Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Having clean teeth helps keep your child healthy

 


Tooth decay is the number-one dental problem among preschoolers, but it can be prevented. Starting children with good dental habits from an early age will help them grow up with healthy smiles. The following is important information about how to care for your child's teeth from birth to 24 months of age and beyond.
 

Baby teeth are important!

Tooth decay can develop as soon as the first tooth appears. It’s important to care for your child’s baby teeth because they act as placeholders for adult teeth. If baby teeth are lost too early, the teeth that are left may move and not leave any room for the adult teeth to come in. And tooth decay in baby teeth can be painful and cause health problems like infections, which can at times be life-threatening. It can also lead to teasing and speech development problems.

How to care for your child’s teeth

Birth to 12 months

  • Good dental habits should begin before the first tooth appears. After feedings, gently brush your baby’s gums using water on a baby toothbrush that has soft bristles. Or wipe them with a clean washcloth.
  • Ask about fluoride. After the first tooth appears, ask your child’s doctor if your baby is getting enough fluoride. Many experts recommend using a fluoride-free toothpaste before the age of 2, but check with your child’s doctor or dentist first.
  • Schedule your baby’s well-child visits. During these visits your child’s doctor will check your baby’s mouth.
  • Schedule a dental checkup. If your baby is at high risk for tooth decay, your child’s doctor will recommend that your baby see a dentist.

12 to 24 months

  • Brush! Brush your child’s teeth 2 times a day using water on a baby toothbrush that has soft bristles. The best times are after breakfast and before bed.
  • Limit juice. Make sure your child doesn’t drink more than 1 small cup of juice each day and only at mealtimes.
  • Consult with your child’s dentist or doctor about sucking habits. Sucking too strongly on a pacifier, a thumb, or fingers can affect the shape of the mouth and how the top and bottom teeth line up. This is called your child’s “bite.” Ask your child’s dentist or doctor to help you look for changes in your child’s bite and how to help your child ease out of his sucking habit.
  • Schedule a dental checkup. Take your child for a dental checkup if he has not had one.

24 months

  • Brush! Help your child brush her teeth 2 times a day with a child-sized toothbrush that has soft bristles. There are brushes designed to address the different needs of children at all ages, ensuring that you can select a toothbrush that is appropriate for your child. Encourage her to brush her teeth on her own. However, to make sure your child’s teeth are clean, you should brush them again. If your child doesn’t want her teeth brushed, it may help to turn it into a game. For example, the toothbrush can look upstairs and downstairs in the mouth for missing treasure in the teeth.
  • Use fluoride toothpaste. You can start using fluoride toothpaste, which helps prevent cavities. Teach your child not to swallow it. Use a pea-sized amount or less and smear the paste into the bristles. Swallowing too much fluoride toothpaste can make white or brown spots on your child’s adult teeth. If your child doesn’t like the taste of the toothpaste, try another flavor or use plain water.
  • Floss. You can begin flossing your child’s teeth as soon as 2 teeth touch each other. But not all children need their teeth flossed at this age, so check with your dentist first.
  • Schedule a dental checkup. Take your child for a dental checkup at least once a year.

What is a cavity?

Your child’s teeth are protected by an outer coating called enamel. Tooth decay happens when germs in the mouth mix with sugar in foods and drinks. The germs then make acids that break down the enamel. Cavities are holes in the enamel caused by tooth decay.
 
Next time your are in our office as for a referral to a local dentist. We have several suggestions for you!
 
**Thanks to healthychildren.org for a great reminder . Click here for full article

Monday, February 11, 2013

How to show love for your child this Valentines Day

 

TheValentine's Day tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

  1. Use plenty of positive words with your child. Try to avoid using sarcasm. Children often don’t understand it, and if they do, it creates a negative interaction.
  2. Respond promptly and lovingly to your child's physical and emotional needs and banish put-downs from your parenting vocabulary. Be available to listen to your child when he/she want to talk with you even if it’s an inconvenient time.
  3. Make an extra effort to set a good example at home and in public. Use words like "I'm sorry," "please," and "thank you."
  4. When your child is angry, argumentative or in a bad mood, give him a hug, cuddle, pat, secret sign or other gesture of affection he favors and then talk with him about it when he’s feeling better.
  5. Use non-violent forms of discipline. Parents should institute both rewards and restrictions many years before adolescence to help prevent trouble during the teenage years. Allowing children of any age to constantly break important rules without being disciplined only encourages more rule violations.
  6. Make plans to spend time alone with your young child or teen doing something she enjoys. Send a Valentine’s Day card to your older child or teen. Make Valentine’s Day cards together with your preschool or younger school age child.
  7. Mark family game nights on your calendar so the entire family can be together. Put a different family member's name under each date, and have that person choose which game will be played that evening.
  8. Owning a pet can make children, especially those with chronic illnesses and disabilities, feel better by stimulating physical activity, enhancing their overall attitude, and offering constant companionship.
  9. One of the best ways to familiarize your child with good food choices is to encourage him to cook with you. Let him get involved in the entire process, from planning the menus to shopping for ingredients to the actual food preparation and its serving. It is wonderful when families eat together as much as possible. Good food, good conversations.
  10. As your child grows up, she'll spend most of her time developing and refining a variety of skills and abilities in all areas of her life. You should help her as much as possible by encouraging her and providing the equipment and instruction she needs. Start reading to your child beginning at six months. Avoid TV in the first two years, monitor and watch TV with your older children and use TV time as conversation time with your children. Limit computer and video games.
  11. Your child's health depends significantly on the care and guidance you offer during his early years. By taking your child to the doctor regularly for preventive health care visits, keeping him safe from accidents, providing a nutritious diet, and encouraging exercise throughout childhood, you help protect and strengthen his body.
  12. Help your child foster positive relationships with friends, siblings and members of the community.
  13. One of your most important gifts as a parent is to help your child develop self-esteem. Your child needs your steady support and encouragement to discover his strengths. He needs you to believe in him as he learns to believe in himself. Loving him, spending time with him, listening to him and praising his accomplishments are all part of this process.
  14. Don't forget to say, "I love you" to children of all ages!
**Check out this link for the full story and great ideas WWW.Healthychildren.org

Monday, February 4, 2013

Reminder on new Dosage on Fever and Pain medicine


Parents need to be aware of a major change in infant’s and children’s liquid acetaminophen products (such as Tylenol) available on store shelves. Since Summer 2011, some manufacturers have changed the amount of acetaminophen in these medicines to one standard amount. Infant drops, which contain 3 times more medicine than the children’s liquid, will be phased out and no longer available.
However during this transition, you may find both concentrations on store shelves and in your home.
Parents need to be aware that the dosing amounts are different depending on the concentration they are using.

Why the change?

The change to one concentration for all children is being done to help reduce dosing errors that can lead to accidental overdoses. Too many times parents have mistaken the strength of the infant drops, which are stronger than the liquids, and accidentally given their children too much medicine.
What to do
Always call your pediatrician before giving acetaminophen to a child under 2 years of age, and call right away if your child is under four months of age and has a fever. Be sure when calling that you know which concentration you have, either 80mg/0.8mL (these are the drops which are being discontinued) or 160mg/5mL (children’s liquid). You can find this information on the front of the medicine bottle.  Have the bottle with you when you call.
For children over the age of 2 years, check the label to see how much medicine to give. If you know your child's weight, use that. If you do not know your child’s weight, go by age for the dose amount.
Important reminders
•Keep all medicines out of the reach of children
•Use only the dosing device that comes with the product
•Never give adult medicines to children
•Always read and follow the instructions on the label
•Talk to your pediatrician if you have any questions
•If you think your child has taken too much of this or any medicine, call poison control at 800.222.1222

*AAP info