Archive for the ‘Children’s Oral Health’ Category

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month.  In the spirit of Children’s Dental Health Month we wanted to bring you some information that we feel is important for you to know.  We often get many questions from parents about their children’s developing smile regarding what to expect and how best to care for them.  Below is more information that can be helpful as you help your child maintain proper oral health as they grow.

The Growing Years: From Birth to Six…

People usually think of a newborn baby as having no teeth, but the 20 primary teeth that will erupt in the next three years are already present at birth in the baby’s jawbones.  A baby’s front four teeth usually erupt first, typically at about six months of age- although some children do not get their first tooth until 12 to 14 months.  As soon as teeth appear in your child’s mouth, decay can occur. One of the risk factors for early childhood cavities (sometimes referred to as baby bottle tooth decay) is frequent and prolonged exposure of a baby’s teeth to liquids containing sugar; including milk, breast milk, formula and fruit juice.  It is very important to remember that you should schedule your child’s first visit to the dentist at around 1 year old or when they start getting their first teeth.

As our children grow, a good diet is essential for growth and development.  Like the rest of the body, the teeth, bones and soft tissues of the mouth need a well-balanced diet.  Our children’s pre-school years are an important time to help establish good eating habits.  Children should eat a variety of foods from the five major food groups; fruits, vegetables, breads and other grain products, milk, meats and alternates, such as dry beans and peas, eggs and nuts.

The Growing Years: From Six to 12…

At about age six, although sometimes it may start earlier, children begin to lose their front teeth on top and bottom.  During the next six years or so, permanent teeth gradually will replace the primary teeth.  The first molars usually erupt between ages five and six.  It is at this time that Dental Sealants are recommended to keep these teeth protected for the long life they have ahead; because these will be the oldest teeth in our children’s mouth when they reach adulthood.  These teeth will have been exposed to a lot more decay causing elements than all the other teeth.  A sealant is a plastic material that is applied to the chewing surface of healthy, cavity-free premolars and molars, where decay occurs most often. The sealant acts as a barrier, protecting the decay- prone areas of the back teeth from plaque and acid attacks.

The Growing Year: From 12 to adulthood…

From age 12 continuing on to adulthood are crucial ages to maintain optimal oral health.  Regular dental visits are vital to keeping a healthy smile, for at these visits the dentist examines our children’s mouth for tooth decay and growth or proper development conditions that could possibly pose a problem in the future.  At these ages, the last of the permanent teeth are erupting and constantly shifting; which can lead to malocclusion or an “improper bite.”  This is a condition which the teeth are crowded, crooked, or out of proper alignment.  If this is the situation, an orthodontic evaluation is recommended; early examination and treatment may help prevent and reduce the severity of malocclusion.  Orthodontics not only helps move teeth to their proper places, but also because your child’s teeth will be in the correct position, they will be easier to keep clean and cavity free. Let’s all work together to ensure that nothing, including tooth decay, malocclusion, and gum disease is standing in our children’s way of achieving and maintaining optimal oral health.

Remember Mom and Dad, good oral health habits begin at home with you.  As you well know, your children are constantly watching and learning from you.  Studies have shown that children whose parents have poor oral health habits and do not visit the dentist regularly will grow up with the same belief and neglect their oral health.  Poor oral health has been linked to serious health conditions including heart disease and diabetes.  Let’s all work together to be role models and teachers for our children and encourage good oral health so that wonderful smile that warms your heart will last for their lifetime!

Tips to maintain Tip Top Teeth throughout you Child’s life:

• Infants and Toddlers: After every feeding, wipe your baby’s gums either with a clean, wet gauze pad or a washcloth. This removes plaque and residual food that can harm erupting teeth.
• Toddlers: Brush and floss your child’s teeth until the child has developed the necessary skills to do so themselves.
• Bring your child with to your next dental reservation so they may become acquainted and comfortable with the office, the dentist and the staff. Also schedule your child’s first reservation with the dentist early (around 1 year old)…Good habits can never start too early!

About HPS Advanced Dental Care, PC

Dr. Heather Pranzarone Stratton is a Family and Cosmetic Dentist practicing with a Biological and Biocompatible philosophy in Shelby Township, Michigan. Our practice provides a full range of Family and Cosmetic Dentistry services for your entire family including, professional cleanings and oral cancer screenings, tooth restoration, porcelain veneers, crowns, bridges, root canal therapy, tooth whitening, and dentures.  We are a mercury free and mercury safe dental practice and latex free practice.  HPS Advanced Dental Care, PC easily serves Macomb and Oakland Counties.  We are easily accessible from many metro Detroit cities including: Shelby Township, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Macomb Township, Oakland Township, Washington, Birmingham, Troy, Sterling Heights, Clinton Township, and many more.

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It seems that everyone you talk to these days has been affected by tough economic conditions.  Do you know anyone who isn’t trying to save money by cutting back on discretionary purchases that they may have taken for granted just a few months ago?  A new car?  It can wait.  New kitchen cabinets?  They can wait.  Caribbean vacation?  Make that a “staycation.” Gourmet coffee?  Home-brewed tastes pretty good these days.  Being frugal in an uncertain economy is not a bad thing – we’re all doing it to some extent.

However, there are some things that should always remain on the “must have” list unless your financial situation is critical.  One such example is oral healthcare for you and your family.  For many Michiganders, maintaining proper oral health via regular dental visits and compliance with a dentist-recommended treatment plan are being given a very low priority that can only be described as neglect.

To be completely frank, your Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait!  Unfortunately, many people still believe that the only time they really need to see a dentist is when they feel pain.  Ouch!  That hurts us because, as caring dental professionals, we’re primarily focused on disease and pain prevention when our patients allow us to do so.

However, we see it time and time again – patients wait until emergency conditions arise, i.e. – broken tooth, severe pain, swelling etc. In virtually every one of these cases, the necessary and immediate course of treatment is much more invasive and costly than if the patients had been proactive and allowed us to diagnose these conditions early or take steps to prevent them entirely. Perhaps you yourself have “been there, done that.”  If so, you should agree that oral healthcare is a perfect example of an “ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure.”

Did you know that what you can’t see or feel happening in your mouth can still hurt you?  Recent studies have linked undiagnosed and untreated periodontal disease with increased complications for patients with heart disease, diabetes, and other systemic health conditions including some cancers. The latest medical research also indicates that maintaining optimum oral health is vital for one’s overall health and well-being.

Although many are postponing dental treatment due to economic factors, the fact is that many Michiganders actually have adequate dental benefits that they are not taking full advantage of – even though they pay for a portion of the dental benefits! Our office staff can help ensure that you are taking full advantage of your allotted and deserved dental benefits – especially those routine hygiene visits that can go a long way in preventing cavities and periodontal disease.

Even if you don’t have dental benefits, you can maintain the oral health of you and your family by discussing flexible, interest free payment plans with our office staff or using a major credit card, which we accept as well.

Our goal it to help you achieve your Optimal Oral Health based on what is most important to you.  We strive to provide you, your family, and friends with the highest level of care in the most trusted, modern, state-of-the-art, friendly, relaxed, and enjoyable environment.  Call us today to schedule a visit to begin your journey to the smile you have all ways wanted!

About HPS Advanced Dental Care, PC

Dr. Heather Pranzarone Stratton is a Family and Cosmetic Dentist practicing with a Biological and Biocompatible philosophy in Shelby Township, Michigan. Our practice provides a full range of Family and Cosmetic Dentistry services for your entire family including, professional cleanings and oral cancer screenings, tooth restoration, porcelain veneers, crowns, bridges, root canal therapy, tooth whitening, and dentures.  We are a mercury free and mercury safe dental practice and latex free practice.  HPS Advanced Dental Care, PC easily serves Macomb and Oakland Counties.  We are easily accessible from many metro Detroit cities including: Shelby Township, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Macomb Township, Oakland Township, Washington, Birmingham, Troy, Sterling Heights, Clinton Township, and many more.

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Dental caries (tooth decay) is the single most common chronic childhood disease – 5 times more common than asthma and 7 times more common than hay fever.  Recent studies have also shown a link between oral disease and low birth weight, cardiovascular disease, respiratory infection, and diabetes.  All of this reinforces what we have all known for a long time – the health of your mouth affects your overall health.

The good news is tooth decay can be prevented with self-care (daily brushing and flossing), fluoride, and sealants.

So, how does poor oral health affect your child’s learning or performance in school?  Dental disease is one of the top causes of absenteeism among elementary school children.  The Office of the U.S. Surgeon General calls dental and oral diseases a “silent epidemic.”   The report stated that nearly 52 million hours of school are lost each year due to dental-related illness.  The symptom that goes hand-in-hand with dental disease is pain.  Pain from oral disease will keep students from concentrating and learning.  Any kind of pain or discomfort around the head will be a big distraction and keep their mind from focusing on the tasks at hand, like math, science, English, history, etc.  Pain and swelling are both symptoms of severe disease.  Sadly, these severe cases are common in our classrooms.

What can we do to improve our children’s oral health?  Unlike taking care of your ears, caring for your mouth requires daily attention, as well as visits to the dentist office for professional care on a regular basis – every 6 months.  Remember, tooth decay is preventable.  That is why it is vital that all children start seeing a dentist at an early age, as early as 12 months old.  Children that see visit a dentist on a regular basis take better care of their teeth and gums and do not have the significant problems that are often present in children who never visit the dentist.  This also gives us the opportunity to identify problems early before they escalate into larger, more expensive problems to treat.

Many people are not aware that poor oral health can have serious effects on overall health.  I have often heard people say, “Oh, they’re just baby teeth, they’ll fall out anyway.”  What they don’t realize is that if you have tooth decay early in childhood, you have a good predictor of future decay.  Establish good oral health habits early. When your child is 12 months old, you can begin using toothpaste, without fluoride, when brushing his or her teeth. However, only use a pea-sized portion on the brush and press it into the bristles so your child won’t eat it.  And, when the gaps between your child’s teeth close, it’s important to start flossing.  Serve as a good role model by practicing good oral health care habits yourself.  Check your child’s mouth for any signs of gum disease, including bleeding gums, swollen and bright red gums, gums that are receding away from the teeth and bad breath.  Let’s all work together to ensure that nothing, including tooth decay and gum disease, is standing in our children’s way of getting the most out of the classroom.

About HPS Advanced Dental Care, PC

Dr. Heather Pranzarone Stratton is a Family and Cosmetic Dentist practicing with a Biological and Biocompatible philosophy in Shelby Township,Michigan. Our practice provides a full range of Family and Cosmetic Dentistry services for your entire family including, professional cleanings and oral cancer screenings, tooth restoration, porcelain veneers, crowns, bridges, root canal therapy, tooth whitening, and dentures.  We are a mercury free and mercury safe dental practice and latex free practice.  HPS Advanced Dental Care, PC easily serves Macomb and Oakland Counties.  We are easily accessible from many metro Detroit cities including: Shelby Township, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Macomb Township, Oakland Township, Washington, Birmingham, Troy, Sterling Heights, Clinton Township, and many more.

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