The Kohl's A Minute for Kids campaign is a way for Kohl's Department Stores and Dayton Children's to bring health, safety and prevention information to children and families in the region.
Safety through the ages…Learn how to use developmental concepts to better protect your toddler. Safety through the ages…Learn how to use developmental concepts to better protect your toddler.
Expert: Eileen Kasten, MD, developmental pediatrician Learn more
If your child is using a cell phone to text, make sure he or she understands the dangers of texting and “sexting.”
Expert: Greg Ramey, PhD, child psychologist Learn more
Countdown to good health 5 – 2 – 1 – 0. Learn how taking small “bites” toward good health can lead to big gains.
Expert: James Ebert, MD, lead physician, lipid clinic Learn more
This year’s flu season—with the seasonal flu and H1N1—is expected to be a long one. Learn how to best prevent the flu.
Expert: Sherman Alter, MD, infectious disease Learn more
When cleaning your house, it’s important to use products and methods to minimize asthma triggers.
Expert: Belinda Huffman, respiratory therapist, pulmonary medicine Learn more
With active kids, a hard “bonk” on the head is common. When is it more than just a “bonk?”
Expert: Laurence Kleiner, MD, pediatric neurosurgeon Learn more
Most parents know they need to watch what their child eats and encourage regular brushing to prevent tooth decay. Unfortunately, many are not aware that letting kids sip on sugary drinks for hours or putting them to bed with a bottle of milk can be just as harmful.
"Tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease, yet 90 percent of all tooth decay is preventable," says Gordon Womack, DDS, medical director of Dayton Pediatric Dentistry at The Children’s Medical Center of Dayton.
Much of the tooth decay in young children is caused by overuse of sippy cups and bottles, particularly at bedtime.
"The problem is the frequency at which sippy cup or bottle contents touch the teeth," says Womack. "Each sip equals one hour of acid. If a child goes to bed with a bottle or sippy cup and takes a few sips throughout the night that could equal four or more hours of acid eating away at his or her teeth. The same is true when a child takes sips throughout the day without brushing in between sips."
Because sippy cups prevent spills, children often use them for long periods of time over months and years - rather than as a transitional drinking device, a purpose for which they were intended.
"Sippy cups were created to help children transition from a bottle to drinking from a regular cup, but they’re too often used for convenience," says Womack. "When children sip for extended periods on sugared beverages, they’re exposed to a higher risk of decay. Sippy cups should only contain water unless it’s mealtime."
"It is well known that cavities in primary teeth increase the risk of the permanent teeth also developing a disease. When children are in pain from dental problems, that pain either directly or indirectly affects their ability to speak, eat, sleep or concentrate."
"It is well known that cavities in baby teeth increase the risk of the permanent teeth also developing a disease. When children are in pain from dental problems, that pain either directly or indirectly affects their ability to speak, eat, sleep or concentrate," says Dr. Womack.
In addition to regular dental visits, there are many things parents can do to help their children prevent tooth decay:
Visit kohlsminutes.childrensdayton.org for more information on dental health, including tips for painless brushing, the importance of baby teeth and a child first dentist visit.
Gordon W. Womack, DDS, is the director of dentistry and oral surgery at The Children’s Medical Center of Dayton. He is board certified in pediatric dentistry and is the 1992 recipient of the Ohio Dental Association Humanitarian Award for his work to ensure dental services are available for at-risk children and families. Dr. Womack is a graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry.