Sunday, August 07, 2011

Health Tips for August 7

Health Tip: Prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Your baby's teeth can decay from going to bed with a baby bottle or poor oral hygiene.

The American Dental Association lists these suggestions to help prevent baby bottle tooth decay:

  • Moms, practice good oral hygiene and don't share utensils or put your baby's pacifier in your mouth.
  • Wipe baby's gums with a clean, damp cloth after each feeding.
  • Brush teeth with water and a child's toothbrush as soon as teeth break through the skin.
  • Begin using fluoride toothpaste at about age 2, or when baby can spit. You will need to brush your child's teeth until at least age 6.
  • Only formula, milk or breast milk go in baby bottles -- never juice or other sugary drinks.
  • Don't put your child to bed with a bottle.
  • Make sure pacifiers are clean (with soap and water) and never dip them in honey or other sweeteners.
  • Limit sweet treats, provide exposure to fluoride and introduce baby to a sippy cup by the first birthday.

Health Tip: What May Cause Facial Pain

When your face throbs or you feel a dull ache, there are a number of possible causes to consider.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine lists these possibilities:

  • Abscessed tooth.
  • Migraine or a cluster headache.
  • Facial injury.
  • Shingles or cold sore infections, both of which are types of herpes viruses.
  • Conditions such as sinusitis, sinus infection or myofascial pain syndrome.
  • The nerve disorder tic douloureux.
  • Temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

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