July 2020 | Page 30

HOW HEALTHY ARE YOUR CHILD’S EYES? continued... sharper vision. Your child may be squinting because this act compensates for blurry vision. 9) Poor Hand/Eye Coordination: This skill is required for everything from writing notes in class to playing ball with friends. Clear vision and adequate visual skills is required to create an accurate link between vision and other body movements. 10) Eye Rubbing / Squinting Rubbing: This is a basic response to ocular discomfort. It typically occurs when ones eyes are strained or have been working much to hard to complete a task. If your child is experiencing one of these symptoms schedule an eye exam with an eye doctor. There are two different types of eye doctors which are called an ophthalmologists and optometrists. An ophthalmologist has completed medical school and a 1-year internship followed by a 3-year residency. These types of doctors can provide total eye care services. An optometrist does not attend medical school. Instead, these types of doctors have attended a 4-year professional program and received a doctor of optometry degree. Optometrists mostly prescribe glasses and contact lenses. Due to my poor vision and the fact I have had other vision issues, I go to an ophthalmologist every two years for a checkup and to receive updated prescriptions for my glasses and contacts. Even though my mother didn’t think I would need glasses when I was twelve years old, she took me to see the eye doctor. I’m grateful she did. Originally published on Signature Moms. Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree. She is married and is the mother of twins and a daughter. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, Parents Magazine, AARP, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessings and Your Teen Magazine. Just4Me Pediatric dentistry See What Kids Are Smiling About! HealtHFocus At “JUST 4 ME” Pediatric Dentistry, we believe that eating healthy foods and keeping good oral hygiene are essential to maintaining a healthy smile. As parents, we know it is difficult to control what food is given to your child at daycare or school, BUT you can control what is given to them at home. Setting a good example of healthy habits NOW will help your child in many years to come. Make grocery shopping or visiting a farmers market an adventure by giving your child a list of healthy food choices to buy. Let your child pick a new fruit or vegetable each week to taste-test at home. Keeping the kids involved in their food choices will help them eat healthier! It is important to keep in mind that although some foods appear healthy to eat they may NOT be healthy for your teeth. Foods like raisins and fruit snacks are NOT healthy choices for your teeth due to the sticky sugar that can cause cavities. The #1 cause of cavities in children today are the gummy vitamins. Each gummy vitamin contains 2-3gm of sugar that sticks in the grooves of your teeth, which is the equivalent to skittles candy. Most local pediatricians agree that CHEWABLE vitamins are a better choice. Here are a few chewable vitamins that are available in local stores: Flintstones, Nature’s Way “Alive”, Big Friends Natural Factors and Natures Plus Animal parade. Call “Just 4 Me” Pediatric Dentistry to keep those smiles healthy!! 160 Elmwood Ave. Buffalo, NY 14201 716-436-2130 1660 Hopkins Rd. Getzville, NY 14068 716-688-7721 www.just4mepediatricdentistry.com Paid Advertisement 30 WNY Family July 2020