News

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Health Watch: February is National Children’s Dental Health Month

A message to parents from Elizabeth Christen, RN, Santa Barbara School Districts’ school nurse, and the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department’s “Tooth Fairy” Program.

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. Fifty two million school hours are lost nationwide because of dental health problems. Dental disease can be prevented and teeth can last a lifetime!

Germs can live in a sticky, hard to see film called plaque. Plaque forms on teeth everyday. These germs produce an acid made from carbohydrates (sugars and starches) found in foods we leave on our teeth. Acid weakens the tooth enamel causing cavities and plaque inflames the gum tissue causing gums that bleed easily.

Acid can form each time a child takes a bite of a sugary or sticky starchy treat. Acid can stay on the teeth for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, even after the sweets are swallowed. Cavities are more likely to develop if sweets are eaten many times during the day.

• To prevent cavities, brush your teeth as close to after eating as possible and floss your teeth before bed at night. If it is not possible to brush after eating, get in the habit of swishing plain water around your teeth.
• When not in school, chewing sugarless gum with Xylitol (read the label) for five minutes after meals and snacks helps to control the germs in your mouth. Do not give gum to a child under the age of four.
• For a healthier mouth, send your child to school with vegetables and fresh fruits, cheese, hardboiled eggs and nuts for school snacks not high-sugar or high-fat snacks such as cookies and candies.