healthy teeth

Let’s talk about teeth

Jun 11, 2016 by Hélène Serfontein Leave a Comment

Dr. Louisa Piek is a practicing dentist and mom of three children – ages 9, 7 and 5. She very kindly agreed to answer some questions about kids’ teeth and dental health for us all. The following very relevant information on tooth development and dental care for children was compiled and written by Dr. Piek.

At what age should my child visit the dentist for the first time?
The first dental visit is mostly about getting kids used to the dentist’s chair and educating parents about how to care for baby’s teeth. If your child has moved from the bottle to cup and doesn’t snack or drink in the middle of the night, you get a one-year pass, until age 2. When your child is between ages 4 and 6, expect your dentist to take a first set of X-rays to check for cavities lurking between the teeth.

At the age 1 dental visit the dentist will discuss the following with parents:
How to care for an infant’s or toddler’s mouth
Proper use of fluoride
Oral habits, including finger and thumb sucking
Ways to prevent accidents that could damage the face and teeth
Teething and milestones of development
The link between diet and oral health

After this first visit, the dentist will suggest a schedule of follow-up visits. In the past, dentists typically called for visits every six months. Now, the schedule may vary according to each child’s needs and risks.

What influence do dental cavities have on my child’s development?
Failure to identify and prevent dental disease has significant and costly long-term negative effects. Tooth decay in children is painful, just as it is in adults. Unless treated in its early stages, dental decay becomes irreversible. Tooth decay, untreated, will lead to infection of the teeth, gums and tooth loss. Tooth decay compromises the child’s ability to eat well and sleep well. The unaesthetic appearance could also compromise the child’s self-esteem and social development.

Further, many children miss school as a result of tooth decay. Children with poor oral health were more likely to perform poorly in school due to pain, lack of sleep and days absent from school.

Stages of tooth development
The following chart shows when your child’s primary teeth (also called baby teeth or deciduous teeth) should erupt and fall out. Eruption times vary from child to child. As seen from the chart, the first teeth begin to break through the gums at about 6 months of age.

Usually, the first two teeth to erupt are the two bottom central incisors (the two bottom front teeth). Next, the top four front teeth emerge. After that, other teeth slowly begin to fill in, usually in pairs — one each side of the upper or lower jaw — until all 20 teeth (10 in the upper jaw and 10 in the lower jaw) have come in by the time the child is 2 ½ to 3 years old. The complete set of primary teeth is in the mouth from the age of 2 ½ to 3 years of age to 6 to 7 years of age.

Upper teeth	When tooth emerges	When tooth falls out
Central incisor (front tooth)	8 to 12 months	6 to 7 years
Lateral incisor (next to front)	9 to 13 months	7 to 8 years
Canine (eye tooth)	16 to 22 months	10 to 12 years
First molar	13 to 19 months	9 to 11 years
Second molar	25 to 33 months	10 to 12 years

Lower teeth
Second molar	23 to 31 months	10 to 12 years
First molar	14 to 18 months	9 to 11 years
Canine (cuspid)	17 to 23 months	9 to 12 years
Lateral incisor	10 to 16 months	7 to 8 years
Central Incisor	6 to 10 months	6 to 7 years

Dietary advice for parents
Tooth decay happens when plaque comes into contact with sugar in the mouth, causing acid to attack the teeth.
Foods that contain sugars of any kind can contribute to tooth decay. To control the amount of sugar your child eats, read the nutrition facts and ingredient labels on foods and beverages and choose options that are lowest in sugar. Common sources of sugar in the diet include soft drinks, sweets, cookies and pastries.
Limit the number of snacks your child eats. If they do snack, choose something that is healthy like fruit or vegetables or a piece of cheese. Foods that are eaten as part of a meal cause less harm to teeth than eating lots of snacks throughout the day, because more saliva is released during a meal. Saliva helps wash foods from the mouth and lessens the effects of acids, which can harm teeth and cause cavities.

Preschool, school age children and teenagers
Practical tips:
Foods
~Suggested snacks for in between meals are fruit, crisp raw vegetables, sandwiches, variety of breads, yogurt, cheese, plain popcorn and scones.
~Cereals such as porridge and shredded wheat are excellent energy providers, but avoid the sugarcoated types. In general, the sugar and salt content of breakfast cereals should be checked as some breakfast cereals are high in one or the other or both.
Drinks
~Milk and water are suitable to drink between meals.
~Pure juices, fruit squashes and smoothies should be consumed only at meal times.
~Drinks containing added sugars, including probiotic and yogurt type drinks, should be consumed only at meal times.
~Regular intake of carbonated drinks, including sparkling water, can lead to enamel erosion of the teeth and should be avoided.

Tooth brushing advice
Toothpaste tips
~Start brushing your baby’s teeth with fluoride toothpaste as soon as the first baby tooth breaks through (usually at around six months, but it can be earlier or later). It’s important to use a fluoride paste, as this helps to prevent and control tooth decay.
~There’s no need to buy special “children’s toothpaste” brands. In fact, some of them don’t have enough fluoride in them to help prevent tooth decay.
~Children of all ages can use family toothpaste, as long as it contains 1,350-1,500 parts per million (ppm) fluoride. Check the toothpaste packet if you’re not sure, or ask your dentist.
~Children under the age of six who don’t have tooth decay can use a lower-strength toothpaste, but make sure it contains at least 1,000 ppm fluoride.
~Make sure children don’t eat or lick toothpaste from the tube.
~Below the age of three years, children should use just a smear of toothpaste.
~Children aged three to six should use a pea-sized blob of toothpaste.

Tooth brushing tips
~Brush your child’s teeth for about two minutes twice a day: Once just before bedtime and at least one other time during the day.
~Encourage them to spit out excess toothpaste, but not to rinse with lots of water. Rinsing with water after tooth brushing will wash away the fluoride and make it less effective.
~Supervise tooth brushing until your child is seven or eight years old, either by brushing their teeth yourself or, if they brush their own teeth, by watching how they do it. From the age of seven or eight, they should be able to brush their own teeth, but it’s still a good idea to watch them now and again to make sure they brush properly and for about two minutes.

How to help children brush their teeth properly
~Guide your child’s hand so they can feel the correct movement.
~Use a mirror to help your child see exactly where the brush is cleaning their teeth.
~Make tooth brushing as fun as possible by using an egg timer to time it for about two minutes.
~Don’t let children run around with a toothbrush in their mouth, as they may have an accident and hurt themselves.

Finally: It is a very good idea to discuss preventative dental treatment options with your dentist. Fissure sealants are often placed on the first adult molars at between ages 6-8. These sealants can prevent decay. Your own dentist can give you good advice here.

Sand & Glitter would like to thank Dr. Louisa Piek for taking time out of her busy schedule to provide this very helpful information. Knowledge empowers parents.

WITH SPECIAL THANKS FOR LINKS

www.colgate.com

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-health-your-childs-teeth

http://www.dentalhealth.ie/

Why Epsom salt baths?

Nov 5, 2015 by Hélène Serfontein 4 Comments

Epsom salts are magnesium sulphate (or sulfate). They dissolve easily in water and are readily absorbed through the skin. Taking a bath with Epsom salts is an easy way to supplement the body, and relatively harmless. Epsom salt baths are used to calm and soothe the body and mind, help detoxify neurodevelopmental toxins such as heavy metals and chemicals, and to supplement the system with magnesium and sulphates. Sulphates are formed with sulphur (sulfur) and oxygen and can be readily used in the body.

Toddlers with limited palates might not ingest enough of either magnesium or sulphur. Magnesium is found in dark leafy greens, nuts, whole grains, avocados, dried fruit, bananas and such. Sulphur is found in cruciferous vegetables and protein-rich foods.

Magnesium is the most critical element in the body. Sufficient magnesium ensures optimal emotional and physical health. It is responsible for electrical stability of cells, by affecting the flow of ions through cell membranes.

A magnesium deficiency may be related to more diseases than any other element. Only 1% of magnesium is stored in the blood, so a lack does not show up in a blood test. This means magnesium deficiency often goes undiagnosed and unrecognized. Magnesium needs B vitamins to be properly utilized.

The main symptom of even slight lack of magnesium is hyperirritability. Deficient people may become highly strung and aggressive or depressed. Deficiency may be linked to mood disorders and tantrums. A lack of magnesium is linked to tooth decay and poor bone development.

A magnesium deficiency may contribute to ADHD behaviours, anxiety and nystagmus.

Magnesium affects sensory processing. Low levels may cause sensitivity to noise and tantrums, or in the extreme, seizures. Deficiency causes a hyperness or excess of movement in children.

Stimming is a characteristic on the autism spectrum. Stimming is the repetition of movements or sounds, or the repetitive movement of objects. It is viewed as a way in which autistic children can self-regulate. They use it to calm themselves down or stimulate activity. Another possible reason for stimming has to do with sensory processing. This behaviour is viewed as a protective response to sensory overload, or too much stimuli. Both magnesium and sulphate deficiencies can mimic stimming behaviours in healthy children.

Magnesium and calcium compete for absorption in the body. Children who drink too much milk may present with magnesium deficiency. Similarly, too much magnesium in the system may create a calcium shortage.

Post-pregnant moms and moms who enjoy their wine might have a magnesium deficiency. Pregnancy can deplete magnesium; so can alcohol.

Sulphur is the third most prolific element in the body. It is vital to digestion and eliminating toxins from the system. Sulphates bind with toxins in the liver through the process of sulphation. Sulphates bind with artificial food colourings, steroid hormones and certain drugs and phenols to make them water-soluble for excretion.

In the body sulphur is either oxidized into sulphates, or excess sulphur is stored as glutathione. Many autistic children are genetically deficient in their ability to produce glutathione, which is the body’s most potent anti-oxidant, produced in the brain. Glutathione keeps all other anti-oxidants performing at their best levels. It binds with toxic metals such as mercury and lead, drugs such as paracetamol, penicillin and alcohol in phase 2 of the normal liver detoxification process. This makes them into water-soluble compounds that can be excreted in the urine or bile.

Studies have shown that autistic children generally have low sulphate levels. This may be due to inadequate supply of sulphates, or inability to convert sulphur and other compounds into sulphates.

To boost sulphates: Limit phenols, artificial flavour, colourings, preservatives; or present more sulphates.

In summary: Magnesium may help to calm down over-active, sensory sensitive children. It may help with self-regulation and to stabilize moods. Sulphates help to cleanse the system of metals and artificial food additives.

How to make an Epsom salt bath:

Fill the bath.
Add a sprinkling of bicarbonate of soda. This helps neutralize the chemicals and chlorine in the bath water.
Stir in some Epsom salts. To test sensitivity in the first bath, one tablespoon is a good start. According to the literature an adult can use up to two cup fulls per bath. Children can use up to one cup. I use 100 grams. The amount depends on the amount of water and the ages and sizes of the children.
A soak should be at least 12 minutes long for salts to be absorbed through the skin in sufficient quantities.
Magnesium has a time-release effect: If you don’t rinse it off, you will keep benefiting even after the bath.
Do a bath once or twice a week.
Take this bath in the evening, as magnesium calms and soothes the body and mind.
Do not use soap or bubble bath.
Drink water afterwards to help eliminate any toxins.

Always consult your doctor or physician before starting supplementation.

WITH THANKS FOR HELPFUL ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Epsom salt bath absorption study

Magnesium deficiency: Possible symptoms and causes

Phase 2 of normal liver detoxification process explained

Sulphates and the brain (autism links)

Stimming and hyperness possible link

Epsom salts and autism

The importance of Vitamin A

Sep 28, 2015 by Hélène Serfontein 3 Comments

Vitamin A is vital for growing children. This vitamin helps with vision development, healthy eyes and night vision. It is necessary to build strong tooth enamel. Sufficient Vitamin A stores help the immune system to function properly.

Vitamin A needs healthy levels of proteins and iron in the body to be absorbed. The vitamin is stored in the liver in large quantities. This means a Vitamin A deficiency can take up to two years to present symptomatically. This is how long it might take for liver stores to become depleted.

Let’s have a look at factors that can cause limited Vitamin A in the body:

Limited supply in diet. Diet lacking in yellow fruits and vegetables especially.
Iron deficiency. Improper deworming can lead to blood parasite infestation. Parasites deplete iron stores, which in turn interferes with Vitamin A uptake
Worms
Protein deficiency
Zinc deficiency

If ice cream is the closest your child comes to ingesting protein, give yourself a pat on the back already. Ice cream should contain whey – which is made up of amino acids. These are building blocks for muscles and aid in normal liver functions. And remember, Vitamin A is fat-soluble. Therefore chasing the yellow fruit and veg with some ice cream increases Vitamin A absorption in the body.
Don’t knock the cereals either. Most are fortified with iron, which is sometimes the only iron toddlers will ingest if they have a limited food repertoire. Just remember – dairy products can interfere with the uptake of iron in the body. Thus, sticking some dry cereal in your child’s lunchbox can be a winner. If iron supplementation was prescribed, avoid consuming dairy products shortly before or after taking supplements. Oral supplements can take up to 30-45 minutes before being utilized in the bloodstream.

In South Africa Vitamin A supplementation, together with deworming is done in clinics and sometimes at preschools by registered health professionals. This single dose 200 000 IU supplement is recommended for toddlers twice yearly up to age 6 to ensure sufficient liver stores. After age 6 a single dose supplement, always together with deworming, can be administered by health professionals once a year.

The main and characteristic symptom of Vitamin A deficiency is dry eyes. Lesser known symptoms may include colour vision fluctuations, extreme fatigue and weakened tooth enamel – leading to tooth decay. Deficiency is diagnosed clinically by correlating medical history, diet and symptoms and can be tested through Retinol blood test. Even suspected deficiency without positive blood test should and can be treated easily through diet and medically prescribed supplementation. If supplementing inadequate diet with multi-vitamins, Vitamin A levels in a multi-vitamin should be between 1000-3000 IU per day to be significant, depending on the age and weight of a child. Adult supplementation can be up to 10 000 IU per day. Supplementation in the form of beta carotene is more bio-available, so more body friendly. Always supplement with the aid of your physician or general medical practitioner. Sensitivities/allergies should always be ruled out beforehand.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

With special thanks to

http://www.symptomfind.com/nutrition-supplements/health-benefits-of-ice-cream/

http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/vitamin-a/dosing/hrb-20060201

http://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/nutritional-disorders/vitamin-deficiency-dependency-and-toxicity/vitamin-a

http://ajplegacy.physiology.org/content/140/4/578