Friday Funnies

Happy Friday everyone from Total Care Dentistry!
We found these comics hilarious!
(Thank you to the folks at Dental Art & Humor!)

Candy doesn't cause cavities! (ok, keep reading...)

      We've all heard the phrase "sweet tooth," and many of us have one! It might be that secret desire to go gorge yourself on a giant ice cream sundae with all the sprinkles, nuts and fixing's  possible at the local self-serve ice cream bar, or maybe its that gotta-have-it chocolate bar you grab at the

convenience store when no one's looking. Sometimes you've just got to give in to that need for a sweet fix! We know you do it, we do too!

      No one knows for sure where the phrase originated, some believe it was derived from the toothache you may feel when eating sugar, others say it's just the food-mouth connection. While opinions are split, people have referred to the "sweet tooth" since the 1400's as the desire to eat sweet foods. You can imagine our surprise when we staffers at Total Care Dentistry heard Dr. Dooley say it's OK to have sweets, "go ahead, it's that time of year," she said recently. What????? "Sweets don't give you cavities, that's only part of the story," she continued.

      We had to hear more! Did we just get a free pass to eat sweets? Really? They won't hurt our teeth? Turns out Dr. Dooley's main point was that eating sugary treats isn't bad, as long as you don't let the residue sit inside your mouth afterwards. Candies and treats that are heavily chewed are concerning when you don't brush the leftovers out of the crevices of your teeth. Removing the gummy remnants and even flossing it out of tight spaces makes a major difference!  Don't take this the wrong way, sugar isn't good for you. But simply eating a piece of candy won't hurt your teeth as long as you are diligent about your oral hygiene. Otherwise, the sugar you ate, can eat your teeth. Here's the scientific explanation for all you detail types:

"When sugar is consumed, particularly sucrose, naturally occurring bacteria inside the mouth interact with the sugar and produce acids that demineralize enamel on teeth. This demineralization process creates dental caries (lesions on teeth), which produce pain and, if left untreated, will erode and destroy teeth."  (National Institutes of Health)

That said, if you experience pain or sensitivity when eating sweets, that could signal a problem. Please schedule an appointment to have the tooth examined and treated.


Willy Wonka's dad was a dentist after all, he had to know something about the whole thing, right?

BRUSH!

So the next time a major candy holiday comes around, you can tell you Trick or Treater or Easter basket binger to go ahead... they may get a sugar high and bounce off the walls for a bit... but as long as they brush after they chow down, they should be just fine! Oh, and you should be too!

Wednesday humor

Happy Wednesday! We hope these will humor you through the rest of the week!

 

 

 

 

What makes you smile?

Back to school tips and tricks!

With just a few weeks remaining until the school bells ring again, it's time to start thinking about back to school lists. For most parents, the list gets more lengthy every year. A few more composition books, then a gadget shows up on the list... before you know it they'll need their own laptops and tablets for college. Never fear, our back to school tips and tricks aren't pricey, and they'll help keep your kids healthy, too!

Pack or prepare after school snacks like popcorn. They're
sugarless, taste great and can be strung for out of
class time projects!

Your child's teacher will be the one influencing much of her day, but your presence can be felt in other ways. We love little post-its in lunch boxes, and handwritten notes from home on napkins. They go a long way in making your child smile. But also consider the foods in your lunch from home. Fruit rolls and raisins are popular additions to the mid-day meal, but they aren't the most tooth friendly. Because of the gummy texture, fruit rolls, raisins and similar type foods can stick in the "nooks and crannies" of the teeth and cause cavities. Instead, consider fresh fruits. Fresh fruits are a more instant source of energy for your child. Fruits like apples and bananas are best because they are not acidic and require little effort for your child to chow down!

Instead of a juice box or mini can of soda, consider sending a bottled water and flavor packet. Check the sugar content of the flavoring first as there are no-sugar and no artificial sweetener versions available. Juices are yummy, but should be limited to 8 ounces a day. Additionally, the high sugar content is not only poor nutrition but also can again, lead to cavities! Chances are your child needs to replenish her water stores from gym class or recess anyway!

Ask your child's elementary school teacher if dental health is part of any lesson planned for the year. You might consider scheduling your child's dental appointment around that time to help drive the lesson home. If not, our website is full of resources that can help you instruct your child on proper techniques and overall good oral hygiene!

Finally, if your child is one of the very few who will brush at school, fantastic! Reward her, she's doing great! But don't forget to encourage everyone else to brush after that after school snack. Any time we brush after meals we're doing our mouths a favor.

Enjoy this new school year! Your lesson for today is over :)

Saving Face: Kids & Sports Mouth Guards

The spring sports season is almost upon us, are you ready? Hopefully you've begun sorting through last year's gear, helmets, bats, sticks, balls, pads, shin guards, tape, all the fun stuff moms and dads get to lug around in the name of playful competition. But you're probably missing one essential piece of equipment. An athletic mouth guard should be on your checklist.

The American Dental Association recommends the use of them for many collision and contact sports. A recent article found on their website says players of all ages, genders and skill levels are at risk of sustaining dental injuries in sporting activities, even if it's just a recreational league game. While collision and contact sports, such as boxing, have inherent injury risks, dental injuries are also prevalent in non-contact activities and exercises, such as gymnastics and skating.

On the radar for spring: Softball, baseball, soccer, field hockey, lacrosse and outdoor volleyball. If your child is signing up for one of these sports, consider a guard. Just don't confuse a face guard with a mouthguard. Custom mouth guards are the only way your perfect smile will be protected. It could save you (and your child) a lot of pain and frustration later! By the way, if you do lose a tooth while enjoying a game, check out my FAQ's for tips on what to do next!

FDA Warning for parents!

Every parent knows the sound. Every parents feels the pain. The moment your baby starts teething you are thrown into a tizzy, searching for anything you can to relieve his cries. In the dark of the night, you reach for little bottle promising to help soothe the pain, fumble for a cotton swab and dab it on. But wait, new information tells us this solution has a serious flaw.

Last year, the  Food and Drug Administration released a warning and complete press release about the use of benzocaine, the main ingredient in over the counter gel and liquid pain relievers for gum and mouth pain. You can find benzocaine sold under the names Anbesol, Hurricane, Orajel, Baby Orajel, and more store brands. To summarize the FDA's findings, the benzocaine can cause a condition called methemoglobinemia that lessens the amount of oxygen in the blood and has in some cases, resulted in death. People who develop methemoglobinemia can have the following symptoms:

1. Pale, blue or grey colored skin, lips or nail beds
2. Shortness of breath
3. Fatigue
4. Confusion
5. Headache
6. Lightheadedness
7. Rapid heart rate

If you or your child has these symptoms, get medical help immediately.

So what's a parent to do when baby's first tooth makes a painful entrance? Think back and remember a few more traditional or "old fashioned" methods of pain relief. A teething ring kept ready in the refrigerator can do wonders (never freeze the teether as it need to remain pliable), as will your own finger rubbing gently on her gums.

Of course small children are not the only users of benzocaine. Adults who use the gel or liquids should always remember to follow the directions on the packaging. Dental pain can be dulled by the use of these over the counter medications, but treatment is most likely necessary. Call us, or drop in if you're experiencing dental pain severe enough you believe a topical pain killer is needed!

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

     As the second installment in our special posts related to National Childrens Dental Health Month, we'll be taking a look at "baby bottle tooth decay." Many parents are confused by this term. Afterall, most children are fed by a bottle at some point in their infancy. How can your method of caring for your precious little one be causing big problems?
     Your child’s baby teeth are at risk for decay as soon as they first appear-which is typically around age six months. This is when the American Dental Association recommends your child has her first visit to the dentist. Decay most often occurs in the upper front teeth, but other teeth may also be affected. In some cases, infants and toddlers have experienced decay so severe that the teeth cannot be repaired and need to be removed. 

This example shows early decay of baby teeth. Notice the discoloration.

     Tooth decay can occur when the baby is put to bed with a bottle, or when a bottle is used as a pacifier for a fussy baby. The sugary liquids pool around the teeth while the child sleeps. Bacteria in the mouth eat the sugars like food and grow. They then produce acids that attack the teeth. Each time your child drinks these liquids, acids attack for 20 minutes or longer. After multiple attacks, the teeth can decay. Pacifiers dipped in sugar or honey can also lead to tooth decay since the sugar or honey can provide food for the bacteria’s acid attacks. 
     Most people are unaware that parents and caregivers play an unwitting role in passing decay causing bacteria to babies. These bacteria are passed through the saliva. When the mother puts the baby’s feeding spoon in her mouth, or cleans a pacifier in her mouth, the bacteria are passed to the baby. Children need strong, healthy teeth to chew their food, speak and have a good-looking smile. Baby teeth also keep a space in the jaw for the adult teeth. If a baby tooth is lost too early, the teeth beside it may drift into the empty space. When it's time for the adult teeth to come in, there may not be enough room. This can make the teeth crooked or crowded. Starting infants off with good oral care can help protect their teeth for decades to come.
    If you have questions about your child's oral health, don't be afraid to ask. You can schedule appointments for your children online on our website, or call 757-486-4880.


Source: American Dental Association

National Childrens Dental Health Month

    Each February, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. This year's campaign is called "Rock Your Smile." The association has many resources for kids available online  for parents and teachers wanting to reinforce the program.

     Helping your child understand how to care for their overall health is the most important thing you can teach. Poor oral health care is linked to heart disease and that is the number one killer in the United States today! To help you get your child off to a good start, here are a few tips:

1. Start early!
     Begin brushing your child's teeth as soon as the first tooth appears. You don't need to use tooth paste, just a little water and your finger a first, then a baby tooth brush that's soft and won't hurt her irritated gums. The four front teeth generally begin to appear around 6 months of age.

2. Brush with your child
     Children learn best by good example. Put tooth paste (a pea-sized amount) on your child's toothbrush and brush at the same time if you can. Help your child by brushing for them, using proper technique to ensure the teeth are clean, after they've done their best job. Most children should brush well by themselves by age 6 or 7. Remember to make sure they know to spit out toothpaste and not to swallow. Flossing cannot be overlooked, either! Floss for your child and ask us to help teach the basics, too.
     We have made several videos available for parents to help teach kids how to brush, and how to relax while in our offices. You can find them under the pediatric tab on our Dental Videos page.

3. Make an appointment
     The American Dental Association recommends taking your child to the dentist by their first birthday for a "well baby check up." Check with your dentist first to see when they would like to see your child.
     If your child is elementary aged, try to schedule their cleanings in the morning. Most children are on their best behavior in the morning and will hear what the dentist is saying best, then. Your child will likely be more cooperative for the dentist or hygienist at that time also!
     In the case of pre-adolescents, I may recommend sealants. Sealants are an excellent barrier against cavities and in many cases are covered by insurance!

4. Keep it up!
     You can make a big impact on your child's oral and overall health by keeping up some good behaviors everyday. Provide them will a well-balanced diet, with healthy snacks. Limit sugary snacks and always encourage brushing after every meal. Foods like raisins are healthy for you, but stick to the teeth like candy. Brushing well can counteract the snack!

Resources for kids:

Dental Health Crossword Puzzle
McGrinn and Smiley coloring sheet
Healthy Smile Certificate
Word Decoder Activity


Sources: American Dental Association