• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Videos
    • Featured Video
    • Foodie Friday
    • Monthly ReCap
  • Online E-Editions
    • This Week’s E-Editions
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
  • Social Media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Advertising
  • Local Jobs
  • Puzzles & Games
  • Circulation Request

The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

       

Click to join our weekly e-newsletter

  • Home
  • News
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills/East Pasco
    • Business Digest
    • Senior Parks
    • Nature Notes
    • Featured Stories
    • Photos of the Week
    • Reasons To Smile
  • Sports
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills and East Pasco
    • Check This Out
  • Education
  • Pets/Wildlife
  • Health
    • Health Events
    • Health News
  • What’s Happening
  • Sponsored Content
    • Closer Look
  • Homes
  • Obits
  • Public Notices
    • Browse Notices
    • Place Notices

Pasco fights tooth decay

October 12, 2011 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Kyle LoJacono

Cavities are the most common chronic disease for children ages 6-19, and 90 percent of all adults will have some form of tooth decay during their lifetime.

The Pasco County Health Department wants to bring down those numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and is partnering with the American Dental Association to promote National Dental Hygiene Month in October.

“Tooth decay in children and the health problems that come with it deserves our attention,” said Pasco Health Officer Dr. David Johnson. “Prevention works, and it simply involves developing the right habits.”

Dental cavities are caused by a deterioration of the tooth enamel, according to the CDC. Bacteria on teeth break down leftover food particles and produce acid that results in the decay.

Johnson said the most frustrating thing about cavities and tooth decay is that most forms are largely preventable with simple hygiene steps. For that reason the campaign in Pasco this year has the theme “It’s simple. Healthy habits for a healthy smile.”

Johnson said the best ways to prevent the problems are:

–Brush teeth at least twice a day to remove plaque

–Floss daily, preferably before going to sleep

–Eat healthy and nutritious foods and limit sugary carbonated drinks

–Visit a dentist for checkups and cleanings twice a year

–Wear a mouth guard while playing sports

Johnson also advocates for children younger than age 18 to receive a fluoride treatment twice per year to build up their teeth enamel. He said some people are weary about the chemical’s effect but stressed it helps strengthen teeth to reduce the risk of cavities later in life.

Johnson said the treatments are even more important in Pasco, as the county does not put fluoride in its drinking water as a cost saving measure.

Johnson said new sealant treatments also help prevent cavities in a similar way as fluoride.

The department recently received federal grant money to provide sealant treatments to Pasco’s Title I schools, those with the largest number of students receiving free or reduced priced lunches. Second graders at such schools can receive the treatments for free.

“With the support of the district school board and health services staff we have already visited six of the 22 schools that will be part of the program and have sealed over 1,000 teeth,” said Dr. Beth Genho. She added the program will return to the schools later in the year to treat more children.

The department is also working with Drs. Michael Valancius, Leslie Hernandez and Genho to educate children about caring for their teeth. The pediatric dental team’s outreach program is stationed at Rodney Cox Elementary in Dade City and the Pasco Health Department office in New Port Richey. For more information about the program, call (727) 861-5250.

The health department also offers dental services by appointment to those ages 1-20 who have Florida Medicaid at 10841 Little Road in New Port Richey. Services include exams, X-rays, cleanings, fillings, sealants and more. To schedule a dental appointment or speak to a representative, call (727) 861-5260 ext. 284.

 

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Reddit
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Email
  • Print

Like this:

Like Loading...

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

Search

Sponsored Content

WAVE Wellness Center — Tampa Bay’s Most Advanced Upper Cervical Spinal Care

September 5, 2023 By Mary Rathman

Tampa Bay welcomes WAVE Wellness Center, a state-of-the-art spinal care clinic founded by Dr. Ryan LaChance. WAVE … [Read More...] about WAVE Wellness Center — Tampa Bay’s Most Advanced Upper Cervical Spinal Care

Only a Few Homes Remain — It’s Your Final Chance to Build Your Home in Del Webb Bexley

August 29, 2023 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Time is running out on your chance to live at Del Webb Bexley. We’ve built the ideal active adult community to suit your … [Read More...] about Only a Few Homes Remain — It’s Your Final Chance to Build Your Home in Del Webb Bexley

More Posts from this Category

What’s Happening

10/03/2023 – Drawing Workshop

The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will host a Drawing Workshop: Exquisite Corpse, on Oct. 3 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., as part of its Museum + Art Series. Participants can learn about the exquisite corpse drawing method and create a drawing inspired by surrealist artists. Registration is required; call 727-815-7126. To learn more, visit MOMA.org/collection/terms/exquisite-corpse. … [Read More...] about 10/03/2023 – Drawing Workshop

10/03/2023 – Halloween Games/Crafts

The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will host Teen Halloween Games and Crafts on Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m., for ages 13 to 17. Supplies will be provided. For information, call 813-929-1214. … [Read More...] about 10/03/2023 – Halloween Games/Crafts

10/03/2023 – Library Book Sale

The Friends of the Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will host a porch book sale on Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. to noon, featuring all genres of books including novels, nonfiction, biographies, sewing, cooking, self-help, and more. The porch sale takes place every Tuesday. Call 813-929-1214 for information. … [Read More...] about 10/03/2023 – Library Book Sale

10/04/2023 – Garden Club Field Trip

The Orange Blossom Garden Club will visit Cindy’s Secret Place on Oct. 4. Guests should meet at the Lutz Community Center, across from the Lutz Library, at 9:30 a.m., to carpool north. RSVP by Oct. 1 to Lee Brown at . … [Read More...] about 10/04/2023 – Garden Club Field Trip

10/04/2023 – Harry Potter Club

The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will host a Harry Potter Club on the first Wednesday of every month at 3 p.m., for wizards, witches and muggles in grades five to eight. The next meeting is Oct. 4. Fans can gather to create replicas of popular items from the series, while discussing the books and movies. Participants do not have to read the books. Register online at bit.ly/PCLSEvents. For information, call 813-929-1214. … [Read More...] about 10/04/2023 – Harry Potter Club

10/04/2023 – Houseplant Discussion

The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will host a master gardener discussion about houseplants on Oct. 4 at 6 p.m. Registration is required. For information, call 813-929-1214. … [Read More...] about 10/04/2023 – Houseplant Discussion

More of What's Happening

Archives

 

 

Where to pick up The Laker and Lutz News

Copyright © 2023 Community News Publications Inc.

   
%d bloggers like this: