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Thursday, April 26, 2012 Capital News
NEWS
Amber necklace theory untested
A
s pediatric dentists, we ares often asked: “Do the amber teething necklaces work?” The amber teething necklaces work if you feel that they work. Yes that sounds a vague answer, but that’s done on purpose. Baltic amber, the most common variety used for teething necklaces, is believed to contain succinic acid. The theory behind the use of amber teething necklaces is that when placed around a baby’s neck on their warm skin, succinic acid—the believed medicinal component of the amber—is released potentially providing an analgesic or pain relieving effect. Sounds great in theory but there are some points for parents to consider. Is wearing a necklace on a baby safe? I admit to not having examined very many necklace models, but the string should release under tension thus eliminating the strangulation hazard. The beads are also knotted individually so they won’t all be released should the necklace come apart. And did the necklace did come apart, would a baby put a bead in their
YOUR CHILDREN’S ORAL HEALTH
Alan Milnes & Terry Farquhar mouth and choke on it. Baltic amber is also very hard—somewhere between tin and gold on the hardness scale. And how much succinic acid, or any component, would be released from a material that has undergone countless heating/cooling cycles over thousands—or millions— of years against a baby’s skin? Truth is, there is no way to measure it. Is there any scientific support for the theory of relieving teething pain? Unfortunately, there are no published scientific studies that offer any support to the use of amber for the relief of teething pain. In fact, there are no studies that support the use of succinic acid itself as an analgesic or anti-inflammatory. Babies experience teething pain. No one disputes this. The question is what do we, as parents (or pediatric dentists), do about it? My first recommen-
dation for symptomatic relief is the use of teething toys, even better, cold teething toys. Cool moist cloths work as well (if supervised). The cold of a teething toy kept in the freezer can alleviate inflammation/tenderness associated with teething, and babies respond well to the pressure with the cold item of your choosing. Alternatively, ibuprofen based medications (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen based medications (Tylenol) work well to relieve discomfort systemically. The use of these medications should be used in children under the age of two, on the advice of a medical doctor or dentist. The use of orajel or other topical local anesthetics can be used to temporarily relieve discomfort, however, there is a risk of overdose given the temporary nature of these medications and the absorption of the active medication in the bloodstream. Use these medications with caution so speak with your health care provider first. These are the tried tested and true methods with a strong scientific ba-
sis for their use. The thing about a lack of scientific evidence supporting the use of amber necklaces is there are also no studies denying their efficacy. I have spoken to many parents who swear by the necklaces and have stories of how their child was happier, more easily contented, and slept better wearing an amber necklace. However, I have not spoken to anyone who have tried the experiment of removing the necklace to see if the baby responds negatively. So what’s the bottom line? To use a colloquialism from where I trained in the Maritimes, “Whatever floats your boat.” If you’re not against it, try it. If you’re against it, don’t. There are going to be believers and naysayers, but given the dearth of evidence in support or denial of effectiveness, it’s in your court, the one losing sleep at night. Drs. Terry Farquhar and Alan Milnes specialize in pediatric dentisty in Kelowna. 250-763-5101 www.okanagandentalcareforkids.com
BC HYDRO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM UPGRADE BC Hydro Crews are working to improve reliability to customers in the area of Old Okanagan Highway to Daimler Road. Between April and September 2012, crews will be working in the area Monday to Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and occasionally on weekends.
To meet required safety clearances, the installation of a new double circuit power line requires replacing the existing poles with taller, newly designed poles. To complete provided in advance of planned power outages.
illness and hospitals was a new and unsettling event for me. I was admitted to a unit called 3F, That is where I met many nurses, doctors, other patients and youth and family social directors. “I’ve been in a couple of different hospitals, but the thing that really makes children’s hospital stand out for me was the people. The doctors who where passionate about finding answers, and making me well again, and the nurses that really cared and always found time to comfort their patients. “Although the doctors and nurses where amazing and the reason I was in that hospital, the people that truly stand out in my memory are Linda, the chaplain, who came to spend time with me, keep me company, and do fun little crafts with me. “Another person who stands out in my memory was Kathy, the children’s event coordinator. She would fill mine and the other patients’ days with fun and activities. Basically it was her job to make being in the hospital not suck so much. Kathy would give us splash guards and allow us to have warm water fights on the deck in the summer, paint flower pots with us in the fall, or build gingerbread houses with us during Christmas. “The staff at Children’s really have a respect for what each patient is going through, for each person’s pain, for each person’s suffering…When I think of my time at Children’s Hospital, thanks to the efforts of the staff, I don’t think of the daily needles, painful tests, the long surgeries, with even longer recovery times, or the uncertainty of dealing with a sever illness, and not knowing what’s wrong with me, or how they’re going to make me better. I think about the good times I have had there, and all the nice people I’ve met. Please do your part to support our Children’s Hospital. For you never know when you, your family or your friend might need it.”
Does your mom know how much she means to you? Purchase a space in our Mother’s Day feature and let her know.
As a result of recent growth in West Kelowna, this work is necessary to ensure continued reliable electrical service for BC Hydro customers in the area.
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If you have any questions or concerns please call BC Hydro at 250 549 8581.
Learn more at bchydro.com/regeneration50
The Studio 9 Independent School of the Arts students are honouring B.C. Children’s Hospital in a unique way today. Since the school, formerly known as Vedanta Academy, has always supported fund raising efforts for B.C. Children’s Hospital because many of its students have been treated at the Vancouver facility for various health issues. Students sought out some way to make Jeans Day work for raising donations. The idea they came up with is Vital Vittles Day. Students who buy a Jeans Day button for today will then receive a buffet lunch from foods donated by staff and parents. Grade 11 student Michelle Belliveau’s at the Studio 9 school also urged her fellow students to help out. “B.C. Children’s Hospital takes care of sick kids from around British Columbia as well as the Yukon. Over the last four years, I have personally spent over 13 months as a patient in the hospital. A good majority of those months have been at Children’s Hospital in Vancouver,” Belliveau said in a speech to her school. “Most of us think if we get sick we can go to the doctor, they will see us and give us a medication to make us feel better. Most of the time this is the reality. “For some people this is not their realty. A simple medicine will not make them better. For some people their community can not support the needs of their illness requires, so for that specialized care, there is Children’s hospital. “At Children’s Hospital, they have special doctors, who have both the special training as well as theses doctors being special caring people. “When I was 13 years old, I got sick. Our local hospital, Kelowna General Hospital could not provide the specialized tests, surgeries and treatments I needed. Arriving at Children’s Hospital with minimal experience with doctors,
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that work safely it will be necessary to have planned power outages. Notification will be
For 50 years, BC Hydro has been providing clean, reliable electricity to our customers. Today we are planning for the next 50 years by investing in new projects, upgrading existing facilities and working with our customers to conserve energy through Power Smart.
Students raise money for Children’s Hospital
Mother’s Day
For the safety of the public and of work crews, Old Okanagan Highway from Shannon Lake Road to Daimler Road will be single lane alternating traffic until September 2012. Power line work may require occasional access and temporary traffic adjustments.
BC Hydro appreciates your understanding while completing this work and making public and worker safety a priority.
▼ STUDIO 9 SCHOOL OF ARTS
2 col. x 2” = $42.00 + $2.25 eEdition + HST 2 col. x 4” = $84.00 + $2.25 eEdition + HST (includes picture)
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