Dental screenings in schools: Do they help?

Free dental screenings is one of the services that schools give to students. Local governments request schools give this free dental care as a way to provide health services especially to kids from low-income families. But, it’s also a way for the government to assess the oral health in the school and in the community while increasing students’ awareness about oral health.

What is a dental screening?

Dental screening for children in schools, commonly termed as a “no touch” exam, refers to a visual check of the mouth that is usually done by a public dental hygienist or a dental care professional. The dental care professional would normally use a sterilized mirror and a bright light to examine the child’s teeth and gums.

Schools’ dental screening guidelines require that the result of the screening be reflected in the child’s dental report card, which would be kept by the school with a copy sent to the parents.

Benefits of Dental Screening in Schools

As observed by teachers and parents, dental screening in schools have a number of benefits aside from the availability or access to free preventative dental services for children from low-income families. Some of the other benefits include:

• Dental screenings foster dental health education and greater awareness on the part of the students regarding the importance of their oral health

• The fear that most children have toward dental professionals is addressed and minimized because they are introduced to them at a younger age. Also, because they are with their peers in school when the dental screenings are conducted, they receive peer support, thus making their experience less traumatic and more fun.

• Results of screening can provide parents information about their children’s dental needs.

• The screening can help children and parents to detect oral problems and diseases at an earlier time and prevent those problems from becoming worse.

Dental Screening vs Dental exam

While dental screenings may have a number of benefits to offer, it must be remembered that it does not replace having an exam with a dentist.

During a dental exam, the dentist will not only check your child’s mouth, but will also clean his or her teeth, check for cavities, examine his or her mouth, face, neck and throat for any growth or abnormalities and even perform other diagnostic procedures for preventative dental health and care. As compared to a dental screening, a full dental exam with the dentist is far more comprehensive and would produce better results than the “no touch” procedure used in dental screenings.

If you are concerned about your child’s dental health and you want him to undergo a gentle, friendly and comfortable dental exam, visit Dr. Erica Bronitsky, DMD, now at Bronitsky Family Dentistry. Dr. Erica and her excellent team of dental care professionals will ensure that you and your family’s oral health will be taken care of through their top-of-the-line procedures and treatments.

Call Bronitsky Family Dentistry today at (503) 563-7434 to book your appointment!

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Watermelon: Is It Good for Teeth?

Summer is a great time to enjoy some tropical fruits, and watermelons are a perfect addition to your fresh fruit salad. Whether you’re thinking of making a watermelon shake, smoothie, or salad, this refreshing round fruit will surely satisfy your sweet tooth. However, from a dental standpoint, is watermelon good or bad for the teeth?

Health Benefits of Watermelon

Watermelon is a wonder fruit with so many nutrients and antioxidants that contribute to good health. Did you know that the watermelon is 92% water? It’s a refreshing and thirst-quenching fruit to have on hand this summer. It has been found to help prevent heat stroke with its water and electrolyte content. It is also packed with Vitamins A, C, and B6, all of which can contribute to healthy skin and hair growth.

Apart from these, watermelons have lycopene which is the red pigment found in similar-colored fruits like tomatoes and red grapefruits. Lycopene has been linked to good heart and bone health as well as the prevention of prostate cancer. Watermelons also have no fat content, which makes them great for individuals who want to maintain their figure. This fruit contains some fiber and carbohydrates to fill you up when you’re hungry. Overall, watermelon is a healthy and tasty treat for the whole family.

Is Watermelon Good for Teeth?

With its high water and nutrient content, watermelons have a significant benefit to dental health. They are as follows:

1. The water in watermelons can remove excess food particles stuck in and around teeth. It can also wash away bacteria and promote saliva production, increasing the natural protection of tooth enamel.
2. Watermelons contain vitamin C that help kill bacteria in the mouth and strengthen the gum tissues, preventing gum disease.
3. The antioxidants found in watermelons promote a healthy immune system which can actively fight bacteria that may cause tooth decay and gum disease.
4. Watermelons can help reduce inflammation which may be related to gum disease and oral infections such as mucositis.

How to Enjoy Watermelon This Summer

Watermelons are best served chilled, so stack it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve it. Every cool and sweet bite of this fruit will make summer more enjoyable, especially when you’re at the beach and bathing under the sun. When making a watermelon recipe, it’s best to use natural sweeteners like honey to preserve the nutritive value of the fruit. Adding too much flavoring and sugar to it will ultimately destroy its dental health benefits.

If you experience any unusual dental problems when eating watermelons, such as sensitivity or toothache, you can call our dental clinic right away. Emergency dental care is one of our services to help patients who need immediate assistance. You may give us a call at (503) 563-7434 or visit our practice at 17952 SW Blanton St., Aloha, Oregon. Dr. Erica Bronitsky is one of the best dentists in Aloha and she can help you with your dental emergency.
Proper tooth and gum care is essential for maintaining dental health. Eating fruit like watermelons can benefit the teeth, but it is still a must to visit the best dentist in Aloha at least twice a year, along with brushing and flossing on a daily basis. With the right combination of good hygiene, healthy food, and professional care, you can ensure strong and beautiful teeth even in your later years.

Amelia’s Watermelon Tongue via photopin (license)

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How to Teach Kids to Keep Up with Dental Care on Summer Break

Summer is the laziest time of the year for kids because they don’t have any classes. They spend all day and night at home, watching cartoons and playing computer games and apps. Some kids can’t even be bothered to take a bath during summer because they want to maximize their playing time. However, personal and oral hygiene is very important no matter what time it is of the year, and this is the lesson you should instill in your children.

Why Kids Don’t Care about Brushing

Because kids don’t have a deep understanding about dental health yet, they think that oral care is not a big deal. One factor that contributes to this mentality is adult behavior. Did you know that 33 percent of adult men only brush once a day? Among all genders, 25 percent of adults don’t brush twice a day, and some of these people even miss a whole day of brushing! If you are one of these people and you have a child, you’re not setting much of an example at home.

What you need is to start a good oral hygiene campaign at home. You need to maintain regular oral care activities such as brushing, flossing and gargling mouthwash if your kids are already able to expectorate. You should let your kids watch you when you do these activities so that they will know the proper way to do them.

How to Make Dental Activities Interesting

If your kids are giving you a hard time teaching them oral hygiene, you can turn the simple activity into a fun and enjoyable one. Here are some ideas that you can use.

1. Use visual aids such as colorful photos or caricatures of children brushing and flossing their teeth.
2. Give your kids a reward when they stick to their oral care routine, such as cooking their favorite dish or taking them to the local playground.
3. Make brushing your bonding time by doing it altogether in the bathroom. You can even hum a nursery rhyme while you do it to keep them attentive. That way, you can monitor how long they brush and if they are doing it properly.
4. Use creative storytelling to explain how cavities can destroy the teeth and make the gums sick. You can use online resources to support your storytelling.

Make Time for the Dentist

Kids are usually afraid of the Aloha dentist or dental clinic because they think they will get hurt during treatments. However, if your kids have healthy and properly developing teeth, they won’t have to undergo any painful procedure. One way to relieve children’s fear of dentists is by letting them meet the dentist in Aloha, OR, personally before the scheduled date of treatment.

Most kids are more open to female dentists because of their mother figure. Dr. Erica Bronitsky is the perfect dentist for kids not only because of her expertise in general dentistry, but also because she has twin sons which gives her extra knowledge in handling pediatric patients. She is very careful and gentle when dealing with young patients, and this will help your kids feel safer and more comfortable inside a dental clinic.

Summer break is the perfect time to get dental cleaning and treatments for kids because if they will need some time to recover, they won’t have to miss any classes. Schedule a dental check-up for your kids this summer by calling our office at (503) 563-7434. Make summer vacation not only enjoyable but also health-beneficial for your children!

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 Fertility and Oral Health

Did you know that in the past five years, studies have shown a direct link between poor oral health and infertility? If you are someone who is planning on having a child anytime soon, here are some important facts you need to know about your reproductive system and your teeth.

The Link between Teeth and Fertility

In 2011, in the annual European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Stockholm, an Australian professor explained the direct connection between poor oral health and infertility. The study was done in Western Australia where more than 3,000 pregnant women were tested. Each one was given a dental examination to see how their oral health condition was. Among those who had poor oral health, it was found that the length of trying for conception was around two months longer as compared to those who had healthy teeth. It also showed that non-Caucasian women who had poor dental health took more than one year to become pregnant. The researchers claimed that gingivitis had the same negative effect on female fertility as obesity.

However, women aren’t the only ones affected by this problem. It has been found that men lose a significant quantity of healthy sperm if they have poor oral health. These men had the case of bacteriospermia, or bacteria present in the semen. Bacteria can kill healthy sperm and result in infertility or the non-capacity to impregnate. Since the sperm are already dead, they could no longer fertilize an egg cell.

Why Does Poor Oral Health Cause Infertility?

The main reason that fertility is negatively affected by gum infection is because of the bacteria present in the blood stream. Any kind of infection is still an infection even if it’s on the teeth or gums. The infected cells can travel from the teeth or gums and into the bloodstream, affecting all of the primary organs. This is also the reason why people with poor dental health have a higher risk of acquiring heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

The more severe the gum disease is, the more infection can spread throughout the body. Unfortunately, ordinary antibiotics can’t completely eradicate gum infection and gingivitis. If not treated ahead of time, gingivitis can turn into periodontitis, which requires surgery to be treated. Not only is this expensive, but it will also require downtime that can affect your work and social relationships.

Preconception Reminders for Optimal Dental Health

Now that you know how important good dental health is for fertility, here are some important tips to follow if you want to have a child soon:

1. Before trying to conceive, visit our clinic. You and your partner should come in for a dental examination to ensure that your body is ready to reproduce. If you have unhealthy teeth and gums, our dental team will do our best to provide proper treatment and restore the optimal health of your mouth.
2. Always visit our clinic every six months. After treatment, this doesn’t guarantee that your reproductive health will improve immediately. This is why it’s necessary to receive regular dental care and treatment. If you plan on having more than one child, this is also an important step in maintaining the oral health of your entire family.
3. If you are having fertility problems, get your teeth cleaned. If you are already trying to conceive but have yet to achieve your goal, seek dental care and assistance. This will help increase your chances of getting pregnant.

If you would like to discuss fertility with our dental staff, just give us a call at (503) 563-7454. Dr. Bronitsky will be the one to provide the best dental treatment so that you can successfully conceive.

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Seven Tricks for Keeping Teeth Healthy

Seven Tricks for Keeping Teeth Healthy

Keeping the mouth clean and free of gum disease and tooth decay can be tricky, but there are a few different ways in which the likelihood of having a healthy mouth can be achieved. Discussing your dental health with a dental professional can give you a specific plan of what needs to be accomplished, such as brushing or flossing more often, but the following list can help those looking for a general idea about ways they can improve their oral hygiene.

• Stay hydrated

Staying hydrated is a necessity for overall health, but it can be beneficial to the overall health of teeth. Drinking frequently can remove excess food or bacteria that can get stuck in the crevices of teeth. The less food remnants on teeth, the less bacteria can grow, decreasing the likelihood of gum disease. While remaining hydrated is important, it is important that water be the No. 1 thing being put into the body. Drinking soft drinks or sugary beverages can damage tooth enamel and decrease the healthiness of teeth rather than increasing it.

• Use fluoride

Fluoride helps protect teeth from tooth decay and can be found in many dental products. The enamel-protecting substance has been said to be a great advancement in the field of dentistry due to its highly positive side effects. Fluoride can be found in toothpastes and even in some water supplies. While fluoride is a beneficial tool to use to protect against tooth decay, too much can potentially cause white spots on teeth so it’s recommended that it is used in small amounts. Many places in the United States have added fluoride to their drinking water per the recommendations of dental associations and have seen an increase in better dental hygiene as a result.

• Brush teeth minimum twice a day

Brushing your teeth sounds like an obvious way to keep the mouth healthy, but many people don’t do it properly. To keep teeth free of foods and avoid plaque or even gum disease, it is necessary to brush your teeth once in the morning and once at night. Those with the healthiest mouths go above and beyond this and brush their teeth after every meal. Ridding your teeth of excess food after eating can be an easy way to achieve a healthier mouth.

• Avoid tobacco products

Tobacco products are deterrents to overall health but also cause problems with dental health. Tobacco can cause discoloration, inflamed gums and bad breath due to a buildup of plaque. Avoiding tobacco products can increase the health of teeth and decrease the chances of getting gum disease. Smoking tobacco products can lead to oral cancer and teeth and bone loss in the jaw. Chewing tobacco is just as potent and can even cause more staining than smoking tobacco.

• Use your teeth appropriately

Teeth are often misused as tools to open things or rip things in half. Wrongly using teeth as tools rather than for eating and chewing can lead to oral health problems such as cracked or fractured teeth, or jaw joint issues. The same problems can occur from chewing on hard substances like ice cubes and crusty breads. Avoid putting your teeth through stress they weren’t designed for to avoid unnecessary tooth damage.

• Visit the dentist regularly

Dental professionals should evaluate your teeth at least twice a year to verify that there are no cavities or gum disease or other issues affecting your dental and overall health. Visiting your dentist regularly also means that your teeth get a thorough cleaning, reducing your chance of getting gum disease or other oral problems. Discussing your dental health with a dentist can be very beneficial to improving it as they may have recommendations that will fit your specific needs that you might not have known otherwise.

• Eat healthy foods

The types of food you are consuming can affect the quality of your teeth, especially if sugars and starches are consumed in excess. Sugars and starches are the favorite cuisine of bacteria, and the more of it stuck between teeth, the more bacteria will call your mouth home. While not all bacteria are detrimental to good oral health, many bacteria cause gum disease and bad breath. Eating healthy gives bacteria less food to eat and significantly improves your chances of avoiding gum disease. This trick to a healthy mouth also goes hand in hand with brushing after every meal because brushing removes excess foods and plaque.

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