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Product Update: Oral-B Glide Floss

Oral-B Glide Pro-Health Clinical Protection Floss is one of the most advanced flosses ever. It helps reverse gingivitis in 2 weeks as part of a comprehensive dental health routine.

This floss:

• Slides up to 50% more easily in tight spaces versus the leading floss.
• Effectively removes plaque and food particles in between teeth to help prevent cavities
• Invigorates gums and provides a minty cool feeling every time you floss.
• Light coating of natural wax for improved grip
• Gently stimulates gums
• Removes plaque to help reverse gingivitis in 2 weeks

Product Update: Baby Buddy

Baby Buddy: Baby’s 1st Toothbrush

• 100% silicone – BPA, lead and phthalate free
• Cleans teeth and massages tender gums as baby chews
• Pediatric dentist/pediatrician invented and recommended
• Chewing type toothbrush
• Pain free, easy and fun for baby

Baby’s 1st Toothbrush: Made of 100% Food Grade Silicone (BPA, Lead and Phtalate free), the unique design of our toothbrush helps remove sugars and bacteria that can lead to future decay. Dentist-designed. Assorted colors. PKGD IN USA

Product Update: Infant Pediatric Dental Set

ProGrade™ Infant Pediatric Dental Set IH039

The ProGrade Infant Pediatric Dental Set brings advanced oral care to your family. The unique system was designed by a dentist to be more durable and 3 times more efficient than a bristle brush.

- Advanced, bristle-free care

- Unique head design hugs gums and teeth

- Less painful introduction to good dental hygiene

- Ergonomic grip fits adult’s hand comfortably

- Unique shape excellent for applying topical anesthetic

Advanced, bristle-free care cleans top, front and back of teeth with one gliding motion.

Traditional bristle brushes scrubs one surface of tooth at a time.

www.saftey1st.com

October is National Dental Hygiene Month

My Kidz Dentist is celebrating National Dental Hygiene Month. The American Dental Hygienist's Association stresses the value of working to increase public awareness about the importance of preventive services in keeping good oral hygiene and to encourage others to develop and continue with a daily oral health routine.

Brushing your teeth for two minutes at least twice a day remains a critical component to maintaining a healthy smile. Studies have shown that brushing for two minutes is perhaps the single most important step an individual can take to reduce plaque build-up and the risk of plaque-associated diseases, such as cavities and gingivitis.

Proper flossing removes plaque and food particles in places where a toothbrush cannot easily reach — under the gumline and between your teeth. Because plaque build-up can lead to tooth decay and gum disease, daily flossing is highly recommended.

Rinsing your mouth each day with an anti-microbial mouth rinse is another important step in preventing the gum disease known as gingivitis. Speak with your dental hygienist for more information on which mouth rinse is right for you.

Chewing sugar-free gum after eating is clinically proven to be an important part of good oral health. It stimulates the most important natural defense against tooth decay - saliva - which, in turn helps fight cavities, neutralize plaque acids, remineralize enamel to strengthen teeth and wash away food particles.

Research from around the world has now shown conclusively that chewing sugarfree gum has many oral health benefits. When chewing is incorporated into the daily oral healthcare routine, especially after eating and drinking, it positively affects oral health.

Here is a Primary (BABY) Tooth Chart

Product Update: Listerine Zero

Oral care brand Listerine, by Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products division McNeil-PPC, has introduced its new mouthwash. Listerine Zero, available as of August, is designed to have a less intense flavor and is alcohol-free. Like the original Listerine Antiseptic, Listerine Zero contains four essential oils for a cleaner, fresher mouth and promises to kill millions of bad breath germs on contact.

Listerine Zero is available in clean mint and has a suggested retail price ranging from $3.89 to $8.49. Look for Listerine Zero in your toothpaste aisle.

Toothpaste aisle image courtesy of Dr. Dan Ponce D.D.S.

Acid Reflux

If your child has dental problems then acid reflux could be the culprit. When experiencing acid reflux,stomach acid travels through the esophagus and out of the mouth. This exposes your child’s teeth to the stomach acid.

Now if this happens every other blue moon, there is no real need to be concerned. If this happens on a more consistent basis, then the outer layer of the tooth can become damaged. The teeth in the far back of the mouth will be most affected and the inside surfaces close to the tongue.

There are three things that should concern you if your child has dental problems due to acid reflux:

Bad Breath – When your child coughs up or regurgitates stomach acid, the contents into the mouth may lead to bad breath.

Cavities – The dentist may notice a pattern of cavities, especially in the back of the mouth and inside surfaces of the teeth.

Tooth Enamel Erosion – When the protective layer of enamel is damaged, your teeth can become sensitive to foods, liquids and temperatures. This can make daily brushing and oral care pretty uncomfortable for your child.

Develop appropriate tooth brushing techniques. Select the best toothbrush for your child’s age and size. Provide you with some good advice on healthy eating to prevent cavities.

It’s usually recommended that a child visits the dentist at least every 6 months. However, a child with acid reflux should probably see a dentist more often.

Source:

www.acid-reflux-tips.com

Product Update: Jason Natural Toothpaste

This toothpaste is from Jason Natural Cosmetics. Toddlers love the strawberry banana flavor which makes them want to brush their teeth. It is fluoride free and comes in a 1.6 oz tube with a finger brush.

It can be ordered here:

http://jason-natural.elsstore.com/view/category/3540-baby-and-kids-products/

Pediatric Dental Survey

Parents will do anything to make their children smile, yet many are missing the preventative measures and specialized care needed to keep smiles healthy. The AAPD recently sponsored a survey to see what moms knew about proper oral health care for their children. The survey results found that a staggering number of moms are misinformed about the importance of infant dental visits and proper at-home care.

The survey showed an overwhelming 97 percent of respondents didn't know their children needed to visit a pediatric dentist in the first year of life, leaving a large number of infants potentially vulnerable to tooth decay and disease. Tooth decay can begin as early as the teeth begin to emerge, typically at six months, and often progresses rapidly.

The survey also found that while approximately 75 percent of moms were aware of the specialty of pediatric dentistry, more than half had never taken their children to visit primary care pediatric dentists.

The AAPD recommends the following "Get it Done in Year One" Checklist to keep infant mouths healthy and prevent infection:

- Clean infants' mouths and gums regularly with a soft infant toothbrush or cloth and water. Once baby teeth appear, brush them at least twice daily with an age-appropriate sized toothbrush and a "smear" of fluoridated toothpaste.

- Give children older than six months fluoride supplements if their drinking water does not contain enough fluoride. (Fluoride supplementation in infants has been shown to reduce tooth decay by as much as 50 percent.)

- Wean infants from the bottle by 12-14 months of age. Have infants drink from a cup as they approach their first birthday.

- Visit the pediatric dentist before children's first birthday and twice annually following the first appointment.

- Avoid at-will breast feeding after the first baby tooth appears and other foods are introduced.

Product Update: New Toothbrush for Kids

There’s finally a Sonicare specifically designed to help kids build healthy brushing habits for life. With its kid-friendly features and clinically proven results, Sonicare For Kids helps parents teach their children to brush—supporting the transition from brushing together to brushing alone. It’s finally true that for children learning to brush, there is a Sonicare waiting to help them.

http://www.sonicare.com/professional/dp/OurProducts/SonicareForKids.aspx

April is National Autism Awareness Month

In order to highlight the growing need for concern and awareness about autism, the Autism Society has been celebrating National Autism Awareness Month since the 1970s. The United States recognizes April as a special opportunity for everyone to educate the public about autism and issues within the autism community.

Pediatric Dental Video

This educational video is intended for new parents and parents of young children and also for anybody responsible for the care of young children. It is intended to answer questions that are most frequently asked regarding a child's oral health. This video will address the following topics:

The Role of Healthy Pregnancy in the Development of Baby Teeth
Stages of Baby Tooth Development
Healthy Nutrition for Healthy Baby Teeth
Oral Hygiene
Fluoride: Benefits and Proper Use
Where Do Bacteria in the Mouth Come From?
Night Feeding Habits
Early Baby Tooth Decay
Oral Habits
Prevention of Injuries
The Baby's First Dental Visit
Regular Dental Visits

Length: approximately 19 minutes.
Source: University of Toronto, Faculty of Dentistry

Product Update: Burt’s Bees Natural Toothpaste

Burt’s Bees just introduced an innovative line of six natural, effective toothpastes clinically proven to improve oral health, that have been certified by the Natural Products Association (NPA). The NPA certification is the Natural Standard for personal care products, a strict set of guidelines that define what natural is—and what it isn’t.

Burt’s Bees powerful natural toothpaste formulas contain:

- Real Cranberry Extract, known to help prevent plaque formation before it starts
- Calcium Sodium Phosphosilicate to promote strong, healthy teeth
- Xylitol to sweeten naturally without promoting tooth decay
- Silica to whiten teeth by gently removing surface stains

Additionally, all of the toothpastes are SLS-free and do not contain any artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or sweeteners. It’s the first and only natural toothpaste line of products to be certified by the Natural Products Association.

“The combination of natural ingredients in the Burt’s Bees formula is truly a breakthrough,” says pediatric dentist Jill Lasky. Dr. Lasky, who has been practicing dentistry for over 12 years, has made the switch to natural after experiencing what the new Burt’s Bees® Natural Toothpaste line has to offer. “The science is there. I’m so impressed with how effective the ingredients really are and I am proud to offer this natural alternative to both my family and my patients.”

Burt’s Bees® Natural Toothpaste will be available in the toothpaste aisle at national retailers, including Target, Walmart, Rite Aid, CVS, and Whole Foods.

February is National Children's Dental Health Month

Give Kids A Smile is an annual centerpiece to National Children's Dental Health Month and is observed every year on the first Friday in February, while NCDHM is celebrated during the entire month of February. National Children's Dental Health Month focuses on providing oral health education to all children despite their economic status. Give Kids A Smile was designed to provide education, preventative and restorative care to low-income children who do not have access to care.

How to Sweeten Up Without Sugar

Trying to cut back on sugar but love sweets? Although the only real solution is to wean yourself off sweets altogether (at least to a degree) there are other ways to quiet your sweet tooth without going the refined sugar route. Here are a few ideas, many of which are great for baking.

Honey

Made up of a combination of fructose, glucose, maltose, and sucrose, honey is as much as 50% sweeter than sugar and has a distinctive flavor that can vary depending on location, time of year, and the bees diet. Honey also offers some nutritional benefits in the form of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients.

Maple Syrup

Real maple syrup (not the 'maple-flavored' syrups) contains magnesium and zinc and comes from sugar maple trees. It's boiled down to the desired thickness and is usually about 60% sweeter than traditional table sugar.

Agave Nectar

A fructose syrup that's slightly thinner than honey and originates from the Agave plant in Mexico, it's 25-30% sweeter than white sugar and has a mild flavor along with some nutrient properties (mostly minerals). It also has a lower glycemic index than sugar so is often favored by diabetics.

Molasses

A byproduct of the sugar refining process, molasses is dark and heavy and has a very strong flavor. It is sweet (made up of fructose, glucose, and sucrose) but slightly less so than sugar itself. Molasses is high in iron and calcium and also contains several B-vitamins.

Raw Sugar

If you must have sugar then go for raw sugar, or sugar that has not been refined and still maintains its nutritional value. Tastes very much like brown sugar (essentially it is, although even less processed).

Stevia

Made from the leaf of the stevia plant, stevia sweetener is 200-300 times more potent than sugar and is usually found in liquid and powder form. Stevia leaves (although not always the end product) contain many nutrients like iron, calcium, and zinc.

by Rigel Celeste