Tooth Decay: Proper Home Care

Another issue of controversy is the safety of the chemicals used to fluoridate water. The most commonly used additives are silicofluorides, not the fluoride salts used in dental products (such as sodium fluoride and stannous fluoride). Silicofluorides are one of the by-products from the manufacture of phosphate fertilizers. The toxicity database on silicofluorides is sparse and questions have been raised about the assumption that they completely dissociate in water and, therefore, have toxicity similar to the fluoride salts tested in laboratory studies and used in consumer products (Coplan and Masters 2001). It also has been maintained that, because of individual variations in exposure to fluoride, it is difficult to ensure that the right individual dose to protect against dental caries is provided through large-scale water fluoridation. In addition, a body of information has developed that indicates the major anticaries benefit of fluoride is topical and not systemic (Zero et al. 1992; Rölla and Ekstrand 1996; Featherstone 1999; Limeback 1999a; Clarkson and McLoughlin 2000; CDC 2001; Fejerskov

The prevention of caries is accomplished through the execution of a variety of measures, such as the fluoridation of the drinking water supply as well as the utilization of sealants and topical fluorides (Mouradian, Wehr, and Crall 2625). Despite the ease of preventability of tooth decay, it is one of the most common childhood chronic diseases, with more than half of the nation’s children having detectable caries (Mouradian, Wehr, and Crall 2625). Unfortunately, only 62% of water supplies are fluoridated, and underserved communities with low-income and minority families are usually the ones who are disproportionately affected (Mouradian, Wehr, and Crall 2626). Low-income individuals are generally less likely to seek preventative care, increasing their costs of neglected oral diseases and morbidity factors (Mouradian, Wehr, and Crall 2626). In addition, only one in five children who are covered by Medicaid are authorized for preventative oral healthcare, while restorative care is generally not even a consideration (Mouradian, Wehr, and Crall 2625).

Fluoridation of group drinking water is a main consideration in charge of the decrease in dental caries (tooth rot) . The historical backdrop of water fluoridation is a great case of clinical perception prompting epidemiologic examination and group based general wellbeing intercession. Albeit other fluoride-containing items are accessible, water fluoridation remains the most fair and practical strategy for conveying fluoride to all individuals from most groups, paying little respect to age, instructive achievement, or wage level.

Studies show that dental caries does not increase following the cessation of fluoridated water (21,22)

Tell me what you learned from the dentist about what you should do at home to take care of your child’s teeth?

Fluoridation of drinking water addresses the health issue of tooth decay and the related dental problems associated with it.1 Fluoride is associated with this health issue since fluoride has been recognized as an important nutrient for healthy teeth.1

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommendation for the optimal fluoride level in drinking water to prevent tooth decay have changed from 0.7 -1.2 milligrams per liter stablished in 1962 to 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water. This change was the result of a systematic reviews of the scientific evidence related community water fluoridation since it was incorporated in 1945. As a result of community water fluoridation there was an increase in the percentage of children who were caries-free and a significant decreases in the number of teeth or tooth surfaces with caries in both children and adult. The main reason to lower the recommendation was because Americans nowadays have more sources of fluoride than the ones

Dental health is continuing to play a substantial role in the overall health for both adults and children. Dental health may affect several domains of child development and growth69. Good child dental health is essential for developing several physical and social functions such as feeding, breathing, speaking, smiling, and social adaptation. In the other hand, dental diseases can impact the children in many ways which may include pain, discomfort, embarrassment, challenged cognitive development, reduced self-esteem, and impairments of daily life activities70. In order to create a healthy future for Australian school children, we need to understand the epidemiology of child oral health and oral health behaviors 71. Establishing good oral health behaviors and attitudes at early age can create an opportunities to minimize the oral disease burden in the future 72, which may reduce the overwhelming cost of treating oral diseases that has been accounting for around 6.5% ($5.3 billion) of total health care expenditure 73. In addition, a good oral health has not being a privilege for all Australian school children; obvious differences exist across each state and territory 72. Such differences can be related to socio-economic disadvantage, residence in geographical locations that have restricted access to health and other services, and Indigenous or non-English

Orthodontics helps prevent you from dental decay. But how is this possible? When your teeth are malaligned, it is hard for you to get all the food out by flossing and brushing your teeth the proper way like you would if your teeth were perfectly aligned. For example, when you eat a delicious ham and cheese sandwich you tend to get bread stuck in between all of your teeth. Over time this causes a buildup of plaque on the surfaces of your teeth if not removed. When this happens, you tend to start getting cavities, with orthodontics cavities can be prevented easily because you are able to reach into certain areas of your mouth more. Cavities can only be prevented if you take care of your teeth like you are supposed to. Another benefit with orthodontics that that it boosts your self-esteem and quality of life. Most people tend to have low self-esteem when they don’t like a certain way they look. This would probably be one of the reasons most people choose to get braces. Orthodontics is the best way you can boost your self-esteem if you have a problem with the way your teeth look. So how can orthodontist treat the open bite make children’s smiles look

Dental Hygiene is very important to me and has been since I was a child, this has influenced my desire of becoming a pediatric dentist. In a personal interview i conducted with Dr.Bills she informed me of this, “Dental Hygiene is emphasized by all dentists, we want our patients to have elegant white teeth and pleasant breath”(Bills). I would like to teach children the importance of keeping their teeth brushed so that they will have a beautiful smile and healthy teeth. Pediatric Dentistry is a superb fit for me because I care about dental health and I want children to know the importance as well. It is never too early for children to learn how important dental hygiene is.

In some cases, early orthodontic treatment may actually prevent a future problem from developing, decrease the amount of time that treatment is necessary when the child is older, make future any treatment less complicated or avoid the need for future treatment altogether. Moreover, there are situations when an orthodontist must address issues as the face and jaws are still forming. With the benefit of early, routine orthodontic evaluations at Pediatric Dentistry of Central Florida, you provide your child with his or her best chance for a healthy, vibrant smile.

“Tooth decay is our nation’s most common childhood disease” (Nash, Mathu-Muju, Friedman, 2015). For years, childhood tooth decay and caries have been an increasing challenge. In addition to being the most common childhood disease, it is also the most prevalent health need that is consistently unmet. Despite these statistics, it is also known that early childhood caries (ECC) is highly preventable and can even be reversed with early diagnosis and professional intervention and guidance upon dental visits (Beil, Rozier, Preisser, Stearns, and Lee, 2014). So, if it is known that regular dental visits correlate with fewer ECC and treatments, then why is it that there is still such a high statistical number of untreated cases? Although this challenge has many factors associated with it, one of the largest challenges to oral health in Canada is access to oral healthcare for children. These children who lack access, statistically, have more oral disparities that may follow them into adulthood. Thus, creating an oral health problem for when this generation becomes adults as well. To solve the root of the problem, there is a need to focus on increasing children’s oral health and access to oral healthcare. Questions arise of why these children lack the access and what can be done to change this. Solutions such as introducing dental care and checkups in rural and community preschools/elementary have been of recent interest and will be discussed further (Nash et al., 2015). Here, the

The treatment is based on the bases that diagnosing and treating cases of malocclusions at an early, discovery stage can go a long way to stem the problem. Today’s interceptive orthodontics treatment has done a lot to phase out permanent removal of teeth to correct the bite and late orthodontic treatment which traditionally began at around age 12 to 14. The treatment also reduces treatment time, creates and preserves space for the un-erupted teeth and creates a facial symmetry through fine jaw bone resetting. Children who undergo this phased treatment are often treated at age between 7 and 11 to take advantage of the continued teeth growth. The treatment at this age is much easier because the patient’s are much more receptive to the treatment thus ensuring better end

With fondness, I will always remember when I first began to consider dentistry as a future profession. My childhood mentor Dr. Spigner was having a weekend workshop for his patients, at this moment, I was exposed to dental education at its full capacity. While there we learned how to properly brush and floss our teeth, the benefits of tooth hygiene, and how fillings are applied to adolescent teeth. After learning these helpful tips, I wanted to share my newfound information about the importance of

Although considered preventable, 53.6% of Medicaid eligible kindergarteners studied in California had a history of dental caries and 27.8 % had decay present at the time of the screening (Dental Health Foundation, 2006). Teaching young children effective oral hygiene techniques is the most effective way to protect the child’s teeth and help them to develop a daily oral wellness routine ("Dental Health," 2015). By focusing on those most in need, Medicaid eligible preschool aged children, teaching and reinforcing effective oral hygiene strategies early in life will foster a lifelong habit of oral health wellness (Gardner, Lally, & Wardle, 2012).