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Biting
Not Allowed
Children and
pets share something more than the forbidden “No Biting” rule. They both
can have poor oral hygiene and they both share February as their special Dental
Health Month.
National Children’s Dental Health Month and National
Pet Dental Health Month are both celebrated during the month of February.
The whole month has been designated to increasing parents and pet owner’s
awareness of the fight against oral disease.
But first adults
need some basic education on poor oral health. Some signs of poor oral health are:
·
bad
breath that won't go away
·
red or
swollen gums
·
tender or
bleeding gums
·
painful
chewing
·
loose
teeth
·
sensitive
teeth
These are all
symptoms that require the attention of a dentist (or veterinarian if
you’re a dog or cat). However, being proactive in oral care is far less
costly and less painful than waiting for symptoms to appear.
Some steps:
- Avoid sugar sweetened beverages
- Avoid sugar laden foods
- Brush teeth twice a day
- Floss between teeth once a day
Most of these
steps are difficult for people who have not established healthy habits. Some
take will power others take a change in method. One company offers
assistance in the brushing/flossing routine. A brushless electrical
appliance has been developed that will give encouragement to those that
hate to brush their teeth and really
never floss. The new technology has undergone clinical studies, been
tested by independent dentists and laboratories, and been approved for
marketing by the FDA. Dental Air Force® (dentalairforce.com) power washes
teeth and replaces tooth brushing and flossing in one step.
Children and pets can benefit
from early healthy habits that parents and pet owners can inspire by
modeling (in the case of children), and routine (in both the case of
children and pets). As an adult, continue healthy habits, improve on the
old ones, and replace the ones that are damaging. Dental Health Month is
for adults as well as children and pets.
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Author is P.,
Piero D.D.S. practicing dentist and inventor of the Dental Air Force®,
(www.dentalairforce.com). His private practice and public talks are
dedicated to patient education. Contact Dr. Piero at
616-399-8511.
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