[by Capt Mike Hoge, D.M.D.]
February is Children’s Dental Health Month, and the Cannon AFB Dental Clinic would like to help you to ensure excellent oral health for your children.
Did you know that tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease? According to the National Institute of Health, cavities are 5 times more common than asthma and 7 times more common than hay fever. Over half of children between the ages of 5 and 9 have cavities or fillings and by age 17, that increases to four out of every five. (source: NIH).
So, you didn’t think of cavities as a disease? The truth is, cavities are the result of an infection of the mouth by acid-producing bacteria that dissolve away your child’s teeth. Left untreated, they can cause severe pain and problems in eating, speaking, and learning. It is estimated that 51 million school hours are lost each year to dental-related illness.
Here are some simple recommendations to help protect your children from dental related illness:
Regular Check-ups:
Get your child established with a local dentist and bring him or her in for regular check-ups. Seek dental insurance for your child. Studies have shown that uninsured children are 2.5 times less likely than insured children to receive dental care (source: NIH). Active duty dependents are eligible for the Tricare Family Plan. For information regarding enrollment, call 1-888-734-1944 or go online towww.tricaredentalprogram.com.
Brushing and Flossing:
Help your child to properly brush and floss his or her teeth. Even with the best of intentions, kids still need help brushing until they are at least six years of age. Brushing should be accomplished for two minutes twice a day. Monitor the amount of toothpaste they use; any more than a pea size amount can result in the ingestion of excess fluoride.
Sugar Intake:
Watch the intake of sugary beverages and snacks. The average American teenage boy consumes 81 gallons of soft drinks each year! (Source: American Dental Association) This frequent exposure to sugar provides food for oral bacteria, which in turn produce the acid that “eats away” at the enamel, the protective outer layer of teeth. Try substituting water for juice or soft drinks and providing healthy snacks if your children are hungry between meals.
Gum Chewing:
If your child chews gum, consider sugarless gum. The act of chewing can remove plaque from teeth and stimulate the production of saliva, which helps to counteract the effects of acid. Chewing gum with Xylitol, a type of sugar substitute, has the additional benefit of inhibiting bacteria in the mouth.
Water Fluoridation:
Fluoridated drinking water, when set to the correct levels, can be highly effective in preventing tooth decay. However, when developing teeth are exposed to excessive fluoride, spotting of the teeth can result. The tap water here in Eastern New Mexico has naturally occurring fluoride at approximately double the level recommended by the ADA and should not be consumed in large amounts by pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children under the age of 12. The low fluoride tap at the water plant on base is a reliable source of ideally-fluoridated water.
Mouth Guards:
Mouth guards are a great way to protect your child’s teeth when participating in sports. Experts now recommend that mouth guards be worn not only for contact sports, but also for non-contact sports such as gymnastics and rollerblading. There are three different types of mouth guards: Ready-made or stock, boil-and-bite, and custom made. While all three provide protection, they vary in comfort, durability and cost.
We hope that these recommendations will help you to keep your children healthy and free of the oral health issues that impact the lives of so many children. Questions can be directed to Dr. Hoge at the Cannon Air Force Base dental clinic by calling 575-784-4041.
