caring for both children and parents

Children's Health Quiz:
How sharp are you on important childrens' health issues?

From vaccines to dental practices, test your knowledge
of your children's or grandchildren's health with these important questions
(correct answer provided after each selection).

SHOP Amazon's Top 100* Best Selling Vitamins & Nutritional Supplements
+ Free Shipping & Returns on Eligible Items.
(*Amazon's Top 100 list updated hourly.)

1. Parents should start cleaning their child's teeth as soon as the first tooth appears.

True False

Since primary teeth (often called baby teeth) are important for many reasons (for chewing, speaking, appearance and proper jaw development), they should be cared for. Plus, starting good dental hygeine at an early age helps children continue these good habits throughout their life. However, since an infants gums may be sore as baby teeth appear, it's best to wipe those first teeth daily with a clean, damp cloth. Switch to a small, soft toothbrush and only water as teeth until the age of 2. About that time, a child's ability to spit has developed so fluoride toothpaste can be used.

2. Children younger than age six should use enough toothpaste with fluoride to cover the toothbrush.

True False

Young children should use only a pea sized amount of fluoride toothpaste and they should always spit it out (not swallow it). This is because excess fluoride consumption in young children can cause dental fluorosis -- a condition where their later, permanent teeth are mottled with white spots. Since most toothpastes taste good, the temptation to swallow is great. To make certain children are brushing properly, spitting out, rather than swallowing their toothpaste, and rinsing well, children should be supervised when brushing.

Important tooth brushing tips include:

  • brush at least twice a day (but, to prevent possible gum damage, no more than 3 times a day).
  • use a soft or extra-soft bristle brush and press lightly.
  • by the time we have a full mouth of teeth, we should be brushing for at least 2 minutes, which is the minimum time needed for most of us to thoroughly clean our teeth.
  • get a new toothbrush every 3 months or when the bristles start to flare.
  • don't forget to floss daily, since flossing reaches areas that your toothbrush can't.

For more toothbrushing tips and techniques, visit How to Take Care of Your Toothbrush and Brush Up on Healthy Teeth. By the way, HOW you brush your teeth matters. The modified Bass technique has been shown to significantly superior to regular tooth brushing when it comes to plaque removal.

While permanent teeth usually start appearing around age 6 or 7, they will continue to come in through the teenage years and perhaps even into early adulthood.

3. On average, childhood vaccines are as much as 78% effective at preventing diseases.

True False

4. Birth defects are the leading cause of death in children and teenagers.

True False

5. Vaccines protect children against nine potentially serious diseases.

True False

6. Kids should wash their hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds to remove germs.

True False

7. For babies under six months old, sunscreen is the best defense against sunburn.

True False

8. Children should get at least 20-30 minutes of physical activity on all or most days of the week.

True False

9. By the age of 18, the average woman has acquired almost all of her skeletal bone mass.

True False

From the Pennsylvania Health Research Desk...

exercise for help with depression
Exercise can help with depression

Durham, North Carolina: When it comes to mild or moderate depression, regular exercise may have comparable benefits to antidepressant medication, say researchers from Duke University.

In a study published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine, scientists divided 202 adults diagnosed with depression into four groups: one group engaged in aerobic exercise at home, one group exercised in a class setting, one group received antidepressant medication, and the fourth group received a placebo.

After 16 weeks, 41% of the participants no longer met the criteria for major depressive disorder. In the class-exercise group, 45% achieved remission of depression; at-home exercise group, 40%; medication group, 47%; and the placebo group, 31%.

How increases in HDL "good" cholesterol help protect the heart

Cleveland, Ohio: Researchers at The Cleveland Clinic found as HDL "good" cholesterol increased, the risk of cardiovascular events decreased. With each 1% increase in HDL, there was a 2% decrease in cardiovascular events.

Scientists reanalyzed 143 retired military personnel who had been in the Armed Forces Regression Study to determine the cardiovascular outcome from the HDL raising therapy they received as part of the study. In the original study, they were given a combination of medication or placebos in addition to aggressive lifestyle changes (diet and exercise).

Researchers assessed the participants based on the change in their HDL status: no increase, mild increase and large increase. They discovered that as HDL cholesterol went up, the risk of cardiovascular events went down.

pitcher of milk
North Americans may be calcium deficient

Storrs, Connecticut: North Americans may not be getting enough calcium in their diets, according to a study in a recent issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. The study was unique in that it evaluated both dietary and supplemental sources of calcium and compared them to patterns in overall energy intake.

Researchers from the University of Connecticut and Yale University analyzed data on 9,475 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. They found that self-reported calcium intake was highest among older age groups but still failed to meet the recommended amounts. Participants also "reported their energy intake; as people age, they eat less food and therefore get less calcium.

SHOP NOW for Low Prices on Amazon's Top 100* Best Selling Calcium Supplements
+ Free Shipping & Returns on Eligible Items.
(*Amazon's Top 100 list updated hourly.)

Study authors found that 51% of individuals over 19 years old were taking a supplement. However, although supplement use increased with age, dietary calcium intake decreased.

Low Prices on Best Selling VITAMINS &
SUPPLEMENTS

SHOP NOW AT AMAZON

Join the conversations:
spacer
A Sampling of Today's Health News Headlines
BBC News - Health
BBC News - Health
BBC News - Health
06/07/2023 02:17 PM
US doctors forced to ration as cancer drug shortages hit nationwide
One woman denied a chemotherapy drug compares the situation to "triage on the battlefield".
06/08/2023 05:51 PM
Canada wildfires: US East Coast sees worst air quality in years
US President Joe Biden says the dense cloak of smoke is a "stark reminder" of climate change.
06/09/2023 05:20 AM
Lancet study: More than 100 million people in India diabetic
Researchers found more Indians were living with diabetes than previously estimated.
06/05/2023 07:31 PM
Ghana patients in danger as nurses head for NHS in UK - medics
The recruitment of nurses by high-income countries is "out of control", a nursing body says.
06/06/2023 03:23 AM
Ban disposable vapes to protect children - doctors
But others warn that could stop some adults giving up cigarettes, which are much more harmful.
06/06/2023 01:40 AM
Kathleen Folbigg: Mum pardoned for baby deaths claims win for science
Kathleen Folbigg spent 20 years in prison after being convicted of killing her four infant children.
05/31/2023 06:59 PM
Argentina allows morning-after pill to be bought over counter
The health ministry says making the pill more easily available "removes an important barrier".
06/01/2023 07:08 PM
Multi-cancer blood test shows real promise in NHS study
The Galleri test revealed the correct site of a tumour 85% of the time in a study with 5,000 patients.
06/01/2023 05:32 PM
Eating disorder group pulls chatbot sharing diet advice
The US National Eating Disorder Association is investigating reports the chatbot shared harmful advice.
05/31/2023 03:18 PM
Every Canadian cigarette will soon carry a health warning
Canada will be the first country to have warning labels on the tipping paper of individual cigarettes.
L.A. Times - Health
L.A. Times - Health

06/07/2023 03:01 PM
Shannen Doherty says 'my fear is obvious' as breast cancer metastasizes to brain

Shannen Doherty said a CT scan earlier this year showed her breast cancer spread to her brain. 'This is what cancer can look like,' she wrote on Instagram.


06/06/2023 06:10 PM
'Orgasmic meditation' group manipulated members with forced labor, sex abuse, feds say

Nicole Daedone and Rachel Cherwitz of OneTaste were indicted on charges of conspiring to force employees to work for them by inflicting sexual, psychological and economic abuse, federal prosecutors said.


06/06/2023 05:43 PM
'Let's stand firm': Supervisors move to boost LGBTQ+ rights, gender-affirming healthcare

The county has six months to form a new 15-member commission, which will be composed exclusively of people who identify as LGBTQ+, according to a motion.


06/06/2023 08:00 AM
This rural California county lost its only hospital, leaving residents with dire healthcare choices

After the financial collapse of Madera County's only general hospital, residents are left with slim options for care. Some have come to accept that they may die in an emergency.


All Mayo Clinic health information topics
All Mayo Clinic health information topics
Mayo Clinic offers award-winning medical and health information and tools for healthy living.
06/09/2023 12:00 AM
South Beach Diet

06/09/2023 12:00 AM
Weight loss: Feel full on fewer calories

06/08/2023 12:00 AM
Clear liquid diet

06/08/2023 12:00 AM
Safe outdoor activities during the COVID-19 pandemic

06/08/2023 12:00 AM
Numbness in hands

06/07/2023 12:00 AM
Alzheimer's stages: How the disease progresses

06/06/2023 12:00 AM
Treating Pericarditis

06/06/2023 12:00 AM
Leaky valve cone procedure

06/03/2023 12:00 AM
Back exercises in 15 minutes a day

06/02/2023 12:00 AM
Video: LASIK eye surgery
LASIK eye surgery reshapes the curvature of your cornea. Watch this video to see how it's done.
05/31/2023 12:00 AM
DASH diet: Sample menus

 
Copyright 2023 PennsylvaniaHealth.com. All rights reserved. rss Subscribe to our RSS
Information provided here should not be relied on to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition, disease or illness. Please consult with your physician or health care professional for guidance on any health concern. PennsylvaniaHealth.com is a commercial website and is not affiliated with any government agency, university, or private medical center. COMPENSATION DISCLOSURE: This site may be compensated for products promoted here. Read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.