ORAL EDUCATION IN OUR CHILDREN

A good oral education starts when we're kids.

One issue to consider so important is the fact that many young people today do not have adequate oral hygiene and therefore an unhealthy mouth, then I came to the following conclusion. "It all started when they were just kids." In this short article I will talk about the importance of oral education in our sons, especially when they are children.

Since their early years, the little kids are like sponges that absorb and copy everything they see from us it is important to be a good example for them in what relates to dental hygiene. Educate them well in this regard will be an invaluable investment in health for them for life. As children, we must try to make them see daily hygiene tasks like fun, so they will not feel it's an imposition boring. One way is to brush with them or allow them to choose their own toothbrush when you purchase (considering minimum criteria).

TO HELP OUR CHILDREN MAINTAIN PROPER ORAL HYGIENE, WE MUST TEACH AND FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE STEPS:

1. Brush at least 3 times a day or after every meal with fluoride toothpaste.
2. Use floss to remove food debris between teeth (this is recommended for children from 4 years).
3. Use mouthwash to attack areas where brushing and flossing has no reach
4. Maintain a balanced diet avoiding excessive consumption of sugars and starches. If they have to eat these foods; do it during mealtime, not between meals.
5. Going to the dentist regularly for a routine, and that prevention is the key to win the battle against tooth decay and oral health.

It is important that as responsible parents, we monitor and strengthen brushing techniques on our little kids, so they feel supported and cared for, in addition to perfect their technique and habits when they are to make for themselves.

SOME BRUSHING TECHNIQUES WE CAN ENCOURAGE OUR CHILDREN COULD BE:

·         Use the right amount of toothpaste, for them will be a small portion (equivalent to the size of a pea or green pea).

1. Verify that the little kids do not swallow the toothpaste.
2. Brush teeth in both the back and front.
3. Brush the outer edges of the teeth.
4. Brush the chewing surface of the teeth.
5. With the tip of the brush, brush the back of the front teeth.

HOW IMPORTANT IS THE DIET IN ORAL HEALTH OF MY CHILDREN?
A balanced diet is necessary for our children to develop strong teeth and resistant to decay. In addition to the full range of vitamins and minerals, a child's diet should include plenty of calcium, phosphorus, and proper levels of fluoride.

Just as fluoride is the best protection for children against decay, snacking frequently is the worst enemy. The sugars and starches found in many foods such as cookies, candy, nuts, soft drinks, pretzels and potato chips combine with plaque on teeth to create acids. These acids attack the tooth enamel and can lead to cavities. Each "plaque attack" can last up to 20 minutes after the end of the meal. Even a small bite can cause plaque acids. So, it is best to avoid eating between meals.

MOUTH AND HELTH (MONONUCLEOSIS)

If you love your children, do not kiss them in mouth

WHAT IS "MONO"?
Mononucleosis — or "mono" — is an infection that produces flu-like symptoms, and usually goes away on its own in a few weeks with the help of plenty of fluids and rest.

Mono is usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a very common virus that most kids are exposed to at some point while growing up. Infants and young kids infected with EBV usually have very mild symptoms or none at all. But teens and young adults who become infected often develop mono.

Mono is spread through kissing, coughing, sneezing, or any contact with the saliva of someone who has been infected with the virus. (That's how mono got nicknamed "the kissing disease.") It can also be spread through other types of direct contact, like sharing a straw or an eating utensil. Researchers believe that mono may be spread sexually as well.

SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of mono can often be mistaken for the flu or strep throat. Call your doctor if your child has a fever, a sore throat, swollen lymph nodes (in the neck, underarms, or groin), or unexplained constant fatigue or weakness.

Other symptoms of mono can include:

•     headaches
•     sore muscles
•     larger-than-normal liver and spleen
•     skin rash
•     abdominal pain

Kids with mono may have different combinations of these symptoms, and some teens may have symptoms so mild that they are hardly noticeable. Your doctor will likely perform a blood test to make a firm diagnosis.
Mono symptoms usually go away on their own within 2 to 4 weeks. But in some teens, the fatigue and weakness can last for months.

MONO AND SPORTS
Doctors usually recommend that kids who get mono avoid sports for at least a month after symptoms are gone because the spleen is usually enlarged temporarily from the illness. An enlarged spleen can rupture easily — causing internal bleeding, fever, and abdominal pain — and require emergency surgery. Vigorous activities, contact sports, weightlifting, cheerleading, or even wrestling with siblings or friends should be avoided until your doctor gives the OK.

COMPLICATIONS
Most kids who get mono recover completely with no problem, but in rare cases, complications can occur. These can include problems with the liver or spleen, anemia, meningitis, trouble breathing, or inflammation of the heart.

PREVENTION AND TREATMENT
There is no vaccine for the Epstein-Barr virus, but you can try to protect your kids from mono by making sure that they avoid close contact with other kids who have it. But sometimes people have the virus without any symptoms and can still pass it to others. So teach your kids to wash their hands often, and not to share drinks or eating utensils with others, even when they seem healthy.

The best treatment for mono is plenty of rest, especially early in the course of the illness when symptoms are the most severe. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help to relieve the fever and aching muscles. Remember, never give aspirin to a child who has a viral illness because this has been associated with the development of Reye syndrome, which may lead to liver failure and can be fatal.

In most cases, the symptoms of mono go away in a matter of weeks with plenty of rest and fluids. If the symptoms seem to linger, or if you have any other questions, talk with your doctor.

Source: Kids Health
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