Kern County Children's Dental Health Network

There's fluoride in your toothpaste and even in your water. But how does it work to keep teeth healthy? Scientists discovered that kids who naturally had more fluoride in their drinking water had fewer cavities. Fluoride helps because, when teeth are growing, it mixes with tooth enamel that hard coating on your teeth. That prevents tooth decay, or cavities. But fluoride can help even after your teeth are formed. It works with saliva to protect tooth enamel from plaque and sugars. By using fluoride toothpaste, for instance, everyone can enjoy some cavity protection. Ask your dentist about fluoride drops the next time your child has an appointment.

DID YOU KNOW? A dental sealant is a thin, plastic coating painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth -- usually the back teeth (the premolars and molars) -- to pr...event tooth decay. The sealant quickly bonds into the depressions and grooves of the teeth, forming a protective shield over the enamel of each tooth. Although thorough brushing and flossing can remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth, they cannot always get into all the nooks and crannies of the back teeth to remove the food and plaque. Sealants protect these vulnerable areas from tooth decay by "sealing out" plaque and food. Typically, children should get sealants on their permanent molars and premolars as soon as these teeth come in. In this way, the sealants can protect the teeth through the cavity-prone years of ages 6 to 14.

Great tips for young parents on how to care for those adorable little teeth. Check it out! http://www.freeprintablebehaviorcharts.com/brushing_teeth.h

Happy Easter Everyone! Remember to brush after eating all that great tasting candy!!!

DID YOU KNOW?????? Asthma medications can cause tooth decay? If your child uses asthma medications or a nebulizer with medication, it can cause dry mouth. Dry mouth can increase the risk for bacteria that causes cavities. Preventative measures you can begin to prevent decay are: (1) Rinse your child's mouth out after each nebulizer treatment or after using an inhaler (2) Keep your child's mouth hydrated with water or ice chip--not sugary drinks (3) Use bottled water fortified with fluoride, (4) Ask your dentist about topical fluoride treatments and sealants, (5) Tell your dentist your child has asthma.

Stacy Eastman, DDS, and Director of the Kern County Children's Dental Health Network screens a child for decay at an elementary school in Kern County. To date, the team at KCCDHN has screened over 37,000 children and assisted their parents in getting treatment for identified decay. It is our goal for children to be orally healthy and ready to learn!!

The "dental team" is heading to visit lots of kindergartners @ Columbia Elementary next week. Wish us luck and hope that they are all cavity free!!

FEBRUARY IS NATIONAL CHILDREN HEALTH MONTH! In celebration of the month, the Taft College Dental Hygiene Program, Class of 2014 is selling to the general public Crest Whitestrips Supreme - PROFESSIONAL STRENGTH. The box comes with 84 Su... See More... Photo: FEBRUARY IS NATIONAL CHILDREN'S DENTAL HEALTH MONTH! In celebration of the month, the Taft College Dental Hygiene Program, Class of 2014 is selling to the general public Crest Whitestrips Supreme - PROFESSIONAL STRENGTH for only $40 a box!!! The box comes with 84 Supreme Whitestrips per box (42 upper strips and 42 lower strips) and provides: 80% more effective tooth-whitening than the regular Crest Whitestrips available at stores 14% longer upper strips and 18% longer lower strips (covering more teeth than those purchased at the store) The strongest concentration of whitening power available on any Crest Whitestrip Less gel per strip, so that you don’t have a lot of excess cleaner in your mouth A much greater reduction in yellowness, compared to other leading tooth whiteners The best part of this deal is there are only $40 per box. You can buy a box and share with a friend! If interested, please message the Kern County Children's Dental Health Network Facebook page and we will give you details on how to purchase them. This is a fundraising activity for the Taft College Dental Hygiene Program to help each hygiene student pay their education costs. Thanks for your help and please share and LIKE this deal with your FB friends!

February is National Children's Dental Health Month!!! Despite the fact that it’s almost entirely preventable, tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in children. More than 40 percent of children ages 2 to 11 have had a cavity in their primary (baby) teeth. Although overall rates of tooth decay have decreased over the past four decades, decay has actually increased in preschool age children in recent years. The good news is there are safe and effective preventive mea...sures that can protect teeth. Good oral hygiene practices such as thorough brushing with a fluoride toothpaste can help keep children from getting cavities. In addition, dental sealants and community water fluoridation are two other strategies that can help prevent tooth decay. In honor of National Children's Health Month, take your child to a dentist for an exam. You will start the beginning of your child carrying on life-long habits!