Children and Tooth Decay
Three things are necessary to create a decay-friendly environment: teeth, carbohydrates (starches and/or sugars), and bacteria (germs). Bacteria in the mouth use those sweets and starches to create acid which, after repeated attacks, wears down the enamel on teeth to create a hole. That hole in the enamel is a cavity.
As soon as a child's teeth begin to erupt, they are at risk for tooth decay. Follow the link to a helpful information sheet that contains some tips that may help reduce the chances of decay in your children's mouth.
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
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Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
News You Can Use
Scientists Develop Film Strip to Treat Oral Burns
Recently, a pharmaceutical biomedical engineering research team developed a dissolvable oral strip intended to relieve pain from burns caused by consuming hot foods or beverages. The strip is designed to be applied directly to the area, whether it be inside the cheek, roof of mouth or tongue. It will then start dissolving quickly to relieve pain and promote healing.
The strip is said to work because it instantly releases benzocaine, a topical anesthetic, once adhered to the spot in the mouth and will continue to release small amounts over several hours. Benzocaine, which is also the active ingredient in throat lozenges, is non-irritating, non-toxic, and readily available making it the ideal anesthetic for these oral strips.
Source: http://www.colgate.com/app/CP/US/EN/OC/Information/Articles/ADA/2013/article/ADA-02-scientists-develop-film-strip-to-treat-oral-burns.cvsp
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
Like us on Facebook!
Recently, a pharmaceutical biomedical engineering research team developed a dissolvable oral strip intended to relieve pain from burns caused by consuming hot foods or beverages. The strip is designed to be applied directly to the area, whether it be inside the cheek, roof of mouth or tongue. It will then start dissolving quickly to relieve pain and promote healing.
The strip is said to work because it instantly releases benzocaine, a topical anesthetic, once adhered to the spot in the mouth and will continue to release small amounts over several hours. Benzocaine, which is also the active ingredient in throat lozenges, is non-irritating, non-toxic, and readily available making it the ideal anesthetic for these oral strips.
Source: http://www.colgate.com/app/CP/US/EN/OC/Information/Articles/ADA/2013/article/ADA-02-scientists-develop-film-strip-to-treat-oral-burns.cvsp
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
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Tuesday, February 19, 2013
News You Can Use
Tooth Eruption and Teething
Going along with National Children's Dental Health month, I thought I'd post about an important dental topic for babies: teething.
Teething and tooth eruption generally occur around six months of age and tend to start with the lower front teeth followed by the upper front teeth. By the age of two to two and a half, all children have all twenty of their primary (baby) teeth.
A parent can look for several symptoms for when a baby's teeth start to erupt, including drooling more than usual, fussy behavior, crying, trouble sleeping, and loss of appetite.
For teething do's and don't's follow the link to the informational sheet below:
Permanent teeth begin to erupt around the ages of six to seven. Again, the lower front teeth tend to be the first to erupt but the first set of permanent molars also erupt around the same time.
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
Like us on Facebook!
Going along with National Children's Dental Health month, I thought I'd post about an important dental topic for babies: teething.
Teething and tooth eruption generally occur around six months of age and tend to start with the lower front teeth followed by the upper front teeth. By the age of two to two and a half, all children have all twenty of their primary (baby) teeth.
A parent can look for several symptoms for when a baby's teeth start to erupt, including drooling more than usual, fussy behavior, crying, trouble sleeping, and loss of appetite.
For teething do's and don't's follow the link to the informational sheet below:
Permanent teeth begin to erupt around the ages of six to seven. Again, the lower front teeth tend to be the first to erupt but the first set of permanent molars also erupt around the same time.
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
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Thursday, February 14, 2013
Dental Did You Know
Valentine's Day Fun Facts!
Happy Valentine's Day! Here are some fun facts about the origin and history of the day!
Happy Valentine's Day! Here are some fun facts about the origin and history of the day!
- In the middle ages, men and women drew their Valentine's name out of a bowl. For the remainder of the week, everyone wore their Valentine's name pinned on their sleeve. This was referred to "wearing one's heart on one's sleeve"
- The heart is one of the iconic valentine's day symbols. The shape stems from early attempts to draw an organ that no one had seen. It is now a symbol of love.
- Cupid is another symbol of Valentine's Day. In Roman mythology, Cupid was the son of Venus, the Roman god of love and beauty. He is said to carry a bow and arrow and uses the magical arrows to arouse feelings of love
- In some Latin American countries Valentine's Day is known as "Día del Amor y la Amistad" (Day of Love and Friendship) while in Finland, Valentine's Day is called Ystävänpäivä which translates into "Friend's day".
R. Eric Emery, DDS
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
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Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Dental Did You Know
Children's Oral Health Facts
Source: http://www.childrennow.org/uploads/documents/oral_health_brief_092009.pdf
Source: http://www.kff.org/uninsured/upload/8324.pdf
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
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- Tooth decay is the single most common chronic disease in childhood
- Over 500,000 California children missed one or more school days as a result of oral health problems (not routine check-ups) in 2007. Untreated oral health problems impact children’s ability to thrive in school.
- About one in four children have untreated tooth decay
- For every dollar spent on preventive dental services for children, $8 to $50 is saved in restorative and emergency treatments later in life
Source: http://www.childrennow.org/uploads/documents/oral_health_brief_092009.pdf
Source: http://www.kff.org/uninsured/upload/8324.pdf
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
Like us on Facebook!
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
News You Can Use
Thumb, Finger, and Pacifier Habits
Last week I posted on the structural issues that are associated with thumb, finger, and pacifier sucking if allowed to continue through childhood. I did not touch much on tips for pacifier use and some techniques to help your child to quite sucking his/her thumb, finger, or pacifier.
The link below connects to a helpful information sheet that provides great tips and tricks for pacifier use.
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
Like us on Facebook!
Last week I posted on the structural issues that are associated with thumb, finger, and pacifier sucking if allowed to continue through childhood. I did not touch much on tips for pacifier use and some techniques to help your child to quite sucking his/her thumb, finger, or pacifier.
The link below connects to a helpful information sheet that provides great tips and tricks for pacifier use.
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
Like us on Facebook!
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
News You Can Use
February is National Children's Dental Health Month!
Going along with the theme of the month, I will be posting different entries on children's dental health during this month. So if you are looking for information on how to keep your children's teeth healthy, stay tuned!
For today, I wanted to write a little more about protecting babies teeth from cavities. I have posted on this subject before, with information on baby bottle tooth decay and prenatal vitamin D consumption, but this handy pdf gives more information on how to keep babies teeth cavity free. Follow the link below for information and tips for both mother and baby.
Going along with the theme of the month, I will be posting different entries on children's dental health during this month. So if you are looking for information on how to keep your children's teeth healthy, stay tuned!
For today, I wanted to write a little more about protecting babies teeth from cavities. I have posted on this subject before, with information on baby bottle tooth decay and prenatal vitamin D consumption, but this handy pdf gives more information on how to keep babies teeth cavity free. Follow the link below for information and tips for both mother and baby.
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
Like us on Facebook!
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
News You Can Use
Thumb Sucking and Dental Care
I know I have posted on thumb and finger sucking before, but February is National Children's Dental Health month so I thought I'd post about it again. Although many children suck their thumb or finger at some point, it is definitely a habit to watch as it can cause permanent structural problems if allowed to continue too long. How long is too long?
Most studies suggest that children who suck their thumb or finger through the age of three or four are fine and have probably not caused any permanent structural issues. If the child continues to suck their thumb or finger until the age of eight to twelve, they will be more likely to need active dental help in the form of orthodontics.
Signs that a child is attached to sucking their thumb or finger include calluses on the digit being sucked, tongue thrusting forward when swallowing, and slight speech impediments such as a lisp. The permanent effects of thumb/finger sucking may include narrowing of the upper arch, flaring out of the upper front teeth, crowding on the lower arch (which may delay the eruption of some teeth), crossbite, altered facial growth, and speech problems.
Not only should finger and thumb sucking be addressed because of the potential for structural issues but the structural deformities may cause insecurities and self-esteem problems. Finger and thumb sucking should be addressed earlier rather than later.
Source: http://dental-articles.dentalclinicmanager.com/thumb-sucking.html
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
Like us on Facebook!
I know I have posted on thumb and finger sucking before, but February is National Children's Dental Health month so I thought I'd post about it again. Although many children suck their thumb or finger at some point, it is definitely a habit to watch as it can cause permanent structural problems if allowed to continue too long. How long is too long?
Most studies suggest that children who suck their thumb or finger through the age of three or four are fine and have probably not caused any permanent structural issues. If the child continues to suck their thumb or finger until the age of eight to twelve, they will be more likely to need active dental help in the form of orthodontics.
Signs that a child is attached to sucking their thumb or finger include calluses on the digit being sucked, tongue thrusting forward when swallowing, and slight speech impediments such as a lisp. The permanent effects of thumb/finger sucking may include narrowing of the upper arch, flaring out of the upper front teeth, crowding on the lower arch (which may delay the eruption of some teeth), crossbite, altered facial growth, and speech problems.
Not only should finger and thumb sucking be addressed because of the potential for structural issues but the structural deformities may cause insecurities and self-esteem problems. Finger and thumb sucking should be addressed earlier rather than later.
Source: http://dental-articles.dentalclinicmanager.com/thumb-sucking.html
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
Like us on Facebook!
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