Your Child's Teeth

October 21, 2013
Weidman Sterling, a public health educator, and health writer/patient advocate Best-Boss cover everything parents need to know from pregnancy (good nutrition helps a baby develop healthy teeth) to young adulthood in this wide-ranging text. Noting that oral health is strongly linked to overall health, the authors cite the alarming statistic that 60% of American kids are affected by tooth decay, a figure that has increased during the past 15 years. Chronic oral infection, they warn, can lead to heart disease and diabetes, and dental neglect can also result in trouble concentrating in school and psychological problems. The authors walk parents through the ages and stages of tooth care, in separate chapters addressing infants and toddlers, early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence and young adulthood. They include current information on topics including: what to expect at dental visits; the use of fluoride and x-rays; the going rate for the tooth fairy; and the risks of tongue piercing. A chapter on special needs children emphasizes the importance of preparing kids for and keeping up with dental visits. Orthodontics and practical advice about dental insurance is also offered, as well as a chapter on dental anxiety, with tips on how to help children overcome their fears. Packed with useful information, this is indeed an accessible and “complete” guide. 12 b&w illus.

November 15, 2013

Consumer health writers Sterling and Best-Boss team with the National Children's Oral Health Foundation to give parents a complete look at teeth--what's normal, what's cause for worry, and everything related to common circumstances such as cavities, braces, hygiene, etc. Incorporating many sidebars, lots of Q&As, and considerations for children with special needs, the authors do an excellent job of making a boring topic approachable. They dedicate an entire chapter to affording dental care and include useful suggestions for receiving care on a budget. VERDICT While many of us shudder at the mere word dentist, this is a helpful book to have on hand. There is a lack of published titles on pediatric oral health aimed at the general reader, so libraries should consider this offering essential.

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