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School Lunches and Your Children’s Teeth

Posted by: Dr. Sarah Po | Comments (2)

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

A healthy school lunch can help maintain good oral health and establish good nutritional habits in kids and teenagers. The following tips can help you learn how to prepare a lunch that best meets your child’s dental and nutritional needs.

For snacks, send fruits, vegetables or cheese in your child’s lunchbox.
The best fruit choices are those containing more water, such as: apples, grapes, pears, cantaloupes, and other melons.
Any type of aged cheese is a good choice, such as: Swiss, Cheddar or Monterey Jack. You can also use cookie cutters to cut the cheese into fun shapes. Some studies have suggested that aged cheese can actually help to prevent tooth decay.
Raw broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, cucumbers and celery are excellent vegetable choices.
Try some different healthy foods or low carb snacks that your children may like.

The following foods are sticky and/or chewy and should be avoided because they stick to the teeth and saliva is unable to wash the sugar away.

Raisins
Honey
Dried figs
Peanut butter cookies
Jelly beans
Lollipops
Hard candy

We cannot follow our children around all the time to make sure they are eating healthy and brushing their teeth, but we can have some peace of mind knowing that we are helping to promote good oral health by providing them with their nutritional needs while they are at school.

Thank you for reading. I encourage you to leave comments or questions below. For more information on my practice, please visit www.elitesacramentodentist.com

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
August 18, 2010
Source: http://dentistry.about.com/od/childrensdentistry/a/kidsnutrition.htm

Categories : Healthy Teeth

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Sacramento Area – Is Your Water Fluoridated?

Posted by: Dr. Sarah Po | Comments (0)

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

For over five decades, the American Dental Association has continuously endorsed the fluoridation of community water supplies and the use of fluoride-containing products as safe and effective measures for preventing tooth decay.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced that it will allow bottlers to claim that fluoridated water may reduce the risk of tooth decay. “Whether you drink fluoridated water from the tap or buy it in a bottle, you’re doing the right thing for your oral health,” says ADA executive director James B. Bramson, D.D.S. “Thanks to the FDA’s decision, bottlers can now claim what dentists have long known—that optimally fluoridated water helps prevent tooth decay.”

The ADA agrees with the FDA that this health claim is not intended for use on bottled water marketed to infants for whom lesser amounts of fluoride are appropriate. The appropriate amount of fluoride is essential to help prevent tooth decay. But fluoride intake above optimal amounts creates a risk for enamel (dental) fluorosis in teeth during their development before they erupt through the gums.

To find out whether your community water supply is fluoridated in the Sacramento area, check out the geographic distribution on http://bit.ly/aSoEIQ

Thank you for reading. I encourage you to leave questions or comments below. To learn more about my practice, please visit www.elitesacramentodentist.com

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
June 8, 2010

Source: http://ada.org/3050.aspx?currentTab=1

Categories : Healthy Teeth

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How to Floss Your Teeth

Posted by: Dr. Sarah Po | Comments (0)

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

I often get asked questions such as “do I really need to floss”, “how often should I floss”, and “what teeth should I floss?” My response is “You should only floss the teeth you want to keep!”

Next to brushing, flossing is the most important thing that you can do to ensure healthy teeth and gums. It is important to floss at least once a day. Follow these tips for proper flossing technique:

Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.
Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.
When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.
Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up and down motions.
Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth.
Don’t forget the back side of your last tooth.

People who have difficulty handling dental floss may prefer to use another kind of interdental cleaner. There are many types of flossers available on the market that come with handles to make flossing easier. These are especially helpful for people with arthritis or other health conditions that affect their dexterity.

Thank you for reading. I encourage you to leave questions or comments below. To learn more about my practice, please visit www.elitesacramentodentist.com

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
June 3, 2010

Source: http://www.ada.org/3072.aspx?currentTab=1

Categories : Healthy Teeth

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What is “Meth Mouth” – Methamphetamine Use and Oral Health

Posted by: Dr. Sarah Po | Comments (0)

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

Methamphetamine is known by several street names: Meth, Speed, Ice, Chalk, Crank, Fire, Glass, and Crystal. It is a potent central nervous system stimulant that is highly addictive. Sadly, its use is on the rise in the U.S. even though it produces devastating effects on users’ health.

From a dental standpoint, methamphetamine use results in rampant tooth decay. Some users describe their teeth as “blackened, stained, rotting, crumbling or falling apart.” Often, the teeth cannot be salvaged and must be extracted.

Meth Mouth

The extensive tooth decay is probably caused by a combination of drug-induced psychological and physiological changes resulting in dry mouth and long periods of poor oral hygiene, Some reports have speculated that the acidity of the drug also damages teeth. While they are high, users often crave high-calorie, carbonated, sugary beverages or they may grind or clench their teeth, all of which can harm teeth.

Methamphetamine use is a serious health concern, particularly in rural areas and in the western, southwestern, and midwestern U.S.

Thank you for reading. I encourage you to leave comments or questions below. For more information on my practice, please visit www.elitesacramentodentist.com

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
May 27, 2010

Source: http://www.ada.org/3056.aspx?currentTab=1

Categories : Healthy Teeth

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Using Sedation and General Anesthesia in Dentistry

Posted by: Dr. Sarah Po | Comments (0)

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

Anti-anxiety agents, such as nitrous oxide, or sedatives may help you relax during dental visits and often may be used along with local anesthetics. Dentists also can use these agents to induce “minimal or moderate sedation,” in which the patient achieves a relaxed state during treatment but can respond to speech or touch. Sedatives can be administered before, during or after dental procedures by mouth, inhalation or injection.

More complex treatments may require drugs that can induce “deep sedation,” causing a loss of feeling and reducing consciousness in order to relieve both pain and anxiety. On occasion, patients undergo “general anesthesia,” in which drugs cause a temporary loss of consciousness. Deep sedation and general anesthesia may be recommended in certain procedures for children or others who have severe anxiety or who have difficulty controlling their movements.

Understanding the range of choices that are available to relieve anxiety and discomfort makes you a well-informed dental consumer. If you have questions or concerns about your oral health care, don’t hesitate to talk to your dentist. Working together, you and your dentist can choose the appropriate steps to make your dental visit as safe and comfortable as possible, and to help you keep a healthy smile.

Thank you for reading. I encourage you to leave questions or comments below. To learn more about my practice, please visit www.elitesacramentodentist.com

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
May 13, 2010

Source: http://www.ada.org/2946.aspx?currentTab=1

Categories : Dentistry

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Are Dental X-rays Harmful?

Posted by: Dr. Sarah Po | Comments (0)

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010

Once in a while, I get a patient who refuses routine x-rays for fear of too much radiation exposure. But how harmful are dental x-rays, really? And do we really need them?

A typical dental x-ray exposes you to about 2-3 mrem (millirem). To put it in context, the NCRP (National Council on Radiation Protections) says the average American receives about 360 mrem per year from background sources. This includes radiation from the atmosphere and in some of the foods we eat. Examples of other sources of radiation include cooking with natural gas (approx 10 mrem per year from radon in natural gas) and smoke detectors (approx 1 mrem per year).

On the other hand, dental x-rays benefit you by allowing your dentist to see and evaluate the supporting bones in your jaw, as well as between your teeth where any of the following may be present and undetectable by visual exam alone

decay
cysts
cancer
dissolving root and bone disease

Without x-rays, the ability to stop disease while it is small and inexpensive to repair may be lost. This could potentially result in expensive, painful dental disease conditions, unnecessary loss of teeth, and possibly some medical complications as well.

The bottom line? Properly taken dental x-rays are a necessary part of your dental examinations and will not expose you unnecessarily to harmful radiation.

Thank you for reading. I encourage you to leave comments or questions below. To learn more about my practice, click on www.elitesacramentodentist.com

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
Mar. 23, 2010

Categories : Dentistry

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Taking Care of Your Child’s Teeth – Part 2

Posted by: Dr. Sarah Po | Comments (0)

Thursday, February 11th, 2010

As I mentioned in my blog earlier this week, it is important to switch to a fluoride toothpaste once your toddler is able to spit out properly. Once your child is able to hold the toothbrush and has the dexterity to brush independently, you should still monitor and ensure that they are brushing all their teeth surfaces. And remember to help your child floss daily. This is important in preventing cavities between teeth.

I recommend the first visit for your child at 2 years of age when children are often mature enough for an initial visit. Our first visit with kids is focused on fun and building trust and rapport. A positive first experience goes a long way in helping your child develop a positive long-term relationship with the dental experience.

One way you can prepare your child for a first dental visit is by reading books on the topic. My 3 year old especially likes “Elmo Visits the Dentist” and “Show Me Your Smile: A Visit to the Dentist (Dora the Explorer).

Visit the American Dental Association website at www.ADA.org, type in National Children’s Dental Health, and check out some of the resources available for children, such as “How to Brush,” “How to Floss,” “Visit the Dentist,” “Food Pyramid,” and “The Parts of a Tooth.”

Thank you for reading. I encourage you to leave comments or questions below. To learn more about my practice, click on the link www.elitesacramentodentist.com

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
Feb. 11, 2010

Categories : Dentistry, Healthy Teeth

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Taking Care of Your Child’s Teeth – Part 1

Posted by: Dr. Sarah Po | Comments (2)

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

I’ve had several requests to write a blog about taking care of children’s teeth. In honor of February being National Children’s Dental Health month and for all you mommies out there, here it is…

On average, babies get their first teeth at around 6 months of age. They will continue to “teethe” and will have 20 baby teeth by the time they are 3 years old. Although these teeth are temporary, it is important to take care of them diligently. Baby teeth will start to fall out around age 6 or 7. Until then, they are doing a lot of work for your child.

Avoid letting your baby go to sleep with a bottle with milk, formula or juice. Having the teeth bathe in such liquids for prolonged periods of time can cause tooth decay. Avoid giving your toddler candy and sticky sugary foods like caramel. Make sure your child has a good calcium intake for development of strong teeth.

Even before any teeth come in, you should clean your baby’s mouth regularly with a wet washcloth. This way your baby gets used to having a clean mouth. By age one they can have their teeth brushed with an actual toothbrush. Look for “stage 1” toothbrushes that are specially designed for 1 year olds, then move up accordingly as your child grows. Use a non-fluoridated toothpaste at first. When your child is old enough to spit out, you can switch to a fluoride toothpaste. Use only a small amount of toothpaste, no more than pea-sized.

For more on this topic, look out for my blog later this week. Until then, have a fabulous week!

Thank you for reading. I encourage you to leave comments or questions below. To learn more about my practice, click on the link www.elitesacramentodentist.com

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
Feb. 9, 2010

Categories : Dentistry, Healthy Teeth

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