Here are some sun experiments to do with your kids to show how the things we eat affect our teeth.

Fluoride Power

This experiment simulates the protection 
power of Fluoride.

What you’ll need:

1 bottle of Fluoride rinse solution (available from your dentist, local dental supply company and some pharmacies)
2 eggs
1 bottle of white vinegar
3 containers

What to do:
Pour four inches of Fluoride rinse solution into one of the containers and then place an egg in the solution. Let it sit for five minutes. Remove the egg. Pour four inches of vinegar into each of the remaining two containers. Put the egg that has been treated with the Fluoride into one container of vinegar and the untreated egg in the other container of vinegar.

What will happen:
One egg will start to bubble as the vinegar (an acid) starts to attack the minerals in the egg shell. Which egg do you think will start to bubble?

Acids and our Teeth 

This experiment simulates an acid attack on bones (bones are rich with calcium, just like your teeth).

What you’ll need:
2 clean chicken bones (ask your parents to save them for you the next time you have chicken for dinner)
1 container
1 bottle of white vinegar

What to do:
Pour several inches of vinegar into the container. Soak the clean chicken bones in the vinegar overnight.

What will happen:
Check out the bones after they’ve soaked in the vinegar overnight. Are they softer or harder? Be sure to throw the bones away in the garbage after you’re finished.

Note: with any science experiment, it is recommended you have an adult present for supervision.

Source:http://healthyteeth.org/

What is the most common chronic disease among children ages 5-17?

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Check out Super Fun Dental Facts below…

More than 51 million school hours are lost each year due to dental-related illnesses. Despite these numbers, many children still do not visit the dentist. In addition, almost 50 percent of tooth decay remains untreated in low-income children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“The need for dental care cannot be ignored. Dental diseases grow progressively worse without treatment, which influences overall health and may require increasingly costly care,” says Academy of General Dentistry spokesperson Mark Ritz, DDS, MAGD. “However, most oral health problems can be prevented. Regular dental examinations, oral health education and primary disease prevention will dramatically reduce the burden of dental disease in most patients.”

Regular examinations can seem expensive to people without dental insurance, and many children are without dental coverage. The Surgeon General’s office reports that for every child without medical insurance there are 2.6 children lacking dental insurance. These resources are available to help the parents of children in need of dental care:

Federally sponsored programs

Medicaid is the largest source of funding for medical and health-related services for people with limited incomes. More than 40 million people have Medicaid coverage and about half are children. In order to be approved and receive the funding, certain eligibility requirements must be met. Go to http://cms.hhs.gov to look up eligibility requirements in each state.

State-assisted programs

A State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is another option for uninsured children. SCHIP is a state-administered program, and each state sets its own guidelines regarding eligibility and services. Go tohttp://www.insurekidsnow.gov for a listing of SCHIP programs.

States also have dental clinics or other charitable programs set up to help children receive dental care at no cost or at a reduced fee. Search online at http://ask.hrsa.gov/pc. Some state dental societies will also list clinics or charities.

Dental schools

A dental-school clinic is another option for reduced fee treatment. Students perform the procedures, which helps reduce treatment costs. Experienced faculty members are on site throughout the process to evaluate the student’s work. State dental societies should have a listing of dental schools in the area.

source:http://www.agd.org/public/oralhealth/Default.asp?IssID=296&Topic=C&ArtID=1182#body

How many types of bacteria make up dental plaque?

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Check out Super Fun Dental Facts below…

1. Remember, a child’s dental care begins before birth.  A child’s teeth form between the third and sixth month of pregnancy. An expectant mother must practice good health habits to ensure proper development of her unborn child’s teeth. This means consuming plenty of calcium-rich foods such as leafy greens, fortified cereals and dairy or soy products.2. Just because you can’t see your baby’s teeth doesn’t mean they aren’t there.  At birth, your baby has 20 primary teeth, some of which are almost completely formed in the jaw. The first four teeth will usually erupt when the baby is between 6 months and 1 year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything in the meantime. Simply wiping a baby’s gums with a clean gauze pad after feeding will remove harmful plaque and bacteria. 3. Take your child to the dentist by his/her first birthday.  A dentist will check your 1-year-old for tooth decay, as well as identify fluoride needs and address any potentially dangerous habits such as thumb sucking. 4. Don’t use toothpaste for children under 2.  As soon as the first teeth appear, brush teeth with a little bit of water. After children have reached the age of 2, toothpaste can be introduced in pea-sized amounts. 5. Teach your children the proper brushing techniques.  Most children will be able to brush their own teeth by age 6 or 7. Select for them a brush that has soft, rounded bristles and teach them to use only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Show them how to use circular brush strokes to reach all surfaces of teeth, and make sure they spit out the toothpaste and rinse with water after brushing to avoid swallowing any toothpaste. 6. Don’t forget the floss!  As soon as any two teeth touch, make sure that you use floss to clean between your child’s teeth. This is the only way to avoid decay in places where a toothbrush can’t reach. 7. Make trips to the dentist fun for your child.  It is important for your child to have a good attitude toward dental visits. Be positive and remind your child that the dentist is a friendly doctor who is helping to take care of his or her teeth. Set a good example yourself by brushing and flossing twice a day and visiting the dentist regularly. 8. Take an active role in your child’s oral health.  You should always inform the dentist as to the status of your child’s health. Tell the dentist if your child is ill, what medications your child may be taking and if your child has any known drug allergies. If you don’t understand a dentist’s recommendations for the treatment of your child, ask for a more detailed explanation. Ask if there are other treatments available for this problem and, if so, how these other options compare cost wise. Then ask which of these methods would be most effective in treating the problem

Source: http://www.dentistry.com/daily-dental-care/pediatric-dentistry/keeping-your-childrens-teeth-healthy

What percentage of people surveyed say they floss daily?

See contest rules and submit your answer HERE for a chance to win!

Check out Super Fun Dental Facts below…

As a practicing dental hygienist Kimberly Meehan is a powerful spokesperson promoting children’s oral health awareness with the goal of building healthier communities one child at a time. You will find her visiting community centers and school classrooms to educate children on the importance of proper brushing, good nutrition, and dental sealants. We love being a big part of Kim’s presentations and helping her get the message out to kids and their families.

See her blog and story here:

Thank you Kimberly for everything you do.

http://kimberlymeehan.blogspot.com/2010/04/oral-health-presentation-at-7th-avenue.html

There are several reasons why do children suck on fingers, pacifiers or other objects. This type of sucking is completely normal for babies and young children. It provides security. For young babies, it is a way to make contact with and learn about the world. In fact, babies begin to suck on their fingers or thumbs even before they are born.

Most children stop sucking on thumbs, pacifiers or other objects on their own between 2 and 4 years of age. However, some children continue these habits over long periods of time. In these children, the upper front teeth may tip toward the lip or not come in properly. Frequent or intense habits over a prolonged period of time can affect the way the child’s teeth bite together, as well as the growth of the jaws and bones that support the teeth.

Your pediatric dentist will carefully watch the way your child’s teeth erupt and jaws develop, keeping the sucking habit in mind at all times. Because persistent habits may cause long term problems, intervention may be recommended for children beyond 3 years of age.

Most children stop sucking habits on their own, but some children need the help of their parents and their pediatric dentist. When your child is old enough to understand the possible results of a sucking habit, your pediatric dentist can encourage your child to stop, as well as talk about what happens to the teeth and jaws if your child does not stop. This advice, coupled with support from parents, helps most children quit. If this approach does not work, your pediatric dentist may recommend ways to change the behavior, including a mouth appliance that interferes with sucking habits.

Thumb, finger and pacifier sucking affect the teeth and jaws in essentially the same way. However, a pacifier habit often is easier to break. Here are some tips on using pacifiers: DO use a pacifier with a plastic shield that is wider than your child’s mouth. DO use a pacifier with ventilation holes. Do NOT tie a pacifier around your child’s neck.  Do NOT dip a pacifier in sugar or sweet liquids. This can increase your child’s risk for tooth decay. Do NOT clean a pacifier in your mouth before giving it to your child. This can pass cavity-causing germs to your child.

What can I do to stop my child’s habit? Encouraging your child to stop the habit should begin by age 3, so that the sucking will have stopped entirely by age 4. Some tips to help encourage your child to stop the habit are: Praise your child for not sucking instead of scolding them when they are. Children often want to suck when feeling insecure or needing comfort. Try to find the cause of the anxiety and provide comfort for your child. Involve your child in choosing the method of stopping. Remind your child of the habit by wrapping the thumb or finger or putting a sock on their hand at night. Visit your dentist for help. The dentist can encourage your child and explain what could happen to their teeth if they do not stop sucking.