Mouth Matters

Mouth Matters | 0 3 Canadian dentists are seeing more and more patients with dental erosion. Dental erosion occurs when the hard part of the tooth wears away from direct contact with acid. Dental enamel is the thin, outer layer of hard tissue that helps maintain the tooth's structure and shape while protecting it from decay. Dental erosion can be caused by certain health conditions such as stomach acid problems and eating disorders, but eating and drinking foods high in acid can also cause teeth to erode. Acids are found in common foods, including soft drinks (phosphoric acid), fruit and fruit products (citric and malic acids), fermented products such as yogurt (lactic acid), and grapes and wines (tartaric acid). However, dental erosion can be prevented. Following are some steps to keep your tooth enamel in good shape. • Choose drinks that are low in acid. Carbonated soft drinks are high in acid, which can harm your teeth. The best thing to drink to avoid tooth erosion is brewed tea. Apart from tasting good, brewed tea has many health benefits. Tea is loaded with natural antioxidants, which are thought to decrease the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. • Do not swish or hold high-acid drinks in your mouth for long periods of time or suck on citrus fruits. • It is best to consume foods and drinks high in acid at the end of mealtime while there is still plenty of saliva in your mouth. Typically, saliva slowly helps to restore the natural balance of the acid found in the mouth. More Canadians sufferinG froM dental erOsiOn GOOd Oral HealtH reGiMen beGins with baby's first tooth BY PAT ST. GERMAIN – For the Free Press Why did the astronaut leave her toothbrush at home? She thought there were no cavities on the moon. It may be a groaner, but if that joke from the Canadian Dental Association puts a smile on your child's face when it's time to brush, it's worth repeating. Brushing is key to preventing tooth decay, and it should start early, as soon as a baby's first tooth appears. The Manitoba Dental Association's Free First Visit program encourages parents to visit a dentist within six months after that first tooth comes in or before the child's first birthday. The first visit includes an examination, but it's largely geared toward educating parents about the risk factors for tooth decay and setting the stage for a lifetime of oral health. Cavities can grow quickly and sleeping with a bottle, falling asleep during breastfeeding, drinking sugary fruit juices and eating at bedtime promote tooth decay in babies and children. Some parents may be surprised to learn saliva transferred from caregivers is another potential peril, as when an adult tastes food from a spoon before putting it in a baby's mouth. Parents should brush their children's teeth with a soft, child- size toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste twice a day, in the morning and at bedtime. A dentist or pediatric dentist can demonstrate the correct brushing techniques and offer tips to make the job easier, such as brushing a baby's teeth while he or she is lying down. It's recommended that parents take an active role in their child's brushing routine up to about age eight or until the child is able to do a thorough job without assistance. At age two, the child may do some of the brushing, while the parent does most of the work, but over time, parental involvement decreases as the child becomes more proficient. It's also important that parents are good role models. A child who watches a parent brushing his or her teeth may want to mirror the activity. And of course, it's important to maintain good dental health for both parents and children with regular visits to a dentist. Establishing a positive relationship with a dentist can make routine visits more pleasant for children, and that friendly relationship can make an emergency visit less traumatic in the event of a playground or sports accident. These days, dentists and dental hygienists have a variety of tools at their disposal to make professional dental care more inviting on all fronts. Toothbrushes decorated with popular cartoon characters, glittery toothpaste and flavoured fluoride are now commonplace. Some dentists and hygienists even wear flavoured gloves during treatment. Although baby teeth fall out on their own over time, starting from about age seven and continuing to about age 12 or 13, loose teeth shouldn't be pulled out at home. It's best to let them fall out naturally when they're ready. If a child is prone to cavities, a dentist may suggest a protective sealant or temporary crown to protect primary, or baby, teeth. Even though they're not permanent, it's important to maintain baby teeth. They "hold the space" to ensure permanent teeth fit into the right position, and decay can be painful, resulting in problems with speaking, sleeping, eating and concentration. Keeping teeth and gums in good shape early on will help ensure permanent teeth are healthy, and proper care contributes to overall good health. Remember, the Manitoba Dental Association says, "It's free if you're under three." Visit the association's website at www.manitobadentist.ca for a list of dentists who participate in the Free First Visit Program. And you might want to start brushing up on those motivating jokes. What does a vampire say after a trip to the dentist? Fang you very much. Dr. Christopher Yue prepares to work on a patient at his Winnipeg dental office. Establishing a positive relationship with a dentist can make routine visits more pleasant for children. PHOTO BY DARCY FINLEY STAFFORDDENTAL GROUP 204-475-6874 stafforddental@shaw.ca 300StaffordStreet NEWPATIENTS WELCOME NEWEXTENDED HOURS Dr.B.Kettner Dr.J.Stillwater Dr.A.Singh

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