Sudden infant death syndrome, also called SIDS or crib death, is the leading cause of death in babies under the age of one. SIDS is defined as the unexpected death during sleep of a healthy infant 12 months old and younger. According to the CDC, rates of SIDS in the U.S. have decreased since the 1990s, but cases of accidental strangulation or suffocation in infants during sleep have increased. New guidelines issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics offer important advice about infant sleep safety.

According to the AAP, infants should be placed on their back on a firm surface—crib or bassinet—to sleep, preferably in the same room as their parents. The surface should have a tight-fitting sheet, and soft bedding and other items—blankets, pillows, crib bumpers, and toys, for example—should not be used. Infants under the age of one should not sleep in the same bed with an adult, as the adult may roll onto the child in sleep, causing suffocation.

Breastfeeding may lower SIDS risk, but the baby should be moved to his or her own sleep space after feeding—before the mother goes to sleep. Other recommendations include offering a pacifier at night or naptime, avoiding the use of devices like wedges or positioners that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS, making sure infants receive all vaccinations on schedule, and preventing exposure to smoke.

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Sourced from: MNT

Updated advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics indicates that toddlers as young as 18 months may be able to handle occasional screen time. Earlier guidelines recommended no exposure to television, tablets, smartphones, videos, or computers before the age of two. No more than one hour of screen time per day is recommended for children under the age of 5.

According to the AAP, parents should use the devices, not only as educational tools, but also as a way to interact with their child. Previous research showed the benefits of using communication tools, like video chat and Skype, to allow even very young children to connect with friends and family members they cannot be together with in person.

The Academy advises parents to do their research and choose only high-quality media. The new guidelines also stress the importance of getting enough physical activity every day and of “unplugging” completely at least one hour before bedtime, as well as the importance of putting down the devices at family time.

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Sourced from: NBC News

Researchers from the New York Institute of Technology developed computer simulations showing that lasers can destroy the oral bacteria that cause gum disease and can lead to tooth loss. For the study, researchers produced simulations of three different types of lasers that are used in dentistry and examined the effects of the lasers on bacteria in gum models.

The simulations showed that the lasers were able to kill bacteria 3 mm deep in the gum tissue with no damage and only minor heating of the surrounding tissue. This treatment may improve dental health for some patients with infections.

Clinical trials to validate these findings are expected. It’s estimated that about 25 percent of dental offices in the U.S. have dental laser capability.

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Sourced from: ScienceDaily