Kids Dentistree: May 2012

Monday, May 21, 2012

Entries in our May GET ACTIVE CONTEST!

Thank you all so much for all of your wonderful and adorable entries showing our little friends staying active and having fun! They were all just too cute so we decided to randomly choose 3 winners. The first winner drawn wins the 3-month community wide family membership to the YMCA. The second winner drawn wins a Cranium Brain Breaks Game with 200 One-Minute Mini Games for kids. The third winner drawn wins the DVD "ToothFairy." We wish we could come up with enough prizes for each and every one of you. Know that we loved all of them and appreciate you all so very much! Stay tuned for June's contest coming up soon for another chance to win!

WINNER #1: Owen Swimming!

WINNER #2: Climbing trees at the Louisville Zoo & playing at Sam Peden's Park in New Albany!

Winner #3: Fun on the monkey bars!

And all of the other adorable entries we received! You're all winners in our book!

"Rub a dub dub, 4 boys in a....pool? :)"

Biking and swinging while playing outside!

Riding bikes down by the falls and on the OFF Chopper!

Chasing after the kite flown by Grandma!

Riding his hand pedal bike but making time for a pit stop to share some puppy love!

Playing in the creek - crossing the creek in the woods!

Esther playing ball and swinging on the playground!

George batting for the first time at his first game!

Lizzie showing off her Derby hat!

Caleb picking strawberries at Huber's and climbing the "spider web," his favorite attraction at the park!

Playing in the sprinkler and first day on the new bike!

Anna where she feels most "at home" - playing soccer on the soccer field!

Bella hiking outside and riding her brand new bike!

The girls testing for their 4th level belt in karate!

Upside Down Fun and First Bike Ride!

Monday, May 14, 2012

Dr. Kim's Response to the "Decay Dilemma, Do Kids Need Dental Sealants?"

"Decay Dilemma, Do Kids Need Dental Sealants?"

We first saw this recent news on Nightly News with Brian Williams, "Decay Dilemma, Do Kids Need Dental Sealants," so we went to Dr. Kim to have her share her own insights on dental sealants for children. We have taken some excerpts and quotes out of the article for you, but you can read the full article here.

"...decades of research demonstrate that coating the biting surfaces of 6-year molars with a resin-based sealant can reduce cavities by up to nearly 80 percent immediately -- and up to 60 percent for four years or more."

“It’s imperative that as soon as those adult teeth erupt, that they be sealed…”

"In practice, however, less than 40 percent of dentists actually follow the recommendations of the ADA, according to a 2011 study by researchers at Temple University. The study tracked whether dentists were willing to seal teeth with the beginnings of decay, but no actual cavities."

"Dental sealants are formed when a plastic-like liquid is dripped onto the biting surface of the tooth, coating the pits and fissures that typically trap food and foster bacterial growth."

"[Sealants are] applied to the permanent molars and set with ultraviolet light, ideally between the ages of 5 and 7, when the teeth erupt. Cost can be $30 to $40 for each tooth and is typically covered by most dental insurance policies."

"Studies consistently showed that sealants warded off decay in high proportions of permanent teeth, sometimes for up to a decade."

"In dental circles, the question of sealants has been hotly debated for nearly 50 years, and at least since the ADA awarded the product its seal of approval in 1976. While there have been concerns that the sealants may expose children to the controversial estrogen-like chemical bisphenol A, or BPA, the benefits in preventing kids’ cavities outweigh the risks, the American Dental Association states."

"Between 45 million and 55 million sealants are applied each year in the U.S., with pediatric dentists performing more than twice as many procedures as either general dentists or dental hygienists."

Dr. Kim Hansford's response:

"Yes. We do suggest [dental sealants] where needed. Not absolutely every person needs them. If [a child has] deep cavernous grooves on the biting surface [their] toothbrush cannot possibly get down deep enough to clean them. This sets [children] up for cavities. If there is stain on them or small areas of decay starting we typically clean them out first, this is called enameloplasty. In my office, we do not use a sealant material that has Bis- GMA, BPA or Bis-DMA. There are practices such as immediately wiping off the surface of sealants with wet gauze that can reduce potential exposure. Also, there are much greater sources of BPA exposure such as eating canned foods to consider altogether. Sealants are a great preventive [treatment] but they need to be checked regularly at check ups to make sure they are bonded well and have not chipped or come off. [Sealants] can be added to and rebonded. If a sealant is going to fail it most typically would happen sooner rather than later. If it has been there for some time it will likely last well into adulthood and still provide protection. We warn against crunching ice as this can damage fillings, healthy teeth and sealants."

Thanks Dr. Kim! Next time you come and visit us, be sure to ask us any questions you have about dental sealants!