Water should be the source of hydration for children and adolescents

AAP: Kids should not consume energy drinks

By Karen Fox, ADA News staff

Dr. Brett Dorney

Dentists routinely caution patients about the over-consumption of soda pop, juice and sports drinks that pack little if any nutritional value and take a toll on teeth.

Now the American Academy of Pediatrics is taking aim at energy and sports drinks, saying that in most cases, kids don’t need them and some products contain substances that can be harmful to children.

In the June issue of Pediatrics, the report’s co-authors point out the differences between sports drinks and energy drinks.

Sports drinks—which contain carbohydrates, minerals, electrolytes and flavoring—are intended to replace water and electrolytes lost through sweating during exercise. Sports drinks can be helpful for young athletes engaged in prolonged, vigorous physical activities, but in most cases they are unnecessary on the sports field or in the school lunchroom.

“For most children engaging in routine physical activity, plain water is best,” said Holly J. Benjamin, M.D., co-author. “Sports drinks contain extra calories that children don’t need and could contribute to obesity and tooth decay. It’s better for children to drink water during and after exercise, and to have the recommended intake of juice and low-fat milk with meals. Sports drinks are not recommended as beverages to have with meals.”

Energy drinks contain substances not found in sports drinks that act as stimulants, such as caffeine, guarana and taurine.

Caffeine—by far the most popular stimulant—has been linked to a number of harmful health effects in children, including effects on the developing neurologic and cardiovascular systems. Energy drinks are never appropriate for children or adolescents, said Dr. Benjamin and co-author Marcie Beth Schneider, M.D. In general, caffeine-containing beverages, including soda, should be avoided.

“In many cases, it’s hard to tell how much caffeine is in a product by looking at the label,” Dr. Schneider said. “Some cans or bottles of energy drinks can have more than 500 mg of caffeine, which is the equivalent of 14 cans of soda.”

Routine ingestion of carbohydrate-containing sports drinks by children and adolescents should be avoided or restricted, AAP recommends, because they can increase the risk of overweight and obesity, as well as dental erosion. Water, not sports drinks, should be the principal source of hydration for children and adolescents.

“There is a lot of confusion about sports drinks and energy drinks, and adolescents are often unaware of the differences in these products,” said Dr. Schneider. “Some kids are drinking energy drinks—containing large amounts of caffeine—when their goal is simply to rehydrate after exercise. This means they are ingesting large amounts of caffeine and other stimulants, which can be dangerous.”

Frequent drinking of soft drinks may be linked to obesity, diabetes and dental erosion, said Dr. Brett Dorney, a dentist and past president of the Academy of Sports Dentistry. The consumption of these drinks has increased 300 percent in the last 20 years, and serving sizes have ballooned from 185 grams in the 1950s to 500 grams in the 1990s.

“Sports drinks have erosive potential,” Dr. Dorney said, adding that the degree of damage will be influenced by the pattern of consumption, salivary flow rates, saliva buffering capacity, pellicle formation and the tooth surface’s chemical composition.

“Athletes will most often consume sports drinks after exercise when the volume and protective effects of saliva will be reduced,” said Dr. Dorney. “The erosive acids in sports drinks have the ability to dissolve even fluoride-rich enamel, which normally inhibits dissolution by the weaker acids, causing caries.”

Dr. Dorney encourages his colleagues in dentistry to caution patients—and parents of young patients—about the negative properties of sports drinks.

“To minimize dental problems, advise parents and athletes to hydrate with water before, during and after sports,” he said.

If sports drinks are consumed:

• reduce the frequency and contact time;
• swallow immediately and do not swish them around the mouth;
• rinse mouthguards only in water;
• seek out dentally friendly sports drinks;
• discuss training and hydration protocol with a dentist.

http://www.ada.org/news/5970.aspx
June 20, 2011  ADA News  http://www.benlomonddental.com/

"HOW TO FLOSS" - CHILDREN'S ACTIVITY

How to Floss Your Teeth: Sequencing Cards for National Children's Dental Health Month

National Children's Dental Health Month is sponsored every February by the American Dental Association. Teach children how to floss teeth with this sequencing activity.

Materials Needed:
* 2 copies of the "How to Floss" poster from the American Dental Association
* Construction paper
* Scissors
* Glue
* Lamination

How to Create the Flossing Sequencing Cards

1. Print 2 copies of the "How to Floss" poster.

2. Mount one copy on a construction paper background.

3. Cut apart the five steps, and mount them onto construction paper cards that are the same size.

4. Laminate all of the cards for durability.

How to Use the Flossing Sequencing Cards

1. Introduce the poster to the children, as part of a presentation on how to floss teeth as a part of good dental hygiene during National Children's Dental Heath Month.

2. Match one card at a time by overlaying it on the poster.

3. Return the cards to the basket, and place the entire activity back on the shelf.

Alternative Ideas for the Flossing Sequencing Cards

* Make cards that separate the picture from the instructions. Make this a reading comprehension activity, as the child has to put the pictures in order and label them accordingly.

* Post a copy of the poster near the bathroom sink as a reminder for children to floss daily.

* If possible, set out dental floss for children to use as practice for flossing at school or at home.

* Use yarn or string to "floss" a set of fake teeth, or an upside-down section of an egg carton.

* Find someone who is willing to have you photograph his mouth, and take real photographs of how to floss teeth.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/6231592/how_to_floss_your_teeth_sequencing.html?cat=25
http://www.benlomonddental.com/

February is National Children's Health Month "Fight Tooth Decay 24/7!"

February is National Children's Dental Health Month

Oral Hygiene Tips for Children

• American Dental Association
• Dental Health
• Children's Dentists

National Children's Dental Health Month is celebrated every February to raise awareness about the importance of oral health - especially the oral health of our children. The slogan for this year's National Children's Dental Health Month is "Fight Tooth Decay 24/7!"
The American Dental Association provides on their website a program planning kit that teachers, dental professionals and parents can download and print out. The planning kit offers different activities, events, and essay contests and school presentations that can be given on dental health. The planning kit also gives time lines on when to start advertising and promoting events and activities for Dental Health Month and provides resources if you need help.

I started taking our son to the dentist when he was almost two years old and I faithfully take him every six months. Good oral hygiene is so important to our overall health.

By taking your child to the dentist every six months and starting them at a young age, they learn early how to take care of their teeth, and their gums and teeth are healthier as they get older. Before I had my son's first dental visit I took him with me so that he could see my teeth being cleaned, see the dentist examine me and talk to me. Even though he was very young, I still felt it important to make sure he knew upfront what to expect.

Finding a Dentist

If you do not think your own family dentist is patient enough to work with children, you can always find a pediatric dentist. These dentists have completed additional training that specializes in treating children only. These dentists work extra closely with children in teaching them proper oral hygiene and are trained to make children feel comfortable. Most of your family dentists treat adults and children. We all use the same dentist, but it is something worth looking into if you don't feel comfortable with your own dentist.

Oral Hygiene Tips for Children

Children should brush their teeth at least two times a day. As a parent, it is our responsibility to make sure our children are brushing appropriately and to supervise them while brushing until they are old enough and  understand how to do it properly.

Flossing should be done at least once a day to remove food particles and plaque that can lead to cavities.

Visit the dentist every six months for oral hygiene cleanings. X-rays are usually taken once every 2 years to make sure that no cavities are present.

If your child is 5 - 6 years old, it is wise to have a sealants applied to their premolars. This will help prevent tooth decay. My dentist explained that sealants should be applied because these teeth in the back have large grooves in them and it is easy for the plaque and food to tuck down inside of the teeth.

Reduce sugar intake in foods and drinks. Sugar causes cavities.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children first be taken to the dentist six months after the first tooth comes through or before they are one year old. They used to recommend children start going to the dentist at three years of age. Due to so many children having cavities before they start school, they lowered the recommended age.


http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/587411/february_is_national_childrens_dental_pg2.html?cat=25

http://www.benlomonddental.com/

 

FLOSS DAILY

Did you know that teeth with plaque are more prone to stains(substances like coffee and tea stick to the buildup).  Neglecting to clean between teeth is one way to develop gum inflammation and may interfere with your teeth whitening results.  visit us at http://www.benlomonddental.com/

VALENTINE SPECIAL! For the month of February we will be offering a special on all of our whitening serivces. Call our office at (801)782-0866 for more details or visit us at http://ping.fm/4eYU0 :)

Strong Healthy Gums

Strong gums are a sign of good health, therefore it's essential to protect them

Gum diseases are essentially of two types — gingivitis and periodontitis (pyorrhea). Gingivitis is the early stage of disease, which is characterised by red gums which bleeds easily. Normally, it is painless. However, if left untreated over a period of time, gingivitis may progress to become periodontitis, which involves the slow but steady destruction of the tooth supporting tissues, including the underlying bone which will weaken the teeth making them loose and may result in their loss. Gingivitis starts during late childhood. Most forms of periodontitis begin around the age of 30 and progress at varying rates.

Causes
The most common cause of gingivitis and periodontitis is poor oral hygiene. They always commence with the plaque on the teeth. When the invisible, sticky plaque biofilm stays on the teeth longer than two or three days, it hardens into tartar (calculus). It irritates the gingiva, and if unchecked can lead to severe disease with loss of fiber support around teeth and ultimately the loss of teeth.

Tobacco use, poor nutrition, dry mouth, diabetes, certain viral and fungal infections and hormonal changes increase the risk of gum diseases.

Prevention
- Brush your teeth twice a day, preferably after every meal or snack. If you lack the manual dexterity, consider using an electric toothbrush, which may be more effective at removing plaque.
- Eat a nutritious diet rich in fibres. Avoid eating sticky sweets, particularly between meals. If you are a smoker, quit the habit as it increases the occurrence and severity of gum diseases.
- Consuming tobacco in other forms such as gutkais equally harmful.
- Brushing alone is not enough. Use floss and rinse with antiseptic mouthwash daily to reduce plaque formation between the teeth.
- Get regular professional dental cleanings done as recommended by your dentist.

Treatment
- Your dentist will thoroughly examine your teeth and explain the prevailing condition in detail.
- A thorough scaling and root planning to remove all the deposits from the teeth will be done. He/she will also teach you the right method of brushing and flossing the teeth and may prescribe a mouth rinse for your regular use.
- If your gums are beefy red, swollen and bleed easily, seek professional care.

(Inputs by Dr CD Dwarakanath, president, Indian Society of Periodontology) 
For stronger gums! - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/For-stronger-gums/articleshow/6882972.cms#ixzz14nmFVmKN

Any questions concerning your gums visit us at our website http://www.benlomonddental.com

Cosmetic Dentistry Tips

We all want to have fantastic cosmetic dentistry methods and when leaving the dentist, tell him how happy we are with the excellent outcomes. So that you can obtain this you will need to do your homework in time.

I will outline here some of the greatest tips I know to aid you commence with this and make certain you'll steer clear of any poor final

Tip 1. You'll be able to always ask your dentist to show you some before and following photos so you'll be able to make an concept of how your dentist worked before on other patients. Some dentists also have this type of cosmetic dentistry pictures for sale. You just have to ask.

Tip 2. Prior to starting your cosmetic dentistry procedure you'll need to make sure that what you would like and/or will need is the same as what your dentist will do. In order to ensure of this you may need to have a great communication with your dentist. You don't want to have a negative experience and see at the end that you ended up with something you do not like.

Tip 3. Another fantastic thing that you can do, both for you and your dental professional, is to bring with you photos that show your expected results. This way your dental professional will know specifically what you've in mind, what you desire.

Tip 4. Never allow a dentist to begin prepping your teeths with out initial having a practical wax-up done for you so you'll be able to see precisely how your teeth will look following your treatment. This practical wax-up is prepared within the laboratory to be able to be approved by you.

Tip 5. Large amounts of money are spent each and every year by firms that market their cosmetic dentistry products. You really should not believe every thing you see in commercials on TV. Always attempt to research each and every product or firm you need to use, on the world wide web. Search for reviews and something you may locate to make an exact thought of anything you may use.

I've outlined this fantastic ideas to assist you along with your beauty dentistry procedures. Always be aware of when you want to pick cosmetic dentistry.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5962890/5_excellent_tips_for_your_cosmetic.html

Any questions, give us a call at (801)782-0866 or visit our website http://www.benlomonddental.com/