The California Dental Association has just released new guidlines for pregnant women. This is evidence-based perinatal guidelines developed in conjunction with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The article is somewhat lengthy, but full of solid information for the mom to be.
Prenatal Guidelines
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Part 16: Baby From Twelve to Thirty Months
A. Dental Visits
The dentist should decide how often each child should be seen. Possibly every 3 to 6 months for self applied fluorides and instructions in preventive dental care. Non threating trips to the dentist pay big dividens if and when some dental work becomes necessary. These trips build familiarity and trust with the dentist and the dental staff. Conversely,a lifetime of fear of the dentist can begin when the child's first visit includes needed emergency dental work. More frequent visits may be necessary to control active dental disease. Pit and fissure sealants may be recommended for susceptable teeth.
B. Oral Hygiene
The dentist or hygienist will teach proper tooth cleaning, demonstrate techniques for holding the child for easier cleaning. Follow up examinations will evaluate the effectiveness of the home care, working with both parent and child to master excellent oral hygiene.
C. Dietary Regime
During the second year baby enjoys gradually shifting to a diet of plain table foods selected from the Food Pyramid. His/her appetite and rate of growth are slower during the second year of life. He/she should be allowed to feed him/herself from a plate with small servings of several items on it. A spoon or the fingers can be used and mike is given for him/her to drink from a "sippy" cup. The following amounts are guides for planning the child's diet:
Milk Group Up to 3-4 cups daily. More than one quart of milk daily is unecessary.
Meat Group 1-2 (2-3oz.) servings daily, including plain chopped meats, fish, and chicken, egg, cheese and peanut butter.
Vegetable/Fruit Group 4-5 (1/2 cup) servings daily, including a wide variety consisting of cooked and raw vegetables, fresh fruit and unsweetened fruit and vegetable juices. A citrus fruit or tomato is needed daily as a source of vitamin C.
Grains 2-3 servings daily. Continuing use of iron- frotified infant cereal is recommended until 18 months of age. Other whole grain, unsweetened cereals may also be used and whole-grain breads, crackers, rice, etc., should be added.
Supplements - Fluoride (if not in the water supply) should be prescribed in the appropriate dosage. Other vitamins and minerals are unnecessary.
Other Foods - Regular use of cookies,candy,cake sugars, soft drinks,sugary fruit drinks, snack foods and chips should be avoided. Read labels! This destroys appetite for meals, risks development of dental caries (cavities) and promotes improper lifelong eating habits. It should be remembered that young children learn and aquire food preferences by example set by parents and other family members. Food and sweets should not be used as rewards or taken away as punishment. Nutritous snacks for optimal dental health should be used throughout toddler and preschool years.Fresh fruit, raw vegetables, yogurt, cheese, meat and peanut butter on whole grain crackers make good snacks.
D. Dental Habits
Continued monitoring of finger and sleeping habits.
E. Arch Development
The dentist will check for any abnormalities in arch development and tooth eruption patterns. Radiographs (X-Rays) of suspected pathology or abnormalities may be recommended.
F. Traumatic Injury
Facial traumatic injuries are more likely at this age and should be seen and treated by the dentist immediately.
G. Fluorides
Fluoride should be continued in prescription if indicated. However fluoride toothpastes should not be used until the child can expectorate (spit) and rinse the toothpaste out of the mouth. Swallowing of fluoridated toothpaste can cause GI upset. There are non-fluoridated, non foaming, xylitol flavored toothpastes on the market that are excellent for children to start with.
This should now have baby on the way to their prettiest smile!
The dentist should decide how often each child should be seen. Possibly every 3 to 6 months for self applied fluorides and instructions in preventive dental care. Non threating trips to the dentist pay big dividens if and when some dental work becomes necessary. These trips build familiarity and trust with the dentist and the dental staff. Conversely,a lifetime of fear of the dentist can begin when the child's first visit includes needed emergency dental work. More frequent visits may be necessary to control active dental disease. Pit and fissure sealants may be recommended for susceptable teeth.
B. Oral Hygiene
The dentist or hygienist will teach proper tooth cleaning, demonstrate techniques for holding the child for easier cleaning. Follow up examinations will evaluate the effectiveness of the home care, working with both parent and child to master excellent oral hygiene.
C. Dietary Regime
During the second year baby enjoys gradually shifting to a diet of plain table foods selected from the Food Pyramid. His/her appetite and rate of growth are slower during the second year of life. He/she should be allowed to feed him/herself from a plate with small servings of several items on it. A spoon or the fingers can be used and mike is given for him/her to drink from a "sippy" cup. The following amounts are guides for planning the child's diet:
Milk Group Up to 3-4 cups daily. More than one quart of milk daily is unecessary.
Meat Group 1-2 (2-3oz.) servings daily, including plain chopped meats, fish, and chicken, egg, cheese and peanut butter.
Vegetable/Fruit Group 4-5 (1/2 cup) servings daily, including a wide variety consisting of cooked and raw vegetables, fresh fruit and unsweetened fruit and vegetable juices. A citrus fruit or tomato is needed daily as a source of vitamin C.
Grains 2-3 servings daily. Continuing use of iron- frotified infant cereal is recommended until 18 months of age. Other whole grain, unsweetened cereals may also be used and whole-grain breads, crackers, rice, etc., should be added.
Supplements - Fluoride (if not in the water supply) should be prescribed in the appropriate dosage. Other vitamins and minerals are unnecessary.
Other Foods - Regular use of cookies,candy,cake sugars, soft drinks,sugary fruit drinks, snack foods and chips should be avoided. Read labels! This destroys appetite for meals, risks development of dental caries (cavities) and promotes improper lifelong eating habits. It should be remembered that young children learn and aquire food preferences by example set by parents and other family members. Food and sweets should not be used as rewards or taken away as punishment. Nutritous snacks for optimal dental health should be used throughout toddler and preschool years.Fresh fruit, raw vegetables, yogurt, cheese, meat and peanut butter on whole grain crackers make good snacks.
D. Dental Habits
Continued monitoring of finger and sleeping habits.
E. Arch Development
The dentist will check for any abnormalities in arch development and tooth eruption patterns. Radiographs (X-Rays) of suspected pathology or abnormalities may be recommended.
F. Traumatic Injury
Facial traumatic injuries are more likely at this age and should be seen and treated by the dentist immediately.
G. Fluorides
Fluoride should be continued in prescription if indicated. However fluoride toothpastes should not be used until the child can expectorate (spit) and rinse the toothpaste out of the mouth. Swallowing of fluoridated toothpaste can cause GI upset. There are non-fluoridated, non foaming, xylitol flavored toothpastes on the market that are excellent for children to start with.
This should now have baby on the way to their prettiest smile!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Part 15: Baby From Six to Twelve Months
A. Diet
Usually between the ages of 5 to 6 months when baby is able to sit up in a high chair and willingly opens his mouth to a spoon placed before him/her, he/she is ready for introduction of solid foods. Begin with 2 teaspoons of iron - fortified infant cereal (usually rice) by diluting with infant formula or breast milk and gradually increase the amount used. After introducing cereal, other single - item strained foods (no sugar, starch or salt) should be added one at a time. The interval between new foods should be 5 days Single ingredient vegetables and fruits can be introduced alternately if desired.. Dinners, desserts and combinations should be avoided due to added sugar, starch, salt, etc.
If baby is eating cereal and several vegetables and fruit by 7 or 8 months of age, single - item strained meats may be introduced once every 5 days. After the eighth month, egg yolk (no egg white), mashed potatoes and zweiback or dry toast may be introduced also. Generally about this time baby enjoys soft finger foods from the table such as fruits and cooked vegetables. No salt, sugar or seasoning should be added to these. By 8 to 9 months, unsweetened fruit juices diluted with one - half water may be offered from a cup. Juices should not be given from a bottle. It is best for baby to be fed breast milk or infant formula until one year of age. About that time whole cow's milk may be offered in a cup. (Never use skim milk and use 2% only after consulting the physician or dietetian). Introducing cow's milk before the age of 12 months is not recommended due to immaturity of the infant's gastrointestinal tract. Diarrhea and other allergic reactions are commonly a result of this practice.
Supplements - When breast milk, infant formula and a variety of solid foods are being consumed, the only supplement necessary is fluoride, if not available through the water supply.
Other foods - Baby has no need for sugar, salt or seasonings. Regular use of sugary foods such as candy, cookies, cakes, syrups, jellies,honey, sweetened fruit drinks or fruit "aid", soda pop, tec., can be destructive to newly forming teeth. Likewise, fried foods, spicy foods, nuts, chips, fench fries, tea or coffee and popcorn should not be given to baby.
B. Dental Habit
Try to remove fingers from baby's mouth after they fall asleep. However, don't over do it. Continue to use a proper nipple one the bottle and teething appliance.
C. Dental Arch Development
Make sure baby does not habitually sleep on fist or other firm objects under their face. Baby should be examined by the dentist when the first tooth appears. Growth and development of the mouth will be assesed, home care instructions given and any questions answered. This eruption chart will be helpful to monitor baby's progress.
D. Traumatic Injuries
If any traumatic injuries occurs to the face or teeth take the child to the dentist ASAP.
E. Fluoride
Make sure the child has the proper amount of fluoride either through the water or supplements.
F. Oral Hygiene
Teeth should be cleaned by wiping with gauze, wash cloth wrapped around a finger or with a proper sized soft nylon bristled toothbush.
Next time: Baby From 12 to 30 Months
Usually between the ages of 5 to 6 months when baby is able to sit up in a high chair and willingly opens his mouth to a spoon placed before him/her, he/she is ready for introduction of solid foods. Begin with 2 teaspoons of iron - fortified infant cereal (usually rice) by diluting with infant formula or breast milk and gradually increase the amount used. After introducing cereal, other single - item strained foods (no sugar, starch or salt) should be added one at a time. The interval between new foods should be 5 days Single ingredient vegetables and fruits can be introduced alternately if desired.. Dinners, desserts and combinations should be avoided due to added sugar, starch, salt, etc.
If baby is eating cereal and several vegetables and fruit by 7 or 8 months of age, single - item strained meats may be introduced once every 5 days. After the eighth month, egg yolk (no egg white), mashed potatoes and zweiback or dry toast may be introduced also. Generally about this time baby enjoys soft finger foods from the table such as fruits and cooked vegetables. No salt, sugar or seasoning should be added to these. By 8 to 9 months, unsweetened fruit juices diluted with one - half water may be offered from a cup. Juices should not be given from a bottle. It is best for baby to be fed breast milk or infant formula until one year of age. About that time whole cow's milk may be offered in a cup. (Never use skim milk and use 2% only after consulting the physician or dietetian). Introducing cow's milk before the age of 12 months is not recommended due to immaturity of the infant's gastrointestinal tract. Diarrhea and other allergic reactions are commonly a result of this practice.
Supplements - When breast milk, infant formula and a variety of solid foods are being consumed, the only supplement necessary is fluoride, if not available through the water supply.
Other foods - Baby has no need for sugar, salt or seasonings. Regular use of sugary foods such as candy, cookies, cakes, syrups, jellies,honey, sweetened fruit drinks or fruit "aid", soda pop, tec., can be destructive to newly forming teeth. Likewise, fried foods, spicy foods, nuts, chips, fench fries, tea or coffee and popcorn should not be given to baby.
B. Dental Habit
Try to remove fingers from baby's mouth after they fall asleep. However, don't over do it. Continue to use a proper nipple one the bottle and teething appliance.
C. Dental Arch Development
Make sure baby does not habitually sleep on fist or other firm objects under their face. Baby should be examined by the dentist when the first tooth appears. Growth and development of the mouth will be assesed, home care instructions given and any questions answered. This eruption chart will be helpful to monitor baby's progress.
D. Traumatic Injuries
If any traumatic injuries occurs to the face or teeth take the child to the dentist ASAP.
E. Fluoride
Make sure the child has the proper amount of fluoride either through the water or supplements.
F. Oral Hygiene
Teeth should be cleaned by wiping with gauze, wash cloth wrapped around a finger or with a proper sized soft nylon bristled toothbush.
Next time: Baby From 12 to 30 Months
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Part 14: Baby From Birth to Six Months
A. Parent Health
Continued monitoring of mother by physician is critical to both mother and baby.
B. Baby's Health
Baby should be throughly examined by the family physician or pediatrician. Congenital birth defects should be diagnosed and refered for proper treatment - this would include dental.
C. Fluorides
Fluoride supplements for forming teeth will likely be recommended and can be prescribed by the M.D. or D.D.S.. Most public water supplies are fluoridated, however baby must drink one liter of water daily to get optimal benefit.
D. Sucking
While breast feeding is optimal, bottle feeding is acceptable if certain precautions are taken. Avoid free flowing nipples that could produce a reverse swallow as baby tries to keep from drowning. This can cause orthodontic problems as baby's teeth erupt. Check the nipples frequently for tears that could cause choking. As for fingers vs. pacifiers, a pacifier habit is easier to break.
E. Diet
During the first year of life, growth is greater than ever occurs again. the rapid growth and metabolism require ample supply of growth and energy nutrients. Human milk is tailored special to your baby's nutritional needs in terms of calories, protien, vitamins and minerals. Breast milk also contains antibodies against intestinal and other infections which can threaten a young infant. It is easily digested with the least risk of allergic reaction, diarrhea or stomach upset.
Supplements - Generally, it is recommended that the breast fed infant be given supplements of iron, vitamin D, and, if not in the water supply, fluoride. Multivitamin drops with iron and fluoride can be prescribed by the physician or dentist. Ask for one that does not have sugar.
Other foods - Up to the age of 4-6 months, baby's nutritional needs can generally be fully met by breast milk and the vitamin/mineral supplement. if for some reason, mother is unable or does not wish to breast feed, a comercially prepared infant formula with iron may be used. Vitamin drops with fluoride should also be prescribed if fluoride is not found in the water supply. Sugar, sucrose, syrup or honey should not be added to the formula or to baby's water. If teething devices are used, sugar-containing substances (such as cookies) should be avoided. Baby should never be put to bed with a bottle. If this is ever done, water only should be put in the bottle.
F. Sleeping
One of the most important influences on how baby developes both physically and dentally is how baby sleeps and is carried during the first months of life. A baby that is carried as well as sleeps on its back does not place unnecessary pressures on developing bones of the face and back. Orthopedic surgeons and orthodontists have long shaped bone by outside pressures. If baby sleeps on its back, full genetic potential can be reached. Swaddling and modern papoose carriers have long been found to be excellent ways to not only nurture baby, help baby develope a straight posture, but also keep fingers out of the mouth that cause dental mal occlusions. In more recent years peditricians have found a higher incidence of SIDS in babys that sleep on their stomachs(prone position), and therefore are encouraging back (supine position) sleeping.
Next time: Six to Twelve Months.
Continued monitoring of mother by physician is critical to both mother and baby.
B. Baby's Health
Baby should be throughly examined by the family physician or pediatrician. Congenital birth defects should be diagnosed and refered for proper treatment - this would include dental.
C. Fluorides
Fluoride supplements for forming teeth will likely be recommended and can be prescribed by the M.D. or D.D.S.. Most public water supplies are fluoridated, however baby must drink one liter of water daily to get optimal benefit.
D. Sucking
While breast feeding is optimal, bottle feeding is acceptable if certain precautions are taken. Avoid free flowing nipples that could produce a reverse swallow as baby tries to keep from drowning. This can cause orthodontic problems as baby's teeth erupt. Check the nipples frequently for tears that could cause choking. As for fingers vs. pacifiers, a pacifier habit is easier to break.
E. Diet
During the first year of life, growth is greater than ever occurs again. the rapid growth and metabolism require ample supply of growth and energy nutrients. Human milk is tailored special to your baby's nutritional needs in terms of calories, protien, vitamins and minerals. Breast milk also contains antibodies against intestinal and other infections which can threaten a young infant. It is easily digested with the least risk of allergic reaction, diarrhea or stomach upset.
Supplements - Generally, it is recommended that the breast fed infant be given supplements of iron, vitamin D, and, if not in the water supply, fluoride. Multivitamin drops with iron and fluoride can be prescribed by the physician or dentist. Ask for one that does not have sugar.
Other foods - Up to the age of 4-6 months, baby's nutritional needs can generally be fully met by breast milk and the vitamin/mineral supplement. if for some reason, mother is unable or does not wish to breast feed, a comercially prepared infant formula with iron may be used. Vitamin drops with fluoride should also be prescribed if fluoride is not found in the water supply. Sugar, sucrose, syrup or honey should not be added to the formula or to baby's water. If teething devices are used, sugar-containing substances (such as cookies) should be avoided. Baby should never be put to bed with a bottle. If this is ever done, water only should be put in the bottle.
F. Sleeping
One of the most important influences on how baby developes both physically and dentally is how baby sleeps and is carried during the first months of life. A baby that is carried as well as sleeps on its back does not place unnecessary pressures on developing bones of the face and back. Orthopedic surgeons and orthodontists have long shaped bone by outside pressures. If baby sleeps on its back, full genetic potential can be reached. Swaddling and modern papoose carriers have long been found to be excellent ways to not only nurture baby, help baby develope a straight posture, but also keep fingers out of the mouth that cause dental mal occlusions. In more recent years peditricians have found a higher incidence of SIDS in babys that sleep on their stomachs(prone position), and therefore are encouraging back (supine position) sleeping.
Next time: Six to Twelve Months.
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