Chewing Gum is Great For Oral Health
August 15, 2017
Candy is arguably bad for your oral health. Sugars that are in sweets can lead to serious cases of dental decay that can call for fillings, root canals and various degrees of dental work. However, there is one type of candy that can provide oral health benefits, and that is sugar-free chewing gum. While it is not uncommon for parents to forbid their children from chewing gum, gum of the sugar-free variety has a lot of benefits for oral health – if your children are old enough. Sugar-free chewing gum can simultaneously stimulate saliva production, spur the immune system, and freshen breath. If you want to help your pre-teens, teenagers, and your oral health between all day, learn more about the benefits of chewing gum.
Why Chewing Gum is Beneficial
The main reason why chewing gum is beneficial for your oral health is because it stimulates the salivary glands in your mouth. Saliva is our body’s first defense against harmful bacteria. It flushes food particles and much remaining sugar from the mouth. By moving food and sugars into the digestive system it can not sit in the mouth and begin forming biofilms that cause plaque and eventually lead to cavities. Saliva is very important for our oral health, and by chewing a piece of sugar-free gum after you eat you can help to clear your mouth of any stray food particles. If your child is old enough to be chewing gum, it won’t be a bad idea to send a stick in their lunch box or a pack as they head to high school. Chewing after lunch can help to keep their teeth clean until they get home and brush.
Gum is also beneficial because the simple act of chewing helps to stimulate the immune system which can help to effectively protect the mouth from infection. Researchers found that the act of chewing induces the protective response of the immune system and spurs the creation of Th17 cells. These cells are well known to help fight oral infections. Normally, other “barrier sites,” the skin, mouth, and gut, need a specific bacteria to breach the barrier before creating these T-cells to fight off the infection. This is not the case for the mouth, the irritation caused by chewing provides the immune system all the information it needs to prepare the mouth for certain kinds of common oral infections. They also found, by studying juvenile and adult mice, that the immune system is able to learn these patterns of bacterial infection and work to more effectively fight infection as the body ages. This is fascinating knowledge because now we understand a bit more about how the immune system works, and how things like chewing gum can help to keep the mouth healthy throughout your life.
ADA approved Sugar-free gums are easily found in grocery and convenience stores across the United States. These sugar-free options commonly use xylitol to sweeten the product to feign a sweet, sugar-like taste. Xylitol is a compound derived from the bark of birch trees and the husks of corn. It tastes like sugar, but its chemical structure is very different. Because of this difference the harmful bacteria in the mouth cannot digest it and begin to form the glycoproteins that spur the development of biofilms and plaque. The sweetness is safe, and spurs the production of saliva which, as we discussed above, helps to move food particles and harmful bacteria through the digestive system and away from the mouth. Bubble gums and gums with sugar in them can be harmful for the teeth. Make sure before you purchase gum for your children that it has the ADA seal of approval and contains no sugar.
If you are looking for a great way to help keep your children’s teeth healthy during the day without brushing your teeth, open a pack of ADA approved, sugar-free gum. It will not only freshen your breath, but can help remove decay-causing food particles with saliva flow and spur the production of Th17 cells which aid your immune system. If you have any questions about what types of xylitol-based chewing gums are best for your teens and preteens, just ask your Palm Harbor, Florida pediatric dentist for a recommendation.
- Young children should not chew gum at the risk of choking. It is up to you to determine if your child is mature enough to chew gum safely, and responsible enough to discard it properly.
- Adolescents with braces, or phase 1 orthodontics are discouraged from chewing gum. Gum can break and damage braces.
Everything You Wanted To Know About Losing Teeth
July 27, 2017
One of the most exciting milestones your child reaches between the ages of six and eight is the loss of their baby teeth. This is one of the only times they’ll actually see their bodies change and grow. Children often have many questions about why and how their teeth fall out, and parents don’t often have all the answers. Losing teeth is just something that happens right? Thankfully your Palm Harbor pediatric dentist is here to answer these pressing questions to help you discuss this exciting time with your child.
Why Do We Lose Teeth?
Teeth are amazing tissues that change throughout our whole lives. Babies are born without teeth because they are still developing in their tiny mouths. Around the age of six months children begin the arduous process of teething, which begins the exciting process of eating real food and developing speech. These teeth are sharp and largely designed to teach children how to eat and form sounds that will become language. There are 20 baby teeth that take around two years to fully emerge. As toddlers grow into children, their jaws expand and their needs in food consumption changes. To accommodate this baby teeth fall out and are replaced with permanent teeth including a few extra. Once all your child’s permanent teeth emerge, they will have 32 dazzling teeth. The short answer four you’re curious kindergartner: When you grow you need more teeth, and because teeth can’t get any bigger, they have to fall out and are replaced with new ones.
How do Teeth Fall Out?
Losing teeth is extremely interesting because we all know that teeth fit into the jawbone with their roots. But when baby teeth fall out, they don’t have roots. Where did they go? Roots of baby teeth are very small and thin. Along with keeping the tooth in the jaw they also serve the important function of guiding the development and placement of the permanent teeth. As the permanent teeth begin to develop the roots of the baby teeth begin to reabsorb back into the body and eventually disappear. This releases the baby tooth and makes room for the permanent tooth to begin to emerge above the gumline – which normally takes just a few weeks. The short answer for your curious kindergartner: When your permanent teeth are ready to come out your body absorbs the part that keeps the baby tooth in place, which makes it lose. Once it falls out there is room for your big teeth to make their appearance.
Caring for Wiggly Teeth
The body is extremely good at growing and moving to the next step. When your child’s tooth begins to wiggle you may not know what to do to keep your child’s teeth safe. Wiggly teeth can take up to a month to fall out depending on the both the development of the underlying tooth and how much your child wiggles the tooth. It’s not a bad thing to wiggle the tooth, in fact it can be quite fun. If your child notices that their tooth is loose, let them know what is happening. When the tooth is ready to come out, it will. Yanking it out won’t do you any good, let them wiggle it and have fun while they can. With regular brushing and their oral health routine the tooth should pop out in no time with minimal bleeding.
Oral Care After Losing Teeth
Immediately after your child loses their tooth, you are often dealing with quite a bit of fear. Not only have they lost something that has been a part of their smile for many years, there is often blood. Assuring them that this is normal can help calm them down, but a thorough rinse with water should clear up all the blood. Remember that your child’s body has been working on pushing this tooth out for some time, there should not be very much blood. If there is make sure to call your Palm Harbor pediatric dentist for advice. Once your child has accepted the fact that their tooth has fallen out, it’s important to brush them up on their brushing skills. It’s important to be gentle around the area of the lost tooth until the gums have healed and the new tooth emerges. Practice gentle, daily care and your child will be sharing that mis-matched grin in no time
If you have any questions about your child’s oral development, don’t hesitate to ask your pediatric dentist. She can help you determine if your child is losing teeth at a normal rate, or if something needs to be checked out.
Feed Your Kid’s Teeth with Vitamins
June 15, 2017
As a parent you’re often worried about every aspect of your child’s life. From their diet and activity level to their overall and oral health. It may not come as a surprise that what you choose to feed your kids can have an impact on all of those things. If you want to keep your kid’s teeth healthy, one of the most important things you can do is feed them a healthy diet full of vitamins and minerals. By keeping their bodies healthy, you can help to keep their teeth strong too!
Healthy Diet Healthy Teeth
Because our teeth are a part of our bodies it makes sense that by eating a healthy diet we can keep them healthy along with the rest of our bodies. We all know that the calcium found in dairy products is great for our teeth and often tell our kids that by drinking their milk or eating yogurt they can have strong bones that will grow big and strong. The same can be said for many other food groups. Explaining our bodies as if they were a machine is a great way to get this point across to your children. Our bodies have many different systems that work to keep us healthy. We fuel our machines by eating food. Our stomachs break up this food and send the vitamins and minerals where they are most needed. When your child eats a cheese stick, their tummies get to work and break that cheese up into the vitamins, fats, and minerals that keep it together. It sends the calcium in the cheese straight to the teeth where the teeth can absorb it and keep them strong and healthy. Other foods are full of other vitamins and minerals that can keep different oral tissues healthy as well.
Foods and Vitamins that Fuel
Most parents are aware the good that fresh fruits, veggies, and dairy do for their children’s’ – and their own – bodies. What you might not know is that the healthy, balanced diet you feed your child also keeps their oral tissues healthy. Here are a few vitamins and the foods they’re found in that are famous for their tooth-loving properties.
Vitamin A – Vitamin A helps to make white blood cells that can help your child’s body fight off infections which can include canker sores, gum inflammation, and bitten tongues. Vitamin A is found in carrots, sweet potato, and spinach!
Vitamin C – Vitamin C helps your body build collagen which is an important ingredient in teeth. Vitamin C can be found in oranges, red peppers, broccoli, and strawberries.
Vitamin D – Vitamin D is extremely important for our teeth because it is the vitamin that allows our bodies to absorb the calcium and phosphorous that our teeth need to stay strong and healthy. Vitamin D can be found in Almonds, spinach, avocado, squash, and is often fortified into milk and dairy products because of how helpful it is.
Feeding your child a diet full of vitamins and minerals is no-doubt important, but we all know that getting kids to eat vitamin-rich foods is difficult. Many food companies have done a great job at helping us “trick” our kids into eating healthy food, but it does come at a cost. Fruit juices and snacks are often laden with sugar to make them “more palatable” to the little ones, but this can cause serious problems for children’s teeth. A recent recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics highlights this issue. Based on mounting evidence of tooth decay and increasing rates of childhood obesity, they recommend that children under the age of one drink absolutely no fruit juice whatsoever. The evidence presented to them finds that there is no nutritional benefit for babies. While the content of vitamins may be high, the amount of sugar – natural or otherwise – found in fruit juices contributes significantly to the erosion of newly emerging teeth.
It is extremely important for parents to make sure they are not feeding their children too much sugar. Read labels and make sure that if your child does consume a fair amount of it that you teach them to brush their teeth. It is never too young to teach your children how to take care of their most important set of bones! This Palm Harbor Pediatric Dentist does her best to teach children how to remove sugar from their teeth with proper brushing. If you have a question about how you can keep your kid’s teeth as healthy as they are, don’t hesitate to ask at your next appointment.
Benefits of Braces
May 15, 2017
As a pediatric dentist, Dr. Maggie sees a lot of kids that would benefit from orthodontic treatment. Braces are an extremely common recommendation for children both young and entering adolescence. It is common knowledge that braces can help to straighten your child’s smile, but what you may not know is that braces can be a great tool in improving the overall oral health of your child. If braces have been recommended in your family, here are a few more benefits you may not be aware of.
Determining a Need for Braces
Determining a need for dental braces can be simple or complex depending on each child. Most often braces are recommended when a child is 12 or older after all or most of their permanent teeth have come in. If your preteen or teenager has an underbite, overbite, crossbite, open bite, over crowding or spacing your Palm Harbor pediatric dentist may recommend braces as an orthodontic treatment. However, it may be recommended for younger children if the use of braces can help to shape their jaw and prevent severe orthodontic work when they are older. This is called interceptive orthodontics. Braces can be used to maintain space in between teeth when a primary tooth, also known as a baby tooth, falls out long before a permanent tooth is due to emerge. This can ensure that there is ample space for the new tooth and crowding will likely not be an issue. Other reasons why children as young as six or seven my be recommended orthodontic treatments is due to abnormal jaw development or tooth position that may compromise their function and integrity. Dr. Maggie may see that the jaw is not developing normally and remedy this with braces before many of the permanent teeth emerge. Similarly if permanent teeth are emerging quickly and crooked, she may see braces as an option to help guide the teeth and ultimately reduce the amount of orthodontic work that will be necessary as your child grows into a teenager.
Benefits of Braces
Braces do much more than just create a flash-worthy smile, they provide serious dental health benefits as well. Braces are designed to move and straighten teeth, and achieve this end in many different ways. As the teeth shift into their desired spots you can expect some changes to your oral health routine. Braces are notorious for trapping food particles between brackets and behind archwires. This can result in the buildup of bacteria, erosion of enamel, and inflammation of the gums. Removing this food after every meal is of the utmost importance. Taking care of your teeth during this time is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your oral health, and as a happy side effect this consistent care can carry over to life after braces. It often seems like if you can maintain your oral health while you have braces, you can maintain your oral health for your entire life. We work hard to convey this point to our young patients. The light at the end of the tunnel is that after braces not only will your child have the tools to prevent tooth decay and gum inflammation, but their teeth will also be much easier to clean and take care of.
The most rejoiced benefit of braces is that it shifts our teeth into a handsome line. When the teeth are aligned this way it is much easier to brush the surfaces of each tooth and to floss in between. Also, braces can alleviate crowding which exposes the gums and enables you to clean them better as well. By shifting your teeth into the most desirable positions you not only achieve a spectacular smile, but also a one that’s easier to take care of!
Many teens desire a straight smile for their senior pictures, and sometimes cosmetic reasons drive the decision to choose braces. We don’t think that’s a problem at all. Straight teeth make it easier for children to chew and speak. However the best benefit braces provide is the tools and understanding it takes to be responsible for something as important as your smile. If you have any questions about how you can support your child while they are undergoing orthodontic treatment, ask your Palm Harbor pediatric dentist at your next appointment.
Your Pressing Questions About Baby Teeth Answered
April 11, 2017
Teething. It’s one of the most exciting stages of a baby’s life, and one of the more confusing and sometimes frustrating for a new parent. As these little teeth emerge our babies grow into toddlers excited to see what those new baby teeth can do. While we may be excited for our kids to try new foods, we can all commiserate over the fussy, sometimes feverish ones who keep us up at night while they cut teeth. Dental health is extremely important at all stages of life, so it’s normal for parents to have questions about their baby’s teeth, and it’s very normal to ask their pediatric dentist.
What To Expect When You’re Expecting Teeth
A baby’s first tooth will normally emerge around four and seven months of age. Baby teeth, or primary teeth often scare nursing mothers because now that cute little gummy smile is capable of biting. Have no fear nursing moms. Babies who latch well will have no trouble nursing with teeth, although you may experience a bite here and there when baby starts to doze while feeding. However for many babies “cutting teeth” can be uncomfortable and will cause a few sleepless, cranky nights until the teeth emerge.
Baby teeth emerge in a very predictable manner, yet it is interesting and important to know that a primary set of teeth only consists of twenty teeth compared to the 32 we end up with. The first teeth to emerge are always the central incisors – or the bottom and top front teeth. This usually happens between four and seven months of age. From ten to 15 months, a child’s lateral incisors make their debut. Normally at one year of age your child will have eight teeth, four on top and four on the bottom. Next between ten and 16 months of age the first molars begin to push their way through the gums. After the first molars, the canines and second molars emerge. Between 16 and 24 months of age most children have a full set of primary teeth.
The thing about teething that makes it so hard for both parent and baby is that this change in the body can be painful. Teething babies are often fussy, and can run a mild fever. In a study conducted by the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, researchers noted that most babies exhibited the following symptoms while they were teething: irritability, drooling, a desire to suck, curiosity in biting, sleeplessness, gum rubbing, grabbing at their ears, mild fever, rash, and decreased appetite. Not all babies experience these symptoms however, it is nice to know what you may be up against.
Helping A Teether
It’s in our nature to want to help our children get through teething pain free. Depending on your child’s symptoms there are many things you can do to sooth your baby during this time. To help with pain and a fever age/weight appropriate doses of infant pain medications can be helpful. Discuss usage of infant pain medications with your dentist or doctor before administering to ensure safety. Teething toys also provide a child with something safe and soothing to chew on while they test out their new teeth. There are many teething toys designed to be put in the freezer or refrigerator that help ease pain in little teething mouths. If a liquid is inside of these toys it is very important to keep tabs on these toys so they do not become damaged and leak. As your child grows new teeth feel free to test out new foods. Frozen pancakes or waffles are great ways for them to reduce pain, learn to chew, and enjoy new foods all at the same time.
Are Baby Teeth Supposed To Be So Sharp?
One of the most surprising things parents quickly learn about baby teeth is how sharp they are. We can assure you that this is normal, and helps them learn how to bite and chew. They normally dull over time and pose no threat to your child. If you are concerned about the sharpness of these teeth however, don’t hesitate to bring your baby in for an evaluation.
At our Palm Harbor, Florida pediatric dental practice our goal is to help your child learn to love and take care of their teeth. If you need help during the teething stage, never hesitate to enlist the help of Dr. Maggie Davis. We would love to answer your questions and to meet your little one to provide them comfort in their new dental home.
Why Do We Brush Twice a Day?
March 16, 2017
You have probably heard your dentist say—on more than one occasion– that you should brush your teeth at least twice a day. However, you may not know why brushing two times daily is important. Here are a few reasons for this popular dental recommendation:
Plaque is continually produced.
When you eat, leftover bits of food mix with the bacteria inside your mouth to form plaque. The filmy, sticky substance coats your tooth enamel and gums. Although the development of plaque is a continual natural occurrence, the substance can cause a great bit of damage to your teeth.
Because plaque adheres to your teeth and gums, it places bacterial acid in direct contact with them. The bacteria within the plaque feast on the food particles in the mixture. As the microbes feed, they digest the food and release acid as a by-product. Since the acid is released adjacent to the tooth enamel, plaque can be highly damaging.
Just as acid is corrosive to most other substances, it also eats away at your enamel. This results in tooth decay. The longer the acid remains in place, the greater your chance of needing a dental appointment to fill a cavity. Twice-daily brushing removes the plaque before it can damage your pearly whites.
Brushing twice daily helps prevent tartar buildup.
Tartar is actually plaque that has calcified on the teeth. The hardening process that converts plaque into tartar takes about a day to complete. However, the conversion only takes place if plaque remains undisturbed. When you brush twice a day, plaque can be removed before it hardens into position.
While plaque is still soft, it can easily be brushed and flossed away. However, once it hardens, it remains in place until it is scraped away at your next dental cleaning. Why does this matter? Tartar not only makes your teeth look less attractive due to its yellow hue, but it also harbors additional plaque and oral bacteria to further compromise your oral health.
Although tartar may look completely solid, it is actually quite porous. It becomes a great hiding place for the substances that wreak havoc on your teeth.
Brushing twice a day helps prevent bad breath.
Bad breath that is not associated with the spicy taco or well-seasoned lasagna you had for dinner is often caused by volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs). Anaerobic bacteria that reside on your tongue release these compounds regularly, giving morning breath its characteristics stale, sulfur-y smell.
When you brush your teeth, your tongue should also get a thorough cleaning. As the oral microbes are removed, your breath becomes fresher. In addition, the sweet aroma of your toothpaste will further enhance your breath, making embarrassing moments during social encounters a little less likely.
Brushing twice daily helps ensure that the microbes that may be contributing to your bad breath are removed before they build up to the point of causing your breath to be offensive. It also removes particles of food that may be stuck between your teeth. As the food remains in place, it can rot or deteriorate in your mouth, further exacerbating halitosis.
Brushing twice a day can keep your teeth whiter.
As you eat and drink, pigments are absorbed into the pores of your tooth enamel and can build up over time. The accumulation of pigments can discolor your teeth, necessitating a teeth-bleaching session. When you brush twice a day, you can help remove some of the pigments that have not been fully absorbed by your teeth.
If you brush with a whitening toothpaste, you can give your teeth an even greater chance of avoiding discoloration. Whitening toothpaste often includes ingredients, such as hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, to keep your teeth looking their best. Peroxide uses oxygenating power to help bleach away stains. Baking soda is alkaline and mildly abrasive, so it helps polish your teeth for a whitening boost.
Gum Health
Brushing twice daily also improves the health of your gums so that you can avoid gum disease. The acid that causes tooth decay irritates sensitive soft tissues in your mouth. The resulting inflammation can lead to gum disease.
If you are in the beginning stages of gum disease, you may only notice a bit of blood in the sink after you brush your teeth. However, periodontal issues can progress to the point of bone and tooth loss.
When you brush your teeth, you dilute the inflammatory acid and help rid your mouth of the bacteria that produce it.
For tips on proper brushing techniques or to learn ways to encourage your kids to brush twice daily, consult with our office.
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.
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!