dental office for your toddler,
consider its location, how far it is from your home and the type of insurance
that is accepted.
Schedule Regular Check-Ups
Scheduling
regular check-ups is perfect preventative care for cavities, gum disease and
other issues that can occur due to poor oral hygiene. By your toddler's first
birthday, your child should be seen by a kid-friendly dentist.
Ration the Juice
While it
is okay to give your toddler juice, do not let them sip it for an extended
period of time. The time it takes them
to drink the juice is more critical than the amount of juice they drink. Juice can be given to your toddler each day
but it is only recommended with meals. Water or a sugar free beverage should be used
for between meals or for sipping.
Teach Good Habits
Teaching your toddler good habits
is the best way to prepare for the future. Teach them how to properly use a toothbrush,
toothpaste and floss, and tell them why it's important to brush and floss their
teeth at least twice each day.
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Kids Using Tobacco: Why Kids Smoke and the Risk of Using Tobacco
There is a
number of health risks associated with smoking, yet teenagers continue to smoke
and/or use smokeless tobacco. Each day, there are approximately 3900 children between the ages
12-17 smoke their first cigarette. Over 950 of them will become regular smokers
and about half of them will die from smoking in adulthood. For these reasons,
it is essential that children understand the dangers associated with smoking
and the use of smokeless tobacco.
Why Kids Begin Smoking
There are
several reasons why children may start smoking. Some of the most common reasons
children may be attracted to smoking and/or chewing tobacco include:
Signs Your Child May Be Smoking
It is
essential as a parent to establish good communication with
children early to make tricky issues, like smoking, easier. Giving children
information about the risks associated with smoking may help to protect them
from this unhealthy habit. Ask your child’s dentist to talk with them about the
risks to their oral health from smoking and if you suspect your child may be
using tobacco products, make sure they see a kid’s dentist as soon as possible.
Warning signs your child is smoking may include:
The Oral and Physical Health Risks of Tobacco Use
Smoking
and/or using smokeless tobacco kills hundreds of people each year. Tobacco
contains nicotine and several other poisonous chemicals that cause a range of
diseases, including heart problems and cancer. Tobacco use can have a
significant impact on the overall oral health of a child. Some of the effects
of smoking and using smokeless tobacco may include:
To help prevent your children from using tobacco products, it is important to discuss the issue in a way that doesn't make kids fear a punishment or feel as though they are being judged. It is also important to continue talking to children about the dangers of tobacco use throughout their childhood and into adulthood. Discuss ways your child can respond to smoking and peer pressure and encourage their self-confidence, which will help protect them against peer pressure. Visit a kids' dentist with your child for more information on the dangers of smoking and oral health.
Why Kids Begin Smoking
There are
several reasons why children may start smoking. Some of the most common reasons
children may be attracted to smoking and/or chewing tobacco include:- To act older
- To lose weight
- To look cool
- To do something dangerous
- To satisfy curiosity
- To appear tough
- To feel independent
- To win tobacco related merchandise
Signs Your Child May Be Smoking
It is
essential as a parent to establish good communication with
children early to make tricky issues, like smoking, easier. Giving children
information about the risks associated with smoking may help to protect them
from this unhealthy habit. Ask your child’s dentist to talk with them about the
risks to their oral health from smoking and if you suspect your child may be
using tobacco products, make sure they see a kid’s dentist as soon as possible.
Warning signs your child is smoking may include:- Odor of smoke on their clothing
- Bad breath
- Frequent complaints of throat irritation
- Coughing
- Decrease in their athletic performance
- Shortness of breath
- Stained and/or yellow teeth
The Oral and Physical Health Risks of Tobacco Use
Smoking
and/or using smokeless tobacco kills hundreds of people each year. Tobacco
contains nicotine and several other poisonous chemicals that cause a range of
diseases, including heart problems and cancer. Tobacco use can have a
significant impact on the overall oral health of a child. Some of the effects
of smoking and using smokeless tobacco may include:- Throat cancer
- Mouth cancer
- Heart disease
- Bone loss
- Tooth loss
- Gum disease
- Stained teeth
To help prevent your children from using tobacco products, it is important to discuss the issue in a way that doesn't make kids fear a punishment or feel as though they are being judged. It is also important to continue talking to children about the dangers of tobacco use throughout their childhood and into adulthood. Discuss ways your child can respond to smoking and peer pressure and encourage their self-confidence, which will help protect them against peer pressure. Visit a kids' dentist with your child for more information on the dangers of smoking and oral health.
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