Your Teeth Can Last Forever!!!

Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons

Sure!!  No way! Really?  So just think about it. We have jaws full of teeth from Neanderthal Man, and from Cro-Magnon Man, and countless other pre-historic cultures. Perfect teeth with no cavities that are thousands of years old. So ... Why does modern man suffer cavities that destroy teeth in a matter of a few years?  Why, as a children's dentist, do I see teeth totally destroyed, disintegrated, in as little as 2 years?


Are you aware that cavities were not an issue for the average man until about 250 to 300 years ago? Towns and villages didn't need a dentist because average folks didn't get cavities. Interesting?
But wait. There are archeological findings of jewels being used to fill cavities in king's and pharaoh's teeth. Indeed. Pharaohs had cavities and they had a dentist in the royal court. And why?  Because they also had the money to import sugar with their spice. So pharaohs and kings paid the price for their indulgences, both financially and in the discomfort of dental disease and the rudimentary level of dental science. Ouch!

Dental Health & School Performance Linked

A recent nationwide study published in Pediatrics demonstrated a significant correlation
with reductions in school performance and psychosocial well-being. Children with dental problems were more likely to have problems at school and to miss school, and were less likely to do all required homework. Dental problems were associated with shyness, unhappiness, feeling of worthlessness, and reduced friendliness. The effects of dental problems on unhappiness and feeling of worthlessness were largest for adolescents between 15 and 17 years.

Conclusion

Preventing and treating dental problems and improving dental health may benefit child academic achievement and cognitive and psychosocial development.

A reminder to start early.  The first tooth deserves a dental home.  If you are going to prevent tooth decay, you have to start before the decay starts.

Tips for Optimum Oral Heath During Pregnancy

Pregnant?  Your and your baby’s optimum oral health and general health can begin today!

In a previous blog I emphasized how important oral health is to the health of your pregnancy and your baby.  What can you do now, even before a good dental examination to maximize your oral health?

Gum Chewers and Mint Poppers 
If you chew gum or use mints, be sure to buy ones with xylitol as the first ingredient, and preferably the only sweetener in the ingredients list.  Xylitol is well documented as a cavity-preventing sweetener.  Find xylitol (gum, mints, toothpaste, etc.) at your health food store, Internet, and checkout stand (spry, glee, ice cubes, frost, epic, & more).