MEDICAL SURFARI: BRIGHT SMILES

February is National Children's Dental Health Month, an annual celebration of dental health education. This celebration began in 1941 in Cleveland, Ohio, as an annual observance of children's dental health.

The American Dental Association held the first national observance of Children's Dental Health Day on February 8, 1949. This became a weeklong event in 1955, and in 1981 the program was extended to a monthlong celebration. The program is designed to influence attitudes and habits that are established at an early age and are critical in maintaining good oral health through out life.

Children must learn to smile with confidence. A bright smile with healthy teeth and gums may enhance anyone's appearance and certainly it does affect your self image. But, there is more to oral health than an attractive smile. Children and adults must learn that oral health impacts your overall health. A healthy set of teeth are an essential part of our body's digestive system as they effectively begin the process of digestion by breaking up the food you eat into small pieces that may be easily swallowed and digested.

Most of us take for granted the important functions of our mouth. It enables us to take in nourishment, experience a world of wonderful flavors, kiss a child good night or a lover hello. It allows us to laugh with a friend, hum a melody or whistle a happy tune. Consequently, we must take good care of our mouths.

Most oral health problems are caused by a combination of too much sweet or starchy, sticky food and too little oral hygiene. Heredity may also play an important role in your susceptibility to certain types of tooth decay although many oral health problems are preventable.

Who among us hasn't cringed when, during a checkup, the dentist discovers another cavity. The real culprit in dental decay and gum disease is acid forming bacteria. The acid may form a small pit or "cavity" in the enamel by dissolving the enamel's calcium and phosphate. A critical factor in fighting dental disease is removing the acid producing bacteria from the teeth. Since this bacteria is normally present in our mouths, it is impossible to eliminate it entirely. Proper brushing, flossing and rinsing with antibacterial mouthwashes can control this process by removing the plaque that adheres to the teeth and harbors the bacteria. Clearly, brushing and flossing are the first defense in fighting dental decay. You can help prevent cavities by the following tips:

-- Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.

-- Floss daily or use an interdental cleaner.

-- Eat nutritious, balanced meals and limit snacking.

-- Check with your dentist about fluoride supplements and dental sealants to prevent them from decay.

-- Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleaning and oral examination.

These self care strategies as well as regular professional dental care, combined with the help of teachers, parents, and other care givers, can help keep a child's smile beautiful for a lifetime.

World Wide Web Resources

American Dental Association (ADA) Online

http://www.ada.org/index.html

This ADA web site will link into information for consumers on topics such as frequently asked questions on dental health and preventative care, and your diet and dental health. It provides answers to the cause of bad breath, and offers tips on choosing oral care products.

Oral Hygiene Tips

http://www.toothfairy.org/tips.html

This site contains easy to read information on the basics of oral health care.

Clean Teeth and Gums

http://www.pe.net/~(tilde)iddpc1/clean.htm

This site arranges information in an easy question/answer format on why brush?, why floss?, and contains other dental health facts.

Snack Smart for Healthy Teeth

http://www.nidr.nih.gov/pubs/snaksmrt/sec4.htm

View this web site for lists of healthy snacks to choose from and see other selections for information on preventing tooth decay.

Dr. Scott Gibbs is a neurosurgeon and editor-in-chief of Mosby's Medical Surfari. You may e-mail questions to him at drgibbs@semissourian.com or write in care of the Southeast Missourian, P.O. Box 699, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63701.