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The 86th Dental Squadron will host a Custom Mouth Guard Clinic from 8 a.m. to noon Sept. 17 at the Ramstein Dental Clinic, Bldg. 301.
The following are the top six things parents can do to take care of their child’s teeth:
6. Save a smile and secure self esteem — More than 5 million teeth are knocked out each year through sports injury, accident or play. Just as helmets, shoulder pads and kneepads are worn to protect against sports-related injuries, mouth guards are an equally important piece of protective gear. As the name implies, mouth guards help prevent injury to the mouth area, especially to the teeth, lips, cheeks and tongue. One of the most underrated and overlooked benefits of a well-fitting mouth guard is its ability to protect against head and neck injuries by cushioning blows that could otherwise cause concussions or jaw fractures. For details on the mouth guard clinic, call 479-2109/2693 or 06371-46-2693.
5. Institute good eating habits — Every time you eat or drink, the environment in your mouth becomes slightly more acidic. This can lead to demineralization of the enamel on teeth and gives cavities a foothold. Parents should ensure their children are eating a balanced diet and limit frequency of snacking, which can increase a child’s risk of developing cavities.
4. Make sure your child drinks water — An average can of soda pop contains more than 11 teaspoons of sugar. Carbonated drinks are the single biggest source of refined sugars in the American diet. Children start drinking soda pop at a remarkably young age, and consumption increases through young adulthood. One-fifth of 1- and 2-year-old children consume soft drinks. Toddlers drink an average of seven ounces ― nearly one cup ― per day. Parents should limit the amount of soda their children drink.
3. Make sure your child is getting fluoride — Fluoride is a mineral that, when used in small amounts on a routine basis helps prevent tooth decay. Some military installations overseas fluoridate the water, however it can also be found in many different foods. In communities that do not receive fluoridated water, children and adolescents older than 10 years of age should drink fluoridated bottled water, brush with fluoride toothpaste and rinse with a fluoridated mouth rinse. For children younger than 10, consult with your dentist about fluoride recommendations. The Ramstein Dental Clinic does not recommend fluoride supplements for children since these supplements could result in children receiving too much fluoride, which can cause permanent tooth staining.
2. Make sure your child sees a dentist at least once a year — Your dentist will be able to help you with oral hygiene instruction and topical fluoride application. He or she can also answer any questions you might have about taking care of your child’s oral health. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends your child be seen by a dentist by age 1, or by the eruption of the first tooth.
1. Brush you child’s teeth — The average child does not have the manual dexterity to properly clean their teeth and gums until they are 11 years old. Even if you do not brush your child’s teeth directly, they still need to be supervised. Check them after they brush and point out areas they are missing.
