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Oral Health for MCAH Populations Children’s Oral Health Program Contra Costa Health Services November 2008 Presentation Outline • Overview • Early childhood caries • Periodontal disease and perinatal health • Adolescent oral health: Oral piercing and grills • Prevention of dental decay • Access to oral health care • Take-home messages A Silent Epidemic • Dental disease is the most common chronic and infectious disease affecting children in the U.S. • Five times more common than asthma • 7% of Contra Costa children miss school because of a dental problem National Policy • All children should see a dentist by age one or six months after the eruption of the first tooth – American Academy of Pediatrics – American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry What are Early Childhood Caries (ECC)? ECC is an infectious and transmissible disease; however, it is preventable • Previously known as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay (BBTD) or Nursing Caries • Can appear as soon as the first tooth erupts (around 6 months of age) ECC is an infectious, transmissible disease • Mutans streptococci, lactobacilli, and other acidproducing bacteria • Transmission is both vertical and horizontal Colonization • Can begin even before the eruption of teeth The Chain of Decay Cariogenic Bacteria (S. mutans, lactobacilli) Sucrose, Glucose, Fructose, Starch Acids dissolve tooth mineral Fluoride Caries No Caries White Spot Lesions • The first visible sign of tooth decay • Reversible with fluoride varnish White Spot Lesions Mild/Moderate ECC Severe ECC Risk Factors for Caries • Having a mother with a high caries rate or a high bacterial count of cavity-causing germs • Sleeping with a bottle or breastfeeding throughout the night • Demonstrable caries, plaque, demineralization, and/or staining • Low socioeconomic status • Being a later-order offspring • Lack of access to dental care Children with Disabilities and Other Special Needs • Reduced saliva flow • Sweetened medications • Competing medical needs The Effects of ECC • Loss of primary teeth • Pain • Infection • Self-esteem Loss of Primary Teeth • Primary teeth are important for: – Nutrition – Speech development – Holding spaces for permanent teeth • Untreated decay in primary teeth can lead to decay in permanent teeth, or permanent teeth may not erupt at all Primary and Permanent Teeth Pain • Children learn to live with the pain • Missed preschool and school days • Inability to concentrate; impairs school readiness • Can affect sleep and overall health and well-being Infection • Failure to thrive and delayed growth patterns Self-esteem • Stainless steel crowns • Unattractive smiles Importance of Oral Health for Pregnant Women • Periodontal disease in a pregnant woman has been linked to increased risk for preterm delivery and having a low birth weight baby • For mom: pain, infection, poor nutrition, sleep deprivation, inability to concentrate, work or take care of children Possible Biological Pathway Between PD and PTB/LBW Bacteria in PD Blood Placenta Inflammation Cervical Dilation and Uterine Contractions Periodontal Disease • Gingivitis • Periodontal Disease Gingivitis • Early stage of gum disease – only gums are infected • Caused by bacterial plaque and host risk factors: smoking, diabetes, stress, genetics • Bacteria in plaque create toxins that irritate the gums and cause redness, swelling, bleeding • Reversible with good oral hygiene Pregnancy Gingivitis • Infection that is more superficial and brought on by hormonal changes during pregnancy Periodontitis • An inflammation and degeneration below the gum line (bone and tissues surrounding the teeth) • Multi-factorial and episodic in nature • Prevalence in women of childbearing age is 5-40% • Destruction of the bone is not reversible • If left untreated can cause tooth loss Progression of Periodontitis Severe Periodontitis - Gingival Recession in Incisors Treatment of Periodontal Disease • Professional deep scaling and root planing • Anti-microbial mouth rinse (chlorhexidine) • Systemic and/or site-specific antibiotics • Gum surgery Adolescent Oral Health: Oral Piercing • Potential consequences of oral piercing include: – Infection; – Prolonged or uncontrolled bleeding; – pain and swelling (in extreme cases, a severely swollen tongue can close off the airway and restrict breathing); – Chipped or cracked teeth; – Injury to the gums, possibly resulting in bone loss and root decay; – Problems with chewing, swallowing, and pronouncing words properly; – Blood-borne diseases including various strains of hepatitis; and – Endocarditis, an inflammation of the heart valves or tissues. Adolescent Oral Health: Oral Piercing • Because of the risks involved even after an initial oral piercing wound has healed, the ADA recommends that both teens and adults avoid oral piercing. Adolescent Oral Health: Grills • Made from gold, silver, or jewelencrusted precious metals • Use of permanent cement not intended for internal use • Do-it-yourself kits and unlicensed jewelers Adolescent Oral Health: Grills • Grills can wear away the enamel on the opposing teeth and inflame the gums; cement can damage teeth and gum tissues • Food collects tooth decay • ADA recommends that youth avoid wearing grills, but if they are considering it, youth should: – talk to their dentists first – find out what materials the grills are made of – limit the time the grills are worn – remove the grills when eating – practice good oral hygiene Prevention of Dental Decay • Regular dental visits starting at age 1 – Referral by medical providers • Oral hygiene • Fluoride • Dental Sealants • Healthy feeding practices • Modifying caregiver’s oral health: Xylitol Oral Hygiene: Infants • Before teeth come in, wipe gums clean with gauze or washcloth, before or after last feeding at night Oral Hygiene: “Lift the Lip” • When teeth are in, “lift the lip” monthly to check for chalky white spots or brown spots Oral Hygiene: Brushing • Begins when first tooth erupts • An adult should help brush a child’s teeth until child is around 8 years old Fluoride Toothpaste • Encourage daily use in the morning and before bed • A small smear is the appropriate amount • Apply toothpaste across width, not length of toothbrush Fluoride Varnish • Brown resin that sets on contact with moisture in the mouth • Prevents ECC • Easy application • Contains 5% of NaF Community Water Fluoridation • Only about 30% of Californians have fluoridated drinking water (vs. 67% nationwide) • San Francisco Public Utilities Commission areas all fluoridated • All of Contra Costa is fluoridated except Bay Point, Byron, Knightsen, and Brentwood Dental Sealants • Plastic coatings that dentists apply to the chewing surfaces of the molars • Make it difficult for plaque to adhere to the grooves of these teeth, reducing the risk of developing cavities • Most effective in children who have newly developed molars (ages six and 12) • Last for several years Dental Sealant Placement Healthy Feeding Practices • Eat healthy foods and avoid sticky, starchy foods between meals • Don’t let infants and toddlers go to bed with a bottle or sipper cup or carry one around during the day, unless it contains only water Caregiver’s Oral Health • Modify caregiver’s dental flora during the period from birth until the child is 2 years old • Use antibacterials like xylitol Xylitol • An antibacterial, non-cariogenic sweetener • Used in some foods, chewing gum, candies; available over-the-counter and online • Caries-causing bacteria cannot feed on xylitol (it does not produce acid) • Increases saliva flow • Studies show that when used by mothers, there is a 30 to 60% reduction in tooth decay in their children Prevention of Periodontal Disease • Regular brushing and flossing • Regular dental exams and professional cleanings • Eliminating tobacco use • Reducing stress Access to Oral Health Care • 21% of children (0-17) and 35% of adults (18+) in CA do not have dental insurance (’05 & ’03 CHIS) • Many employers do not cover dental insurance • Lack of dentists and specialists accepting Medi-Cal • County and community clinics overburdened • Need more dentists to see young children and pregnant women • Lack of dental specialists • Regular threats by state to cut or eliminate Medi-Cal dental benefits for pregnant women & children Take-home Messages • Oral health is integral part of total health • Dental disease is very common • Dental disease is infectious and transmissible, but it is preventable in many ways • Dental visit by age one • Access to care barriers can be very significant, especially for low-income families