Fluoride: Keeping Kids’ Teeth Healthy

Do you remember going to the dentist as a child? Remember your cleaning ending with a funny tasting fluoride gel squishing out the sides of mouth trays? Four minutes was a LONG time. The good news is that fluoride flavors have improved and everyone today only has to swish or sit for one minute making it much easier to do. 
Some offices use fluoride varnish and “paint” fluoride on the children’s teeth. The varnish sticks to the tooth’s surface. Fluoride products can also be purchased over the counter and used daily, such as in toothpastes, rinses, and other dental products, even embedded in dental floss! 
What is Fluoride?
Fluoride is the thirteenth most common element in our earth’s crust and is naturally present in most water sources, even in the oceans. So fluoride is a mineral that naturally helps fight tooth decay. That is why it is often called, “nature’s cavity fighter.”
American Dental Association research shows that fluoride helps repair the early stages of tooth decay even before the decay can be seen. Fluoride helps prevent cavities in children and adults by making teeth more resistant to the acid attacks that cause cavities.  When people brush their teeth with fluoride toothpaste, or use other fluoride dental products, they are preventing cavities and strengthening teeth’s enamel.
Many families don’t have access to fluoridated water because they live in areas that aren’t able to fluoridate, such as areas with their own well water. Families today are “on the go” and grab bottled water to drink or worse, a sugary drink such as soda pop, flavored coffee drinks, or juice boxes. Most of the bottled water doesn’t contain significant amounts of fluoride. Although bottled water is better to drink, these children and adults are missing out on the benefits of fluoridated water. 
Healthy Fluids  
Find out if you have fluoride in your water by contacting your local health department.  If you don’t have fluoride in your drinking water, your dentist can write a fluoride prescription for children. Fluoride supplements such as drops or tablets help strengthen the teeth forming under young gums. 
   Make drinking water fun. Families can purchase water bottles or water bottle decorating kits at local stores. You can also make personalized water bottles via online photo programs, such as Shutterfly. Then families can use their own tap water.

   Keep a special water bottle at home for grandchildren to use. Make a “dental overnight bag” together and let your grandchild pick out a special toothbrush, and fluoride toothpaste. Brush teeth together. Check they brush properly and examine results. Children are notorious for faking it.

  Guest writer is Rebecca Maino, dental health care professional.

Photos: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wmeschoolkids.JPG
This Image was released by the United States Navy with the ID 070622-N-6278K-006

More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest

Taking Good Care of Family Teeth

American homes are now loaded with Halloween candy and pounds of sugar, an important link with bacteria in tooth decay. Did you know that an estimated 51.7 million school hours are lost each year due to dental-related illness?  However, most tooth decay is easily preventable according to the American Dental Association research and reports.

  There are a few major trends that are creating more tooth decay. There are many gummy items for purchase, such as gummy vitamins and gummy snacks for children.  Gummy equals sticky. Sticky things that contain sugar get stuck on your teeth and combine with sugar for tooth decay!

  Americans are also a population on the go.  Some families take sugary drinks and juices to sip on all day long. Sipping all day long or chewing on gummy snacks sets up anyone for tooth decay. If family members, especially children, are not able to brush their teeth after meals because they are at work or school, their teeth will be bathing in decay -causing acids created by the bacteria in the mouth.  These acid attacks last for about 20 minutes. If the acid attacks are frequent throughout the day, tooth decay can occur.

Good Teeth Health Choices

  Making good food and drink choices can help reduce family tooth decay. Stay away from food that can stick to your teeth, such as gummy snacks, caramel, or sugary candy. If you can’t brush your teeth after you eat, drink water in between meals and/or chew on sugarless gum. Pack water and ice cubes thermos for children to sip.

   According to the ADA, chewing on sugarless gum increases the flow of saliva, which washes away food and other debris. It neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth. Increased saliva flow also carries with it more calcium and phosphate to help strengthen tooth enamel. Of course, chewing sugarless gum is not a replacement for daily tooth brushing, flossing, or regular dental checkups. 

Visit the Dentist

  Dentists encourage children as young as one year old to visit the dental office.  By doing this, families establish a “Dental Home” and help children be more familiar with the dental staff. 

  Besides limiting the amount of candy stash children eat, what else can families do? Here are helpful tooth tips for a healthier smile:

·  Brush after meals and before bedtime.  If you can only brush once a day, make sure it is before you go to sleep.

·  Use a soft toothbrush with fluoride toothpaste and floss at least once a day. 

·  If you don’t have access to a toothbrush during the day, drink water and chew sugarless gum.

·  Visit your dentist regularly!  Twice a year is best to prevent any problems before they become severe.

·  If adults take care of their smile, (grand) children will too. 

   Make a tooth-brushing chart.  Children can help decorate the calendar-like chart. They can earn a star or a sticker when they brush their teeth and inspected by an adult. At the end of the week, they can earn a prize, such as going to a movie or watching a movie at home while staying up a little later. Thank you to guest writer Rebecca Maino, R.D.H. 

Photos: Fran Darling-fdarling fotos; Mark Nowicki

More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest