Prevention Worth Allot! Every day, thousands look for dental care in an ER, sadly almost always they do not receive the definitive care they need.
Nationally, in 2010 more than 2.1 million people, (adults mostly) show up in ERs with dental pain, double the number just a decade prior, according to the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. Nearly 80% of these ER visits are for common and preventable conditions like tooth abscesses and cavities.
Do not take for granted your or your child’s oral health. Most dental problems are preventable. Simple measures can make the difference and are in your hands.
A fluorinated water supply helps prevent decay however only 27 states (2010) had that. Scary statistic – a quarter of Americans over 65 have lost all their teeth!
In this blog I want to share a few pearls for children dental health.
Start with the young – ask dentist about ‘dental sealants‘ to protect your child’s back teeth from decay. Sealants last 5-10 years. Find and use a fluoride toothpaste if your child is older than 6, if younger use a ‘pea’ size amount of toothpaste and be sure they rinse well. Too much fluoride can cause white spots on permanent teeth.
Watch your child brush till you are sure they are doing it correctly.
Be sure the dentist’s staff instruct both you and your child on proper technique so it is not just you ‘bossing’ your child. Be patient!
I will blog pearls for adult dental hygiene in the future especially since oral cancer is on the rise in the US.
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