FUNNY!

Nutrition & Healthy Teeth

 

Experts agree that children need food from all the major food groups to grow properly and stay healthy. Too many carbohydrates, both sugars (for example, from cake, cookies, candies, milk, and other sugary foods and beverages) and savory foods and starches (for example, pretzels and potato chips) can cause tooth decay. How long carbohydrates remain on the teeth is the main culprit that leads to tooth decay.

Tips for selecting and eating foods that are more healthful to your child's teeth:

• Keep lots of fruits and vegetables in your house -- to offer as "healthy snacks" -- instead of carbohydrates.Choose fruits and vegetables that contain a high volume of water, such as pears, melons, celery, and cucumbers. Limit bananas and raisins as these contain concentrated sugar or brush immediately after these fruits are eaten.
• Serve cheese with lunch or as a snack.Cheese, especially cheddar, Monterey Jack, Swiss, and other aged cheeses help to trigger the flow of saliva, which helps wash food particles away from teeth.
• Avoid sticky, chewy foods. Raisins, dried figs, granola bars, oatmeal or peanut butter cookies, jelly beans, caramel, honey, molasses, and syrup stick to teeth making it difficult for saliva to wash away. If your child consumes these types of products, have him or her brush their teeth immediately after eating.
• Serve sugary treats with meals, not as snacks. If you plan to give your child any sweets, give them as desserts immediately following the meal. There's usually an increased amount of saliva in the mouth around mealtime, making it easier to wash food away from teeth. The mealtime beverage also helps to wash away food particles on teeth.
• Get your children in the habit of eating as few snacks as possible. The frequency of snacking is far more important than the quantity consumed. Time between meals allows saliva to wash away food particles that bacteria would otherwise feast on. Frequent snacking, without brushing immediately afterwards, provides constant fuel to feed bacteria, which leads to plaque development and tooth decay. Try to limit snacks as much as possible and to no more than one or two a day. Brush teeth immediately after consuming the snack if possible.
• Avoid sugary foods that linger on the teeth. Lollipops, hard candies, coughdrops, and mints all contribute to tooth decay because they continuously coat the teeth with sugar.
• Buy foods that are sugar-free or unsweetened.
• Never put your baby to bed with a bottle filled with milk, formula, juice, or soda. If your baby needs a bottle at bedtime, fill it with plain water.
• Offer your child plain water instead of juice or soda. Juices, sodas, and even milk contain sugar. Water does not harm the teeth and aids in washing away any food particles that may be clinging to teeth.
• Include good sources of calcium in your child's diet to build strong teeth.Good sources include milk, broccoli, and yogurt.

Other tips:

• If your child chews gum, encourage him or her to choose xylitol-sweetened or sugar-free gum. Xylitol has been shown to reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth and the chewing action helps increase the flow of saliva.
• Use fluoride and brush and floss your child's teeth. The best way to prevent tooth decay is to use a fluoride toothpaste every day. The fluoride seeps inside the tooth to reverse early decay. Brush your child's teeth at least twice a day and after each meal or snack if possible. If brushing between meals is not possible, at least rinse the mouth with water several times. Floss your child's teeth at least once a day to help remove particles between teeth and below the gum line.
• Be sure to brush your child's teeth after giving him or her medicine. Medicines such as cough syrups contain sugar that bacteria in the mouth use to make acids. These acids can eat away at the enamel -- the protective top layer of the tooth.
• Visit the dentist regularly. Your child should make his or her first visit to the dentist by the age of 1 or within six months of the first tooth breaking through the gums. Getting regular dental check ups will also help catch any developing dental problems early.

 

If You Fear The Dentist, You Are Not Alone!

 

If you fear going to the dentist, you are not alone. Between 9% and 20% of Americans avoid going to the dentist because of anxiety or fear. Indeed, it is a universal phenomenon.
 

Dental phobia is a more serious condition than anxiety. It leaves people panic-stricken and terrified. People with dental phobia have an awareness that the fear is totally irrational, but are unable to do much about it. They exhibit classic avoidance behavior; that is, they will do everything possible to avoid going to the dentist. People with dental phobia usually go to the dentist only when forced to do so by extreme pain. Pathologic anxiety or phobia may require psychiatric consultation in some cases.

Other signs of dental phobia include:

• Trouble sleeping the night before the dental exam
• Feelings of nervousness that escalate while in the dental office waiting room
• Crying or feeling physically ill at the very thought of visiting the dentist
• Intense uneasiness at the thought of, or actually when, objects are placed in your mouth during the dental treatment or suddenly feeling like it is difficult to breathe

Fortunately, there are ways to get people with dental anxiety and dental phobia to the dentist.

What Causes Dental Phobia and Anxiety?

There are many reasons why some people have dental phobia and anxiety. Some of the common reasons include:

• Fear of pain. Fear of pain is a very common reason for avoiding the dentist. This fear usually stems from an early dental experience that was unpleasant or painful or from dental "pain and horror" stories told by others. Thanks to the many advances in dentistry made over the years, most of today's dental procedures are considerably less painful or even pain-free.
• Fear of injections or fear the injection won't work. Many people are terrified of needles, especially when inserted into their mouth. Beyond this fear, others fear that the anesthesia hasn't yet taken effect or wasn't a large enough dose to eliminate any pain before the dental procedure begins.
• Fear of anesthetic side effects. Some people fear the potential side effects of anesthesia such as dizziness, feeling faint, or nausea. Others don't like the numbness or "fat lip" associated with local anesthetics.
• Feelings of helplessness and loss of control. It's common for people to feel these emotions considering the situation -- sitting in a dental chair with your mouth wide open, unable to see what's going on.
• Embarrassment and loss of personal space. Many people feel uncomfortable about the physical closeness of the dentist or hygienist to their face. Others may feel self-conscious about the appearance of their teeth or possible mouth odors.

The key to coping with dental anxiety is to discuss your fears with your dentist. Once your dentist knows what your fears are, he or she will be better able to work with you to determine the best ways to make you less anxious and more comfortable. If your dentist doesn't take your fear seriously, find another dentist.

If lack of control is one of your main stressors, actively participating in a discussion with your dentist about your treatment can ease your tension. Ask your dentist to explain what's happening at every stage of the procedure. This way you can mentally prepare for what's to come. Another helpful strategy is to establish a signal -- such as raising your hand -- when you want the dentist to immediately stop. Use this signal whenever you are uncomfortable, need to rinse your mouth, or simply need to catch your

A perfect body or a perfect smile?

by Dental Tribune America

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MADISON, Wis., USA: Consumers say they would pay to fix their teeth before they would pay for weight loss help, according to new research from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). The findings are good news for cosmetic dentists — they suggest that the demand for cosmetic dentistry is stronger than ever.

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Of the 80 percent of American adults who in a recent poll admitted they would spend money to hide or correct aging flaws, 62 percent said they would pay to fix the quality of their teeth, compared with 48 percent who said they would invest in weight loss help. Women are more likely than men to invest in such improvements (84 percent versus 75 percent).
Nearly half (45 percent) of Americans think a person’s smile can defy aging’s effects while eyes come in a distant second (34 percent). In comparison, very few adults find the following features less likely to age well:

• Body shape (10 percent)
• Hair (6 percent)
• Legs (5 percent)

Perhaps speaking from experience, 54 percent of Americans over 50 attest that a smile can overcome decades of birthdays in contrast to only 38 percent of 18- to 29-year olds.
“A great smile is always in style, and these results prove it,” said AACD President Dr. Ron Goodlin. “Cosmetic dental professionals can rest assured that their services will always be needed.”
The AACD’s research was completed through a survey with Kelton Global in recognition of Healthy Aging Month, which takes place in September. Kelton Global polled 1,018 American adults ages 18 and over questioning them about their attitudes related to aging and beauty.
The AACD Smile Survey was conducted between August 17 and August 23, 2012 among 1,018 nationally representative Americans ages 18 and over, using an email invitation and an online survey. Margin of error = +/- 3.1 percent.
(Source: AACD)

Could Your Toothbrush Be Making You Sick?

 

The Ugly Truth About Your Toothbrush

Your toothbrush may be nastier than you think. Find out when to ditch it

Do you know what's lurking on your toothbrush?

Your toothbrush is loaded with germs, say researchers at England's University of Manchester. They've found that one uncovered toothbrush can harbor more than 100 million bacteria, including E. coli bacteria, which can cause diarrhea, and staphylococci ("staph") bacteria that cause skin infections

But don't panic. Your mouth wasn't exactly sterile to begin with.

Mouthful of Bacteria

The bottom line is, there are hundreds of microorganisms in our mouths every day.  Problems only start when there is an unhealthy balance of bacteria in the mouth.

It's important to remember that plaque -- the stuff you're removing from your teeth -- is bacteria,  So you're putting bacteria on your toothbrush every time you brush your teeth.

Could Your Toothbrush Be Making You Sick?

Probably not. Regardless of how many bacteria live in your mouth, or have gotten in there via your toothbrush, your body's natural defenses make it highly unlikely that you're going to catch an infection simply from brushing your teeth.

Fortunately, the human body is usually able to defend itself from bacteria, So we aren't aware of any real evidence that sitting the toothbrush in your bathroom in the toothbrush holder is causing any real damage or harm. We don't know that the bacteria on there are translating into infections.

Still, you should exercise some common sense about storing your toothbrush, including how close it is to the toilet.

Don't Brush Where You Flush

Most bathrooms are small. And in many homes, the toilet is pretty close to the bathroom sink where you keep your toothbrush.

Consequences & Treatment Of Thumb Sucking

Effects of Thumb Sucking!

Many infants and young children calm themselves by sucking their thumbs. While most children will stop on their own between ages 3 and 6, some continue past the age of 4 or 5. Prolonged thumb-sucking can lead to serious dental and speech problems. By using lots of love, encouragement, and a few simple steps, you can help your child succeed in breaking the thumb-sucking habit.

How is problem thumb-sucking treated?

Simple home treatment measures stop most children from sucking their thumbs. But if your child is older than 5, start with a visit to your child's doctor.

At home, treatment includes:

 Parents setting rules and providing distractions. It may help to limit the times and places that your child is allowed to suck his or her thumb and to put away blankets or other items your child associates with thumb-sucking.

 Putting gloves on your child's hands or wrapping the thumb with an adhesive bandage or a cloth may help remind your child not to suck the thumb.

Offering praise and rewards for not thumb-sucking may also help your child break the habit. For example, put stickers on a calendar each day that your child doesn't suck his or her thumb. After an agreed-upon number of days, have a celebration for your child.

Don't shame or punish your child for thumb-sucking. This will only lower your child's self-esteem.

If home treatment doesn't work and you are concerned or feel frustrated about your child's thumb-sucking, talk with your child's doctor. There may be other treatment options, such as behavioral therapy, thumb devices, or devices for the mouth. But remember that thumb-sucking usually isn't a problem in children at preschool age or younger. Most children will stop on their own if you give them time.

DETROIT TIGERS!

The Importance of Teeth Cleanings

A recent study linked frequent teeth cleanings to a 24% lower risk of heart attack and 13% lower risk of stroke. The theory: Bacteria in your mouth may inflame blood vessels and cause plaque to form, which can lead to blockages and, in time, heart attack and stroke.

GO TIGERS!

 

 

Tigers will play the Yankees in NY tomorrow (Sat, Oct.13th @8:07p ET) First home game of the ALCS will be Tuesday, Oct. 16th.  Who's behind our baseball team.......~sreamin~