Sip All Day - Get Decay!



Image Courtesy of dentalrecord.com

It is well known that sugar can promote obesity, tooth decay, and a wealth of other health issues. but do we realize just how much sugar is in our food and snacks? Here at South Coast Family Dentistry in Coos Bay, OR we understand that a healthy diet is just as important as regular visits to the dentists or hygienist. Our friends at the Minnesota Dental Association have put together a campaign to teach children and families about the harmful effects of soda drinking.

Here's how you get cavities

     Sugar in pop combines with bacteria in your mouth to form acid.

     Diet or "sugar-free" pop contains its own acid.

     Acid in soft drinks, whether they contain sugar or not, is the primary cause of weakening tooth enamel.

     The acid attacks your teeth. Each acid attack lasts about 20 minutes.

     The acid attack starts over again with every sip.

     Ongoing acid attacks weaken your tooth enamel.

     Bacteria in your mouth cause cavities when tooth enamel is damaged.

How to reduce decay

     Drink soft drinks in moderation.

     Don't sip for extended periods of time. Ongoing sipping prolongs sugar and acid attacks on your teeth.

     Use a straw to keep the sugar away from your teeth.

     After drinking, swish your mouth out with water to dilute the sugar.

To learn more about the research Minnesota Dental Association has completed, visit their website here!

Flouride - Nature's Cavity Fighter



Strong, healthy teeth for life!

Drs. Ryan Bailey and William Bacon at South Coast Family Dentistry serving Coos Bay and North Bend, OR join the ADA and ODA to support water fluoridation to prevent dental disease.

Fluoride is nature's cavity fighter, occurring naturally in the earth's crust, in combination with other minerals in rocks and soil. Small amounts of fluoride occur naturally in all water sources, and varying amounts of the mineral are found in all foods and beverages. Water fluoridation is the process of adjusting the natural level of fluoride to a concentration sufficient to protect against tooth decay. Flouride minerals bind to enamel to strengthen the structure of the tooth, and this can be key for children as their teeth develop.

For more information about the work the Oregon Dental Association is doing for Portland area residents in the fight for children's health, read more here.

Children's Dental Health Month!

February is National Children's Dental Health Month, and all across the United States, dental associations participate in Give Kids A Smile Day - a day of free dental care. Many children suffer from decayed and abscessed teeth in Oregon, as a result of poor diet, poor hygiene, and lack of access to preventive dental care.

At South Coast Family Dentistry, we advocate for children's health and recommend children begin dental visits at age 1, or when teeth first come in (per the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry guidelines). This helps ensure that children become familiar with visiting the dentist on a regular basis, alleviating any anxiety or fear. It also creates a comforting and recognized environment for your child, should a dental emergency occur.

Although children have baby teeth (primary dentition) that will eventually exfoliate (fall out), it is highly important that those teeth remain free of decay and disease. Not only does decay cause pain and other illness, but children need their teeth as they learn to speak, and to assist in proper jaw and facial development.

To learn more about children's oral health and visit your dentist in Coos Bay and North Bend, OR, visit our website or call us at (541) 982-2175.

Healthy Mouths, Healthy Kids!

First Visit By Age 1

In August of 2012, the Ad Council joined with The Partnership for Healthy Mouths, Healthy Lives, a coalition of more than 35 leading dental health organizations, to debut Kids’ Healthy Mouths. Dental decay is the most common chronic childhood disease with more than 16 million kids suffering from untreated tooth decay in the U.S., oral disease is estimated to cause kids to miss 51 million school hours and their parents to lose 25 million work hours annually, and disproportionately affects children from low-income families. 

At South Coast Family Dentistry, we recommend children have their first dental visit by age 1 as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and maintain regular 6 month cleaning appointments for exams. Parents and their children can visit 2min2x.org to watch entertaining videos and listen to music, while children are brushing their teeth. Make oral health part of your New Year’s Resolution!

To schedule your child's appointment with Dr. Bailey or Dr. Bacon, call us at (541) 982-2175 or request your appointment online!

ADA Ad Council Campaign Launches

At South Coast Family Dentistry we understand the importance of early childhood oral care. More children lose school days due to cavities and oral pain than any other cause. Dr. Ryan Bailey and Dr. William Bacon are honored to support the latest ADA public service campaign.

Kids’ Healthy Mouths, is a public service campaign designed to teach parents, caregivers and children about the importance of oral health, kicks off today nationwide.

The American Dental Association and 35 other groups in the dental community formed the Partnership for Healthy Mouths, Healthy Lives and partnered with the Ad Council to produce this campaign. ADA members and staff were sent an email to today alerting them of the launch.
“Today is an exciting day for oral health,” ADA President William Calnon said. “Through the great work of the Ad Council and the Partnership for Healthy Mouths, Healthy Lives, the nation gets to be exposed to a series of informational messages about the importance of brushing your teeth for two minutes, twice a day. The ADA is proud to be a part of this significant work to prevent tooth decay in our nation’s children.”

The English and Spanish-language TV, radio, print, outdoor and digital PSAs poke fun at the myriad of inane things children spend their time doing and highlight that it only takes two minutes, twice a day to help maintain a healthy mouth and prevent future oral pain.

Read more at www.ada.org
Article attributed to Kelly Soderlund, ADA News staff