Tooth decay in children begins early
Q: When should a child get that first dental visit? What happens at that visit?
A: The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry says when the first tooth appears, no later than the first birthday.

The timeline was changed when pediatric dentists across the nation began to see too many 2-year-olds with decay.

Starting tooth and mouth examinations early could detect early stages of tooth decay, when it can be easily treated.

A program of preventive home care is introduced at the first visit, including brushing, flossing, diet and the importance of fluoride. (If your water system does not have fluoridated tap water, a supplement is needed.) The child and parent also receive:
• A dental-decay risk assessment of the child.
• Information about early childhood decay, which may be because of inappropriate nursing habits or inappropriate use of “sippy” cups.
• The latest facts about finger, thumb and pacifier habits.
• What you need to know about preventing injuries to the mouth and teeth.
• Information on growth and development.

Don’t live in fear of carbs
“The Good Carbohydrate Revolution” (Atria, $23) is about the “right” carbohydrates to eat in order to lose weight fast. In the process, they also might help you control your cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar.

Author Terry Shintani, a physician, doesn’t recommend diets that eliminate carbs in favor of protein-rich foods.

Some of those “good” carbs he promotes are whole-grain pasta, brown rice, pita bread, sweet potatoes, vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables.
Those carbs should be combined with lean proteins to form healthy eating plans that limit potentially harmful animal protein and excessive fats.

He tells of the importance of including fiber in your diet, along with adequate exercise and small, more frequent meals. And he shows readers how to design a delicious, affordable, 21-day meal plan, with 101 pages of healthful recipes.
The easy-to-read book also contains several charts and graphs to supplement the helpful text.

Depression-monitoring kits available online
Adults with mild to moderate depression can sign up for a kit designed to help them monitor their treatment.

The Adult Monitoring Kit contains diaries, worksheets and other tools to help those with depression and their caregivers monitor treatment. The kit was developed by Families for Depression Awareness, a nonprofit organization for families with depressive orders. The kit is now available through a pilot project and will be released nationwide in December. It was created in response to the Food and Drug Administration’s advisory that patients, family members and clinicians should monitor antidepressant treatment.

Those who participate in the pilot project will be asked to complete a survey so the kit can be evaluated and improved before its nationwide rollout.

To receive the kit, go to www.familyaware.org.

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