Can you spread cavities to your child?

I do it every day. Taste my daughter’s food to make sure it isn’t too hot. Am I possibly infecting her with cavities when I do this?

Researchers say yes.

A trip to the dentist with the kids could take on a whole new level of stress.  The claim:  not only do you have to worry about cavities, but you have to worry about them spreading.  Researchers tell the New York Times it happens all the time.

Although sugar is considered the cavity culprit cavities are mainly caused by bacteria on the teeth.  One of the byproducts they create is acid, which destroys teeth.  Just as the cold virus is spread, so is the bacteria clinging to your teeth.  One of the most common is Streptococcus mutants which Infants and children are particularly vulnerable to.  Studies have shown that most kids pick up the bacteria from their caregivers – like when a parent tastes food to make sure it isn’t too hot for a child. Continue reading »

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Too much candy!

Looking for a new and exciting way to upset your kids and make them hate you forever?  Yes, you could force them to do their homework before watching television.  Or make them go to bed at a decent hour every single night of their lives.  But they kind of expect that, don’t they?

No, if you are looking for something that’s going to make a really big impression and keep them angry for a good long time, you are going to have to think out of the box.  I’ve got it!  How about selling their Halloween candy?

While they are at school, nip out to a participating dentist’s office and unload that stuff.  Seriously, the expressions on their little faces when they get home from school to find their candy stashes gone will be priceless and totally worth the time and effort on your part. Continue reading »

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What’s worse than finding out that your bottled water and canned goods have all been tainted with the toxic chemical BPA?  How about finding out that you paid good money to have that same toxic chemical professionally installed in your child’s mouth?

According to a new study, if you’ve had dental sealants applied to your child’s teeth, that is exactly what you’ve done. Continue reading »

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Over on Yahoo! Shine, Jessica Ashley interviews Chicago’s favorite pediatric dentist, Dr. Grace Yum, about the two biggest mistakes parents are making regarding their kids oral health (only two?). Dr. Yum also answers five common questions we have about kids, brushing, straight teeth and dentists.

On to the mistakes!

The first big one is waiting too long to take the kid to the dentist. Dr. Yum says kids should see the dentist by, get this, age 1 or when they get their first tooth — whichever is sooner. Sooner? Continue reading »

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Not all candy is created equal.  Duh.  Baby Ruth is way better than Snickers or Milky Way and those little sticks from Lik-M-Aid Fun Dip (forget the sugar powder) are awesome.  But that’s not what dentists care about.  In fact, Dr. Douglas Young, professor of dental practice at the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry rates his candy based on the damage it can do to your teeth.  Now, normally, I wouldn’t pay attention to this sort of thing, but since taking kids to the dentist is about as much fun as going myself, I thought this might be some good advice to keep in mind.
Continue reading »

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