Month: August 2022

2022-08-04T13:57:00

(BPT) – By Jessica Buehler, DDS, Director of Dental Affairs for Delta Dental of California and Affiliates

When the school year kicks off, there is a lot to think about — school supplies, after-school activities, and meeting new teachers and classmates. With a packed back-to-school schedule, one of the things that often falls by the wayside is thinking about our kids’ oral health.

Each year children lose valuable days of school due to issues with their teeth. On average, 34 million school hours are lost each year because of unplanned (emergency) dental care, according to the CDC.

What’s more, poor oral health can impact a child’s school attendance and affect their performance in class. In fact, kids with poor oral health are three times more likely to miss school and two times more likely to perform poorly, according to CATCH Healthy Smiles, a program that equips schools to teach kids the importance of good oral health care.

It’s no surprise that healthy students are better learners — and both parents and teachers are critical in ensuring kids are spending more time learning at their desks instead of sitting in the dentist’s chair.

The Role Teachers Can Play in Oral Health Education

Teachers play an essential role in reaching and influencing children that may not get into the dental office often enough. They can have a significant impact on a child’s oral health habits because of their day-to-day interactions with students.

One way to introduce children to proper oral care is by modeling tooth-friendly habits in the classroom. This can include telling your students you are going to brush your teeth after lunchtime or sharing stories about how healthy and clean your teeth feel after a recent dentist visit.

A great way for kids to practice brushing skills is through tabletop toothbrushing activities that can help with the dexterity necessary to brush and floss their teeth effectively. A fun and easy activity to do in the classroom or at home with younger students is making a monster-sized mouth and then brushing and flossing around each “plastic bottle” tooth.

Adding oral health as part of the classroom curriculum teaches children about the importance of keeping their teeth healthy, the reason behind brushing and flossing every day and that going to the dentist doesn’t have to be a scary experience. CATCH Healthy Smiles offers activities and tools for teachers and schools to download and use at no cost to support oral health education in elementary schools.

What Parents and Teachers Can Do to Help Kids Form Tooth-Friendly Habits

It’s important to care for baby (primary) teeth to protect adult teeth. This is because the bacteria that infect a baby tooth with a cavity can progress through the bottom of the tooth, causing a dangerous infection in the bone under the gums, which harms the adult teeth that are still in development.

The bottom line is children’s teeth should never hurt. If you hear a child talk about a tooth that is painful, that child needs to see a dentist within 24 hours to get the area checked as pain could be the first sign that a more serious problem has started. Childhood cavities are the most common disease among kids and can lead to physical, emotional, social and economic problems in adulthood. That is why it’s important to ingrain proper dental health habits at an early age and establish a healthy routine for a lifetime of happy smiles.

As a dentist and mother myself, I’ve learned that the best way to teach my little one is through modeling good oral hygiene — and that can take place at home and in the classroom.

Both parents and teachers can follow these tips to help kids form tooth-friendly habits:

• Introduce tooth-friendly foods in the classroom and at home like apples and carrots that scrape and clean teeth instead of dried fruit, which sticks in the chewing surface of teeth.
• Give kids plenty of water in between meals to help to wash away the acid that causes tooth decay. At mealtimes, dilute juice or sweetened beverages with at least 50 percent water before serving.
• Recognize and praise children for practicing good dental behavior. When you see them drinking from their water bottle, eating a tooth-friendly snack or brushing their teeth, let them know they’re doing a good job.
• Share positive stories about your dental experiences. Negative stories or saying things such as “if you eat too much candy, you’ll have to go to the dentist,” only serve to scare kids before they’ve had a chance to have a positive experience and form a healthy relationship with their dentist.
• Brush your teeth together. Supervising kids as they brush while you model good oral hygiene has a tremendous impact on their brushing and motivation.

Cavities are Contagious

One thing that isn’t commonly known is that dental cavities are contagious and can spread. I tell my patients to think of the mouth like a swimming pool with 20 kids playing in it. If one child has the flu, then any number of the kids swimming nearby will eventually come down with the flu too.

The same goes for cavities — because the bacteria that cause cavities and tooth decay can be transmitted from one person to another. This means that if we share food and drinks with others, use the same fork and spoon, or give someone a kiss, we put them at risk of spreading the bacteria from our mouth to theirs, which can lead to cavities. Similarly, if a cavity starts in one tooth, it will spread to the neighboring teeth, and ultimately throughout the mouth.

Therefore, if only one person in a household avoids dental care, it puts everyone in that home at a higher risk for tooth decay (and gum disease, which is caused by different but also transmissible strains of bacteria). So, parents and teachers should spread the word that cavities are contagious in the same way that colds are, and we need to help kids take steps to prevent catching them.

Teaching Kids How to Brush Properly

One observational study of tooth brushing performance in 12-year-olds found that more than half missed at least one section of the inner surface of their teeth. That’s because children don’t have the manual dexterity or attention to brush their teeth effectively.

If a child has nice handwriting and is willing to stand in front of the mirror while dedicating two minutes of attention to the task, then they are able to properly brush their teeth without supervision. Most kids are able to effectively brush around 4th to 5th grade, but every child develops at their own pace and requires periodic brushing check-ins by an adult to ensure that they are removing plaque.

Parents can teach kids to brush the right way by letting them brush first, and then following up by checking to make sure that every tooth is brushed. Kids should be brushing in little circles at a 15-degree angle up against their gumline since that is where plaque hangs out.

A good practice with your younger ones is to have them lie down when you are brushing their teeth. Not only can you see their teeth and the inside of their mouth better, but this position helps prepare them for when they lie back in a dental chair to let the dentist take a peek.

Essential Brushing Tips for Kids

• Choose a toothpaste with the American Dental Association (ADA) seal in a flavor your child likes.
• Use half of a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and then graduate to a pea-sized amount. (Hint: there shouldn’t be gobs of toothpaste in the sink).
• The toothbrush should be held like a wand, not a sword. Use three fingers and a light touch.
• Brush for two minutes. You can set a timer, use a TV commercial break, or try Delta Dental’s brushing playlist for kids.
• Make an appointment for your child’s dental cleaning and exam before the school year starts so that they don’t miss a school day. School holidays that fall on weekdays are also a great time to visit the dentist because most offices are open on these days.
• Purchase a plaque disclosing mouthwash or toothpaste to help you and your child see the plaque left on teeth after brushing. You can then coach your child to direct more attention to removing colorful plaque to improve their brushing and flossing skills.

Finally, get your little ones into the dentist by age one, and then typically twice a year for checkups unless your dentist recommends more frequent visits. Regular dental visits help catch problems early before they become painful and lead to missed time in the classroom or irreversible damage. Pediatric dentists or pedodontists are specially trained in caring for young children and children and young adults with special needs.

Now more than ever the dental experience is positive, pleasant, and can be fun. With the help of parents and teachers through fun toothbrushing activities, modeling good oral care behavior and teaching proper brushing and flossing techniques early on, kids will be equipped with the tooth-friendly habits that will last them a lifetime.

Jessica Buehler, DDS, Director of Dental Affairs for Delta Dental of California and Affiliates, earned her doctorate degree from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine and then completed a General Practice Residency at University of Washington Medical Center. She is especially passionate about teaching patients and community members about the science behind oral health because she has observed many patients make life-altering positive changes as a result of their new understanding.

2022-08-04T08:01:00

(BPT) – –

2022-08-04T08:01:00

(BPT) – The back-to-school season can be overwhelming for the whole family. While there’s excitement about reuniting with friends and starting a new school year, it can be challenging for parents and kids to get back into a solid routine.

To help busy parents prepare their children mentally and physically to return to the classroom, Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist Dalina Soto has provided the following three simple tips that you can easily incorporate into your fall routine.

1. Reestablish a sleep routine

Summers often consist of late nights and mornings, so it can be tough for parents and children to adjust to weekday school hours. Before school begins, establish firm sleep and wake times for yourself and the kids.

You don’t have to do it all at once. Ease into it by adjusting bedtime and the morning alarm to a half-hour earlier than your current routine. Once a week or every few days, keep moving it earlier until you have reestablished the school year sleep routine. Your family will still get to enjoy the summer and not be completely shocked by the switch come September.

2. Double down on hydration

During the hot summer months at home, you can keep a close eye on your kids and ensure they drink plenty of water as they play outside. However, during the school year, you aren’t able to remind them in between classes to grab a drink. Staying hydrated has its benefits. In addition to helping your child stay healthy, regular hydration can boost your child’s mood, memory and attention, according to HealthyChildren.org.

To encourage your kids to hydrate during the school week, add a reusable water bottle to your back-to-school shopping list. As you shop, help your child pick out a fun water bottle they can fill up at home and at school.

3. Start the day with a nutritious meal

One way to make your life easier and alleviate stress as you head into the busyness of the fall season is to have some simple, nutritious meals and snacks you can make in a pinch. Eggs are an easy, delicious and nourishing ingredient you can incorporate into any meal at any time of the day.

To start your child’s school day off right, cook up a meal with Eggland’s Best eggs. Compared to ordinary eggs, they contain more than double the Vitamin B12, which naturally boosts energy to keep your child physically active. Eggland’s Best eggs also have 25% less saturated fat, six times more Vitamin D and more than double the Omega-3s, to help improve your child’s concentration and brain function in the classroom.

Make breakfast fun with these delicious Robot Egg and Cheese Roll Ups inspired by Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear. They’re packed with superior nutrition and are easy for parents to make, fun for kids to enjoy and provide lasting benefits for their school day!

Also, Eggland’s Best has teamed up once again with Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear to give families the chance to win Lightyear DVDs and more, Eggland’s Best swag, and the Grand Prize of $5,000 to plus up their at-home movie watching experience. Enter daily now through September 24 for a chance to win. For recipes and more information, visit www.EBFamilySweeps.com. Add Lightyear to your Pixar collection. Now on Digital and own it on Blu-ray™ September 13th.

Robot Egg and Cheese Roll Ups

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 5 minutes; Serves: 2

Ingredients

4 large Eggland’s Best eggs (2 whole eggs, 2 egg whites)

1/4 cup diced onion

1/4 cup diced red bell pepper

1 tablespoon chopped chives

2 6-inch whole wheat tortillas

1/8 cup low-fat shredded mozzarella cheese

2 black olives

Directions

1. Spray large pan with nonstick cooking spray and heat to medium-low.

2. In a small bowl, whisk Eggland’s Best eggs and egg whites with onion, peppers and chives. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Pour egg mixture into pan and cook on medium-low heat, stirring frequently until cooked through about 4 minutes. Add cheese and allow to melt slightly.

4. Immediately transfer eggs to tortillas and roll up tightly. Garnish with olives for the eyes, chives and bell pepper to create robot antennas.

To find this and more easy and quick recipes that you can make this school year, visit egglandsbest.com.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN IN THE EGGLAND’S BEST “SUPERIOR HERO” SWEEPSTAKES. Open to legal residents of the 50 US & DC, 18 or older. Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes starts 8/3/22 at 9:00 AM ET and ends 9/24/22 at 4:59 PM ET. For Official Rules, which govern, click here. Sponsor: Eggland’s Best, LLC.

2022-08-03T08:01:00

(BPT) – According to the AARP, the number of households headed by people 65 and older will grow to 48 million in the next twenty years, and many of those adults plan to age in place for as long as they can. If you or a loved one want to stay at home as you get older, it’s crucial to make the home environment as safe as possible. Even if you’re currently active and healthy, as you age you may experience decreasing strength, balance and vision that might make your home more difficult to navigate safely. Because these issues can develop gradually, you may not be aware of your limitations until you have an accident or injury — so it’s best to make your home safer now.

Easy ways to improve your home’s safety

To review your home’s trouble spots, it’s a good idea to have a friend or family member provide input, as you may be unaware of potential hazards another person could see. Better yet, ask a trained occupational or physical therapist to visit your home to assess the environment. Your healthcare provider may be able to recommend someone.

1. Start by looking down

As you age, it’s harder to recover from sprains and broken bones, so it’s important to reduce tripping hazards to prevent falls in the first place. Remove these potential dangers:

• Throw rugs
• Cords — move them behind furniture or tape to the floor
• Small furniture like footstools and ottomans
• Clutter, like pairs of shoes

Also consider what footwear you wear at home. Are your socks, slippers or shoes well-fitting and non-slip?

2. Increase bath safety

Bathing is a challenging activity for people with mobility or balance issues. While you could remodel your entire bathroom, there are smaller changes you can implement to reduce hazards. These include:

• Using non-slip mats or strips for your floor, shower or tub
• Installing safety grab bars in and around your tub
• Using a shower or tub seat and handheld nozzle for bathing
• Having a tub cut-out or step-in shower installed

3. Make sure using the toilet is safe and easy

When you can be independent in the bathroom, you maintain your dignity and have better peace of mind. Unfortunately, most toilets are low enough that they’re difficult for seniors or others with disabilities to safely get up and down.

One solution is the Bemis Independence Clean Shield 3-inch Elevated Toilet Seat, which is raised to ease sitting and standing. Installation is easy — the Snap 2 Secure system provides the correct clamping force so the seat will never loosen or shift, and its 3-inch height is ideal for seniors, plus anyone with mobility concerns, back, hip or knee issues. The funnel design keeps everything in the bowl, and the seat and ring raise upright and stay there, giving full access for cleaning — along with a slow-close feature to prevent slamming. The seat is designed with a residential appearance, so you don’t have to swap out an embarrassing riser when guests come.

The Clean Shield is available on Amazon in a bundle featuring Support Arms and a new bidet attachment. The bundle gives users the security of Clean Shield, along with the convenience of bidet functionality for improved personal hygiene. Visit ToiletSeats.com to view your options.

4. Check your stairs

Staircases are another high-risk area for accident or injury. Make sure there are railings, even for just a couple of steps, and that they are solid and secure. Keep clutter from accumulating on or near stairs, and consider adding stair treads to wooden stairs, replacing carpet with stair treads and/or applying differently colored tape to help differentiate one stair from the next.

5. Light it up

Using nightlights throughout the home can help with nighttime trips to the bathroom or moving around during early morning hours when it’s still dark. Light switches that are both easy to access and that light up can also help seniors find their way around more easily, any time of night or day.

With some thought and a little planning ahead, you can make it easier for yourself or your loved one to remain at home safely, for many years to come.

2022-08-02T11:01:00

(BPT) – As children across the country get ready to head back to the classroom this fall, one important item that shouldn’t be forgotten from the to-do list is making sure they have health coverage. Studies have shown that academic performance and health insurance go hand in hand. Children who have health coverage miss fewer classes and perform better in school than those who are uninsured. But health coverage doesn’t just benefit students. Fewer missed days of school also mean fewer missed days of work for parents. With health coverage, children can get the routine and emergency care, immunizations, check-ups, eye exams, dental visits and mental health services they may need to fully participate in school and remain engaged in class. Health coverage also provides access to important care if children get sick or injured.

Nationwide, millions of school-aged children and teens qualify — and are enrolled — in free or low-cost health coverage through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). These health programs can provide vital access to care, including well-child visits and vaccinations, to keep students focused on learning and give parents the peace of mind that comes with knowing their children are covered inside and outside the classroom. The start of the school year is a good opportunity to catch up on important well-child visits and ensure children are protected against vaccine-preventable diseases (like measles and mumps). And don’t forget — if a child is 6 months and older and hasn’t received their COVID-19 vaccine or booster, or they are aged 5 and older, parents should talk to their child’s doctor about getting it as soon as possible.

For the millions of families with children currently in Medicaid or CHIP, this is also a good time to make sure their address is up-to-date with their state program. Many people move over time and forget to update their address. These families might accidentally miss their renewal application that comes in the mail. Then, they could lose their health coverage too.

Medicaid and CHIP provide free or low-cost coverage for eligible children and teens up to age 19. Eligibility is dependent on household size and income and varies by state. States have different income eligibility rules, but in most states, children whose family has income up to $50,000 per year (for a family of four) may qualify for Medicaid or CHIP. In many states, family income can be even higher and children can still qualify. Young people up to 21 may be eligible for Medicaid. Having Medicaid or CHIP will not affect someone’s chance of becoming a Lawful Permanent Resident or U.S. Citizen. It is not considered a “public charge” except for people in long-term care facilities or institutions.

You can apply online, over the phone, by mail or in-person with your state’s Medicaid or CHIP agency or visit the “Find Coverage for Your Family” section on InsureKidsNow.gov. For more information, call 1-877-KIDS-NOW (1-877-543-7669). Enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP is open all year, and, once your child is enrolled, you need to renew their coverage every year to keep them covered. Make sure your state has your current mailing address, phone number, email, or other contact information, especially if you have moved in the last year. This way, they’ll be able to contact you about your Medicaid or CHIP coverage. Your state will mail you a letter about your coverage, including renewal information.

2022-08-02T07:17:00

(BPT) – When life requires a hospital stay, it can be easy to let your oral hygiene routine slip. However, doing so may leave you vulnerable to developing the number one hospital-acquired infection (HAI): pneumonia.

Daily brushing not only prevents tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath, but also helps defend your body from potentially harmful bacteria entering your mouth and causing other health conditions and infections.

Getting sick when you’re already sick

According to the Mayo Clinic, potentially harmful bacteria can enter your body through the mouth, which acts as the gateway to your digestive and respiratory tracts. In fact, every 4-6 hours, 20 billion microbes replicate inside your mouth. When aspirated, this bacteria can cause pneumonia. Bacteria can quickly multiply and reach the lungs causing an infection, like pneumonia, if daily brushing is not completed.

Hospital-acquired pneumonia is a serious condition that may extend a hospital length of stay by 15 days, require more antibiotics to manage and ultimately increase hospitalization costs. While pneumonia is often associated with the elderly, intensive care units and ventilated patients, every hospital patient is at risk for contracting pneumonia.

One of the easiest ways to significantly address the risk factors of pneumonia during a hospital stay is by continuing with proper oral care using high-quality products. While this seems like a simple solution, the truth is that most patients don’t receive the tools they need, like a toothbrush and toothpaste.

Stryker, the manufacturer of Sage oral hygiene products, reported that of 5,240 patients surveyed, 46% did not have access to a toothbrush while in the hospital. Also, 48% of toothbrushes sampled were contaminated with bacteria after sitting out for 24 hours or more.

In cases when patients are provided oral care supplies, they are often given cheap toothbrushes, basic toothpaste and non-antiseptic oral rinse. Given these factors, it’s easy to see why many hospitalized patients can develop pneumonia.

Requesting and using quality oral care products while staying in a hospital will help address the risk factors of pneumonia for you or your family members.

Staying healthy in the hospital

While it’s apparent that your oral hygiene can have a significant impact on your health, it’s often forgotten or not prioritized in hospital settings. This isn’t an unknown phenomenon to health care workers. Nurses reported oral care as the third most missed element of nursing care.

“Basic oral care can make hospital stays safer and reduce germs in the mouth that cause pneumonia,” said Dian Baker, Ph.D., NP, RN. “However, many health care professionals, patients and their caregivers are unaware of the connection between proper oral hygiene and developing pneumonia, or simply don’t have access to the oral hygiene products.”

If you or a loved one have been hospitalized, maintaining proper oral care is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of hospital-acquired pneumonia. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Ask a nurse for a soft-bristled toothbrush, a therapeutic toothpaste (one with sodium bicarbonate), antiseptic mouthwash and a non-petroleum-based moisturizer.
2. During your hospital stay, remember to brush as you would at home under ideal conditions, 2-4 times per day after each meal and before bedtime.
3. Because toothbrushes can easily collect bacteria and germs, don’t use a toothbrush that has been sitting out in the hospital room. Ask for a fresh toothbrush.

To learn more about proper oral care, hospital-acquired infections and how you can advocate for yourself and your loved ones, visit Stryker.com.

2022-08-01T17:00:30

(BPT) – It’s summertime and that is the perfect time to gather family and friends for a picnic. An important aspect to consider when planning your summer picnic is environmental impact. An easy way to lower your carbon footprint is choosing items in polyethylene terephthalate, or PET. This packaging, on which you can always find the number 1 inside the chasing arrows on the bottom of the package, will make your picnic safe, sustainable and fully recyclable.

Items packaged in PET benefit your outing in ways you probably have never considered, including:

Safety

It’s always important to start with safety. When you take your wine to an outdoor concert; ketchup, mustard and mayo to the park; or beverage to the beach, nothing ruins a good time like a shattered bottle or spilled drink. This means that PET can go places glass can’t, or shouldn’t: The beach, pool side, backpacking or other outdoors activities.

By purchasing products that are packaged in PET, you eliminate the possibility of broken glass. A PET bottle is also resealable. This is great for eliminating the potential for spilled drinks. It also ensures that you can seal and re-open your bottle.

Lightweighting Technology

Over the past decade, there have been significant advancements that dramatically reduced bottle weights, in some instances by as much as 30%.

A 30% reduction per bottle is significant when you’re carrying a cooler full of drinks from your car to the beach. And the reductions are even more significant when going from glass bottles to PET bottles. For example, a PET wine bottle can be as much as 85% lighter than its glass counterpart, or eight pounds per case. That means when the products are transported to the store, it takes less fuel, which reduces environmental impact.

Sustainability

PET in most cases is better for the environment than other packaging material. A recent study conducted by the National Association for PET Container Resources found the impact of a PET bottle on global warming, smog, acid rain and water usage was far less than its glass bottle or aluminum can counterpart.

In fact, up to 77% fewer greenhouse gases are produced when making a PET bottle versus making a glass bottle and twice as many fossil fuels are drained to produce aluminum cans than PET bottles.

That means when faced with a choice between a soda in an aluminum can or PET bottle, or BBQ sauce in a glass bottle or PET jar, it’s better for the picnic, and the planet, to go with PET.

Recycle

It is also vitally important that you recycle PET containers when they are empty. PET is the most recycled plastic in the world, with more than 1.8 billion pounds of used PET bottles and containers recovered in the U.S. each year alone. Across the United States, recycling rates for PET are nearly 30%. PET can be recycled again and again, and it’s the only packaging that can be made with 100% recycled content — your glass bottle or aluminum can, well, can’t.

When we recycle, that PET bottle can be back in your hands in 60 days as a brand-new bottle. Recycling is also a great way to keep our beaches and parks clean.

When preparing for a fun day outdoors with friends and family, plan how you can best reduce your impact on the environment by taking a second look at the packaging options available. And no matter what products you take with you to the picnic, be sure to recycle whenever possible!