Kids – Central Counties Health Centers

No one likes a dirty mouth, especially when it’s your own. Keeping your oral health on track is a great way to keep bacteria at bay. Without proper dental hygiene, you are putting yourself at risk of developing issues such as tooth decay and gum disease.

So, how do you ensure a healthy mouth?

1 Floss every day

Flossing is something you should do every day. There are things that brushing just can’t take care of, and that’s where flossing comes in.

2 Brush twice a day for two minutes

Brushing your teeth twice a day doesn’t only help battle morning breath, but it also helps reduce the chances that you’ll develop gum disease. So, every morning and every night, squeeze that toothpaste onto your toothbrush and get brushing for two solid minutes.

3 Rinse with mouthwash

Another thing that people forget, or think is optional, is mouthwash. Aim to make rinsing with mouthwash a regular occurrence after you brush and flush. This antibacterial rinse will help your mouth clean and will do wonders for your breath.

Here are four steps for proper brushing:

1 For the most effective brushing, tilt the brush at a 45-degree angle.

2 Gently move the toothbrush back and forth but be careful not to be too rough.

3 Get inside, outside, top, bottom, and everywhere in between.

4 Lots of bacteria live on your tongue so make sure you remember to brush that too.

At Central Counties Health Centers, we offer dental services for children and adults, which include cleanings and exams, fillings, extractions, and select restorative services. Dental services through CCHC are available at our Cook Street location in Springfield, at HSHS St John’s Hospital in Springfield, at Hope Pavilion in Springfield, and in Jacksonville.

Central Counties Health Center, Get in shape, Healthy Lifestyle, Kids, Summer Health

Childhood obesity is a serious issue

September 16, 2019 Central Counties Health Centers

About one in five, equivalent to 19%, children in the US are obese. Children with obesity are at higher risk for having other chronic health conditions and diseases, such as asthma, sleep apnea, bone, and joint problems, and type 2 diabetes. They also have more risk factors for heart disease like high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Children with obesity are more likely to have obesity as adults, this can lead to lifelong physical and mental health problems. Adult obesity is associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and many types of cancers.

Childhood obesity is influenced by many factors including eating and physical activity, genetics, metabolism, family and home environment, and community and social factors. For some, obesity may be influenced by:

Too much time spent being inactive
Lack of sleep
Lack of places to go in the community and get physical activity
Easy access to inexpensive, high-calorie foods and sugary beverages
Lack of access to affordable, healthier foods

There are ways you can help ensure your children are a healthy weight:

Be aware of your child’s growth
Provide nutritious, lower-calorie foods such as fruits and vegetables in place of foods high in added sugars and solid fats.
Make sure drinking water is always available as an alternative to sugary beverages and limit juice intake.
Help children get the recommended amount of physical activity each day.
Be a role model. Eat healthy meals and snacks and get the right amount of physical activity every day.

Eating healthy on a budget is doable

Make a plan before heading to the store:

Plan your weekly meals
Make a grocery list – and stick to it
Look for discounts and deals

Central Counties Health Centers receives deliveries of fresh fruit and vegetables from the Central Illinois Foodbank every Tuesday and Thursday. You can grab what you need at the Cook Street location year-round.

If you have any concerns about your child’s eating habits or involvement in physical activities speak with your health provider.

Central Counties Health Center, Children's Health, Healthy Lifestyle, Kids, Springfield Illinois

September is Fruits & Veggies – More Matter Month!

September 16, 2019 Central Counties Health Centers

Most Americans don’t eat enough fruits and veggies. Fewer than one in four adults eat the recommended amount of fruits every day and fewer than one in seven eat the recommended amount of vegetables every day. It might seem that fruits and vegetables are too expensive to include in your diet, but there are ways to do so on a budget.

Why is it important to eat more fruits and veggies?

To stay strong and active – healthy foods such as fruit and vegetables have the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients your body needs
To lower your health risks – eating a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables can help lower your risk of chronic health conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes
To manage your weight – eating healthy and being physically active can help you stay healthy
To set a positive example – if you have children, how you eat can impact their food choices for years to come, so set them up for success!

It may surprise you but eating fruits and vegetables doesn’t have to be expensive. There are many affordable options. It is also easy to include more fruits and veggies in your diet. Buy ready to eat fruits and vegetables, such as bananas and apples, or add chopped veggies to a pasta sauce.

Here are seven ways to get more fruits and veggies in your life:

1 Try a new veggie recipe – try the recipe with a new vegetable (one in season)

2 Keep a bowl of fruit handy where the whole family can see it

3 Cut up fruits and vegetables to grab and eat on the go

4 Frozen fruit and veggies are just as good for you as fresh ones so great for making smoothies or adding to sauces

5 Involve the children in preparing meals and educate them about what they are eating

6 Plant tomatoes, beans, and lettuces in your yard, or in pots on your deck, or balcony and you will have a supply of fresh veggies next summer

7 Buy seasonal fruit and veg as it is much cheaper – and tastier than out of season produce

Did you know that Central Counties Health Centers receives deliveries of fresh fruit and vegetables from the Central Illinois Foodbank every Tuesday and Thursday? You can come and grab what you need for FREE at the Cook Street location year-round. This is a great resource for anyone struggling to afford enough food for their families and wanting to also provide nutritional meals.

Central Counties Health Center, Jacksonville Illinois, Kids, Springfield Illinois, Taylorville Illinois

Why do community health centers play such a vital role?

August 5, 2019 Central Counties Health Centers

The first full week in August marks National Health Centers Week and provides an opportunity for us to reflect on the positive impact centers, such as Central Counties Health Centers, make on communities. Celebrating its 20th year, CCHC began in the basement of a church and was started by a group of physicians that saw a need for health care for the underserved. Two decades on and with purpose-built faculties serving 16,000-plus patients across Central Illinois each year CCHC has come a long way in providing primary and preventative medical and dental services.

Staff at CCHC, like all community health centers, are on the frontline treating veterans, the homeless, children, addicts, and those most in need. We aim to reduce unnecessary hospitalization and emergency room visits, treat patients for a fraction of the average cost of an emergency room visit, lower the cost of children’s primary care, and serve the homeless and veterans.

We are proud to be among those community health centers successfully managing chronic disease and medically vulnerable communities to help reduce health care costs for all.

We are located in Springfield at 2239 E. Cook St, Hope Pavilion on South 6thSt, and Jacksonville and Taylorville. We also offer clinics at the Family Guidance Center, Salvation Army, and Helping Hands in Springfield. Our dental services are also available at HSHS St John’s Hospital in Springfield.

Central Counties Health Center, Children's Health, Kids, Springfield Illinois, Summer Health

It’s time to book your back-to-school physical and dental check-ups

July 18, 2019July 18, 2019 Central Counties Health Centers

Annual physical and dental exams by your family’s pediatrician or physician is a vital part of your child’s healthcare. School and sports physicals help ensure your child is fit and healthy to join in activities.

School physicals are required for all children entering Kindergarten, 5th and 9th grade. Physicals are also required if your children participate in any school sports at middle or high school level. Dental exams are required for Kindergarten, 2nd, 6th and 9^thgrade. Vision exams are required when your child enters kindergarten.

Exclusion day for District 186 is 10 days after the first day of school with most returning the third week in August. Morgan and Christian counties exclusion day is Tuesday, October 15.

A typical exam includes a review of your child’s complete health history to ensure he or she is up-to-date with immunization and vaccine recommendations for their age.

Sports physicals are valid for a 12-month period.

To book an appointment call 217-788-2300 today.

Category: Kids

October is National Dental Hygiene Month