Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a viral infection that’s contagious and common in young children. In fact, 90% of all individuals diagnosed with hand, foot, and mouth disease are children under the age of 5. Visible symptoms include lesions (sores) in the mouth and a rash on the hands and feet.

Other symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease include:

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Fatigue and feeling unwell
• Red blister-like lesions on the tongue, gums, throat, and inside of the cheeks
• Loss of appetite

When we’re dealing with a viral disease, we usually head over to our primary care doctor. But should we also visit the dentist if a virus affects the mouth?

How Long Does Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Last?

Symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease can clear up in about a week. In rare cases, it can last as long as two weeks. The period when the disease is contagious usually lasts a week or less.

You can tell that the virus is clearing up when the fever subsides and the sores in the mouth have healed. This is most likely after the period of being contagious is over. In most cases, our own immune system clears up this viral disease in about 7-10 days.

According to Delta Dental of Wisconsin’s dental director, Dr. Greg Theis, “While the mouth sores can be painful, there really is no treatment other than simply providing relief of the symptoms. I would stay away from any oral rinses that “anesthetize” (make numb) the mouth as those can cause more harm than good. It’s just a 7-10 day viral outbreak which will pass with no permanent damage to the mouth.”

What Role Can a Dentist Play When It Comes to Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease?

Since symptoms such as lesions and sores start in the mouth, your dentist can diagnose hand, foot, and mouth disease during a routine check-up. Otherwise, a viral infection such as this does not generally require an added trip to the dentist. Your primary care physician may recommend a dentist visit if they see fit. The first step is to contact your primary care doctor for their professional advice.

How Do You Get Rid of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease?

Unfortunately, there are no cures or vaccines for this disease. Doctors recommend treating the symptoms with over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen.

Give your child cold, soft foods such as smoothies to help reduce discomfort in the mouth and throat. Also, it’s not recommended that children under the age of 18 use aspirin. It can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye syndrome.

Good hand washing is necessary to help prevent the spread of the disease, which is most common in the summer and fall. Additionally, offer your child plenty of fluids but avoid acid-containing juices, which can irritate mouth sores.

Many people look for a quick fix when it comes to hand, foot, and mouth disease, but rest and time are going to be the best aids.

Want to learn more about the connection between the mouth and body? Click here.

The most common chronic condition among children is nearly 100% preventable. And yet, it’s not breaking news or stealing headlines. Cavities are four times more common than childhood asthma, but we rarely think about how we can prevent cavities in children. That’s why we’re spreading awareness about how poor oral health and cavities impact kids’ health and quality of life. We can change the fact that 20% of children 5 to 11 years old have untreated tooth decay. We can help parents understand that fluoride varnish can prevent about one-third of cavities in baby teeth. And we can save kids from the overall health concerns and dental problems that are associated with poor oral health at a young age. Learn why it’s so important to prevent tooth decay in kids and set them up for a lifetime of healthy habits.

You may have heard a friend or colleague say that bad teeth run in their family. Unfortunately, poor brushing and flossing habits are really what’s being passed down each generation. Research proves that poor oral health isn’t only genetic. “If people think the health of their teeth is down to their genetic make-up, they may not be prepared to make important lifestyle changes,” Murdoch Children’s Research Institute’s Dr. Silva said.

Her research illuminates how important it is for pediatricians and other health professionals to educate children. Starting preventive measures early in life is critical to having a healthy mouth and avoiding dental problems in the future. Preventive care teaches kids to take care of their teeth while they’re healthy, so they don’t have to worry about the onset of tooth decay.

The Consequences of Cavities

Untreated cavities can cause pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing, and learning. Children who have poor oral health often miss more school and receive lower grades than children who don’t, directly impacting their performance negatively. 

In addition to lowered attendance and performance, kids’ self-esteem also takes a hit when they have tooth decay. After studying children from 14 participating schools, researchers found that dental health and happiness were linked. More specifically, dental health has a substantial influence on self-esteem and impacts a child’s ability to “accept the worthiness of oneself.”

Proper oral health care decreases the number of harmful bacteria in the mouth. Bacteria in our mouths adversely affect more than just our oral health. Endocarditis, pneumonia, cardiovascular disease, and birth complications are all linked to poor oral health. The risk of cardiovascular disease is 34% higher among people with periodontal disease.

The consequences of poor oral health follow youth throughout their lifetime, going from the mouth to the body and impacting academic performance, relationships, and self-confidence.

What Makes a Healthy Mouth

Having dental coverage plays a role in maintaining oral health. Later in life, people who do not have dental benefits are more likely to have extractions and dentures done. Additionally, individuals with dental benefits are more likely to seek preventive care from a dentist. Here are our expert tips for ensuring kids have a healthy mouth and smile for a lifetime to come:

• Before baby has teeth, clean their gums with a soft cloth.
• For children younger than 3 years, start brushing their teeth as soon as they appear with a small, soft toothbrush using fluoride toothpaste in an amount no more than a smear or the size of a grain of rice. 
• Baby should see a dentist by his or her first birthday
• For children three to six years of age, brush teeth with a pea-sized drop of fluoridated toothpaste.
• Wipe teeth when finished until child can rinse and spit.
• Eat right for dental health.
• Never dip a pacifier in sugary substances or put sweetened liquids in a baby bottle.
• Do not leave your child unattended with a baby bottle, especially at bedtime.
• Limit sugary foods and drinks, especially sticky foods such as raisins and fruit roll-ups.

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For more information on children’s oral health, click here.

Studies suggest that breastfeeding can be beneficial to a newborn’s oral and overall health. It’s just as important for parents to keep an eye on their own oral health. Here are a few tips to help parents and babies enjoy healthy smiles.

Breastfeeding May Help with Teeth Alignment

When possible, breastfeeding is the recommended choice for most babies’ overall health, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Not only does it provide all the nutrients infants require, but it also reduces several health risks for babies.

When it comes to oral health, studies have shown that babies who are breastfed for at least their first six months are less likely to develop teeth alignment issues such as open bites, cross-bites and overbites than those who were breastfed for a shorter period or not at all. However, breastfeeding is not a guarantee that your child will not need braces someday, as other factors are also involved. Your dentist can check your child’s bite to see if alignment issues are developing or can be corrected early.

Breastfeeding can Help Decrease the Risk of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Baby bottle tooth decay happens when babies’ teeth are exposed for long periods to drinks that contain sugar. This kind of tooth decay can occur because a baby is put to bed with a bottle containing formula, milk, or fruit juice.

While breast milk also contains sugar and breastfed babies can get cavities, breastfeeding may help reduce the risk of this kind of tooth decay.

Before teeth first appear, wipe the child’s gums with a clean, moist cloth after each feeding. Once baby teeth appear, help stop cavities by brushing your baby’s teeth with fluoride toothpaste in an amount no more than a smear or the size of a grain of rice.

Taking Care of Parents’ Oral Health

Of course, most new parents are busy and often sleep-deprived, whether the mother is breastfeeding or not. Exhaustion combined with a busy schedule can cause parents to neglect their own oral health. New parents should continue to brush twice a day, floss every day, stay hydrated, and schedule regular dental checkups. By continuing to take good care of their oral health, parents can help ward off gum disease and cavities.

Not only is oral health important to parents, but if tooth decay or cavities are present, bacteria could be transferred to the baby’s mouth simply by sharing a spoon. Parents should avoid sharing spoons, straws, or other utensils with babies and using their mouths to clean pacifiers.