DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My 7-month-old daughter recently got her first tooth. She likes to chew on her teething ring. I want to start good dental habits early and create a routine of brushing her teeth twice a day. When should I introduce a toothbrush so she can get comfortable with it? Do you have any other tips for establishing good oral hygiene early?

ANSWER: Dental infections are one of the most common infections in children. Even though dentistry has come a long way with the latest dental advancements, you still have to play an active role in your own dental care — and your children's.

Children who have decay in their baby teeth are more likely to have decay in their adult teeth. Oral health is whole-person health, and untreated dental disease has been linked to stroke, heart disease and diabetes in adulthood.

Dental caries — otherwise known as tooth decay or cavities — affect many children and adults. Dental caries are an infectious disease caused by bacteria transferred from your mouth, or another caregiver's mouth, to your children's mouth. This disease is nearly entirely preventable through good dental habits and routine checkups with a dentist.

Starting at 6 months, formula should be mixed with fluoride water to make bottles. Nighttime eating increases the risk of tooth decay due to lactose, which is milk sugar. In general, the more carbohydrates a child consumes, the greater chance for cavities.

Every child should have an oral health exam by age 1, or when the first tooth emerges. Regular dental visits should follow every three to six months. Dental care is different for each family, and it could include a pediatric dentist or family dentist; women, infants and children clinics; and even your health care professional's office.

Fluoride varnish should be applied to your children's teeth every three to six months, and often can be applied at their well-child visit by the health care team. This topical fluoride can prevent and even reverse early cavities. Fluoride is a mineral naturally found in water and some food. It strengthens the tooth enamel, the hard outer coating on teeth.

You can establish healthy habits with your child when they are young. By 6 months, children should have fluoride in their water, and children of brushing age should use soft brushes and fluoridated toothpaste. If you don't have access to fluoridated water, your children's health care team can recommend a source of fluoride, including nursery water or fluoride drops or tablets.

Children need supervision with brushing at least halfway through grade school. Parents should always supervise. You can stop supervision when you think your child is doing as good of a job as you would. Brushing two times a day is usually enough, and children should begin flossing as soon as their dentist recommends it.

Frequent snacking increases your children's risk for cavities. The saliva in their mouth is important to prevent cavities. If the mouth frequently has food or sugary liquid, the saliva cannot protect the teeth from decay.

Avoid soda pop, juice and frequent snacking. Not only do they increase the risk of obesity, but the combination of sugar and acid breaks down teeth. The same goes for juice. Juice is just a form of soda pop without carbonation. Instead, choose water to drink between meals and select one or two times daily to have a snack. Also, include food and drinks rich in calcium and vitamin D to help build strong bones and teeth.

You can help your children create a lifetime of healthy dental habits, including cleaning their teeth, regularly visiting a dentist and eating healthy foods. — Dr. Erin Westfall, Family Medicine, Mayo Clinic Health System, Mankato, Minnesota

The post Mayo Clinic Q and A: Keeping children’s teeth healthy appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

It’s National Children’s Dental Health Month, and on this week’s Mayo Clinic Radio Dr. Thomas Salinas will discuss children’s oral health. Also, can erectile dysfunction (ED) predict heart disease? Find out on Mayo Clinic Radio when cardiologist Dr. Stephen Kopecky explains the connection between ED and possible heart problems.

Myth or Matter-of-Fact: Erectile dysfunction can indicate possible heart disease when no other signs are present.

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The next Mayo Clinic Radio will make you smile!  On Saturday, July 19, at 9 a.m. CT, Thomas Salinas, D.D.S., will join us to discuss different aspects of oral health.  We’ll talk about new ways to restore teeth and replacing missing teeth. Also on the list for discussion — the dramatic increase in oral cancers in those afflicted with HPV, how oral health impacts overall health, the affect of certain medications on oral health and the importance of oral health for aging patients.  Join us! Follow #MayoClinicRadio and tweet your questions.

To listen to the program on Saturday, click here. 

Mayo Clinic Radio is available on iHeart Radio.

Listen to this week’s Medical News Headlines: News Segment July 19, 2014 (right click MP3) 

Mayo Clinic Radio is a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic. The show is taped for rebroadcast by some affiliates.

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[You can listen to a podcast of the entire program: Mayo Clinic Radio – Full Show 8-3-2013]

Developing good dental hygiene is especially important for children. On a recent Mayo Clinic Radio show, Thomas Salinas, D.D.S., was a guest expert and he discussed dental health topics, from cavities and canker sores to larger issues such as cleft palates or implants. During the radio program listeners tweeted specific questions and below are Dr. Salinas' answers. *Follow #mayoclinicradio on Saturdays, 9 am CT.

Q: Is brushing twice important?  Can we use oral chemicals to rinse mouth at night?
A:  Assuming twice a day brushing (YES!) and you can use chlorhexidine or cetylpyridinium before bed.

Q: What is the most effective toothpaste?
A: All fluoridated toothpastes with ADA seal are effective.

Q: Won't 4 minutes of brushing wear down enamel over time?
A:  4 minutes of brushing will not appreciably wear down enamel.

Q: How important is the direction you brush?  Which area of mouth needs more attention?
A:  Angle brush 45 degrees to gum with small circular strokes. Spend slightly more time on back teeth.

Q: Isn't fluoride harmful?  Why put it in water?
A:  Fluoride in small quantities as suggested is harmless. 1 part per million is harmless and beneficial.

Q: How do I get rid of gingivitis for good?
A:  Strong attention to regular oral hygiene with disclosing dye, low sugar consumption, regular professional cleanings.

Q: After two extractions, I have painful teeth and gums when it is cold.  Advice?
A: Desensitizing toothpastes, bonding over the root surfaces exposed, coverage of the root with crowns, root canal therapy. (Sequentially in that order if each one does not work.)

Q: Will there be stem cell therapy for tooth regeneration?
A:  There is stem cell regeneration but not refined. Tooth regeneration is still susceptible to decay and periodontal disease. Implants more predictable.

The post Back to School: Dental Health Tips appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

On Saturday, August 3, Thomas Salinas, D.D.S., will join us to discuss dental health.  When it comes to your mouth, problems may arise both large and small.  From small issues like cavities and canker sores to larger issues such as cleft palates or implants, listen in for tips to keep your healthy smile.  

Myth or Matter of Fact:  "Kids are more likely to get cavities than are adults."

Note: You can listen to the program LIVE Saturdays at 9 am CT on I Heart Radio via KROC AM.
The show is taped for rebroadcast by some affiliates. On Twitter follow #mayoradio and tweet your questions.

Listen to this week’s Medical News Headlines at News Segment Aug 3, 2013 (right click MP3).

Mayo Clinic Radio is a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic.

The post MAYO CLINIC RADIO appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

To listen, click the link below

Fluoride

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