Your pregnancy pounds ultimately go away, but what about c-section scars, sagging breasts, stretch marks or varicose veins? Here are tips on how to recover from some of the biggest body issues after baby.
Though most fade to a pencil-thin line in a year or two, they never completely disappear. "The key to making scars less visible is treating them early," says Debra Jaliman, M.D., a clinical instructor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, in New York City.
What works: Mederma, an over-the-counter topical gel. Studies suggest its active ingredient, onion extract, helps realign the skin's collagen and smooth out scars. The gel, which is safe to use while you're nursing or pregnant, works best on scars under a year old but may minimize ones you've had for as long as eight years. Other treatments include self-adhesive foam strips, such as Curad Scar Therapy Cosmetic Pads. "They apply slight pressure, which may flatten the scar and lighten the redness," says David Leffell, M.D., professor of dermatology and surgery at Yale School of Medicine and author of Total Skin. Doctor's-office procedures, such as laser treatment and steroid injections, typically give better, faster results but cost more.
What doesn't: Vitamin E products. Moisturizer can help skin look younger, and the massaging action can soften a new scar. "But there's nothing about vitamin E that can actually change the skin's collagen, nor is there any proof that topically applied vitamins have any impact," says Stephen Metzinger, M.D., a plastic surgeon and director of burn services at Children's Hospital, in New Orleans.
Quickest fix: Trade in your teeny bikini for a suit that provides more coverage. Or cover the scar with a cream like Dermablend or a spray-on foundation like Era Face. Both are long-lasting and available in multiple shades, and they won't rub off on your clothes.
Sagging breasts
"During pregnancy and nursing, hormones cause breast tissue to expand, and the surrounding skin stretches to accommodate this," says Aron Kressel, M.D., chief of plastic surgery at Metropolitan Hospital, in New York City. "Afterwards, the tissue shrinks, but the skin is no longer as elastic." Though the only permanent picker-upper for your postbaby breasts is plastic surgery, you don't have to go under the knife to get a little lift.
What works: Exercise. "Working out won't boost your bra size, because breast tissue is fat, not muscle," says Courtney Barroll, a personal trainer at Equinox Fitness Clubs, in New York City. "But exercise can tone the pectoral muscles around the breasts, giving them a lifted and perkier appearance." Some bust-buffing moves: push-ups (balance on either your knees or, more advanced, your toes elevated on a step or low bench); chest flies lying on your back; pull-overs; and chest presses. However, get your doctor's okay before exercising postpartum.
What doesn't: Breast-firming pills or creams. "There's no evidence they tighten the skin or restore its elasticity," Dr. Kressel says.
Quickest fix: A supportive bra. Be sure to find the right fit -- ask knowledgeable lingerie sales staff for help. Look for a wide band for support, an uplifting underwire, and cups made of sturdy rather than sheer fabric. And to prevent further sagging, wear a sports bra when you work out.
Melasma
Up to 70 percent of expectant moms get this "mask of pregnancy." Hormone fluctuations cause dark patches on the forehead, cheeks, and upper lips that often fade postpartum but don't go away completely.
What works: Prescription bleaching creams, steroids, and tretinoin (the main ingredient in Retin-A) either alone or in combination. Many patients see improvements within a few weeks. (The downside: These creams can cause temporary redness, peeling, and dryness; you can't use them while you're nursing or pregnant; and not all insurance companies cover them.) A series of glycolic peels done at your doctor's office can also help by removing the top layer of skin. Over-the-counter beauty products containing 2 percent hydroquinone or licorice extract may also reduce discoloration. But no matter how you wipe out your spots, you must use sunscreen vigilantly to maintain results.
What doesn't: Over-the-counter lightening or fade creams that don't contain the above ingredients. Most will only superficially lighten the skin.
Quickest fix: Cover up. Work with two concealers, suggests makeup artist Trish McEvoy, author of The Power of Makeup. Use one a shade lighter than the melasma and another that matches your natural skin tone. With your fingertips or a sponge, dab the lighter concealer into the brown patch with a patting motion. Then, apply the skin-matching concealer around it and blend. Set with translucent powder. Other tricks: If the melasma is around your mouth, downplay lips with nude liners and natural gloss. And divert attention to your eyes with eye-opening colors, a lash curler, and volumizing mascara.
Veer
Stomach flab
Even if you've dropped most of your baby weight and you religiously do stomach crunches, that bulge around your belly doesn't seem to budge. That's because it's mostly stretched-out skin and muscle, says Lisa Masterson, M.D., an ob-gyn at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, in Los Angeles.
What works: Moves that target the transverse muscles -- those that wrap around the abdominals horizontally. (Regular crunches focus on lengthwise muscles.) Try the slide: On a slippery floor, like wood or linoleum, get into a push-up position, balancing on your forearms. Place a folded towel under your toes, and as you pull your abs in, slide your knees toward your chest. Do two sets of five to eight reps, three times a week; work up to three sets. "Regular cardiovascular exercise will also help reduce overall body fat," Barroll says.
What doesn't: Electronic abdominal exercise belts. You've seen them on infomercials, but they're ineffective and painful, says a study by the American Council on Exercise. And the Federal Trade Commission has charged one of the top-selling brands with making false claims.
Quickest fix: Body-shaping underwear. Not your grandma's corset -- the latest tummy-toning undergarments are made of breathable, nonbinding fabric and are comfy enough to wear every day. Our favorites: Barely There Seamless Brief ($10), Maidenform's Flexees Underwonder Bare-Control Brief ($23), and Spanx Pantyhose Power Panties ($25).
Stretch Marks
These thin scars on the stomach, hips, breasts, or butt usually start out red and then lighten within a year. "Whether you get stretch marks depends a lot on genetics and how quickly you gain weight," says David J. Goldberg, M.D., director of laser research in the department of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, in New York City. The earlier you treat them, though, the better your chance of fading them.
What works: Retin-A cream. It's most effective on newer, red marks, but steer clear of it if you're pregnant or nursing. "Retin-A builds up collagen, the firming fibers that were broken when skin was stretched," Dr. Jaliman explains. Side effects include temporary redness and flaky, dry skin. Microdermabrasion -- a procedure in which tiny crystals are blasted against your skin to remove the top layer and stimulate collagen production -- can treat older stretch marks. In addition, the FDA recently approved a new laser treatment that adds pigment to older, lighter stretch marks so they blend into surrounding skin.
What doesn't: Vitamin K creams. "Varicose veins are too deep for a topical cream to reach and provide any benefit," Dr. Jaliman says.
Quickest fix: Pants and long skirts. Or camouflage veins with waterproof makeup, like Dermablend or Era Face, or with self-tanning lotion. "The veins will appear less blue against tanned skin," McEvoy says.
Varicose Veins
As many as 40 percent of pregnant women develop dilated blood vessels near the skin's surface, most often on the calves and thighs. "Heredity, hormones, and the pressure on the veins of pregnancy pounds all play a role," Dr. Masterson says. Varicose veins may improve after childbirth, but they won't go away completely.
What works: Sclerotherapy. A doctor injects the affected leg veins with a solution that causes them to close, then fade or disappear within about two weeks. More than one session may be needed, and experts recommend waiting at least six months after delivery to begin. Temporary side effects include stinging at the injection site, muscle cramps, and redness or brown spots. Keep in mind that sclerotherapy typically isn't covered by insurance unless the varicose veins are causing pain.
What doesn't: Vitamin K creams. "Varicose veins are too deep for a topical cream to reach and provide any benefit," Dr. Jaliman says.
Quickest fix: Pants and long skirts. Or camouflage veins with waterproof makeup, like Dermablend or Era Face, or with self-tanning lotion. "The veins will appear less blue against tanned skin," McEvoy says.
All content on this Web site, including medical opinion and any other health-related information, is for informational purposes only and should not be considered to be a specific diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual situation. Use of this site and the information contained herein does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others.
I did not write this article. For the original and others like it please visit https://www.parents.com/baby/health/lose-baby-weight/6-postpartum-body-problems-and-how-to-fix-them/
Being an Outdoor Guide means that everyone asks you questions. Here are some tips and tricks that you can use!
Backpacking stoves are light, reliable and support the Leave No Trace ethic. In many backcountry areas, open fires are prohibited due to forest-fire danger or the scarcity of available firewood, so a stove is your only option.
For most backpackers, your main decision will be between the 2 broad stove categories: canister fuel vs. liquid fuel. You may also want to consider one of the growing number of alternative-fuel options now available.
Here are some quick recommendations:
Activity
Recommended Stove Type
Summer backpacking
Canister or integrated stove system
Winter or high-elevation use
Liquid-fuel stove
To boil water only
Integrated stove system (canister)
Ultralight backpacking
Canister or alternative-fuel stove
Large groups
Liquid-fuel stove
"Gourmet" camp cooking
Any model with flame control and a stable base
International travel
Multifuel stove
What’s Your Preference: Boiling or Simmering?
Some backpackers want a stove that boils water rapidly for rehydrating freeze-dried meals or melting snow for water. Others want a stove that offers more precise simmering control for gourmet-style cooking.
Manufacturers provide estimates of how quickly their stoves take water from ambient temperature to boiling. Unfortunately, no standardized test for determining water-boiling speed exists, so these estimates may not offer true apples-to-apples comparisons.
Some general boiling and simmering guidance:
Integrated canister systems boil water fastest while also using minimal fuel. Simmering is possible, but it’s an afterthought in their designs.
Canister stoves boil water quickly, and some models are good to excellent at simmering—great for camp gourmets.
Liquid-fuel stoves boil water very quickly, even in cold weather. Simmering ability varies widely by model.
Alternate-fuel stoves are intended primarily for boiling, though they are slower, sometimes by minutes. The BioLite CampStovemodel offers decent simmering capabilities.
Group Size
If camping in a group of 3 or more, it’s smart to bring more than 1 stove. Otherwise, if you’re hungry and last in line for that single stove, the wait can seem interminable. With modern stoves being so small and light, it’s not uncommon for each backpacker to bring their own stove.
Trip Length and Estimating FuelNeeds
In his book, The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide, author Andrew Skurka estimates a typical 8-ounce fuel canister should heat about 30 pints of water. That’s about 60 cups. A freeze-dried meal usually requires 2 or more cups of water to rehydrate, so a canister is a good bet for 15 to 20 meals—barring cold temps, high winds or similar factors that could diminish stove performance.
Liquid-fuel stoves use refillable fuel bottles, and you can peek inside to gauge your fuel supply. With canister stoves, you can only shake the sealed canister and guess how much fuel remains. So carrying a spare is beneficial even though that means more weight and bulk in your pack.
Skurka’s calculation—60 cups of water heated per 8 ounces of fuel carried—is a good estimate for any canister or liquid-fuel stove. Your results, of course, may vary. Field experience will help you calculate how much fuel is needed for your style of cooking.
There you have it. The above discussion covers the basics of backpacking stove shopping. For a closer look at your choices, read on:
A Closer Look: Canister Stoves
Canisters run on pre-pressurized gases: isobutane (primarily) and propane. Isobutane burns hot and clean, and in colder conditions it outperforms conventional butane. The canister self-seals when the stove is detached, eliminating the possibility of fuel spills.
Fuel canisters connect to stoves in 2 ways:
Upright: The stove screws into the top of the fuel canister. This is the smallest, lightest option. Downsides? Tall profile is prone to tip-overs; small pots don't hold large pots well.
Low-profile: The burner sits on its own base and a fuel hose connects it to the canister. Canisters can be inverted to improve cold-weather performance; large pot supports improve pot stability. Cons? It's a bit heavier and bulkier.
The biggest drawback is that upright canisters depressurize in the cold (32°F or lower) leading to weak or no flame. Normal pressure resumes when the canister temperature is increased.
Tip: In cold weather, keep the canister warm by putting it in your sleeping bag at night or hiking with it in your jacket pocket. Place a bit of foam underneath it when cooking.
Canister Stoves
Pros
Cons
Very easy to use
Fuel, per ounce, is more expensive
Compact and lightweight
Poor cold-weather performance*
No fuel spill risk
Heat output drops as canister empties
No priming required
Difficult to gauge remaining fuel level
Fast maximum heat output
Hard to find fuel outside U.S.
Good flame control (simmering)
Upright models susceptible to tip-overs
Burns cleanly (no soot)
* Exceptions: pressure-regulated or inverted-canister models.
Other considerations:
The Jetboil CrunchIt Tool allows you to recycle your spent fuel canisters. (Previously, they were often considered hazardous waste.) Check with your local recycler to ensure acceptance.
Warning: For stoves that attach directly to the canister, a windscreen must not be used because it traps excessive heat. This creates the potential of fuel exploding.
Low-profile canister stoves (those that separate the canister from the stove) may allow the use of a windscreen to improve efficiency.
Some models have a built-in pressure regulator to provide consistent heat output throughout the life of the canister. This improves cold weather performance, too.
Stabilizers, sometimes sold separately, can be attached to the bottom of fuel canisters to reduce the chance of tipping over.
Tip: Stormproof matches should always be carried in case the Piezo igniter fails.
Integrated Stove Systems (Canister)
One popular option for the canister-stove shopper is an integrated stove system such as the Jetboil series.
With this approach, the canister stove is paired with a cooking pot (and optional accessories such as a French press for coffee making) designed to work specifically with that stove.
Here's how these compare with traditional canister stoves:
Integrated Canister Stove Systems
Pros
Cons
Fast boiling times
Less versatile for use with other pots
Excellent fuel efficiency
More expensive
Built-in wind buffer
A Closer Look: Liquid-fuel Stoves
What fuels do liquid-fuel stoves use? All run on so-called white gas, or naphtha, as it’s known in the fuel industry. It is a highly refined fuel processed to leave few or no impurities in the final product. It burns hot and clean, performs well in below-freezing temperatures and, compared to the per-ounce cost of canister fuel, is much less expensive.
Some backpacking stoves (a few camping stoves, too) are multifuel stoves. Depending on the model they may also operate on kerosene, jet fuel, diesel or non-oxygenated unleaded auto gasoline. This can be useful for international travelers who face limited fuel choices outside the U.S.
None of these fuels are as purely refined as white gas, and any impurities they carry may, over time, clog stove parts such as the fuel tube.
Liquid-fuel Stoves
Pros
Cons
Excellent cold-weather performance
Most require priming
Fuel is inexpensive (good for groups)
Usually a higher initial cost
Low-profile design for a stable base
Fuel spills are possible
Easy to gauge fuel level
A bit heavier than canister stoves
No canister to discard
Requires purchase of fuel bottle
White gas is known to degrade over time. The fresher the fuel, the less likely it will cause clogs. If using aged white gas (not advised), use a filter to strain out any tiny sediment that might be lurking within. If older white gas shows a tint of color, that’s often a sign it’s past its prime.
Two potential downsides to liquid-fuel stoves:
1. They typically require periodic maintenance, such as cleaning the fuel hose or replacing O-rings (in the stove and on fuel bottles).
2. Most require priming, which involves igniting a few drips of fuel in a cup below the burner, creating a small flame that preheats the fuel line. This enables the stove to convert liquid fuel into a vapor.
Multifuel Stoves (Liquid Fuel)
Some liquid-fuel stoves can accommodate various fuels including some or all of the following: white gas, unleaded auto gasoline, kerosene, jet fuel and diesel. These stoves can cost a bit more and require more maintenance but the added fuel versatility makes them a great choice for international travelers.
A comparison of the most common liquid fuels:
Advantages
Disadvantages
White gas
Cleanest, most efficient fuel choice
Spilled fuel evaporates quickly
Readily available in U.S.
Best for cold weather use
Priming usually required
Spilled fuel very flammable
Kerosene
Spilled fuel won't ignite easily
Fuel sold throughout world
High heat output
Priming required
Spilled fuel evaporates slowly
Noticeable odor
Unleaded auto gas
Most readily available in U.S.
Priming usually required
Spilled fuel very flammable
Gas additives can lead to clogging
A Closer Look: Alternative-fuelStoves
Wood-burning stoves burn twigs and leaves you gather in the backcountry. So you carry no fuel, a nice idea for longer trips. A recent addition to this category is the BioLite CampStove, which generates electricity while operating—enough to charge a mobile phones or other small gadgets via a USB connection. It can even be outfitted with the optional BioLite Portable Grill. Downside: This stove is not the lightest or most compact option, and finding dry fuel during wet weather can be challenging.
Denatured alcohol stoves have few or no moving parts to worry about, weigh very little and burn silently. Alcohol does not burn as hot as canister fuel or white gas, so it takes longer to boil water and requires more fuel. Alcohol fuel can be hard to find outside the U.S. These stoves appeal most to ultralight backpackers.
Solid-fuel tablet stoves are another popular choice with ultralight backpackers thanks to their compact size. Also good for emergency kits. Downside: They are slow to bring water to a boil.
Comparing Stove Specifications
Once you've decided on a stove category, compare models using the following performance attributes:
Burn time: how long a stove burns using a given amount of fuel.
Average boil time: time required to bring 1 liter of 70°F water to a boil (based on an average of 3 timed boils).
Liters of water boiled (per 100g of fuel): the "miles per gallon" rating for fuel efficiency at full stove power. Note: When stoves are operated at less than full power, they are even more efficient.
Pot stability: how well a stove's support arms hold a typical cooking pot.
Stove stability: the stability of a stove's design.
Ease of operation: what stoves are the easiest to operate?
Keep in mind that lab performance is almost always better than performance in the field (i.e., a stove that takes 3 minutes to boil 1 liter of water in a lab may take significantly longer in cold, windy conditions).
Backpacking Stove FAQs
Q: Are the various brands of fuel canisters interchangeable? For example, can I use my Gigapower fuel on a Jetboil stove?
A: Most canisters feature a Lindal valve with standardized threading. This allows fuel canisters to be interchangeable between brands, though manufacturers generally like to recommend using their own brand of fuel with their stoves.
Q: How difficult is priming? What are the steps?
A: Priming is required for liquid-fuel stoves only. Its purpose is to preheat (and vaporize) a small quantity of fuel to ensure proper stove ignition. While priming is not difficult, you should refer to your owner's manual for step-by-step instructions.
Q: What is a Piezo igniter?
A: Pronounced pee-A-zo, this is a push-button spark producer (generated by a crystal) found on some canister-fuel stoves. It's a handy feature, especially if your matches are lost or wet.
Q: Can I use unleaded auto gasoline in a multifuel stove?
A: Gas stations in many parts of the U.S. carry only oxygenated gasoline during winter months to reduce emissions. That’s helpful to the environment, but additives in oxygenated gasoline can damage your stove. Outside of an emergency, it’s best to stick to whatever fuels the manufacturer recommends.
Stove Usage Tips
Any stove:
Warning: Do NOT cook inside tents or enclosed spaces. This can cause carbon monoxide poisoning and create a high fire risk.
Check all fuel lines, valves and connections for leaks before lighting your stove.
Operate your stove on the most level surface possible.
Use a lid when cooking.
Canister stoves:
New fuel canisters usually contain a small amount of air near the top; after this bleeds off, the fuel will flow and ignite. If the stove tips, a large yellow flame-up may occur.
Never use a windscreen with a canister stove.
Always carry stormproof matches in case the Piezo igniter doesn't work.
Liquid-fuel stoves:
Don't fill a fuel tank to the brim. Fuel expands as it warms, so leaving an air space prevents excessive pressure buildup.
Empty the fuel tank before storing your stove for several months or longer.
If using auto fuel, avoid the oxygenated gas found in some areas of the U.S., especially during winter. It breaks down vital stove components.
Use alcohol for priming. It helps to keep your stove soot-free.
Use a windscreen.
Consider using a heat exchanger for cold weather or extended trips—it promotes faster boiling and saves fuel.
Don't spill fuel on bare skin. In extreme cold, this can cause frostbite due to the rapid evaporation of fuel.
This weeks Free pattern is Loganberry Dishcloth from KnitPicks.
Finished Measurements 8” Square
Needles US 7 (4.5mm): Straight or circular
In the Northwest, spring & summer weather means a bounty of berries at the local farmer’s markets. This dishcloth features a bramble stitch that looks like loganberries surrounded by a border of garter stitch. A functional and fun dishcloth for your kitchen. In this pattern, you will have the first five stitches and the last 5 stitches in garter – it is helpful to place a marker on 5 stitches in at both ends as a reminder.
Directions CO 44 st K 6 rows.
Row 1: (RS) K5, P to last 5 st, K5.
Row 2: (WS) K6 *(K1,P1, K1) all in 1 st, P3tog* rep from * to last 6 sts, K6.
Row 3: K5, P to last 5 st, K5.
Row 4: K6 *P3tog, (K1,P1, K1) all in 1 st* rep from * to last 6 sts, K6
Repeat Pattern 8 more times.
K 6 rows
BO all stitches
Finishing Weave in ends, block if desired.
The Original Pattern can be found at http://www.knitpicks.com/patterns/Loganberry_Dishcloth__D55565220.html
If you think your child is too young to need a dentist, you're wrong -- her teeth are at risk long before she's tasted her first piece of candy.
By Rebecca Felsenthal from Parents Magazineebook
Evgeny Atamanenko/Shutterstock
Is Your Child at Risk?
When Karen Rice, of Aston, Pennsylvania, took her 4-year-old son, Luke, to the dentist for a checkup, she was shocked: He had a large cavity in one of his molars. Soon afterward, Luke complained that his teeth hurt, and the dentist found three more cavities between his teeth. "One was so big that the tooth got infected and had to be pulled," says Rice, who's endured five root canals herself.
Parents often assume that kids get cavities because they're lax about brushing and flossing. That's true to an extent, but what few people know is that tooth decay is a disease known as dental caries that's caused by specific germs, spreads easily within families, and can last a lifetime. What's more, it's more common among young children than any other chronic illness, including asthma and diabetes.
At least 4 million preschoolers suffer from tooth decay -- an increase of more than 600,000 kids in the last decade. "Children now have much more sugar in their diets at an early age," says Paul Casamassimo, D.D.S., professor of pediatric dentistry at the Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health, in Columbus. And the popularity of bottled water -- which usually doesn't contain fluoride -- may also contribute to the growing problem, he says.
Tooth decay begins with a group of germs called mutans streptococcus. "The bacteria feed on sugar and produce acid that eats away at the structure of teeth by depleting calcium," explains Parents advisor Burton Edelstein, D.D.S., founding director of the Children's Dental Health Project. The bacteria also create plaque -- a yellowish film that builds up on teeth and contains even more enamel-eroding acid. Once an area without calcium becomes big enough, the surface of the tooth collapses, and that's a cavity.
Babies are born without any of these harmful bacteria in their mouth, and studies have proven that moms (rather than dads) typically infect their children before age 2. It happens when you transfer your saliva into your child's mouth -- by repeatedly eating from the same spoon as your baby, for example, or letting your toddler brush his teeth with your toothbrush. And if you've frequently had cavities yourself, you're particularly likely to pass the germs along. Once a child's mouth has become colonized with mutans, he'll be prone to cavities in his baby and permanent teeth that can cause pain and difficulty eating. "It's an old wives' tale that 'soft teeth' run in families, but what's really passed along in families are high levels of decay-causing bacteria," says Dr. Edelstein. In fact, 80 percent of all cavities occur in just 25 percent of kids. The key role that bacteria plays in decay may also explain why some kids who eat tons of candy or never floss are lucky enough to avoid dental problems.
Emilie Mosby, of Kingman, Arizona, had lots of cavities when she was a kid, so she panicked when she saw a dark spot on her 3-year-old daughter's tooth. "I took Teagan to the dentist, and when he told me she had a cavity, I almost cried," says Mosby. "It's so frustrating. I've always tried to take good care of her teeth, and I have a friend who doesn't even brush her kids' teeth every day and they've never gotten cavities."
If you've had trouble with your teeth, you need to take responsibility for your child's dental health -- just like you'd be vigilant if you've had a family history of high cholesterol or skin cancer. Unfortunately, antibiotics can't get rid of the cavity-causing bacteria in your child's mouth. That's why the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) actually urges pediatricians to ask parents about their own dental history by the time their baby is 6 months old, and to recommend taking extra precautions if a child is at high risk.
Time for a Checkup
A crucial way to help limit cavities -- regardless of whether they run in your family -- is to diligently brush and floss, which physically pushes bacteria, plaque, and sugar off the teeth. Fluoride is an essential part of dental health because it not only restores calcium to decaying teeth, but also limits the production of corrosive acid. Your child should see a dentist by his first birthday, according to recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Association (AAPD) and the AAP. If you wait until your child is older, decay can be well underway: About 40 percent of 2- to 5-year-olds have cavities.
However, most parents don't know they should make an appointment for their baby. A recent study found that only 10 percent of 1-year-olds and 24 percent of 2-year-olds had ever visited the dentist. "Not all pediatricians look out for a toddler's oral health, and some doctors don't even look at the teeth," says Dr. Casamassimo. But it's important to treat cavities in baby teeth: These first teeth serve as space holders for permanent teeth, so losing one prematurely can cause alignment problems that will need to be corrected with braces later.
Although you may worry that your little one will never sit still and open her mouth, the first visit will be quick. The dentist can easily spot the telltale plaque buildup along the top gum line that's a sign of mutans (you can look for it too), and he can also do a culture to measure bacteria levels (in you and your child).
Plaque Attack
Even though some kids are at much higher risk of developing cavities, all children can get them. So it's important for everyone to follow this road map for dental health.
Tame a sweet tooth. Limiting sugar -- which bacteria need in order to survive -- is the number-one way to prevent cavities. It's actually the frequency, not the total quantity of sugar consumption, that matters most, says Dr. Edelstein. (Eating a chocolate bar all at once is less harmful to the teeth than eating one bite every hour.) That's because repeatedly exposing the teeth to sugar prevents saliva, the body's natural tooth cleanser, from doing its job. Candy isn't the only offender: Starchy carbohydrates like crackers and cereal and sticky foods such as raisins can also promote decay.
Think about drinks. Fruit juice (even diluted), as well as breast milk and formula, bathe the teeth in sugar, says Ronald Kosinski, D.M.D., chief of pediatric dentistry at Schneider Children's Hospital, in New Hyde Park, New York. In fact, dentists used to call early dental caries "baby-bottle tooth decay" because it often occurs in children who drink milk or juice during the night -- allowing sugar to sit on the teeth for ten or 12 hours. The AAPD advises weaning your child from the bottle by 14 months to prevent decay -- but you shouldn't let your toddler walk around all day with a Sippy cup either (unless it's filled with water).
Focus on fluoride. If your community's water is not fluoridated (check with your dentist or municipal-water-supply board) or your kids only drink unfluoridated bottled water, talk to your pediatrician about fluoride supplements. Too much fluoride, however, can lead to fluorosis, which causes white spots on the teeth. That's why kids under 2 or 3 shouldn't use fluoride toothpaste -- they'll swallow it instead of spitting it out.
Treat teeth earlier. Dentists can now apply a safe and protective fluoride varnish to young children's teeth. A recent study found that 1-year-olds who got this treatment twice a year were four times less likely to get cavities in their baby teeth. Also ask your dentist about sealants, plastic coatings that prevent decay. Some insurance plans will cover these two treatments.
Take care of your own smile. If you have a history of dental problems, avoid sharing utensils or toothbrushes with your baby or toddler -- or even letting him stick his fingers in your mouth. However, it's possible to reduce levels of mutans in your mouth. Your dentist can prescribe an antibacterial mouthwash that can reduce transmission to young children. Research has also found that chewing sugarless gum containing the sweetener Xylitol (such as Trident, Wrigley's Orbit, or Carefree Koolerz) four times a day significantly lowers a mother's bacteria levels. Good nutrition during pregnancy may also strengthen a baby's tooth enamel. Of course, you should brush and floss well, and get any problems treated promptly. This will also set a good example for your child and show him that protecting his smile is essential.
Help Keep Decay Away
Babies
Clean your baby's gums even before her first teeth erupt. Wipe them with a damp washcloth after feedings.
Start brushing as soon as the first tooth appears. Wet a baby toothbrush and gently rub it back and forth on the surface of the tooth and along the gum line. If you use toothpaste, make sure it's fluoride-free.
Preschoolers
Brush your own teeth at the same time as your child brushes, and give him lots of positive feedback.
Studies have found that manual toothbrushes are just as effective as powered ones. But if letting your kid use an electric or battery-operated one makes it easier to get her to brush, go for it.
Toddlers
Brush your child's teeth for at least 30 seconds (ideally a minute) after breakfast and before bed. Lean her head on your lap and place the brush at a 45-degree angle to the teeth.
Start using a tiny amount of fluoride toothpaste when she's 2 or 3 years old. Begin flossing teeth for him when two of his teeth are touching.
School-Age Kids
Your child can start brushing and flossing on her own at around age 7. If she can tie her own shoes, chances are she's ready to brush solo. She should now brush for two minutes.
Look for food and plaque around the gum line of her teeth to see whether she's doing a sufficient job. You can also let her chew gum with Xylitol.
Smart Mouths
Dr. Fresh Float'N Fire Fly. This confetti-filled brush blinks for a minute to let your child know how long he needs to brush.
DenTek Fun Flossers with Fluoride. Individual handheld flossers are easier for you -- and your child -- to use.
Orajel Toddler Training Toothpaste. Seeing Thomas on the tube of this fluoride-free brand may make your child more willing to open wide.
I did not write this article. For the original and others like it please visit https://www.parents.com/baby/health/baby-teeth/the-surprising-truth-about-cavities/
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