Salmon Orthodontics Specialist with

www.salmonorthodontics.com

Kids And Sleep

School-aged children are busier than ever before, and some may be sacrificing sleep to accommodate their lifestyles. The National Sleep Foundation says school-aged children need between nine and 11 hours of sleep each night to function at a healthy level. Sleep deprivation can be linked to a host of health ailments, including issues affecting the development of the brain. Growing evidence suggests that lack of sleep can cause disturbances in metabolic rates that could affect the risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. A recent study from Johns Hopkins University found that, for each additional hour of sleep a child gets, the risk of that child becoming overweight or obese decreases by 9 percent. Children who slept the least, according to the research, had a 92 percent higher risk of being overweight or obese compared to children with longer sleep duration. The NSF adds that poor or inadequate sleep can lead to mood swings, behavioral problems and cognitive problems that impact kids’ ability to learn in school. To promote good sleep habits in children, parents and other caregivers can establish consistent sleep/ wake routines; ensure children avoid excess caffeine, particularly late in the day; create a cool, dark sleep environment; keep televisions and other media devices out of bedrooms; and help children work through stressors that may impact sleep.

Medications May Cause Risk To Oral Health

At your next dental appointment, be sure to disclose any and all medications you’re taking, including over-the-counter drugs. Both prescription and over-the-counter medications can cause oral health issues. Some medications, including illegal drugs, cause a condition called “dry mouth,” which increases the risk of tooth decay.A healthy flow of saliva is essential for reducing bacteria, neutralizing acids, and rebuilding tooth enamel. Common meds that cause dry mouth are antidepressants,diuretics,antihistamines, decongestants, beta blockers, and inhalers. In addition to damaging teeth, these and other medications can damage your gums. Some medications can cause gums to thicken and grow over the teeth; this is called gingival hyperplasia. Such medications include epilepsy and blood pressure meds, cyclosporin, and calciumchannelblockers.

Choose a family dentist who has a sincere interest in his or her patients’ complete health and who is up to date on the latest oral health care issues. If you are looking for just such a dentist, we invite you to call us at BATAVIA FAMILY DENTAL, 585.343.4246, for an appointment. At our state-ofthe-art office, all dental problems are dealt with efficiently, effectively, and compassionately. And any medical problems noticed during a dental exam will be discussed with your other health care providers if you so choose. We’re located at 6BataviaCityCentre, where we offer complete gentle, dental careforallmembersof yourfamily.

P.S. Knowledge of the medications you take will help your dentist determine the best course of treatment and the treatments for which you’reeligible.

www.bataviafamilydental.com

By Keith Roach, M.D.