As parents, it seems we are constantly telling our children to brush their teeth after meals and floss and brush before bedtime. When they are small, it is much easier to supervise them to make sure they are completing the task. As parents, we know that too often they do a "lick and promise" job because there are so many more "important" tasks that they have to complete. In the early years, many parents let their children brush and then "check them all over" to see if they missed spots. However, as children become older and more independent, this is impossible to do.
The following are some clues that you may look for to see if your child is doing their best job.
- Time your child to check how long he/she is brushing. Like adults, children need to brush at least twice a day for two minutes. Put on a two minute song to help them know how long the time really is. You know as well as I that two minutes can seem like five when you are a child, so he/she may only be brushing for one minute or less.
- Check your child's toothbrush when he/she states that the teeth are "clean" and they are finished. If it is dry, you will know that no brushing has been completed.
- Ask your child for a big smile when finished. If you see food particles on or between the teeth, send them back for a redo. Food should not be found on or between the teeth if proper brushing and flossing is followed. If food is found, the damaging infectious plaque is still present. Children do not have the physical dexterity to floss and brush before eight or nine years old (and sometimes much older). It, therefore, becomes the parents responsibility to get the plaque removed. The child needs to be encouraged to get the habit established.
- Be sure your child brushes his/her tongue. A clean tongue looks pink while a white tongue means that bacteria are growing.
- Make a note on your calendar as to when you begin using a new floss. If it never runs out, you know that it is not being used.
- Clean teeth are able to pass a "squeak" test. Have your child wet his/her finger and quickly rub it across the outside and inside of his/her teeth. If you hear "squeaking," the teeth are clean. The same is true if you use unwaxed floss (which you should be doing). Your teeth should squeak when you rub them with the unwaxed floss if they are clean.
- Sometimes your child's breath is not pleasant. When food is left between the teeth or trapped in the grooves on the tongue, you will notice a bad odor. Have your child brush and floss again and take another "breath test." If bad breath persist, you may want to have him/her checked by a professional.
- Dentists and hygienists know when children are not brushing and flossing properly. Thus regular dental visits are extremely important. Improper brushing and flossing can lead to cavities as well as gum and bone problems. When we see children on a regular schedule, we can help you prevent potential problems. With all the links between the health of the mouth and the entire body, it is more important than ever to help children develop good oral hygiene.
If you would like to make an appointment with Dr. Jim, please call the office today and discover how well your child is doing and how you can help him/her keep their teeth healthy for a lifetime.
There are countless stories of real people, achieving real results that I could use. That's the inspiration! Every day, people are changing their lives by making the effort to exercise (rather than excuses as to why they don't).
So what's their secret? Why are they achieving what so many of us want to - weight loss, longevity, vitality and optimal health? Simple. They're doing it!
That's it folks. They're doing what most of us make excuses for. They are no different from you or me. They're moms and dads, grandparents, they work full time, they tend to children, they have busy lives like the rest of us…but they're doing what it takes to look and feel the way they want. "The way they want" implies that they are taking control of their body, their health and their fitness. They've identified what's important to them, they've made it a priority, and they are working to achieve and maintain those goals.
I often recite the quote; "We didn't say it was easy. We said it's worth it." This sums up what I'm writing about. We can be sheep and do what over 60% of the adult population is doing - nothing - and watch the next season of the Biggest Loser. OR we can take action, just like the people I mentioned above.
There's really no good excuse as to why we don't take better care of ourselves. Most often, if we answer honestly, the excuse is we limit ourselves to what we think we can or cannot do. ("Whether you say you can or you can't, you're right," another favorite quote I use often.)
We see people of all ages and fitness levels walk through our doors every single day to do something that they know is going to improve their lives. Some days, people have to drag themselves in after a long day, but they do it anyways. We know you can too! You just have to determine what you want for yourself and put those priorities into action - literally.
Is optimal health important to you? Will losing weight make you feel more confident? Do you want more out of life? Prove it. Let your actions speak louder than words.
If you're ready to take control log on to www.omnifitnessclub.com and sign on to our Be Our Guest invite on our homepage. We'll contact you for a complimentary Fitness Coaching session, free!
"We all concentrate on UV protection of our skin. The same protection should be considered for our eyes," Dr. Lee Webster of Shoreline Vision states. "Prevention is the key. Simple prevention measures can greatly decrease the chance of certain eye diseases and can make them much less severe." Remember to always shield eyes from the sun's damaging rays by wearing proper protection outdoors. Also remember to protect eyes from indoor UV light when using tanning beds.
Tips to protect your eyes from the sun:
- Don't focus on color or darkness of sunglass lenses. Select sunglasses that block UV rays. Don't be deceived by color or cost. The ability to block UV light is not dependent on the price tag.
- Choose sunglasses that absorb at least 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B rays. Avoid products with labels that do not state exactly how much UV the product blocks.
- Choose wrap-around styles. Ideally, your sunglasses should wrap all the way around to your temples, so the sun's rays can't enter from the side.
- Wear a hat. In addition to your sunglasses, wear a broad-brimmed hat to protect your eyes.
- Don't rely on contact lenses. Even if you wear contact lenses with UV protection, remember your sunglasses.
- Don't be fooled by clouds. The sun's rays can pass through haze and thin clouds. Sun damage to eyes can occur any time during the year, not just in the summertime.
- Protect your eyes during peak sun times. Sunglasses should be worn whenever outside, especially in the early afternoon and at higher altitudes, where UV light is more intense.
- Never look directly at the sun. Looking directly at the sun at any time, including during an eclipse, can lead to solar retinopathy, damage to the eye's retina from solar radiation.
- Don't forget the kids. Everyone is at risk, including children. Protect their eyes with hats and sunglasses. In addition, try to keep children out of the sun between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., when the sun's UV rays are the strongest.
The retail options for purchasing glasses and contact lenses can seem overwhelming. With certified opticians representing over 250 years of combined experience, Shoreline Optical offers superior service and premium quality products.