• Take your child to the dentist by age one or when their first tooth appears
• Brush your child’s teeth two times a day. Brush in the morning after breakfast, or before they leave the house. Make sure the last thing you child does before bed is to brush and floss!
• You should brush your child’s teeth for them until age seven. First you brush, then you can help and teach them to brush by themselves.
• Use a “smear” of fluoride toothpaste for children less than 2 years of age, a half-pea size fluoride toothpaste for children ages 2-5, and a pea size of fluoride toothpaste for children older than 5. Encourage children to spit out excess toothpaste.
• Fluoride supplements can be considered for all children drinking fluoride-deficient water. Consult your dental or medical provider.
• Avoid carbohydrate snacks that turn to sugar and stick to their teeth (chips, crackers/goldfish, dry cereal, pretzels)
• Choose fresh fruits, vegetables, or protein snacks (cheese, yogurt, nuts)
• Candy should be for special occasions. Brush your child’s teeth after sugary snacks.
• Choose water instead of sports drinks or soda
• Milk is a good drink option but should be consumed only with meals because it contains a lot of natural sugars. Chocolate milk should be served as a treat; it is very high in sugar.
• If your child is using a bottle for feeding, try to wean them off the bottle by age 18 months. The bottle should contain only water, except for feedings. A child should never be put to bed with a bottle that contains formula, milk, or juice!

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What is cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer happens if abnormal cells in the cervix grow uncontrollably. Cervical cancer takes years to develop. It can be prevented if early changes in the cervix are found and treated.

What are the risk factors for developing cervical cancers?

According to the National Cancer Institute, strong risk factors include:

• Infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV is a common virus that is passed from one person to another during sex. At least half of sexually active people will have HPV at some point in their lives, but not all will result in cervical cancer.
• Sexual behaviors – early age of first intercourse and history of multiple sexual partners.
• Tobacco use – women who smoke are about twice as likely as non-smokers to get cervical cancer.
• Women whose mothers were given the drug Diethylstilbestrol (DES) during pregnancy to prevent miscarriage.

How can I prevent cervical cancer?

• Get the HPV vaccine. It protects against the types of HPV that most often cause cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers. The vaccine is recommended for girls and women up to age 26.
• See your doctor regularly for a Pap test that can find cervical
  pre-cancers.
• Follow up with your doctor, if your Pap test results are not normal.
• Don’t smoke.
• Use condoms during sex.
• Limit your number of sexual partners.

Talk to your Generations healthcare provider to learn more about how to prevent this disease.

What are thyroid disorders?

Thyroid disorders are conditions that affect the thyroid.

Types of thyroid diseases:

• Graves’ Disease
• Hyperthyroidism
• Hypothyroidism
• Thyroiditis
• Thyroid Cancer
• Goiter
• Thyroid Nodules

How are thyroid disorders diagnosed:

• Blood tests
• Examinations of family members/medical history
• TSH exam (thyroid-stimulating hormone) test

Treatment:

• Can be treated by medications or in some cases, surgery
• Treatment will depend on the particular disease of the thyroid

How common is thyroid disease?

• More common than diabetes or heart disease
• Women are five times more likely than men to suffer from hypothyroidism

Concerned about your thyroid? Talk with your Generations healthcare provider today!