“Parents are Encouraged to ‘Think Teeth’ to Protect Children from Tooth Decay”

Because tooth decay is currently one of the most common chronic diseases among U.S. kids, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) encourages parents to "think teeth." With regular dental check-ups and daily brushing and flossing, tooth decay can be easily prevented. Parents should begin advocating for their child’s dental health as soon as the child turns six months of age. For the full article, click here.

A Little Reminder From "Mother"

Created by Sen.se, a new digital device lovingly referred to as “Mother” monitors daily routines to ensure they are completed correctly. Mother comes with four cookies that can be attached to household objects to track their daily use. Notifications and alerts can be sent directly to your smartphone reminding you to brush your teeth, take your morning pill, water the plants, feed the dogs, etc. For the full article, click here.

3 Things Every Parent Should Know About Their Child’s Teeth

The emergence of baby teeth can be an exciting time and also a challenging time for both child and parent. While some babies exhibit little discomfort during the teething period, some babies can be fussy, lose their appetite and have trouble sleeping. Fortunately, infants should have the majority of their teeth by age three. For the full article, please click here.

How the Paleo Diet Impacts Your Teeth

After examining the remains of 52 teeth from an ancient population of hunter-gatherers, human origins researcher, Louise Humphrey, and her colleagues found cavities in over half of the teeth they studied. Because the diets of hunter-gatherers were not high in carbohydrate-rich foods, Humphrey believes the decay is most likely due to the large quantities of acorns, pine nuts and land snails they consumed. These starchy nuts and gritty snails could have increased bacterial growth in their mouths. For the full article click here. 

Smart Toothbrushes Help You Stay Healthy

The new Kolibree smart toothbrush, which was presented at Sunday’s 2014 International CES show in Las Vegas, will ensure you never again leave the house without adequately brushing your teeth. The connected toothbrush keeps tabs on the duration and frequency of dental brushing, as well as how well users reach all areas of their teeth and gums. The toothbrush is expected to hit the market later this year and will range in price from $100 to $200. For the full article click here.

Cut the Sweets to Save Your Teeth

A study commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that people reduce their daily sugar intake to no more than 5% of their total daily calories. This initiative was designed to help reduce levels of tooth decay. The study found that individuals who consume greater than 10% of their total daily caloric intake from free sugars show higher levels of tooth decay. By reducing sugar intake to half that amount, the WHO hopes to dramatically reduce widespread dental decay. For the full article, please click here.

Dental Health and Pregnancy

New studies have found that expectant mothers with periodontal disease are at a higher risk of pregnancy complications than mothers without gum disease. Women with periodontal disease, also known as gingivitis and gum disease, are more likely to experience pre-term labor or deliver a baby with a low birth weight. The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) and the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) recommend that pregnant women maintain good oral health by regularly brushing and flossing and scheduling routine dental cleanings. For the full article, please click here.

Do You Need Dental X-rays?

Although dental X-rays play a vital role in detecting serious oral health problems, not all X-ray methods are created equally. Because radiation exposure can be dangerous, especially for the developing tissues of children, dentists and patients must be wary of the type of X-rays they use. Because of this, experts recommend that dentists forgo annual routine X-rays and instead allow the patient’s needs and medical history to determine whether or not an X-ray is necessary. For the full article, click here.  

Teach Kids To Have Fun With Dental Health

The philosophy that children learn best through fun and games is not a new one, which is why the Pennsylvania Dental Association (PDA) created their website, www.padental.org/kidscorner. Their Kids Corner section debuts the lovable Topher Tooth who teaches children how to take care of their teeth through interactive games and activities. The website also features a section on nutrition, brushing and flossing and frequently asked questions. For the full article click here.