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But a recent breakthrough is available to help support oral health–in a sugar free chocolate flavored soft chew.

An article published in February’s RDH Magazine discusses the discovery and importance of beneficial bacteria that live in the mouth. It’s been known for over a century that certain bad bacteria in dental plaque are able to convert sugars from the diet to acid, which is bad for teeth. After decades of researching the microorganisms in the mouth, Dr. Israel Kleinberg, DDS and Distinguished Professor in the Department of Oral Biology at Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine, discovered beneficial bacteria that also live in dental plaque. Dr. Kleinberg isolated a nutrient in saliva called arginine, which these “good” bacteria use to naturally produce tooth-protecting buffers. This process can help neutralize the acids from the harmful bacteria and help keep the teeth in a normal pH (acid/base) balance.

Healthy saliva also contains calcium and bicarbonate that help preserve healthy tooth enamel and provide additional buffering. Stony Brook researchers combined arginine, calcium and bicarbonate and patented this vital blend of nutrients that fuels the mouth’s natural defensives. These key tooth-supporting ingredients have been added to BasicBites, a sugar free chocolate flavored chew that is now being recommended by leading dental professionals.

Here are six ways to help children and even adults maintain their oral health.

1. Two BasicBites a day can help preserve healthy teeth. Recommended for adults and children over the age of six, these candy-like chews nourish beneficial oral bacteria, while supporting enamel health. They are also an excellent source of calcium.

2. Minimize sugary foods and drinks and if you do eat them, avoid sticky foods that can get stuck on teeth. This even includes dried fruit, bread and crackers. Children should choose water and low-fat milk as health beverage alternatives.

3. Limit between-meal snacks. If children crave a snack, offer them nutritious foods.

4. If your kids chew gum, make it sugarless. Chewing sugarless gum after eating can increase saliva flow and helps wash out foods that produce acids.

5. Help your children develop good brushing and flossing habits.

6. Schedule regular dental visits.

BasicBites are also recommended for people with dry mouth, a condition that affects approximately 30 percent of all adults in the United States. Chronic dry mouth can cause significant oral health issues and damage teeth.

BasicBites are 20 calories each and available exclusively online at www.basicbites.com where you can also find more information.

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Cavities are the most common chronic childhood illness in the U.S., according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While tooth decay is largely preventable, many parents agree that getting a young child to practice good oral hygiene can be a big chore. The good news is that establishing healthy dental habits early is possible — and even fun — with a little extra time and effort.

Here are five easy ways parents can prevent childhood tooth decay and encourage good oral hygiene for their children.

1. Set a good example.

If mom and dad make it a priority to take care of their teeth every day, then so will their kids. Children love to imitate their parents, and when your kids see how consistent and thorough you are in your daily oral care, they too will be more motivated to clean their teeth and gums.

Brush and floss together in the morning and before bed to model proper oral hygiene. This will also alert you to any issues your child has with his/her brushing techniques. While small children can take a turn at brushing, dentists often recommend assisting your child until he/she is capable of brushing correctly on his/her own.

Parents should also talk to children about the importance of maintaining good oral health and preventing harmful cavities. This may include explaining best practices for cleaning teeth, as well as how eating a well-balanced diet can promote good dental and overall health. Talking about trips to the dentist positively will also help prevent any fears about future visits.

2. Let kids select their toothbrush.

Today you can find a variety of toothbrushes and toothpastes made specifically for kids. Let your child choose a soft, child-sized brush in his/her favorite color or character as an effective way to motivate brushing at home. Similarly, there are many kid-friendly types of toothpaste that come in fun colors and flavors to make brushing teeth more appealing.

3. Sing a song.

Effective tooth brushing requires a full two minutes, twice a day, says The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). That may seem like a long time for a small child, so to help pass the time, sing a song. The ABC’s is just one of many great tunes you can sing to help children brush for the required amount of time — not to mention it’s educational. You can also play your child’s favorite song or television show on the computer or smartphone as a fun way to ensure his/her teeth are cleaned for the full two minutes.

4. Play a game.

Sometimes incorporating a little fun into your daily routine is the best way to promote proper oral hygiene habits for your little one, especially if he/she is showing resistance. Play a game while he/she brushes, such as bubble making with your toothpaste, as an easy way to make brushing fun. Give your child a turn at brushing your teeth, or role-play tooth brushing with dolls and teddy bears for extra practice.

5. Reward good dental habits.

Some kids respond well to a reward chart as a good motivator for building healthy oral hygiene habits. Make a dental chart for the bathroom, and reward your child with stickers for good brushing and flossing. Once your child has reached his/her sticker goal, celebrate his/her good habits with a special treat, such as watching a movie or a trip to the zoo.

Like adults, children should visit the dentist every six months for routine cleanings and checkups. Not only will your child’s teeth and gums stay healthy, but he/she will also be less likely to develop more serious dental issues later in life. It is important to remember that a trip to the dentist can be scary. If your child has any fears, let the dental staff know so that they can take extra care to ensure your child feels comfortable and safe.

Ultimately, a parent’s goal should be to make oral care fun. Educating your child about good oral hygiene at a young age can help encourage healthy dental habits throughout your child’s lifetime. Even the most resistant kids will eventually understand that brushing teeth is a regular and necessary part of taking care of their whole body.

Author Bio:

Darla Scheidt works at Grove Dental Associates as the Marketing Director. The dentists at Grove Dental have over 40 years of combined experience in the dental field and are focused on staying on the cutting edge of dentistry to better serve their patients.

The post Helpful Tips To Get Your Kids To Brush Their Teeth appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

As part of a major effort to promote good oral health care, Waterpik® wants Americans to understand how they can prevent debris and bacteria from collecting in their mouths. Studies have shown that the lack of saliva (dry mouth) commonly found in those who strenuously exercise (fitness fanatics, athletes) and those who even take a number of medications (allergies, colds, weight loss) could be creating a breeding ground for many dental health problems.

Jay McCulloch, Vice President Global Marketing, Waterpik® Oral Health Products, “We first heard this following the 2012 Summer Olympics. The British Journal of Sports Medicine reported in 2013 that 75 percent of the Olympian athletes had gum disease. This was very surprising considering one would associate elite athletes with good oral health care. An article in the New York Times recently quoted experts from University Hospital Heidelberg who said that poor oral health had to do with a reduction in saliva after exercising, leading to cases of Dry Mouth.  Saliva has high levels of oxygen, which helps to keep the bad anaerobic bacteria at bay; thus, Dry Mouth provides an ideal breeding ground for bacteria that is associated with bad breath, gum disease and tooth decay.  Saliva is also a natural cleanser that helps wash unwanted debris and bacteria away.”

McCulloch said it is obvious that an athlete is not going to stop working out and playing sports. “However, what they should do is improve their dental hygiene regimen to remove the debris and bacteria lurking deep between teeth and below the gumline that is really causing the problems. The Waterpik® Water Flosser is the ideal tool for this job.”

McCulloch also added that the Waterpik® Water Flosser has precisely controlled pressure and pulsation settings that are clinically proven to remove plaque bacteria and improve gum health. It also features a new pulse-modulation technology that provides enhanced gum stimulation. The Water Flosser’s action of stimulating and massaging the gums may stimulate saliva production and alleviate dry mouth in addition to removing the bad bacteria. “We are constantly updating our technology to meet the demands of active lifestyles.”

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February is Children’s Dental Health Month, a great time to recognize the importance of oral health for children, and adults too! Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

This is where the parents come in! As soon as your baby is born, you can, and should start caring for your child’s gums and emerging teeth. It only takes a few minutes, but can lead to a lifetime of happy, healthy smiles.

Oral Hygiene Tips for Kids

An effective way to get your child interested in good oral hygiene is to model that good behavior. It can even start as early as in infancy by familiarizing your child with the feel of a soft infant toothbrush or wet wash cloth as you clean their gums after mealtimes. Give your child, even if they don’t have teeth, a soft bristle toothbrush so they can copy mom or dad. They will do it!

Another great way to teach young children and toddlers the proper techniques of good oral hygiene is to tell, show and do.

TELL: Explain how to brush and floss and how those actions keep teeth clean and healthy. Make sure you use age-appropriate language so your child will truly understand. Let them ask questions, and make sure to answer them.

SHOW: Let children watch when you brush and floss your own teeth. Again, let them ask questions and make sure to answer them. Answer them by showing them. Sometimes using a stuffed animal can help you demonstrate.

DO: Help children brush their teeth in the morning and before bed. Keep a regular routine so they know it’s expected. Brush for at least two minutes. Sometimes teaching them a song that takes about two minutes helps. It helps them brush for the whole time, as well as makes it fun! Continue to help your child brush their teeth until they’re 4 or 5 years old. After that, let them do it themselves, but supervise and monitor until they’re 7 or 8 years old.

Remember that the proper technique and motion of brushing is very important. Teach your child to brush teeth in a gentle, circular motion. Harshly scrubbing back and forth can damage the gums. The circular motion does the best job of both removing the plaque along the gum line and massaging the gums. Make sure your child uses a child-sized toothbrush and toothpaste made for children, too. If your child is under two years old, use a fluoride-free toothpaste (also known as training toothpaste). If your child is between two and six years old, use just a little fluoride toothpaste. Teach children to spit out any extra toothpaste. Once children get the spitting down, they can use an anti-cavity mouth rinse after brushing. Alcohol-free rinses are best for children.

And don’t forget, flossing is just as important as brushing. You should floss your child’s teeth at least once a day. If you’re unsure of the proper technique or how to explain it to your child, ask your dentist or hygienist. They’ll be happy to help. 

Make brushing teeth fun:

• Let children pick out their own toothbrush maybe one that lights up or has a character on it
• Let children put their own toothpaste on the toothbrush themselves (a little help from mom or dad might be needed so they don’t put too much on)
• Get your child an electric toothbrush for best results but follow the directions that come with the brush to be effective.
• Make a game out of brushing by singing a song or telling a story while your child brushes

The more fun you make brushing teeth for your child, the easier it will be to get them to brush and for them to make it a habit. If done consistently, along with eating healthy and seeing your dentist regularly, your child will be well on their way to a lifetime of smiles.

Impact of Sugary Foods and Snacks on Children’s Oral Hygiene

Everyone has bacteria in their mouths, and bacteria love sugar! It only takes about 20 seconds for your mouth’s bacteria to convert sugar into the acid that destroys tooth enamel. Worse yet, that acid is active for about 20 to 30 minutes. So the amount of sugar, and how often it’s eaten, are very important for parents to monitor.

The less sugar in your child’s diet, the better for their teeth and overall health. For snacking, fresh fruits and vegetables are the best. Popcorn and nuts are good runner-ups. If you give your child candy or sweet treats, do it after a meal when the flow of saliva is higher to help wash the sugar away. Brushing and rinsing after a sweet snack is also a good idea. At the very least have the child rinse with water.

Impact of Soda, Juice and Bottled Water on Children’s Oral Hygiene

Sugar comes in many forms. Some obvious foods that contain sugar are candy and candy bars. But juice is a big culprit, too. Yes, you want to keep your child hydrated, but sugary drinks like juice and soda aren’t the best way to do it. When children, or anyone, drink sugary drinks throughout the day, the acid that’s created from the mouth’s bacteria/sugar combination just keeps being produced. So all day long, acid is working on destroying teeth. When it comes to juice, give your child only 4 to 6 ounces per day as a part of a meal or snack. Avoid using juice boxes as a convenient on-the-go drink of choice. A better choice would be water.

Also avoid letting your child fall asleep with a bottle of juice in their mouth. That’s like soaking your child’s teeth in a pool of sugar while they sleep! Water is best for your child. And although bottled water is convenient, be aware that bottled water may not contain enough fluoride needed to help your child’s teeth. Some bottled water contains fluoride and some don’t. And sometimes the amount of fluoride in bottled water is listed on the label and sometimes it isn’t. Most tap water has fluoride to aid in the fight against tooth decay.

The Use of Fluoride

Fluoride is good for teeth because it helps prevent tooth decay. However, in developing teeth, too much fluoride can damage the teeth by causing dental fluorosis. Dental fluorosis affects the tooth’s enamel. Milder cases are barely noticeable white flecks on the teeth, whereas more severe cases can include heavy staining or even very visible pitting and pocking.

Children under eight years of age are the most susceptible because that’s the age of developing permanent adult teeth, and dental fluorosis works on damaging teeth when the teeth are still under the gum line. Once teeth have erupted, they are no longer at risk. Dental fluorosis is the reason you should use a non-fluoride (training toothpaste) on children under the age of two, and only a very small (pea-sized) amount of fluoride toothpaste for children two to six years of age.

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Tooth decay in infants and toddlers is often called baby bottle tooth decay. It’s also called early childhood caries (cavities). Baby bottle tooth decay most often occurs in the upper front teeth, but other teeth may also decay.

The biggest cause of baby bottle tooth decay is when a baby naps or sleeps with a bottle full of milk or juice, or is given a bottle rather than a pacifier for comfort. As the liquid passes out of the nipple into the infant’s mouth, it just sits in the mouth as the baby relaxes, stops sucking, and falls asleep. That means the developing teeth soak in the liquid’s sugar while the baby sleeps. That’s not good for developing teeth.

How to prevent baby bottle tooth decay:

• Don’t put your child to bed or lay them down for a nap with a bottle of juice or sugary drinks
• Put only formula or milk in baby bottles; avoid filling bottles with juice or soft drinks
• Have your infant finish the bottle before naptime or bedtime
• Don’t dip pacifiers in sugar or honey
• After each feeding, wipe your child’s gums with a clean, damp gauze pad or washcloth.
• When your child’s teeth come in, brush them gently with a child-size toothbrush and water
• Encourage healthy eating habits
• Schedule your child’s first dental visit as soon as your child’s first tooth appears and no later than your child’s first birthday

Remember, your child’s good oral hygiene and eating habits start early. They start with you as parents!

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