Dental Care for Children

Many parents are unsure of when their children need to first see the dentist. The easy answer is "First visit by first birthday." That's the opinion of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. The American Academy of Pediatrics indicates that children who are at risk of early childhood cavities need to see a pediatric dentist by age 1. This idea of such early dental visits is still surprising to many adults, but national research has revealed that the incidence of cavities have been increasing in preschool-aged children. More than 25% of children in the United States has had at least one cavity by the age of 4, but many kids get cavities as early as age 2 (Child Dental Health, 2010).

To prevent early childhood cavities, parents first need to find out their child's risk of developing cavities. They also need to learn how to manage diet, hygiene and fluoride to prevent problems. But cavities aren't all that parents need to learn about their child's dental health. The age 1 dental visit lets parents discuss how to care for an infant's or toddler's mouth, proper use of fluoride, oral habits, including finger and thumb sucking, ways to prevent accidents that could damage the face and teeth, teething and milestones of development, and the link between diet and oral health (Child Dental Health, 2010).

The purpose of the age 1 dental visit is to learn about a child's oral health and how to best care for a child's unique needs before any problems occur. Many dental problems can be prevented or more easily treated in the early stages. The first visit a child has with a dentist is mainly to ask questions and get the child comfortable with being in a dental office.  Children may fuss during parts or all of the dental visit. However, parents may be surprised at how accepting infants can be when the dentist examines them. They may enjoy the attention the visit involves. Bringing a favorite toy, blanket or other familiar object will help children know that the dental office is a comfortable and safe place (Child Dental Health, 2010).

The age 1 care visit is similar to a well-baby check at the physician's office. At the visit, parents should expect the dentist or hygienist to review the child’s history. The dentist will also discuss the child’s overall health including development, teething, dental bite, soft tissues, oral habits, factors that affect the risk of cavities, such as diet, hygiene practices, fluoride use and whether others in the family have cavities, and how to prevent trauma to your child’s mouth. An oral examination will occur during the first visit as well. The dentist or hygienist may also clean the child's teeth during this visit. This is likely to occur if the child's teeth have a stain that commonly appears in infants. The dentist or hygienist also may apply fluoride, particularly if the child has a higher than average risk of developing cavities (Children’s Oral Health, 2012).

After leaving the dentist’s office, parents should have their questions answered. They also should know what the parent as well as the dentist can do together to make sure the child has excellent oral health.

A very common topic that is brought up at a child’s first dental visit is baby bottle tooth decay. Tooth decay in infants and toddlers is often referred to as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay, or Early Childhood Caries. Children need strong, healthy teeth to chew their food, speak and have a good-looking smile. Their first teeth also help make sure their adult teeth come in correctly. It’s important to start infants off with good oral care to help protect their teeth for decades to come (Baby Bottle Tooth Decay, 2009).

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay most often occurs in the upper front teeth, but other teeth may also be affected. There are many factors which can cause tooth decay. One common cause is the frequent, prolonged exposure of the baby’s teeth to drinks that contain sugar. Tooth decay can occur when the baby is put to bed with a bottle, or when a bottle is used as a pacifier for a fussy baby (Baby Bottle Tooth Decay, 2009).

Tooth decay is a disease that can begin with cavity-causing bacteria being passed from the mother to the infant. These bacteria are passed through the saliva. When the mother puts the baby’s feeding spoon in her mouth, or cleans a pacifier in her mouth, the bacteria can be passed to the baby. If the infant or toddler does not receive an adequate amount of fluoride, they may also have an increased risk for tooth decay. The good news is that decay is preventable (Baby Bottle Tooth Decay, 2009).

Prevention techniques are very inexpensive and easy to follow. Mothers should try not to share saliva with the baby through common use of feeding spoons or licking pacifiers. After each feeding, parents should wipe the child’s gums with a clean, damp gauze pad or washcloth. When your child’s teeth come in, parents should brush them gently with a child-size toothbrush and water. Parents should brush the teeth with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste from the ages of 2 to 6. Parents should place only formula, milk or breastmilk in bottles, and avoid filling the bottle with liquids such as sugar water, juice or soft drinks. Infants should finish their bedtime and naptime bottles before going to bed. If the child uses a pacifier, provide one that is clean—don’t dip it in sugar or honey. Parents should also encourage your child to drink from a cup by his/her first birthday. Keeping the child’s teeth clean healthy and well cared for is the way to enforce and maintain lasting dental health (Baby Bottle Tooth Decay, 2009).

 "Baby Bottle Tooth Decay." Baby Bottle Tooth Decay. Illinois Department of Health, (2009). 6 Feb. 2013. .

“Child Dental Health." U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, (2010) Web. 6 Feb. 2013. .

 “Children's Oral Health." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (2012). 6 Feb. 2013. .

Breast Cancer

            According to the National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer for women in the United States. (NABCO, 2002).  After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the United States.  Thus making this disease very important to understand.  It can happen to any women at any time.  Usually as an adult but in rare cases before then.  Known risk factors like having a family history of breast cancer, starting menopause after the age of 55 or never having children account for a small number of breast cancer cases each and every year. (Breast Cancer Facts).  Breast Cancer can occur in both men and women but the prevalence of breast cancer in men is fairly low.  Public Support for the awareness of breast cancer has helped improve the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer greatly.   According to the Mayo Clinic, breast cancer survival rates have increased and the numbers of deaths from it have been declining.  This is due to earlier detection, new treatments and a better understanding of the disease. 

            Breast cancer is a tumor that starts in the cells of the breast.  The tumor is a group of cells that can grow and invade the surrounding tissues and spread throughout the body.  Symptoms include lump in breast, change in size, or shape of the breast or discharge from nipple.  In order to make sure you are not in danger self-breast exams and mammograms can help find breast cancer early when it is most treatable according to MedlinePlus.  According to MedlinePlus men can get breast cancer too.  Symptoms for men include breast lump and breast pain and tenderness.  Other symptoms for men include bone pain, breast pain, skin ulcers, swelling of one arm, and weight loss. 

            Known causes of breast cancer include age and gender.  According to an article by the New York Times called “Breast Cancer”, your risk of developing breast cancer increases, as you get older.  Most advanced cases of this cancer are found in women over the age of 50.  Family history of breast cancer goes along with the causes.  People who have had a relative go through breast cancer have a higher risk for having the cancer themselves.  Genes are another reason people are more likely to develop breast cancer.  These genes are called BRCA1 and BRCA2.  These two genes produce proteins to protect you from cancer.  Defects in these two genes are a serious concern.  Women with these defects are 80% more likely to develop breast cancer than women who do not according to the article.  A women’s menstrual cycle also poses as a risk factor.  Women who get their periods early in life or the opposite-went through menopause late have an increased risk for breast cancer.  Other risk factors are alcohol use.  People who drink more than 1-2 glasses of alcohol per day may have an increased risk for breast cancer than women who do not have that much alcohol.  Childbirth is another factor in possessing breast cancer.  According to the article, “women who have never had children or who had them only after age 30 have an increased risk for breast cancer.  Being pregnant more than once or becoming pregnant at an early age reduces your risk of breast cancer”.  Women who took diethylstillbesterol (DES) to prevent miscarriage could have a higher risk for developing risk cancer after the age of 40.  If hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was received they have a higher risk for breast cancer.  Obesity also plays a role in developing breast cancer.  Obese women produce more estrogen thus fueling the development of breast cancer according to the article.  Last but not least is radiation.  If radiation was received as a child or an adult the person has a much higher risk of developing breast cancer.  This is especially true when radiation was given during breast development.

            Treatment is based on a variety of factors including the type and stage of the cancer, whether the cancer is sensitive to certain hormones, and whether the cancer overproduces a gene called HER2/neu.    According to an article in the New York Times cancer treatments could include Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, hormonal therapy, targeted therapy either local or systemic.  A lot of women receive a combination of these treatments.  The goal of the treatment is to prevent the cancer from recurring.  There is even some work after the treatments.  Women will continue to take medications like tamoxifen and they will continue to have blood tests, mammograms, and other tests.

            There are many ways to deal with breast cancer.  One of them being support groups.  Talking about what you are going through and discussing your worries and concerns can help a great deal.  People who talk about your disease and treatment with others who share common experiences and problems can be very helpful.

Bibliography

Breast cancer. (2013, 2 3). Retrieved from http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/breastcancer/overview. tml

What is breast cancer?. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/what-is-breast-cancer