Dr. Maggie Davis' Blog
Your Spring Teeth Cleaning
March 2, 2017
Children should start dental care early, so it’s important for parents to know the guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. According to these official guidelines, children need to see the dentist 6 months after their first tooth erupts. If this hasn’t happened by the time the child is 12 months old, the child should see the dentist at that point.
The First Dental Visit
During the first dental visit, the child and parents will spend a fairly short time in the office. This is the ideal opportunity for children and their parents to meet Dr. Davis in a calm atmosphere. Dr. Davis strives to set her young patients at ease and believes that this “getting to know you” visit is extremely helpful in establishing the dentist as a friend in the child’s eyes.
The First Tooth Visit
If the child’s first visit to Dr. Davis occurs when their first tooth erupts (or at 12 months old) there is a special system in place to make it easy on the baby and the parents. The baby will rest in the parent’s lap while Dr. Davis looks at the teeth and gums using a toothbrush and a mirror. She will then review her findings with the parent and give them recommendations for future dental care. Parents can then take this opportunity to ask questions and to learn more about oral hygiene for kids while the child plays in the lobby. Many parents say that the hardest part of the “first tooth” visit is prying their child away from the toys in the lobby Kid’s Zone.
How Dental Visits Work For Toddlers and Older Children
Children will first have access to a range of fun distractions in the lobby playroom, the “Kid’s Zone.” This is followed by a tour of the whole dentist’s office. The staff is trained to use child-friendly words and terminology. Parents should avoid using words like “hurt,” “needle,” “pinch,” “drill,” or any other word that can make the child fearful or worried. The child will “take a ride” in the dentist’s chair to bring them to the right position for the exam. “Mr. Tickle,” the teeth shining device, is then used on the young patient.
Dr. Davis will look for signs of tooth decay, alignment issues, and other possible issues within the mouth. If a teeth cleaning is needed, Dr. Davis or a dental hygienist will perform that cleaning with a gentle touch. If fluoride treatment is needed, it may be done immediately after the teeth cleaning.
Parents can come back to the exam room with their child, but in most cases it’s best for parents to stay hidden where the child can’t see them. There is a “peek-a-boo” area where parents can observe the child while they’re in the dental chair. Parents may have anxiety that is easily transferred to the child, and children have generally done better when they’re alone with the dentist or hygienist. This also allows a chance for the dental staff to get to know the child, which helps the young patient relax.
Dental Care at Home
Dr. Davis and her staff can provide parents with tips and tricks to help them establish better oral hygiene routines for their child. This usually includes brushing twice a day, two minutes per session. Flossing is also a critical part of good oral care and should begin early in life. Children can learn to brush their own teeth when they are still quite young, and if parents try to make it fun rather than a chore it will quickly become an ingrained habit. Some kids enjoy setting a timer for their brushing sessions. Non-food rewards like stickers can also be helpful as a child is settling into a personal dental care routine.
Dr. Maggie Davis is a pediatric dentist office in Palm Harbor, Florida. She offers regular check-up visits, consultations, emergency exams, digital x-rays, counseling on finger/pacifier sucking, counseling on tobacco & intraoral piercings, fillings, crowns, root canals, extractions, interceptive orthodontics, comprehensive orthodontics, space maintenance, cosmetic tooth bonding, teeth whitening, and dentistry for children with special health care needs. Several kinds of sedation are offered, including nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and I.V. sedation. Call anytime to arrange an appointment with Dr. Davis.
5 Ways to Make Brushing Fun for Kids
February 22, 2017
Getting the kids up and ready in the morning and getting them into bed at night can already be tough and stressful, add tooth brushing to the battle and you may be ready to give up. While it’s essential for your child to form good oral care habits now, it’s not always easy to get them to brush their teeth. If you’re struggling to get kids taking care of their teeth, it may be time to get creative, finding a tactic that works so your child can enjoy a lifetime of healthy, beautiful teeth.
Head Out Shopping for Fun Dental Supplies Together
If your kids enjoy going shopping, head out shopping for some fun dental supplies together. Let them have some fun picking out their own fun toothbrushes and toothpaste, although it’s best to choose options with the ADA Seal of Acceptance on them. You’ll find many great character toothbrushes to choose from, which may make brushing a lot more fun for your child, especially if he gets to pick it himself. Quality fluoride toothpastes also come in many different colors and flavors, so you child can have some fun making that decision too. Letting them pick out their own dental supplies may get them more interested in sticking to their regular brushing routine.
Come Up with a Reward System
For many children, a fun reward system can make brushing a lot more fun. Print our or buy a calendar and get some stickers your kids will appreciate. Every time your child brushes his teeth, give them a sticker to put on the calendar as a reward. The stickers can be an exciting surprise on their own. If your child gets all his stickers in a week, allow him to have a reward. You can offer an even bigger reward if your child sticks to the routine for an entire month.
Find Fun Books and Videos About Brushing
Purchase some fun books and videos about good oral care habits, or head to your local library to find them free. You can sit down and read a book about brushing your teeth to your child. Another idea is to show them fun videos about brushing and other good oral hygiene practices. Many popular children’s books and shows have great stories about brushing and good oral hygiene. Stories and videos offer a great way to teach kids more about caring for their teeth while offering this information in a way they can easily relate to.
Turn Brushing into a Game
Kids love games, so if you’re having a tough time getting kids to brush or brush long enough, turn it into a fun game they’ll enjoy. Come up with a superhero game, complete with cape, where your child fights off the villains attacking his teeth by brushing. If you have multiple children and they aren’t brushing long enough, consider having a contest when they brush to see who can keep brushing the longest, although you want to ensure they don’t brush too vigorously, since this can damage their gums. You can even make up a story or create a fun character to inspire your child to brush.
Add Some Music to Your Brushing Routine
Do your kids just love music? Consider adding some music and rhythm to the brushing routine to make it more exciting. You can find apps that offer music that plays for two minutes while your kids brush, or you can play your child’s favorite tunes as they are brushing their teeth. It’s even more fun if you and your kids dance around to the music together are you brush. Making it a family affair can also let kids learn by your example, and they’ll be more likely to brush and keep good oral hygiene routines when they see their parents doing it too.
Along with good oral hygiene at home, remember that regular dental checkups are an important part of keeping your child’s teeth and gums healthy for life. Ensure your child heads to the dentist for a checkup and cleaning every six months. If it’s time for your child’s regular dental exam, give us a call today and schedule an appointment with Dr. Maggie Davis.
Celebrating Children’s Dental Health Month
February 7, 2017
February is here, which means it’s time to celebrate Children’s Dental Health Month! This year the ADA chose to focus on the benefits of fluoride for combating tooth decay and promoting oral health. This year’s theme “Choose Tap Water for a Sparkling Smile” aims to educate families on the many benefits of drinking tap water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages. In honor of Children’s Dental Health Month, here are ten things to know about your little one’s teeth:
- As soon as your baby’s teeth poke through, they’re susceptible to tooth decay. It’s important to start using a fluoride toothpaste as soon as their first teeth appear.
- When your child is three or younger, you only need to use as much toothpaste as a grain of rice.
- Dental sealants are another great way to help combat tooth decay and protect your child’s teeth. Sealants have been found to reduce tooth decay in molars by almost 80 percent.
- To prevent baby bottle tooth decay, avoid putting your child to bed with a bottle. Prolonged exposure to sugary drinks can lead to tooth decay.
- You may feel inclined to clean your child’s pacifier with your mouth or feed them off of your spoon, but cavity-causing bacteria can be passed through saliva. Try to avoid sharing utensils to keep your germs separate from your child’s.
- Encourage your child to drink tap water. Tap water is filled with fluoride, which is known to reduce cavities by 25 percent.
- At birth, your child has twenty teeth below their gums that will start erupting between the ages of six months to one year.
- When your child starts teething many babies will become fussy and irritable. It’s common to see your little one lose their appetite or drool more than usual while their teeth come through.
- Your child should come visit the dentist by their first birthday or as soon as their first tooth erupts to start them on the road to outstanding oral health.
- It’s important to clean between your child’s teeth as soon as they have two that touch. This can be before or after brushing, just as long as your child understands the importance of flossing!
This month and every month, we aim to prepare your child for a lifetime of healthy and happy smiles! Stay tuned for our next blog, which will highlight the importance of drinking fluoridated water and the many benefits for you and your child’s oral health.
Sedation Options Unique To Your Child
January 23, 2017
There are several medications offered to help make dental visits more comfortable and relaxing for your little ones. As your pediatric dentist, we aim to make your child’s visits as inviting and easy as possible. Sometimes it can be scary for little ones to go to the dentist, but we provide options for sedation to help make procedures as relaxing, painless, and safe as we can. Here are three sedation options that we may consider for your child:
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide is combined with oxygen and administered through a mask over the nose. You may know it as “laughing gas,” but in our office we refer to it as the “mickey mouse nose,” “puppy nose,” or “jet pilot mask.” This sedation agent has a quick onset and rapid recovery and allows your child to remain conscious throughout their procedure. Nitrous Oxide helps to reduce anxiety and reduce pain and discomfort.
Oral Sedation
For children who struggle with traditional dental procedures, oral conscious sedation allows for a more comfortable experience. We consult with your child’s pediatrician to confirm that this is a healthy option for your child and will discuss the procedure with you beforehand. This option is most effective for small children with minimal amounts of dental work.
I.V. Sedation
With the help of Pediatric Dental Anesthesiology Associates, we’re able to provide I.V. sedation for children who are pre-cooperative or developmentally delayed. Under the care of a Board Certified Pediatric Anesthesiologist, we can safely and effectively treat all of your child’s dental needs in one appointment.
Sedation helps to protect your child from the stress and discomfort that may arise during dental procedures. As your Palm Harbor pediatric dentist, we aim to make your child feel as comfortable as possible so that they can enjoy coming to see us! We work to educate our patients and their parents about preventative tactics and dental options that encourage a lifetime of healthy teeth. To schedule your child’s appointment with Dr. Maggie, contact our office today!
Seal Out Tooth Decay
January 6, 2017
Candy, sugary snacks, soda, and even everyday food and drinks can cause tooth decay if your little ones aren’t properly caring for their teeth. Germs use the sugar in what we eat to create acid that leads to cavities over time. Since our back teeth are rough and uneven, the grooves and pits make it easier for food and germs to stick and develop into cavities. While regular brushing and flossing helps to clean our mouth of harmful germs, sealants are one of the best ways to combat tooth decay.
Dental sealants are thin, plastic coatings that are painted onto the chewing surfaces of our back teeth. This coating provides extra protection to our back teeth, which saves time and money in the long-run on fillings, crowns, and other restorative procedures. Children should get sealants on their permanent molars as soon as possible to protect their molars from decay:
- “The 6-Year Molars” – These permanent molars typically come in between the ages of 5 and 7.
- “The 12-Year Molars” – The second permanent molars usually erupt between ages 11 and 14.
Some sealants can last up to 10 years, however they usually need to be retouched or replaced every 2 to 5 years to ensure they’re able to fully protect the teeth. The dental sealant process is quick and easy!
- The tooth is cleaned
- The tooth is dried and cotton is used around the tooth to keep it dry
- A solution is used to make the tooth surface rough so that the sealant can stick
- The tooth is cleaned and dried again
- The sealant is applied as a liquid and hardens within seconds
- The sealant is complete
While sealants are a great way to help protect your children’s new, permanent molars, it’s still critical that they keep up with regular brushing and flossing. To learn more about the benefits of dental sealants, ask Dr. Maggie at your next appointment!
The Evolution of Toothpaste
December 19, 2016
Attempts at good oral hygiene have been traced all the way back to the days of the Ancient Egyptians. While King Tut may not have had the cleanest teeth by today’s standards, oral hygiene was definitely still considered an important part of healthy living. For ages humans have been trying to create the best formula for cleaning teeth, and while nothing has been proven to work better than modern day toothpaste, some early attempts weren’t too far off. Here’s a look at toothpaste and its evolution throughout history:
4 AD: Ancient Egyptians used a concoction of crushed rock salt, mint, dried iris flowers, and pepper to clean their teeth. Scientists have found that this mixture is the most effective compared to mixtures from as recent as 100 years ago.
1780: During this time many people were known to clean their teeth with a powder made up of burnt bread.
1824: Soap was added to toothpaste to increase it’s effectiveness. Later soap was substituted with sodium lauryl sulfate for a smoother paste.
1873: Colgate released the first commercial toothpaste. It was the first “nice smelling” toothpaste and was sold in a jar.
1892: A dentist named Dr. Sheffield was the first doctor known to put toothpaste in a collapsible tube.
1914: During this time, fluoride was added to toothpaste to make it more effective in reducing and preventing cavities.
1987: The first edible toothpaste was invented by NASA so that astronauts didn’t have to spit into zero gravity. It became mostly used by children.
1989: A company named Rembrandt became the first company to advertise a toothpaste that could whiten and brighten a smile.
As reflected in history, maintaining a healthy and clean smile is very important to societies across the globe. Not only is a healthy smile better for overall wellness, but it has been known to increase both confidence and friendliness. Take a lesson from the Ancient Egyptians and be sure to keep up with a healthy oral hygiene routine – luckily today’s toothpaste is much more effective at getting our pearly whites clean!
If it’s time to give your little one’s smile a little extra cleaning, be sure to schedule your annual checkup with Dr. Maggie!
What is Childhood Bruxism?
December 5, 2016
Bruxism is known as the habitual grinding and clenching of the teeth and is very common in children. Nearly three in ten children are known to grind their teeth, and though it’s a treatable habit, it can cause damage if it’s not addressed. Bruxism erodes tooth enamel and can lead to behavioral problems, headaches, earaches, sore jaw, and TMJ issues. Since every child is unique, there are usually a combination of factors that cause bruxism. There are several theories as to why children grind their teeth, including:
- Misaligned teeth
- Psychologic stress
- Inner ear pressure
- Misaligned bite
- Hyperactivity
Symptoms of bruxism include a grinding sound at night, the rhythmic contraction of the jaw muscles, painful jaw muscles, or the occasional swelling of the jaw. Tooth grinding can begin as soon as a child’s first teeth erupt. It usually subsides between the ages of six and nine and should stop by the time your child is between nine and twelve years old. Fortunately many children grow out of this habit without intervention, but for those who require treatment a mouthguard may be helpful to prevent any loss of the tooth structure. Additionally, reducing stress, working to relax the jaw before bed, or correcting an improper bite can help to reduce bruxism symptoms.
Oftentimes the grinding sounds worse than it actually is, but If you believe that your child has a problem with grinding their teeth, it’s best to notify us at your next appointment. Dr. Maggie and her team can check your child’s teeth for any wear and tear and also make sure that there are no problems with tooth fractures or nerve exposure. Together we can work to determine the possible causes and, if necessary, the proper course of treatment for your child. To schedule your child’s next appointment, give us a call today!
Support Our Local Library: Adaptive Toy Collection
November 21, 2016
For children with special needs, playing with toys can be a unique experience. Adaptive toys allow children with developmental issues to learn important tools such as hand eye coordination. These special toys can be as simple as a cup holder or joy-stick affair that serves as a wheelchair trainer, but can make a meaningful impact in the learning experience of children with special needs.
You may think of your local library as only a place for books, but thanks to the efforts of our local librarians at the Palm Harbor Library, adaptive toys are an option for families too. Our local Palm Harbor Library is one of only two libraries in the state of Florida that lend interactive toys for children with special needs. The library calls them Tools and Toys to Go and the toys are collected through an adaptive toy collection each year.
For families, therapists, and teachers, this program is a godsend. The cost of these toys make them difficult to purchase individually, which is why the library program is the perfect solution for this community. As your local pediatric dentist, we’re proud to work with our special needs patients each and every day. We are supportive of the adaptive toy collection at our local library, which is why our staff donates to this program rather than exchanging gifts each year.
For families looking to get involved with the adaptive toy collection, we will have a “giving tree” in our lobby. You can help in one of two ways:
- Make a cash donation to the library at our front desk
- Choose a toy from our “giving tree” and bring it here unwrapped by December 31st.
For more information about the program please visit: http://www.tbnweekly.com/content_articles/071113_phb-01.txt
As your Palm Harbor pediatric dentist, our staff is educated, experienced, and compassionate when it comes to the care of our special needs children. Children of all ages with special health care needs absolutely require comprehensive preventative dental care, which is why our staff is proud to have the tools and knowledge to care for each of our patients’ individual needs.
All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth
November 7, 2016
This year marks the 32nd Annual Festival of Trees event hosted by the Arc Tampa Bay Foundation. As your local Palm Harbor pediatric dentist, we’re participating this year by donating a tree to be on display at this year’s event. Our office is beginning to decorate our tree called “AllI Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth!” You can find our tree on display November 18th through the 20th at The Long Center.
For more information please visit: http://thearctbfoundation.org/events/32nd-annual-festival-of-trees/
With the holidays around the corner, chances are your family will be eating more sweets and your kids are probably excited about getting to eat their fair share of sugar at this year’s family party or school event. Even though the holidays are often accompanied by soda, candy, cookies, and cake, there are plenty of ways to help protect your little one’s teeth without missing out on the fun! Here are some tips to keep in mind for this holiday season:
- Be sure that your kids brush shortly after eating a sugary snack. By rinsing and brushing, this will help to wash away sugar and acids that could cause damage to their teeth.
- Incorporate your dessert into your holiday meals. By eating sweets at the same time as a balanced meal, it helps to neutralize acids and displace some of that sugar.
- Make toothbrushing fun for your kiddos by celebrating with holiday toothbrushes or colored floss. By making good oral hygiene habits enjoyable for your kids, you’ll be encouraging a lifetime of healthy smiles.
If your little ones are hoping for their two front teeth this Christmas, be sure to teach them the importance of good dental habits all year round. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s and every holiday in between, don’t forget to give your teeth the gift of some TLC this holiday season!
October Fun with Dr. Maggie’s Office
October 17, 2016
Here at Dr. Maggie Davis Pediatric Dentist, we like to stay involved in our local community and also give our patients the chance to join in on the fun! Check out some of the events we have going on at your Palm Harbor pediatric dentist’s office this month:
Halloween Candy Buyback For the Troops
Halloween is just around the corner, which means your little ones will be stocking up on their favorite candy – and lots of it! This year our office is collecting Halloween candy to donate to our troops! To participate simply drop off your Halloween candy to our office. For every pound of candy that’s donated, you’ll receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win some awesome prizes, such as a bike or Lightning Hockey tickets. Every child who donates will also receive goodie bag filled with healthy snacks and vouchers for goodies around town.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month Mouthguard Sale
In honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, our office is offering our Breast Cancer Awareness Mouthguards at a reduced price! Normally $277, we’re offering our mouthguards for $150 throughout the month of October. Not only does wearing a mouthguard protect your pearly whites from damage during physical activities, but it can also honor all those who are battling breast cancer.
Fall Festival and Happy Halloween House
We’re proud to be sponsoring this year’s YMCA Fall Festival and Happy Halloween House! We’ll be providing goodie bags for all the kids who attend on Friday, October 28th at the North Pinellas YMCA.
Follow this link to learn more: https://www.facebook.com/events/179013152545076/.
Inbetween carving pumpkins, decorating the house, and dressing up, it helps to use this candy-filled time of the year to teach your kids about the importance of good oral hygiene. Don’t skip out on the Halloween excitement, simply make sure your little ones give their pearly whites some extra TLC. To schedule an appointment or to learn more about the happenings around our office, give us a call. From everyone here at Dr. Maggie’s office, we wish you all a safe and Happy Halloween!