Ask the Expert: Getting Started Early With Good Oral Hygiene

When my preschooler got her first cavity, I was dismayed. But I knew I was to blame -- she is a stubborn kid, and often I let her brush her own teeth, and we certainly never flossed. I just didn't realize the implications. So I asked our dentist Dr. Melissa Jentz-Cote of Geneva Family Dental (also a Go West sponsor) to write a column about why it's so important to take care of your kid's teeth as soon as they appear. - Tara

Another school year is starting and dental exams are mandatory for kindergarten, second, and sixth graders. 

Photo by JMaz Photo on Flickr.It is such an exciting time for both parents and children starting kindergarten, but unfortunately we find many cavities at what is sometimes a child’s first dental exam ever.  In some fearful children this can lead to dental phobias that can carry into adulthood. 

Everyone wants the child to have a healthy dental check up at every dental visit. This is definitely possible, but the hard work must start at home.  Many parents do not take oral hygiene with their young children seriously. 

Starting with the first tooth that erupts into the mouth, parents should be diligently brushing their babies’ teeth twice a day. In some children this can be as early as three months old! 

Starting early gets the child used to brushing and can turn into good habits as an older child and into an adult. Many parents do not know that formula and breast milk contain sugars that promote tooth decay. That is why a baby should never be put to bed with a bottle. This milk sits on the teeth and causes cavities at a very young age. 

Sometimes these teeth become so decayed that the baby teeth are not able to be saved, and the child must undergo sedation to have multiple tooth extractions.

We hear all the time from parents, “Who cares? They are only baby teeth.”  But there are many reasons why the baby teeth are important. 

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Welcome to a New Sponsor: Music Together of Aurora

I am so pleased to welcome a new sponsor to Go West Young Mom, and it's a business that you might have already read a bit about here.

Instructor Ree Kline (blue shirt) leads a Music Together class in Aurora.Our Savior Aurora Music Together is a music program held at Our Savior Lutheran Church at 420 W. Downer Place near downtown Aurora, although the music program itself does not a have a religious basis. The teacher and center director is Ree Kline, who worked with children in Aurora in theater and music programs for years before becoming a registered Music Together instructor this summer. Ree also has three grown children of her own.

In Music Together's 45-minute classes, families share songs, play with instruments, learn rhythm chants and enjoy movement activities in a relaxed, playful environment. Classes are mixed ages -- including infants, toddlers and preschoolers -- and siblings are not only welcome but encouraged. Ree's rates are family rates, so you can bring multiple children (ages 5 and under) to class.

There's a new song collection each "semester," featuring original and traditional songs in a wide variety of meters, tonalties and cultural styles. And as part of each semester, you take home copies of two CDs (one for home, one for the car), along with a booklet of educational materials and an illustrated songbook.

If you're interested in learning more, you have a fun chance this weekend: Music Together will be hosting a free "Holiday Sing-a-Long" at the church this Saturday (Dec. 10) from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. You and your children can sing some holiday tunes, get to know Ree and see the darling, bright nursery where classes are held. As a bonus, Santa Claus will be visiting with children in the next room over.

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Buy Local: GWYM's Holiday Gift Guide

We know many of you are aiming to "buy local" when possible this holiday season. Here are items that might fit the bill, assembled from Go West Young Mom advertisers and also some of our favorite shops in the western suburbs. (Click on many of the photos to see a larger image.) By purchasing one of these gifts, you are supporting either a local retailer, a local business or a home-based entrepreneur. Happy Shopping!

Eliza Jane in St. Charles offers its best-selling texting gloves. The gloves have a conductive fingertip that allows you to stay warm while using your smart phone. The gloves come in a rainbow of color options and three styles: Sock monkey, bling and smart screen. These are perfect for anyone who is an avid iPhone or Droid user. A wonderful gift for: Moms and daughters. Price: $22.95. Purchase at: Eliza Jane, located in downtown St. Charles at 322 W. Main Street. Phone: 630-457-1821.

Galena Garlic Company in Geneva is filled with dozens of products that would make unique, useable gifts this holiday season. Pictured here is a BBQ Bonanza Gift Set. Enjoy the flavors of great BBQ all year round on chicken, pork, beef and more. Each bundled basket contains a hand selected gift set of premium rubs for the master BBQ chef or novice cook. The store's BBQ Bonanza Rub Gift Set contains the favorite Coffee BBQ Rub, Smokehouse BBQ Rub, Buffalo Wing Rub and BBQUE Rub. Each contains all-natural ingredients and sea-salt to add distinct flavors. All you need is to sprinkle it on and cook in the oven, pan or on the grill. A wonderful gift for: Friends, teachers, hostesses, you! Price: $32 Purchase at: Galena Garlic Company's store at 318 W. State St. in downtown Geneva, its namesake store at 311 S. Main St. in Galena, or online at www.galenagarlic.com. Phone: 815-777-9625. 

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Welcome to a New Sponsor: The St. Charles Singers

I am so pleased to welcome a new advertiser to Go West Young Mom, an organization that will be sponsoring the Calendar page for the next couple of weeks.

Click to see a larger, more readable size of the poster.The St. Charles Singers are a professional choir that have perfomed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Elgin Symphony Orchestra and the Metropolis Chamber Orchestra. The choir members have made a number of international tours, and they perform music from the Renaissance through the modern period.

The choir always offers several holiday-themed concerts, but this year, the choir has added a special "Children's Holiday Concert" perfect for families. The concert is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 3, at 3 p.m. at Baker United Methodist Church near downtown St. Charles.

The program will feature traditional carols, sing-a-longs, tunes from around the world and a visit from Santa Claus himself! Tickets are $10 for those 12 and older; $5 for children ages 5 through 11; and children under 5 are free.

Kay Kendall, the choir's executive director, calls this program the "wiggle concert." She says the concert will be a perfect, affordable opportunity to introduce your children to the joy of carols and holiday medleys.

The program will include favorites like "The Little Drummer Boy," "I Saw Three Ships," "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," "The Grinch," and "My Favorite Things."

Tickets for the St. Charles Singers often sell out, so you can buy your tickets in advance online via the group's website, by calling the box office at 630-513-5272 or in person at Townhouse Books & Cafe, located at 105 North Second Ave. in St. Charles. The bookstore will only accept cash or checks.

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Winners of the Giveaways at Pumpkins for a Cure

I can't believe it's been more than three weeks since Go West Young Mom helped sponsor Pumpkins for a Cure in downtown Geneva. It was a gorgeous weekend and a great cause, and I was so happy that so many dedicated readers -- as well as potential new readers -- stopped by my table to say hello.

One reader won this darling organizing tote from Thirty-One Gifts.At the event, I gave away info and promotions from a number of GWYM sponsors, including: Delnor Express Care, Water Street Studios, Thirty-One Gifts by Amanda Abel, Elizabeth Victoria Fine Stationery, Baby Signs by Jen, 3R Cards, K Lynne Photography and Rodan + Fields Dermatologists. 

I also collected email addresses while at Pumpkins for a Cure, the first subscribers for a monthly email newsletter I'll be debuting this winter. All those who stopped by and submitted their email were entered in a giveaway to win one of a number of fabulous prizes. And here are the winners:

* The winner of an organizing utility tote from Thirty-One Gifts by Amanda Abel: Beth N.

* The winner of a set of Baby Notes Milestone Notecards by Elizabeth Victoria Fine Stationery: Kristie L.

* The winner of a jar of Anti-Aging Triple Defense Treatment by Rodan + Fields Dermatologists, courtesy of executive consultant Jennifer Mareska: Marie B

* The winner of a set of "Hands Around the House" family chore cards by 3R Cards: Malissa E.

* The winner of a board book from Baby Signs, courtesy of certified Baby Signs instructor and ECE trainer Jen Prentice: Katherine W.

* The winner of a $25 gift card to Oberweis: Andrea B.

* The winner of the second $25 gift card to Oberweis: Nicole M.

I'll be emailing all the winners to get their addresses for mailing.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to say hello at Pumpkins for a Cure. And if you weren't able to make the event, but still want to sign up for the monthly email newsletter, don't worry. We'll have another chance -- and some incentives to sign up -- later this fall.