Growing Together - Summer 2001

Winter 2005
Vol. 29, No. 1

Flu tips for professionals

If you are a professional caregiver, you may be able to receive credit by completing the online education module on influenza. This module – Deja Flu – What’s old and new with influenza – can be completed on Dayton Children’s website ( www.childrensdayton.org
– follow link from home page).

Although it is designed for professionals, the module is a good source of information for interested parents and families.

Take a few minutes today to learn more about the latest flu vaccines and treatment.

Brush up on disease prevention
What is the number-one infectious disease?
You may be surprised by the answer.

It’s dental caries – or tooth decay – according to Gordon Womack, DDS, a pediatric dentist on staff at The Children’s Medical Center of Dayton.

“Tooth decay can usually be prevented, but it’s still the most common chronic disease in children between the ages of 5 and 17 years,” he says. In his practice at Dayton Children’s, Dr. Womack treats around 1,000 children every month for tooth decay. While many children can avoid tooth decay through simple preventive measures, parents may not always know the importance of early dental care.

Start early
“Helping your children develop proper dental hygiene begins early,” he emphasizes. Parents are encouraged to start cleaning baby’s mouth within a few days after birth by wiping the gums with a damp washcloth or gauze pad after baby feeds to remove plaque. This also helps the child become more comfortable with regular dental hygiene as he or she gets older.

Regular cleaning is even more important after the first tooth appears. This usually occurs at 6-12 months of age. At that time, the first dental appointment should be scheduled. “As soon as teeth appear, decay can occur,” says Dr. Womack. The first appointment will include an exam and a time to ask your dentist questions about caring for your child’s teeth.

The role of sugar and starches
Baby-bottle tooth decay is a serious form of tooth decay seen in young children. This occurs when infants are allowed to nurse continuously from a bottle of milk, formula, sugar water or fruit juice during naps or at night. The sugar in these “bathes” the teeth, increasing the chance for decay.

Parents may have the misconception that baby teeth (or primary teeth) don’t matter – after all they will eventually be replaced by permanent teeth, right? While they will be replaced eventually, some primary teeth remain intact until a child is 10-13 years old. This is a long time to deal with the pain and embarrassment of decayed teeth and bad breath.

“Eating a diet high in sugar and starches is one of the key causes of tooth decay,” says Dr. Womack. It is important that children brush after meals at least twice a day to prevent sugar from staying on the teeth too long. This leads to the development of bacteria that accumulate on teeth to form plaque. The bacteria in plaque produce acids that cause tooth decay.

For further information on pediatric dental care, visit the website for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry – www.aapd.org.

Important Dental Care Tips

Ask your dentist to recommend a toothbrush for your child. Children need smaller brushes specifically designed for them.Use toothpaste when your child is old enough not to swallow it.
Fluoride is important in preventing tooth decay. Depending on fluoride levels in your drinking water, children may need fluoride treatments. Talk to your child’s dentist.
Reduce the amount of sugars and starches in the diet. Eat a variety of foods from the five major food groups. Snacks high in sugar and starch are particularly bad for your child’s teeth. Avoid snacks just before bed.
Don’t use the baby bottle as a pacifier. Avoid liquids containing sugar such as sweetened water, fruit juices and soft drinks. Don’t put baby to bed with a bottle.
Begin regular checkups with a pediatric dentist as soon as teeth erupt.
Some medications are high in sugar. If your child must take regular medications, talk to your child’s dentist about preventing tooth decay.
Injuries to the teeth or gums should be evaluated by your child’s dentist. Even injuries that appear minor can affect the buds of developing permanent teeth.

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Table of Contents

1 Preventing childhood burns

2 HealthBeat

3 A new procedure that's easy to swallow

4 Brush up on disease prevention

5 K99.1FM Miracle Marathon makes a million miracles happen

6 Preparing your child for a hospital visit

7 NewsBriefs

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