The Scoop From the 2011 Toothfairy Poll

Tooth Fairy giving is steadily increasing, according to Delta Dental of Minnesota’s annual Tooth Fairy Poll. Nationally the average is $2.52, which is an 18 percent increase over last year’s average of $2.13. In Minnesota, children receive an average of $2.01 per tooth – it increased slightly (2.6 percent) from last year’s average of $1.96.

“This year’s Tooth Fairy Poll average reflects the stable increase we’re seeing in other areas of the economy,” said Ann Johnson, director of community affairs for Delta Dental of Minnesota. “For example, the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 17.2 percent during the same time period. The Tooth Fairy may be another indicator that the economy is on pace for a steady recovery.”

We asked a new question on this year’s Tooth Fairy Poll: “After you brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste, should you rinse your mouth?” Approximately 64 percent answered yes. “This response is interesting because it’s not correct,” said Johnson. “It’s a common misconception. We should spit out any remaining toothpaste, but we should NOT rinse our mouths with water after brushing our teeth, because the remaining fluoride toothpaste helps protect the teeth against tooth decay.” 

OTHER NEWS FROM THE TOOTH FAIRY POLL

•     Tooth Fairy Gift Amounts – The Tooth Fairy’s monetary “gifts” ranged from one penny to one hundred dollars.
•     First Dental Visit - Survey-takers report that 70% of 2 to 3-year-olds are visiting the dentist for the first time. “When we collect the data from Tooth Fairy Poll each year, we see a shift toward earlier dental visits,” said Johnson. “That is great news because all professional dental organizations recommend that a child be seen by a dentist as soon as his or her first tooth erupts, but at least no later than the child’s first birthday.”
•     Regular Dental Exams- About 90% of parents surveyed state their children receive a dental exam every six months. “The frequency of dental visits should be determined by the child’s dentist, based on an assessment of the child’s unique oral health needs,” said Johnson. “This process ensures that each child receives the most appropriate dental care.”
•     Sweets and Snacks - The poll continues to show children are consuming fewer sugary drinks and/or treats. More than 65% of parents surveyed indicated their children consume an average of one to two sugar drinks and/or treats per day.
•     Brushing Habits - Kids seem to be working hard at brushing those choppers. According to the poll, 55% of parents report that their children brush their teeth in the morning, and 60% of children brush at night, while only 2.2%brush at noon.
•     Economics and the Tooth Fairy – When asked if the state of the economy was impacting Tooth Fairy giving, 90% of respondents said “no”.

Get more Tooth Fairy rates, statistics, oral health information and Tooth Fairy customs from around the world by visiting http://www.theofficialtoothfairypoll.com.

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Be the healthy example for your kids!

While dental cavities are one of the most prevalent, chronic diseases of children in the U.S., more than half of children still don't visit the dentist on an annual basis. Here are some hard facts from the study "Association Between Parents' and Children’s Use of Oral Health Services":

• Children were more likely to have visited a dentist in the previous 12 months when their parents also had a dental visit. 
• Of 6,107 child-parent pairs, 77 % of children and 64 % of parents had a dental visit in the previous 12 months. 
• Among parents who had seen a dentist, 85 % of their children also had a dental visit. 
• Among parents who had not seen a dentist, 62 % of their children had a dental visit. 
• Children whose dental care was deferred due to cost were more likely to have parents whose dental care was deferred for the same reason.

Based on these research findings, if parents go to the dentist, children most likely will, too! And that makes for one happy, healthy, and smiling family! Call us today and we'll get your little one scheduled for a FUN visit at Kid's Dentistree!

Post credits: http://www.healthychildren.org/English/news/Pages/If-Parent-Visit-The-Dentist-Children-Probably-Will-Too.aspx 

Can't give up the paci? Tried-And-True Weaning Tips!

Q: My 17-month-old daughter still uses a pacifier. I want to wean her off of it but I was told not to, because it can help with teething. Is there any truth to this? I always thought using a paci for too long would ruin her teeth. Also, will the longer I let her use it make it that much harder to wean her off of it?

A: While pacifier use can get a child's mind off of teething pain, it's not beneficial to the process of teething itself. The act of sucking is very soothing for an infant, and it increases saliva production, which serves as a natural antiseptic that is good for oral hygiene. Despite these supposed benefits, extended pacifier use can, more likely than not, cause dental problems. The extra pressure exerted during sucking can cause dental malalignment (known as an open bite). Overbites are more common with thumbsucking than with pacifier use, but the risk is still there. And it is true that the longer you let her use it, the harder it will be to wean her off of it later. 

Tried-and-True Weaning Tips:

Get her mind off of it. Identify what situations trigger your child's desire for the pacifier  -- many toddlers love to suck on something when they're upset. Also, examine your own reactions to your baby when she is upset. Do you find yourself reaching for a pacifier instead of reaching for her? Next time she needs soothing, try offering Mommy-comfort rather than paci-comfort. Think of this as an opportunity to deepen your bond with her, since she'll be spending a lot more time in your arms and on your lap.

Teach her other self-soothing techniques. In addition to being her human pacifier for a while, teach her ways to self-soothe (aside from thumbsucking, of course!). When she's upset or anxious, distract her with a fun play activity. Give her a cuddly doll or other transitional object to help her make the switch from the rubber pacifier to a more suitable soother.
Trade it in. One paci-ditching trick that has worked for several of my patients is to take your child and pacifier to a toy store and let your child pick out a new toy or stuffed animal that will act as a substitute. At the checkout counter, "trade in" the pacifier for the toy. There are many experienced toy store clerks who are used to this little trick and willing to play along!

Use peer pressure. Surround her with non-pacifier-using playmates to help her get the idea that pacifiers are not needed.

If you try these tricks and she resists to such an extent that she becomes a sadder child, take stock of the situation. She simply may not be ready to give the paci up, and that's fine for the short-term. If you conclude that your infant still needs her favorite pacifier for a few more months, go ahead and oblige, using these precautions:

• Above all, always try other ways of comforting her first.
• Don't dip the pacifier in honey or any sugary solution that could damage her teeth.
• Let her use the pacifier for only short periods of time, and when you feel she particularly needs it.
• Gradually shorten the frequency and length of time she's "plugged in" to the pacifier.
• Rest assured that whether it's now or later, your child will outgrow the need for her silicon soother! 

Dr. William Sears - Parenting.com
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Congrats Savannah!

Savannah Bennett is the winner of the Kid's Dentistree *What Makes You Smile?* Drawing Contest! Congratulations Savannah!

WHAT MAKES SAVANNAH SMILE? 

Savannah is so happy and has a big smile when she dresses up and plays Woody and Jessie from Toy Story with her little brother! She also loves to draw dinosaurs for her little brother because that's what makes him smile! What a sweet big sister! 

We loved all the many colors that Savannah used in her drawing and her great attention to detail! How about Woody and Jessie? We think they're great! :)

Thanks so much to everyone that sent us a drawing! They were all so beautiful! What makes our little patients smile? Playing with friends, playing outside, and lots more! Thanks so much for sharing with us what makes you smile! You make us smile every day! 

Be sure to check back soon for our next contest and a chance to win!

SEPTEMBER CONTEST: CLICK LINK ABOVE

Snoring Among Children

12% of children snore habitually. Studies have shown that 1% to 3% of preschool children who snore have ‘obstructive sleep apnea’ (OSA).   OSA can be found in children of all ages but is most common in two to six year olds.  The airway obstruction in OSA can disrupt sleep and cause oxygen deprivation.  

The consequences of the affected children laboring and compensating to increase the airflow are many.  The facial development and tooth alignment may be affected.  The concomitant mouth breathing can predispose the children to a dry mouth, tooth decay, and gum irritation.  The children may also exhibit poor school performance due to excessive daytime sleepiness, hyperactivity, aggressive behavior, and social withdrawal. Whereas adults with OSA are prone to sleep arousal without complete awakening, children may suffer from hours of partial airway obstruction without sleep arousal. Children that snore often do not get enough sleep.

Some leading causative factors for OSA in children are enlarged tonsils and adenoids, craniofacial anomalies, and obesity.  Children with Down’s Syndrome are at high risk.  However, not all children with enlarged tonsils or adenoids, or craniofacial anomalies, or obesity, or Down’s Syndrome, are necessarily affected.

Parents describe OSA episodes as labored breathing with no airflow followed by gasping or choking.  Breathing is usually normal while the child is awake.  A special test called a polysomnograph can help diagnose OSA.  Treatments include the removal of the tonsils and adenoids; continuous positive airway pressure treatment; weight loss for obese patients; special mouth devices to reposition the tongue and/or the lower jaw (adults mostly); and surgery on the uvula, tonsils, palate, and pharynx (adults mostly).

Early diagnosis and treatment can avoid needless suffering.  Parents who are unsure if their children are affected by this problem should speak to their pediatrician.  

Post credits: http://www.pittsfordpediatricdentistry.com/dental_topics.htm#Beyond_Snoring

Vending Machines in Schools

Have you ever checked to see if your child's school has a vending machine? And, if so, what it's stocked with? The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recognizes that targeted marketing (towards kids) and easy access to sweetened foods and beverages by children and young adults may increase the amount and frequency of their consumption, which, in turn, may contribute to an increase in cavities risk and a negative influence on overall nutrition and health.

If kids drink a lot of sweetened and/or carbonated beverages, and consume refined carbs, that are at a much higher risk for the initiation and progression of tooth decay and cavities.

Why are vending machines the problem?

• They provide ready access to highly-refined carbs, especially soft drinks (sodas, fruit juices, and sports drinks)
• Vending machine items with limited nutritional value are "competitive foods", resulting in snack options that are considered to be of poor nutritional quality - often times, sugar, sugar, sugar!
• A significant increase in number of cavities has been reported for kids who attended schools that had vending machines.
• 13% of children ages 2-10 had diets high in consumption of carbonated soft-drinks, and these children had a significantly higher dental cavity experience

Many soft-drinks in vending machines have significant amounts of caffeine which, if consumed regularly, may lead to increased or habitual use (meaning more acid and sugar on the teeth!). 

What we suggest:

• Check your child's school out and see if they have a vending machine and what kinds of snacks and drinks are in it.
• How are kids able to purchase from the vending machines? Some schools have ID cards that parents can put money on, others are the standard cash-only. If re-loadable ID cards apply to you, set a strict limit on your child's card, limiting the number refined carbs and soft drinks they can have a week. 
• Talk to your kids about the negative effects these foods and drinks can have not only just on their teeth, but their overall health, too! The types of foods and drinks in vending machines have also had an effect on childhood obesity.

The good news?

The AAPD is supporting an ongoing effort  to increase the healthy choices available in vending machines by replacing sugar-sweetened drinks with bottled water, candy bars with nutrition bars, and potato chips with dried fruits and nuts!