Fraternity-Testvériség, 1999 (77. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1999-07-01 / 2. szám
FRATERNITY Page 11 Warning on Baby If parents put their children to bed with baby bottles containing milk, formula, soda pop, or fruit juices, the result may be a mouthful of tooth decay. This condition is known as baby bottle tooth decay, and dentists see it every day. Yes, it is a big problem but it can be corrected easily. The good news is that it is extremely easy to prevent with just a little education. Baby bottle tooth decay is caused by the frequent exposure of a child’s teeth for long periods of time to liquids containing sugars. The sugars are used as an energy source by the bacteria in plaque, the thin, almost invisible film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth. The acids in plaque attack tooth enamel. Each time a child drinks a liquid containing sugars, acids attack the child’s teeth for at least 20 minutes. After many attacks, tooth decay can occur. One of the most common methods in which baby bottle decays gets started is when a mother puts her child down for a nap or to bed at night with a bottle full of juice. What often happens is that the child falls asleep with the bottle still in his or her mouth. During sleep, the flow of saliva decreases, allowing the liquid in the nursing bottle to pool around the child’s tooth for long periods. Parents often do not realize that a baby’s teeth are susceptible to decay as soon as they appear in the mouth. Bottle Tooth Decay By the time decay is noticed, it may be too late to save the child’s teeth. However, a baby’s teeth can be protected. After each feeding, wipe the child’s teeth and gums with a damp washcloth or gauze to remove plaque. Begin brushing your child’s teeth as soon as the first tooth erupts. Remember to continue cleaning and massaging gums in all other areas that remain toothless. Flossing should begin when all primary teeth have erupted, usually by age two or two and one- half years. Never allow a child to fall asleep with a bottle containing anything other than water; no milk, formula, fruit juices, soda pop, and no sugar water or sweetened gelatin; only water. If a child needs a comforter between regular feedings, at night or during naps, fill a nursing bottle with cool water or give the child a clean pacifier recommended by your dentist. Never give a child a pacifier dipped in any sweetened liquid. Parents need to make sure their children get fluoride to protect teeth and that dental visits begin between six and twelve months of age. Early visits are important so dentists can detect baby bottle tooth decay and take corrective action to prevent dental problems later in life. Richard W. Áros, D.D.S. Pediatric Dentist and Director of the HR FA Donations to the Student Aid & Loan Fund of the HRFA Donations of Board Members László Dallos 25.00 1999 Spring Board Meeting Agnes E. Hajdú 25.00 Dawn Priscilla Hunyady $ 200.00 Barbara Kiss 25.00 Dr. Richard W. Aros 100.00 Louis Nestor 25.00 László Lipoczky 100.00 Steve Vajda 20.00 John K. Morey 100.00 Olga Damay 10.00 Margaret H. Saltzer 100.00 Rev. Stefan M. Torok 100.00 Other Special Donations Mr. & Mrs. George Balash $ 40.00 Donations to Flood Victims in the Carpathian (Ukraine) Basin In Memoriam Donations Louis Hasza 100.00 William and Helen Szuch $ 25.00 Rev. Alexander Jalso 100.00 In memory of Mrs. Margaret B. Parker Gaza and Yolan Katona 100.00 HRFA 25.00 Leslie and Elizabeth Lakatos 50.00 In memory of Mrs. Susan P. Hebei Russel and Georgia McWhinney 50.00 HRFA Jolán K. Szmetena 40.00 In memory of Mrs. Elizabeth Bemat 25.00
