When little things become big problems

These past several months of COVID-19 crisis have proven that health is everything and when it comes to health, it's often the little things that count: wash your hands, cover your mouth when you cough, don't touch your face, stay home from work when ill. It seems so simple.

Tooth brushes. photo: YM

And as anyone can see, when the little things aren't taken care of, problems get worse, quickly. While the current measures are hard on everyone, they can still be accomplished: physical distancing, wearing masks or mouth and nose coverings, staying home if at all possible.

For those fortunate enough to be healthy, it is important to keep in mind the daily habits that can help most people emerge from this crisis with health intact. Among other things that can be done to stay healthy, take walks, work out, avoid overeating or too much snacking, keep in touch with loved ones by phone, video, or email, take any regularly needed medications, and brush and floss each day.

Brush and Floss. photo:YM

Currently, most dentists and dental professionals are seeing only emergency patients: those with pain, swelling, or infection. They are trying to keep people out of emergency rooms and safe. Preventative care, like regular dental cleanings, need to be postponed. Plaque, left to grow in the mouth and on the teeth, causes inflammation of the gums and increases inflammation in the body. A cavity, once it starts to form, gets larger without treatment. The daily practice of brushing at least two times a day with a fluoride toothpaste for two minutes and flossing at least once a day can help maintain oral health, and avoid a dental emergency.

If you haven't been taking care of your teeth like you could, now is the perfect time to start. Once it's part of a daily routine, it can remain so for the rest of your life.

Hoping that you and your loved ones are safe and well.

TIP: If you have been sick, throw away your old toothbrush and use a new one. Always allow your toothbrush to air dry and store it in a cabinet.

This blog is not intended to diagnose or treat any dental or medical condition. If you are feeling ill, contact your dental or medical provider. Stay safe and well.

It's Children's Dental Health Month - Baby teeth matter!

It’s National Children’s Dental Health Month! Here are some facts about children’s teeth and tips for childhood tooth care:

 Baby teeth are important: Just because children lose their baby teeth, it does not mean “decay is okay.” Children need to have healthy, strong baby teeth to eat, speak, and smile.

Babies are born with their baby teeth already formed under the gums. This means that baby tooth care needs to start in infancy, before the teeth appear in the mouth! A baby’s gums should be gently wiped with a soft, damp cloth after drinking a bottle or eating. This gets baby used to his or her mouth being cleaned. As soon as the first little tooth appears, it can be brushed with a soft toothbrush using a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste.

Gum pain gels are not necessary and

can cause a rare but life-threatening condition called methemoglobinemia. It is better to let baby chew on a cold cloth or spoon if “teething.” This should relieve baby’s discomfort.

Always use a separate spoon to test baby’s food. Caregivers and parents spread their own mouth’s germs this way. This is especially important if a caregiver has cavities or gum problems.

Never put baby to bed with a bottle with formula, milk or juice. Don’t let a toddler walk around with a sippy cup with formula, milk or juice. These drinks are for meals. The sugar in them can destroy baby teeth pretty quickly. Children should only drink water between meals.

Lift the lip to check baby’s teeth at least once a month. White spots or lines near the gums may be the start of cavities. Baby teeth should be smooth and all one color. White, brown or black spots indicates cavities. If the teeth are being wiped or brushed daily, this should not happen.

Children start to lose their front teeth at about 6-7 years of age, so those front permanent teeth coming in are obvious. Not so obvious are the first permanent molars that erupt in the back of the mouth around the same age. If daily brushing and flossing aren’t already being done, that can hurt those teeth!

Flossing, too? Yes. While baby teeth usually have space between them that the tooth brush can reach, sometimes they don’t.

As soon as “teeth touch” they should be flossed to remove plaque germs that grow in between the teeth.

Baby teeth fall out over time and kids still have some of them until they are 12-13 years old. Baby teeth hold the space for the permanent teeth coming in.

Cavities are the NUMBER ONE chronic disease in children, more common than asthma. A cavity is a bacterial infection in a tooth!

Dental pain affects a child’s ability to learn and thrive. Dental emergencies cost parents and kids thousands of lost school and work hours. (Emergency room visits for dental issues cost Americans over $1.5 billion dollars in 2012!)

The cost of an amalgam (metal) filling can be well over $100 dollars - depending on how much of the tooth surface is affected, it can be much more. Composite (white) fillings cost even more. If a tooth needs to be “capped” it can run into thousands of dollars! Compare that to the cost of a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss.

Dental decay is preventable! Unless there is an underlying medical condition, cavities are caused by not brushing and flossing and eating or drinking sugar too often. A well-balanced diet helps the mouth and the body to stay healthy!

Preventing childhood cavities is so important and easy to do but young children need a hand. Pediatricians and dentists recommend the first dental visit by age one and that children up until age nine should have help and supervision while brushing.

Brush Morning & Night chart - ym 2017

This information is not intended to treat or diagnose any condition. If you think you or a loved one needs medical or dental treatment, please see a doctor or dentist right away!

Sources: ADA.org, APA.org, ncohf.org