End the Teeth-Brushing Battles with Your Kids
Getting your kids to brush their teeth twice a day can be a struggle at any age. Parents know they’ll have to be involved with the dental health of toddlers, but with older kids, they often set themselves (and their children) up for failure by expecting too much, according to Dr. Brian LeSage, a Beverly Hills, Calif., dentist and father of two.
Parents should plan to brush their kids’ teeth until the age of 6 and supervise until they’re 12. Here are Dr. LeSage’s tips for teaching good brushing habits from an early age, without having to nag:
Little Kids (Ages 3-5)
Baby teeth are important to digestion, proper tooth spacing and airway development. If you haven’t already taken your child to a dentist who works with kids (experts recommend starting at age 1), do it now. Meanwhile, find a toothbrush (or several) and toothpaste your kids love. Start your dental routine by letting your child play with his toothbrush for a minute so he feels as if he’s brushing his own teeth; this will also help him to get the sense of his own mouth. Then take over, says LeSage. Brush gently and make it fun.
Big Kids (Ages 6-9)
Slightly older kids need equally close supervision but less hands-on help. Let your kid brush first, and then run the toothbrush over her teeth to cover hard-to-reach spots. Brushing for the recommended one to two minutes can seem like an eternity, so you might want to buy a brush with a timing light or a song that plays for the time she should be brushing. “Knowing when they’re done can make it a lot easier,” says LeSage.
Tweens (Ages 10-12)
As kids get older, they’re likely to be more interested in hygiene — or avoiding bad breath, at least. Explain to your tweens that bacteria eat the sugars that are left on your teeth after eating, producing acid that rots teeth. To up the ante, add that the bacteria almost double every 10 minutes. “Just imagine what happens overnight,” says LeSage. “They’re having a little party on your teeth and gums!” Tell your child to take as much time as he likes to brush. Never scold or threaten that his teeth will fall out if he doesn’t; simply praise his good efforts.
It can take 30 days to make a habit of taking good care of young teeth. But by then, you’ll have one less battle to fight, which is bound to make you all smile.
Healthy Alternatives to Halloween Candy
Want some healthier alternatives to candy to pass out at Halloween?
Once you put your sugar-free but ghoulish thinking cap on, there are lots of healthy alternatives – edible and not – says Amy Jamieson-Petonic, a registered dietitian and an American Dietetic Association spokesperson and director of wellness coaching at Cleveland Clinic. Look for small accessories such as light-up rings or individual packs of baked chips or pretzels at local discount stores, party supply shops and wholesale clubs. “Have a few choices to satisfy different age groups,” she suggests.
Here are a few more of Jamieson-Petonic’s favorite affordable and healthy alternatives to candy:
-
Packs of sugar-free gum - Sugar-free hot chocolate packets
- Individual packs of roasted pumpkin seeds or trail mix
- Stickers or temporary tattoos
- Glo-sticks or slime
- Small bouncy balls
- Jump ropes
- Sidewalk chalk
- Beanbags or hacky sacks
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Editor’s Note: We are all concerned about childhood nutrition these days, which makes Halloween a particularly “tricky” holiday. But there’s more than one way to skin a black cat!…as we see from two different perspectives on Halloween treats. Today’s post looks at candy alternatives, while another post by Mommy Dietitian talks about letting kids have their candy on Halloween (as long as moderation prevails after the holiday). We hope you found some useful ideas to safely satisfy your “ghouls”!
Kids and TMJ – Aren’t They Too Young For That?
TMJ (tempero-mandibular joint) disorder occurs when the chewing muscles and the joints of the jaw fail to work together properly causing a number of symptoms. These symptoms include: headaches, jaw pain, fatigue, clenching and/or grinding of the teeth, clicking or popping of the jaw, tinnitus, earaches and pain in the neck, back and face.
There are a number of things that can contribute to the cause of TMJ disorder:
- Malocclusion (the misalignment of teeth),
- Bruxism (clenching /grinding),
- Stress and
- Accidents with damage to the face, head or neck
Children who may be predisposed to TMJ or have malocclusion may not experience pain until later in their teen years. Early prevention and treatment is key to avoiding later dysfunction, pain and more costly treatments. 
Luckily there are a few simple ways to determine if TMJ may be an issue for you child. In addition to the panoramic xray your dentist will likely take of your child’s teeth, there are also the cephalometric xray, tomographic xray and CT scans that can be taken to determine the position of the jaw joints. Impressions of the teeth may be taken to allow your dentist to study your child’s bite to determine if malocclusion is an issue. The treatments may range from a simple appliance called a splint to help reposition the jaw or full orthodontics to correct the bite.
An important thing to consider is that recent research shows TMJ is often undiagnosed by medical doctors.
The reason for this is that TMJ symptoms mimic the symptoms of more serious illnesses such as aneurysms and migraines. These more harmful diagnoses should be ruled out before considering TMJ treatment.
As always, make sure your child is receiving a complete and thorough exam at every dental checkup. Early detection reduces the risk of life long pain and costly treatments. Ask your dentist if your child may be at risk.
Can a Toothbrush Make You (or Your Family) Sick?
Toothbrushes should be clean: After all, their whole purpose is to scrub all the germs out of your mouth. But as it turns out, a dirty toothbrush could make you sick.
“Bathrooms are moist and steamy: the conditions that bacteria love,” says Carol Wooden, a dental surgeon and spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry. Research from the University of Birmingham School of Dentistry in the United Kingdom found as many as 1.2 million bacteria on a single toothbrush, while a recent study in the New York State Dental Journal that examined used toothbrushes discovered that 70 percent were heavily contaminated with different microorganisms.
The Filthy 5
These are five of the nastiest germs scientists have found hanging out on a toothbrush:
- Flu: Influenza causes fever, chills, coughing and achiness.
- Staph: Staphylococcus aureus is responsible for common skin infections (such as boils and styes) and can be more problematic if it enters your bloodstream.
- E. coli: Certain strains of these fecal bacteria can cause diarrhea and abdominal cramps.
- Yeast: Candida albicans (the fungus that causes yeast infections) was found on 70 percent of toothbrushes examined in a recent study from the University of Adelaide in Australia.
- Strep: Some kinds of streptococci bacteria lead to tooth decay; others (you guessed it) cause strep throat.
Healthy Toothbrush Tips
Fortunately, you probably don’t need to toss your toothbrush just yet. Even though certain germs have been identified on toothbrushes, that doesn’t mean you’ll catch something simply from polishing your pearly whites, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“As long as you practice proper hygiene habits, it’s unlikely that bacteria on your toothbrush will make you sick,” says Dr. Neil Schachter, medical director of the respiratory care department at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City and author of The Good Doctor’s Guide to Colds and Flu. Follow these four rules to stay healthy:
1. Swap your brush. Replace your toothbrush (or the changeable head if you use an electric one) every three months, whenever you have a cold or the flu, or when the bristles look worn, suggests Wooden.
2. Flush carefully. Microorganisms go airborne when you flush the toilet — and they can land on your toothbrush. Keep your brush as far from the loo as possible and always close the lid before flushing.
3. Keep it to yourself. “Sharing toothbrushes can spread bacteria and viruses,” says Schachter. Even storing your toothbrush too close to someone else’s is unwise because bacteria can jump from one brush to another.
4. Wash away germs. Since bacteria from your mouth are transferred to your toothbrush every time you brush, you should always rinse your brush thoroughly afterward. “My main health concern is that small amounts of food can remain in the bristles, and if they’re not removed, they can spoil and cause gastrointestinal problems,” says Schachter. “It’s best to rinse your toothbrush in hot water after each use.” Want something stronger than water? Try dunking your brush in hydrogen peroxide or mouthwash, rinsing it with water and letting it air-dry, says Wooden.
How Important is Orthodontics When They’re Young…Really??
The ability to treat your child using a technique called “expansion” is one of the biggest benefits to early orthodontics. As its name suggests “expansion” means expanding the bone with orthopedics to allow room for the teeth. When you have a cross bite or severe crowding it often affects other normal processes. When we are able to expand the arches, it helps create a bigger airway, normal swallowing and better aesthetics.
There many other reasons why it is important to have your son or daughter’s orthodontic expansion work done early in their childhood
- Their self esteem is certainly a factor to consider early on as this can be a source of teasing with their peers.
- Beyond the emotional factors there are many physical and health factors that make an even better argument for having expansion orthodontics at a young age.
- There are also times where expansion can prevent the necessity of orthodontic treatment later in your child’s life. When we can successfully expand the upper and lower arches, it often reduces the amount of time kids have to be in treatment or may even prevent the need for braces down the road.
Signs that your child might need expansion:
- When lower teeth are on the outside of the upper teeth while biting
- Over crowding of teeth
- Even thumb-sucking
Dentists can typically start this type of treatment as early as 6 and it is commonly done up to the ages of 12 or 13. Don’t put off asking your dentist important questions about your child’s teeth. It could change the course of their treatment saving you money and your child extensive orthodontic work down the line.
Happy New Year!
How Mouthwash Can Benefit You and Your Family
A mouthwash is a mouthwash is a mouthwash – or so you may think. Sure, some may be green or blue or extra-minty, but really, how different could they be?
Turns out there’s a key difference: Some rinses help you more than others, and some even contain ingredients you should avoid, says Ingvar Magnusson, D.D.S., Ph.D., a research professor in oral biology at the University of Florida College of Dentistry in Gainesville. For example, many rinses have sodium lauryl sulfate, which tends to dry and irritate the mouth – especially if you suffer from canker sores. And some studies have found a link between rinses with a high alcohol content (25 percent or more) and oral cancers.
It’s smart to ask your dentist for rinse recommendations that suit your family’s specific dental hygiene needs. But in the meantime, here’s a cheat sheet for your next trip down the mouthwash aisle:
WANT TO …
Help prevent cavities?
- LOOK FOR….Fluoride. Its ability to prevent tooth decay is well-established.
Fight gum disease?
- LOOK FOR….Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) or chlorhexidine gluconate. Recent research has shown these ingredients help prevent gingivitis and dental plaque.
Moisten the mouth?
- LOOK FOR….Carboxymethylcellulose or hydroxyethylcellulose, both of which simulate natural saliva. Bonus points if the rinse also contains fluoride, since dry mouth contributes to cavities.
Soothe canker sores or mouth abrasions?
- LOOK FOR….Hydrogen peroxide. It’s a safe bet because it’s antimicrobial without being overly abrasive.
Freshen breath?
- LOOK FOR….Methyl salicylate and chlorhexidine gluconate. These antiseptics help fight the bacteria that contribute to bad breath. Additional herbs, scents and flavorings help mask odor.
Finally, remember that no rinse can take the place of flossing and brushing, which physically scrapes the plaque off your teeth. Rinses may have some impact on preventing gingivitis or tooth decay, but only if used as part of a solid dental-health routine, says Magnusson.
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Editor’s Note: Mouth rinses can be great for kids. Our pediatric dentist recommended adding a mouthwash to my 9-year old son’s dental routine for added protection, especially on those days when he rushes the brushing (because, hey, we know it’s happening!). But they specifically recommended a rinse like Crest Pro-Health because it contains the cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) mentioned above. It’s working great for him and I’ve started using it too. It is quite minty/spicy, but he handles it by making it into a game – jumping or dancing after he’s rinsed, until the spice eases!
