Modern Hygienist - February 2009 - (Page 21)

CHILDREN | patients Cavity prone children should receive some form of dietary counseling. Talk to parents about replacing juice with water and, as a quick tip, swabbing the child’s teeth with anti-cavity mouthwash after he or she falls asleep at night. Dental homes— a concept derived from the American Academy of Pediatrics’ ‘medical home’—provide continuously accessible, comprehensive care for patients at any age. The concept is especially important for children, however, as preventive care can be critical for lifelong health and consistent care helps quell any fear associated with dental work. Eruption patterns of teeth, and a good sense of the eruption schedule, are important in recognizing when a tooth may be congenitally missing or impacted. Sometimes, when teeth are in a mixed dentition phase—ages 8 to 12 years—there are so many teeth growing in and out at the same time it can be difﬁcult to keep track. At the ﬁrst sign of a missing tooth or delayed eruption, it is important to discover why. The earlier a problem is recognized, the simpler the treatment will be. Fluoride is a nobrainer—it helps prevent tooth decay. Reviewing a patient’s ﬂuoride history, however, can be tricky. Asking the right questions is a key way to prevent dental ﬂuorosis. The right dosage depends on how much a child is already consuming. For example, a child may live in a nonﬂuoridated area with his or her parents, but stays at Grandma’s house during the day, in a ﬂuoridated area. The child’s prescription should be adjusted to include the ﬂuoride he or she is already receiving. Giving our time, talent and yes, money, is an important way to ensure children get the treatment they need. As a single volunteer or offering a single donation, you may feel useless, but the hours and dollars you give can make a difference. Parents should instill good oral health habits at a young age, as well as being aware when bad habits may surface. The earlier these good habits are emphasized, the better chance the child has of growing up with an understanding of the importance of both a proper diet and good oral health. Initiate age-one dental visits in your practice. The idea of such early visits may be foreign to many new parents, but the infant visit is endorsed by leading national public health groups. It’s a great opportunity to educate parents about good habits and healthy diet options for their baby, as well as get children comfortable in the dental ofﬁce early on. Juice should be limited to 4 to 6 oz. daily, and parents also should restrict other sugary drinks to occasional use. A child who frequently uses a bottle or sippy cup containing juice could have an increased risk of developing early childhood caries (ECC). PHOTOS: DAVID SACKS/MARTIN POOLE/GETTY IMAGES February 2009 | modern hygienist 21

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Modern Hygienist - February 2009

Modern Hygienist - February 2009 Contents Editor's Letter Letters News Modern Solutions Caring for Kids The DNA Difference A Healthy Perspective The Economic Impact on You How Single Moms Make it Work Ad Index Classified Economy 101

Modern Hygienist - February 2009

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