This week,
DentaQuest shares oral health tips with a Tennessee elementary school, CNN
reports that dental-related ER visits are on the rise and we discuss what you
should do if you chip or bruise a tooth. Have thoughts on today’s news? Join
the conversation on Twitter using #FridayDentalDL.
DentaQuest
participated in the Blythe-Bower Elementary community health and safety expo to
teach children at the school about good oral health habits. Ashley Hathaway
from DentaQuest employed “Mojo the monkey,” who shoots toothpaste from his mouth
to entertain and educate the kids. She also passed out goodie bags with
toothbrushes and two-minute sand timers to encourage children to brush for two
minutes, twice a day.
Every
day, thousands of people without access to a dentist go to their local emergency
room to receive care. Yet most of these facilities do not provide the dental care
these patients need. In 2010, more than 2.1 million people, the vast majority
of them adults, went to ERs with dental pain, which is double the number just a
decade prior, according to the National
Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. This CNN
story demonstrate show important it is for people receive proper preventative
care in in an effort to reduce reliance on emergency care, which can be extremely
costly. All Americans deserve dental care, which is why DentaQuest’s mission is
to improve the oral health of all.
While
watching the Olympics, one can’t help but notice how incredibly dangerous some
of the winter events are, especially for teeth! From hockey to skeleton,
Olympians put their hearts, souls and teeth on the line for their country. This
Wall Street Journal article on what
to do if you chip or bruise a tooth is a great resource for anyone-
Olympians or mere citizens- who find themselves in that situation.
The American Dental Association has released new guidelines
on caring for babies’ teeth; parents should use a tiny smear of fluoride
toothpaste to brush baby teeth twice daily as soon as they erupt instead of
waiting until children are older. The reason? Since cavities among American children are on the rise, it’s important for parents
to get a jump start on preventive oral care. Remember, only the tiniest dab of
fluoride toothpaste is enough for your baby.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Learn about the link between oral health and heart health here.