DENTAL HEALTH~ Let's talk about it

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i used to own local dental health website before moving to cebu. unfortunately, because most dental related products main offices are in manila, and marketing from cebu was virtually impossible, i had no choice but to close the site down . though i am not a dentist, i have learned a couple of things or two about dental health.

waiver: always see your dentist for a professional opinion.


did you know that you only need a pea size amount of toothpaste to effectively brush your teeth?

80% of your toothpaste either goes to the sink or your shirt. the right way to put toothpaste is putting it inside the bristles and not on top of it. but because of commercial ads where the toothpaste is place on top and throughout the length of the bristles, people were led to believe the more toothpaste, the better the results.

[splendid moonlight]

80% of your toothpaste either goes to the sink or your shirt.

true.

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The importance of rinsing

A lot of people skip rinsing using mouthwash. They think brushing and sometimes flossing are already enough hassles. Studies show that rinsing does significant and varied benefits to one's teeth depending on what kind of mouthwash used.

Mouthwash kills germs and bacteria, which is one of the major factors causing plaque and gum diseases.
Rinses that contain fluoride have been shown to be clinically significant in reducing cavities. Some studies on children show rinsing with fluoride mouthwash reduces cavities by 40%.

Some mouthwash are more effective in some areas

Although we are not endorsing any product intentionally and commercially, the following mouthwashes are known to be effective in the acclaimed areas.

Listerine: kills germs and helps reduce plaque.
Peridex/Perioguard: helps reduce plaque and gingivitis.
Cepacol: helps reduce symptoms of oral yeast infection.

How to rinse

Remember to keep mouthwash stay in touch with your teeth and inside of your mouth for long enough time (generally half a minute). Generally it is fairly easy to rinse. But if you do swallow excessive amount, seek professional help or poison control immediately.

Various mouth rinses do have different actions, some being more effective. Generally they do help clean teeth, reduce plaque and relieve germs. If you have more questions, consult your dentist.

*taken from the archives

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Baby Bottle Tooth Decay / How to Prevent It

Proper dental care is a lifelong commitment that starts even before your baby's first tooth forms. While daily cleanings and fluoride are important, they alone may not prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay (BBTD), a major cause of tooth decay in infants. Baby Bottle Tooth Decay is costly to treat. If left untreated, however, it can quickly destroy the teeth involved. It can also lead to pain, infection, early loss of baby teeth, crooked permanent teeth and an increased risk of decay in permanent teeth. When you consider the possible dental problems that can result from BBTD and the cost of treating those problems, it is best to prevent BBTD from developing in the first place.

How Does Baby Bottle Tooth Decay Develop?
Baby Bottle Tooth Decay can develop if your child's teeth and gums are in prolonged contact with almost any liquid other than water. This can happen from putting your child to bed with a bottle of formula, milk, juice, soft drinks, sugar water, sugared drinks, etc. Allowing your baby to suck on a bottle or breastfeed for longer than a mealtime, either when awake or asleep, can also cause BBTD.

When liquid from a baby bottle builds up in the mouth, the natural or added sugars found in the liquid are changed to acid by germs in the mouth. This acid then starts to dissolve the teeth (mainly the upper front teeth), causing them to decay. Baby Bottle Tooth Decay can lead to severe damage to your child's baby teeth and can also cause dental problems that affect your child's permanent teeth.

Why Are Baby Teeth Important?
Many parents assume that decay does not matter in baby teeth because the teeth will fall out anyway, but decay in baby teeth poses risks. If your child loses his or her baby teeth too early because of decay or infection, the permanent teeth will not be ready to replace them yet. Baby teeth act as a guide for the permanent teeth. If baby teeth are lost too early, the teeth that are left may shift position to fill in the gaps. This may not leave any room for the permanent teeth to come in.

What Can I Do to Prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?
Never put your child to bed with a bottle. By 7 or 8 months of age, most children no longer need feedings during the night. Children who drink bottles while lying down also may be more prone to getting ear infections.

Only give your baby a bottle during meals. Do not use the bottle as a pacifier; do not allow your child to walk around with it or to drink it for extended periods. These practices not only may lead to BBTD, but children can suffer tooth injuries if they fall while sucking on a bottle.

Teach your child to drink from a cup as soon as possible, usually by 1 year of age. Drinking from a cup does not cause the liquid to collect around the teeth, and a cup cannot be taken to bed. If you are concerned that a cup may be messier than a bottle, especially when you are away from home, use one that has a snap-on lid with a straw or a special valve to prevent spilling.
If your child must have a bottle for long periods, fill it only with water.

Keeping your baby's mouth clean is also important in preventing tooth decay. After feedings, gently brush your baby's gums and any baby teeth with a soft infant toothbrush.

Start using water and a soft child-sized toothbrush for daily cleaning once your child has seven to eight teeth.

Begin using a fluoride toothpaste when you are sure the toothpaste will not be swallowed (usually when your child is around 3 years of age). Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to limit the amount your child can swallow. Too much fluoride can be harmful to a child. (By the time your toddler is 2 years of age, you should be brushing his or her teeth once or twice a day, preferably after breakfast and before bedtime.)

Detect Decay Early
Baby Bottle Tooth Decay first shows up as white spots on the upper front teeth. These spots are hard to see at first–even for a pediatrician or dentist–without proper equipment. A child with tooth decay needs to get treatment early to stop the decay from spreading and to prevent lasting damage to the teeth.

If you are concerned that your child may have BBTD, your pediatrician can refer you to a pediatric dentist who will carefully examine your child's teeth for signs of decay.

With the right balance of proper home and professional dental care, your child can grow up to have healthy teeth for a lifetime of smiles.

The information contained in this publication should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

[d`monyita]

thank you for that very helpful information oi....i have a 14-month old son.

[Uzumaki Naruto]

thanks .... im still a baby at heart...

[ignotus1770]

Luthienne I think just like you.

[splendid moonlight]

OT: @ignotus: cool. apir! welcome to istorya.net.

[franz]

hey.. thanks.. this is very helpful info... need to buy listerine later hehehe

[buloi123]

Unsa nga listerine? katong concentrated or katong diretso na (I mean the one that you don't have to mix with water).. ??