Ask the Dentist: Brushing For Babies

Q: When should I start brushing and flossing my baby’s teeth?

A: Brushing should begin once your baby’s first teeth emerge although cleaning the gums and tongue with a washcloth can begin right from birth!

Use a small soft bristled toothbrush to gently clean the new teeth. Done twice a day, this will only take a few seconds. The first few teeth appear between 6 to 8 months of age. Using water or a non-fluoride toothpaste is appropriate for this age. Fluoride prevents cavities and is found in some toothpastes. Your paediatric dentist will be able to advise you when it is most appropriate to make this transition.

Flossing helps to effectively remove bacteria and food debris that get caught in between baby teeth. Most families do this once a day, with the brushing at night. Many parents find flossers easier to use than the string-type floss wound around their fingers.

Research has shown that children who start seeing the dentist early have less cavities and better dental health. In addition to good daily home care, parents are encouraged to bring babies for their first dental check up before their first birthday. Your paediatric dentist will check to ensure your child’s dental growth and development is on track and identify any areas of concern early. We can also demonstrate the right way to brush your child’s teeth. These early visits can be lots of fun and go a long way to getting your child used to seeing the dentist.

Dr Tabitha Chng is a Dental Specialist in Paedodontics (Children’s Dentistry) with Specialist Dental Group®. She received her specialty training in Paedodontics from University of Toronto, Canada. She is currently the only Paediatric dentist to be dually certified by both the American Board of Paediatric Dentistry and the Royal College of Dentists of Canada. Dr Chng loves to see children smile and constantly strives to create a safe and relaxed environment for kids to enjoy their visits. Besides fighting cavities, she has a special interest in paediatric sleep medicine (eg. tooth grinding, snoring) and early management of crooked teeth without braces.
www.specialistdentalgroup.com | (65) 6733 7883

Preparing children for the future

Children today, whether they know it or not, are in an incredibly exciting and unique position. Gone are the days where exam results alone dictate your success. So how to prepare your child for what lies ahead? At CIS we focus on four key areas to ensure our students are ready for their future, no matter where they end up in life.

Making Connections

These days learning is all about making connections – whether between theory and practice, or intention and action. One of the ways we bring lessons to life and allow students to connect their classroom learning to real world examples is through outdoor learning; a fundamental part of the school’s approach to a balanced education. Students experience the Open Minds Programme – a unique hands-on learning experience which takes place in locations such as Fort Canning – as well as field trips and excursions around Singapore.

Asking Questions

CIS teaches students HOW to ask questions, and to process the answers by connecting, analysing and surmising. Just like in real life, local and global issues are examined in relation to the curriculum, and lessons span across subject areas. An inquiry-based teaching style encourages students to ask questions, and develops their ability to problem solve, think critically and find creative solutions.

Creating and Implementing Ideas

At CIS we not only teach students how to come up with innovative and fresh ideas, but also how to take those ideas and turn them into action. Our unique STEAM programme is integrated from Kindergarten to Grade 12, and allows students access to stimulating maker spaces, where they can use traditional and cutting edge equipment to work together on projects.

Communicating Effectively

Communicating well has never been more important, regardless of age or industry. Whether it’s writing, speaking, or being bi-lingual, these are essential skills that cut across industries and allow students to effectively shape the world they will eventually lead. CIS students are required to study an additional language from Junior Kindergarten, and take daily classes in either Mandarin, French or Spanish. We also offer two bi-lingual programmes in Chinese-English or French-English.

To find out more about CIS visit our website www.cis.edu.sg or call 6734 8088 to book a tour.

Banana, Oatmeal and Dark Chocolate cookies

Makes 24 smallish cookies

Ingredients:

• 1½ cups ripe bananas, well mashed
• 1tsp real vanilla extract
• ¼ cup coconut oil
• 2 cups rolled oats (not instant)
• 2/3 cup almond meal
• 1/3 cup finely shredded coconut (unsweetened)
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp fine sea salt
• 1tsp baking powder
• 175g good quality dark chocolate, chopped into small chunks
  
  

Here’s what to do:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C and grease a baking tray.
2. In a large bowl, combine the wet ingredients: bananas, vanilla extract and coconut oil.
3. In another bowl, combine the dry ingredients: oats, almond meal, shredded coconut, cinnamon, sea salt and baking powder.
4. Mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients and allow to sit for 10 minutes. Leaving the oats to soak a bit will make them much easier to bind.
5. Stir in the dark chocolate (can be replaced with dried fruit).
6. Take heaped tablespoons and form patties on the baking tray.
7. Bake for about 15 minutes until golden brown.
8. Allow to cool completely before storing in an air tight container.
   
   
   
   
   
   
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FitBit: We've got your Back!

By Jessica Gan (jessica.gan@alumni.utoronto.ca)

Lower back pain can present itself in various forms and degrees of pain. Not dismissing the importance of lower back pain, a common "disease" is the DDD, otherwise known as Degenerative Disc Disease. Inhale...Exhale... this is more of a "condition" as opposed to a disease.

Degenerative disc disease is an age-related condition that happens when one or more of the discs between the vertebrae of the spinal column deteriorates or breaks down, leading to pain. There may be weakness, numbness, and pain that radiates down the leg.

Here are two simple but effective exercises to strengthen the back  to ease DDD pain.

PILATES BRIDGE

• Lay belly up on the mat, feet hip distance apart.
• Inhale, feel the rib-cage expand
• Exhale, point pelvic bone towards the ceiling, imprint the spine to the mat,
• Lift pelvis by peeling off one vertebrae at a time

♡ Key Tip: Imprint

If laying down makes you dizzy, you may wish to try this stretch instead:

CHILD'S POSE STRETCH

• Start by kneeling with your knees and hands on the ground, facing the floor, with your back straight
• Then stretch backward so that your hips are on your heels.
• Keeping your hips on your heels, bend forward until your forehead touches the ground. Stretch your hands out in front of you until your arms are straight.

Some other exercises and stretches appended on the diagram.

Remember to eat healthy and keep being happy too!