Monthly Spotlight

February is Dental Health Month

Give Kids a Smile

Tooth decay, or otherwise known as a ‘cavity’ is the #1 chronic childhood disease in America (www.nida.org).  Since untreated cavities are met with many missed school hours, persistent distracting pain, the inability to chew and eat properly as well as disfiguring decay and swelling, it is important to have periodic oral healthcare and good oral hygiene for prevention.  However, more than 1/3 of all children in the U.S. have no dental insurance.  The good news is that a national program, Give Kids a Smile is available to deliver screenings and treatment to needy children age 12 and under, absolutely free.  This one day event takes place in early February with a scheduled appointment. Information on this program can be found online at www.njda.org/gkasor via the program’s hotline at (877) 576-9278 60 days prior to the first Friday in February.  Inquire today for an appointment as well as locate other NJ Dental Resources for the other 364 days a year and for children over the age of 12.  Below are a series of documents and links that might help you secure a dental home for your child:

• New Jersey Directory of Dental Clinics
• List of Medicaid/Family Care Providers for Children age 5 and under
• Donated Dental Services (free dental care for eligible indigent and disabled patients)
• Donated Orthodontics (free braces for eligible children)
• Smiles Change Lives (Low Cost braces for eligible children)
• NJ Family Care-affordable dental health coverage for children
• Find-A-Dentist (NNDA member dentists only) in New Jersey

Aside from maintaining good oral health to prevent dental cavities, it is equally important to adopt other healthy habits as the effects of everyday stress can also be observed in the mouth.  Since the mouth is often referred to as the “mirror of the body”, reactions to stress can be evidenced through periodontal (gum) disease, cracked teeth, tooth decay, dry mouth and bruxism (clenching and grinding of the teeth).  Unfortunately, untreated stress can lead to an increase use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs as well as negatively impact bodily organs.   Take note of the following healthy lifestyle habits to support overall health and well being and prevent the negative outcomes of stress:

• Get sufficient sleep
• Exercise
• Eat a balanced diet
• Maintain good oral hygiene
• Meditate and practice breathing exercises
• Limit caffeine and alcohol
• Maintain a positive attitude

Other informative articles can be found on this site including Straight Talk about Braces and On the Tip of the Tongue.  The later of the two speaks to the potential complications and risks of oral piercings.  The author suggests that the best advice you can give to a teen is to discourage this practice as it can lead to swelling, fractured teeth, altered taste, aspiration or ingestion of jewelry, difficulty with chewing, swallowing and speech just to name a few.  Post-piercing homecare instructions are given albeit the best of dissuasion.  So check out the annual Miles of Smiles newsletter for featured articles by visiting the above website or go to www.nj.gov/health/fhs/oral/index.shtml