Saturday, July 21, 2012

How to Take Care of Children's Dental Health

The good dental health of children will need to be monitored in the earliest possible time, to ensure that their good dental health can be maintained well into their older years. Prevention (of dental health problems) will always be better than looking for cures or treatments of existing dental problems. It is best to discover the best ways of taking care of your children's dental health care, so that serious dental health problems can be avoided in the future.

Regular visits to the dentist will go a long way in ensuring that your child's dental health is properly taken care of; the regular dental check-ups with the dentist can prevent dental problems from developing, and can also provide the necessary treatments in the earliest possible time. However, there are also a number of things you can do on your own to ensure the best dental health possible for your children.

Taking Care of your Child's Dental Health
• As soon as your child's first tooth erupts or comes out from under the gum line, you should start a regular tooth brushing habit. Small tooth brushes that can fit on fingertips are specially made for babies' small mouths, so that you can gently clean the teeth (or tooth) without putting too much pressure or force.

• Children's toothpaste can be used as soon as your child learns how to spit. It is best to use toothpaste that does not contain sweeteners or sugar substitutes, dyes, or foaming ingredients.

• Turn the tooth brushing activity into a fun and engaging one, so that your child can develop a good idea about brushing his or her teeth. It will also help if you explain to your child the importance of regular and good tooth brushing habits, so that your child will have a deeper appreciation for the need for good oral hygiene practices.

• Give your child snacks that are not high on sugars, so that he or she will not develop a sweet tooth early in life. Healthy snacking can help prevent dental problems from developing - and you can also set a good example by avoiding sugar-laced snacks yourself! It is also best to limit snacks to twice daily, so that your child can concentrate on the regular meals and not on the nibbles that he or she can get in between the main meals of the day.

In addition to following the above mentioned tips, it is advised to regularly visit a dentist. The dentist will watch for teeth developmental problems and address them properly.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

The Importance of Exercise For Children

Why is it important for children to do cardio exercises? Because researchers have discovered that just twenty minutes of doing things like jumping, hopping, or even having an old-fashioned wheel barrow race works the musculoskeletal system enough to improve strength by as much as 75%! The more muscle mass kids have the higher their metabolism, which means strength training has the extra benefit of keeping weight in check. There are three elements essential to optimal physical fitness: endurance, strength and flexibility. Pull-ups and other exercises help tone and strengthen muscles while building flexibility. When kids use activities like climbing they are also developing strength and balance. Reaching and stretching are also activities that develop flexibility. Endurance comes through active play or aerobic activity. Getting stronger and improving ability to accomplish more physical activities helps preschoolers and kindergartners gain confidence and increase feelings of self worth.

All exercise that gets the heart pumping counts as a cardio workout - here's a list to help you and your children get started:

1. Skipping rope - it burns more calories per minute than almost any other type of aerobic exercise.

2. Running around - playing with the dog or running from the bottom of a slide back to the top are great ways to get little hearts pumping (works for mom or dad too!)

3. Swimming in a pool - exercise in water adds up to 12 times the resistance to the movement process plus swimming builds endurance and strength.

4. Jumping in a bouncy house - just sounds like lots of fun but it also provides great aerobic exercise while helping improve balance and coordination.

5. Climbing and swinging - builds muscle strength and coordination and hanging by one's knees is a terrific way to get a new look at the world.