Dental Health Week has arrived! This year it focuses on Babies and Toddlers and who might be spoiling your kids rotten.
Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and other extended family members are often guilty of letting discipline slide because they want to spoil the young children they love. In today’s busy world, children are spending more and more time with these extended family members as well as other carers, and the “load them up with sugar and send them back” attitude which can follow will be very damaging. These people are Sugar Bandits! They teach children that sugar is a reward, undoing the efforts of diligent parents trying to foster good nutritional habits at home.
This year Medland Dental is encouraging you to share the information below with the "Sugar Bandits" around us to inform them of the effects their generous display of love is having on your child’s long term dental health. Information and resources are also available to share from the Australian Dental Association's Dental Health Week campaign. Each year Medland Dental throws their support behind the Australian Dental Association’s initiative that aims to educate Australians about the importance of maintaining good dental health. We are excited to share some fun, educational messages with our new and expecting parents. As a profession we hope to assist in fostering healthy dental habits for children to carry with them for life.
At Medland Dental we believe in focusing on prevention and by assisting children and their parents to form good habits early in life we hope to see generations of Australians with healthy smiles for a healthy life. It is with this specifically in mind that the Medland Dental Kids Club was formed in 2013. Members regularly receive fun and educational dental material to help make the dentist more enjoyable for children as well as help foster good dental hygiene and eating habits at home. The Medland Kids Club is offered as a community service so membership is free and you do not have to be patients of Medland Dental to be members and use the resources. Sign up online.
Terrible Teething – Soothing your teething tot
Teething is a difficult time for everyone in the family and usually occurs around 4-7 months of age. Nobody likes to see their child distressed, and the frequent crying, problems sleeping and general fussiness can lead to parents feeling helpless and at the end of their tether. We are here to help with our best Soothing Tips and some practices to avoid. For a heads up on when your child’s first teeth will arrive (and when they will be lost) see our Teething Chart. Read more
How to brush your baby or toddler’s teeth
Did you know that you should brush your child’s teeth as soon as they grow into the mouth? Brushing another’s teeth may seem a little strange but it’s fairly simple for babies. Brushing toddlers’ teeth is a different story and their resistance may feel like Groundhog Day as you wage a twice-daily battle through the terrible twos. For our tips on cleaning your child’s teeth see our blog article and download our Medland Dental Brushing and Flossing Chart. Read more
When should my child first see the dentist?
It is a question many parents ask and the answer is often surprising! It is easy to assume that until children have all of their teeth it is not necessary for them to visit the dentist. As soon as teeth grow into the mouth they are at risk of developing problems, so it is recommended that the first dental visit be timed around 12 months of age. For more information on what to expect from your child’s first dental visit, as well as some pre-visit practices to avoid see our blog article. Read more
Snack Attack – You are what you eat
More than 50% of Australian children suffer from dental decay, a disease that is entirely preventable and which will affect them for the rest of their life. The adage you are what you eat very much applies to dental health. A common misconception is that it is just high sugar foods like chocolates, lollies and fizzy drinks that are harmful to teeth. In fact foods that are high in natural sugars and starch also cause decay. Read more
Tooth Decay – Does your child have this disease?
Unfortunately statistics show that your child will more likely that not suffer from dental decay, which is a disease that is entirely preventable! Tooth decay is not an inevitable part of life, and can result in pain, tooth loss, bad breath and a range of associated problems including social stigma and flow-on general health concerns. Did you know that babies can develop decay as soon as their teeth grow into the mouth? Read more
