Kids and Cavities
I love toothy smiles on little kids! They are just so adorable with all the crookedness, spaceyness, and the crowdedness.
Apparently I’ve only covered oral health once on this blog before. This post I talked about the most cavity causing foods. I think this issue deserves much more coverage.
“Both the US Surgeon General and Congress have recognized tooth decay in children as a “silent epidemic” in America. Tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease.” In addition, oral health has a considerable impact on speech development, learning, nutrition, and self-esteem.
So, how good are your kids at brushing their teeth?
- Do they brush and floss twice a day?
- Do they brush for a full two minutes?
- Do you supplement with fluoride?
My kids have skated by on luck at the dentist because they aren’t very good at brushing. I fight them on it most nights, and mornings are another story altogether. And within a year, I will have 2 kids in braces… with the third child close behind! Do you know how much money that costs these days!! But back to clean teeth: Here is some good tips from Oral B:
- Help children brush until they have developed good habits. (maybe I should have spent more time in this stage)
- Children should not fall asleep with a bottle that contains anything other than water.
- Be aware of the impact of nutrition on oral health such as limiting sugar drinks.
- Focus on prevention such as sealants, fluoride treatments, and filling cavities.
- Plaque covered teeth, bad breath, discoloration, damaged or missing teeth can result in embarrassment and a diminished self image, so start young!
Thanks Oral B! Everyone needs toothbrushes and toothpaste, right? Head over to the giveaway page to win some from Oral B products.
Posted: November 16th, 2009 under Ideas and Issues.
Comments
Comment from angee
Time November 16, 2009 at 9:37 pm
Amy,
Here is a link to an article I wrote about a fun way to teach your children the importance of brushing their teeth. For some reason, using the egg really solidifies it! 
It’s a great activity for children of all ages.
Of course, there is also a fun book to read ’cause that’s what I do on this particular site, but you can just scroll down a bit for the activity, if you want. Maybe this will help some of your readers!
http://blissfullydomestic.com/2009/fun-with-books-nice-try-tooth-fairy
Comment from Dolev Gilmore
Time November 17, 2009 at 6:54 am
If I’m not mistaken, you imply that not only should toothpaste contain fluoride, but that supplementation is on the level of brushing and flossing. Please(!) study up on this subject! Fluoride is a poison and is very damaging if taken internally. My book, “Nutrition and Your Child’s Soul” has a chapter on this. Go into my website and you can read a summary. Seriously, this is an important issue. Fluoride was once used to slow down a hyper thyroid, and is probably a reason why we have such an epidemic of hypothyroidism. There’s a lot more than this wrong with fluoride. In fact, there is enough fluoride in a tube to kill a small child. Please check this out.
Comment from Amy
Time November 17, 2009 at 8:15 am
Interesting information Dolev. I however happen to strongly support the use of fluoride by supplementation. I attribute it to the reason my kids have not had cavities! New York City-based dentist and mom of four, Dr. Jennifer Salzer, recommends that, starting at the age of two, children should use a fluoridated toothpaste to help prevent decay as their teeth continue to develop. But be sure to help your child brush their teeth until good habits are established. Parents should only use a smear of toothpaste until children are able to spit the paste out.
Comment from Dolev Gilmore
Time January 18, 2010 at 9:06 pm
Amy, If you’ll contact me through my website contact form, I’ll be happy to send you the whole chapter on fluoride.
Comment from Emily C
Time November 16, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Lactobacillus is a big cavity-causer; my dentist firmly believes in milk only at mealtimes and never after 6 p.m. No toting milk around all day in sippy cups.