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FEBRUARY 2018


 

Five ways to prevent tooth decay in children


1.   Care, don't share
       Don’t share utensils with your child or “clean” a
       pacifier by putting it in your mouth. You can
       transfer cavity-causing germs to your child.


2.  Eat healthy and drink fluoridated water
       Get fruits and vegetables into your diet. 

3.
First dental visit no later than age 1

      Your child’s baby teeth are at risk for decay as soon 
     as they first appear—which is typically around age
     six months.

4. Seal out decay
     Ask your dentist about applying dental sealants to
     chewing surfaces of teeth.

5. Use fluoride toothpaste as soon as teeth come through the gums.
    Most children age 6 and under are not effective
    enough to manage brushing alone. We recommend
    young children practice brushing their own teeth first
    with parents finishing up.

Learn more on MouthHealthy.org 

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FAQ: If I go for a cleaning twice a year, does the dentist have to examine me each time?

Examinations and X-rays are important tools a dentist uses to assess and maintain a patient's oral health.

Exams must be done at least once a year by a dentist for patients being seen by a dental hygienist without the dentist present. State statute doesn't dictate how often exams must be performed if the dentist is always present, but that is most likely because it is assumed that if the dentist is present he or she is performing examinations.

From a liability standpoint, a dentist should examine a patient on a "regular" basis. The Wisconsin Dental Association recommends dental offices set forth individual office policies on frequency of dental examinations.

Also, other factors may influence how often a dentist needs to examine a patient. For example, a dentist should conduct an exam before performing any clinical treatment, since an exam will help determine the proper course of treatment to be followed. In addition, patients may need to be seen more frequently if they have serious or ongoing oral health issues.

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Dry mouth

Dry mouth—also called xerostomia—results from an inadequate flow of saliva. It is not a disease, but a symptom of a medical disorder or a side effect of certain medications, such as antihistamines, decongestants, pain killers, diuretics and many others.

Saliva is the mouth’s primary defense against tooth decay and maintains the health of the soft and hard tissues in the mouth. Saliva washes away food and other debris, neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth and provides disease-fighting substances throughout the mouth, offering frontline protection against microbial invasion or overgrowth that might lead to disease.

Some of the common problems associated with dry mouth include, a constant sore throat, burning sensation, trouble speaking, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness or dry nasal passages. In some cases, dry mouth can be an indicator of Sjögren's syndrome.

Sjögren’s syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own moisture-producing glands, the tear-secreting and salivary glands, as well as other organs.

Without saliva, extensive tooth decay can also occur. Your dentist can recommend various methods to restore moisture. Sugar-free candy or gum stimulates saliva flow, and moisture can be replaced by using artificial saliva and oral rinses.

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IN THIS ISSUE

IN THE NEWS

FUN FACT

 

The teeth of a pocket gopher grow up to 15 inches a year! Because of their constant gnawing, they wear them down and they stay the same size.

LINKS

CONTACT

Communications
Committee Chair

Dr. Ryan Dulde
duldedds@gmail.com

Executive Director
Mark Paget
414-755-4100
mpaget@wda.org

Electronic Communications Coordinator
Amanda Peterson
414-755-4112
apeterson@wda.org

ABOUT THE WDA

The Wisconsin Dental Association is pleased to make Tongue 'n' Cheek... and Teeth, too! available to our member dentists and dental hygienists and their patients as a way of communicating oral health information and promoting quality care.

Information in this electronic publication is provided as patient education only and cannot substitute for the judgement your dentist brings to individual clinical situations.

Nothing contained herein is intended as professional dental or medical advice to be used for diagnosis or treatment, Be sure to consult your dentist with any questions about any dental condition.

The WDA (i) does not necessarily endorse non-WDA resources that may appear or may be otherwise referenced in this publication, and (ii) makes no representation or warranties regarding the products or services referenced herein.

We welcome your comments and suggestions regarding this publication.

 
         
      
Copyright © 2018 Wisconsin Dental Association, All rights reserved.