Is It Your Turn Yet?
August 2008
"A Dental Home"
As many of you know, I have two boys. Jack is almost three and Griffin will be turning one this month. During the first years of their lives, we have taken them to their many “well baby visits” with our primary care physician to ensure they are growing at the proper rate and to hear recommendations on the prevention of childhood diseases.
What would the majority say is the most common childhood disease? Is it Asthma (an illness that is certainly on the rise) or Attention Deficit Disorder (a condition we hear a lot about in the news)? It’s neither one. The most chronic disease affecting children in the United States today is Dental Decay which is five times more common than asthma. Yes…tooth decay is a disease! It is caused by a bacterial process. By the time children are in preschool, 19% have at least one tooth with untreated decay. Almost 60% of children ages 5-17 have cavities and the numbers are increasing in all cultural and economic populations. It is a common reason for sleepless nights and missed school days for thousands of children each year.
As an effective way to begin a lifelong program of preventative dentistry, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry now recommends that a child has their first dental visit by their first birthday. During this first visit, the dentist can check for proper oral and facial development and detect any early tooth decay. Most importantly, it allows for the dentist to review a home dental care program and diet.
Early preventative care is also a good financial and health investment. Some parents avoid taking their young children to the dentist to save money; however, studies show that dental costs for children who have their first dental visit before age one are 40% lower in the first five years then for those who do not see a dentist before their first birthday.
In our office we continue to see the benefits of starting dental visits at an early age. Many of the children who start coming at a young age and grow up in our practice, learn the importance of good snacks and taking good care of their teeth. These patients have never had a filling and don’t know what it feels like to have “numbing” until they have their wisdom teeth out at age 18!
To help families in our area establish a “dental home” we would like to offer one free visit for any child less than 18 months. If the family is already established in our practice, the baby can be brought to a family member’s appointment and have an exam by the doctor or hygienist. If the family is not already established with our practice, the staff will be happy to assist you in scheduling your child for a first time exam.
Many of you, in some way, have children in your life…whether your own, a grandchild, niece, nephew, or the child of a friend. We are asking you to help the caregivers of these children to understand the importance of early dental visits and encourage them to give our office a call at 564-3455 (Dover-Foxcroft office) or 422-3770 (Sorrento office). It is the key to a lifetime of healthy, cavity free smiles!
Today is the first day of the rest of your life!
As many of you know, I have two boys. Jack is almost three and Griffin will be turning one this month. During the first years of their lives, we have taken them to their many “well baby visits” with our primary care physician to ensure they are growing at the proper rate and to hear recommendations on the prevention of childhood diseases.
What would the majority say is the most common childhood disease? Is it Asthma (an illness that is certainly on the rise) or Attention Deficit Disorder (a condition we hear a lot about in the news)? It’s neither one. The most chronic disease affecting children in the United States today is Dental Decay which is five times more common than asthma. Yes…tooth decay is a disease! It is caused by a bacterial process. By the time children are in preschool, 19% have at least one tooth with untreated decay. Almost 60% of children ages 5-17 have cavities and the numbers are increasing in all cultural and economic populations. It is a common reason for sleepless nights and missed school days for thousands of children each year.
As an effective way to begin a lifelong program of preventative dentistry, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry now recommends that a child has their first dental visit by their first birthday. During this first visit, the dentist can check for proper oral and facial development and detect any early tooth decay. Most importantly, it allows for the dentist to review a home dental care program and diet.
Early preventative care is also a good financial and health investment. Some parents avoid taking their young children to the dentist to save money; however, studies show that dental costs for children who have their first dental visit before age one are 40% lower in the first five years then for those who do not see a dentist before their first birthday.
In our office we continue to see the benefits of starting dental visits at an early age. Many of the children who start coming at a young age and grow up in our practice, learn the importance of good snacks and taking good care of their teeth. These patients have never had a filling and don’t know what it feels like to have “numbing” until they have their wisdom teeth out at age 18!
To help families in our area establish a “dental home” we would like to offer one free visit for any child less than 18 months. If the family is already established in our practice, the baby can be brought to a family member’s appointment and have an exam by the doctor or hygienist. If the family is not already established with our practice, the staff will be happy to assist you in scheduling your child for a first time exam.
Many of you, in some way, have children in your life…whether your own, a grandchild, niece, nephew, or the child of a friend. We are asking you to help the caregivers of these children to understand the importance of early dental visits and encourage them to give our office a call at 564-3455 (Dover-Foxcroft office) or 422-3770 (Sorrento office). It is the key to a lifetime of healthy, cavity free smiles!
Today is the first day of the rest of your life!
Article written by: Dr. Hillary S. Caruso
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