OBMS featured article for the MIND

Smile For The Dentist!
An interview with Dr. Dana Colson, written by Lisa Levstein

Clowns, snacks, and crafts. It sounds more like a party than a day at the dentist. Dr. Dana Colson believes that Kids’ Days at her practice are a great way to educate her youngest clients and their parents about preventative dental care.

“In addition to our No-Cavity Clubs, we hold special programming for children about four times a year, teaching them in a fun way about proper diet, brushing techniques and other dental care regimens that will stand them in good stead as they grow older,” says Dr. Colson. “When I was young, I was always scared of going to the dentist. I wanted to change that for other generations and make dentistry a positive experience, for both child and adult alike.”

Let’s test your dental care knowledge. (Answers are at the end of the article)

When presented with a sandwich, a cookie and celery sticks for lunch, what is the last thing that should be eaten?
What cheese can you eat to lower the acidity levels on your saliva?
How long should each tooth brushing session last for kids? For adults?
What is the best way to eat a lollipop or candy?
By what age should children stop using a pacifier to avoid a dental problem?
What is the best drink to give children at night?

According to a recent press release from the Canadian Dental Association, it is not uncommon for this generation of kids to go through their entire childhoods without ever having a cavity, thanks to better dental knowledge and prevention, regular visits to the dentist and proper use of fluoride. Even so, approximately 60% of children between the ages of 5 and 17 will have tooth decay.

The Canadian Dental Association encourages the assessment of infants, by a dentist, within 6 months of the eruption of the first tooth or by one year of age. Start cleaning your child’s mouth with a soft damp cloth before teeth come in and continue with a soft toothbrush once he or she has a first tooth. Your child needs to see the dentist by age two or three, when all the baby teeth have come in.

“I also advocate the hug, kiss and floss routine at bedtime for young children,” recommends Dr. Colson. “At the earliest ages, parents need to be seriously involved in creating good dental hygiene habits. By including flossing as part of your loving nighttime rituals with your children, you are associating a positive habit with warm and loving memories that will last them through adulthood.”

Even if a cavity does start to form, dentists have new techniques within their arsenals to help inhibit or even reverse the decay process. For instance, Dr. Colson’s practice has been mercury-free for 21 years, relying on a series of non-invasive techniques to prevent and/or treat tooth decay. Often the grooves on molar teeth do not completely fuse, creating an open area on the tooth. Laser or air abrasion can be used to recreate a solid surface.

“Going to the dentist does not have to be scary. Parents are encouraged to talk with their children in soothing tones about what to expect, avoiding the words pain, scared, needle or hurt. Don't use age old phrases such as - don't be scared. the dentist will not hurt you, don't worry the needle won't hurt. If necessary, parents can lie down with their children during the examination or any procedures,” offers Dr.Colson.

A new holistic approach to dentistry is starting to sweep North America. In Dr. Colson’s practice biocompatibility with eastern philosophy includes cranio-sacral, acupuncture, nutritional and homeopathics integrated with leading edge technology, digital radiography, laser technology and neuromuscular computerization. "In actual fact" says Dr. Colson "I never forget my own anxiety about my childhood dental experiences and I am constantly looking for non-invasive techniques, to make your dental visits that much more pleasant. We like to think of our office as a spa experience, including a massage pad, warm herbal neck rolls, parrafin hand wax treatments and organic freshly squeezed carrot juice or ginger tea."

“Our mouth impacts the health of our body from the earliest ages onwards,” says Dr. Colson. “We all deserve to have a great smile to reflect our beauty from within.”

Answers:

Eat the celery sticks or carrots after the cookies to help rinse the mouth.
Old
Children should brush for at least one minute. Adults require a minimum of two minutes. Here’s a useful rhyme for the younger set to remind about proper brushing technique:Down goes the rain. Up go the flowers. Back and forth like a choo-choo train.
Sweet treats like lollipops and sucking candies should be eaten as quickly as possible to minimize the amount of time decaying sugars spend in the mouth. So, feel free to crunch away and remember to swish or swallow and have those celery or carrot sticks handy to cleanse the mouth!
Children should stop using pacifiers by two to three years of age.
Water is the best liquid to give children at night. Milk and juices contain sugars that can decay teeth. If milk or juice must be given, begin a gradual dilution with water. Ultimately,have the child rinse their mouth with water afterwards before going back to sleep.

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About The Author:

For more information, contact:
Dr. Dana Colson
Wellness Based Dentistry™
1950 Yonge Street, Toronto Ontario, M4S 1Z4

Phone: 416-482-2133
Website: www.allsmiles.ca