Meet Your Teeth
October 3, 2016
Did you know that there are four different types of teeth in your mouth? It’s true! Each different type of tooth in your mouth performs a different function and plays its own role in helping you eat, chew, and speak. To better care for your little one’s teeth, it helps to know a bit more about each of their jobs.
Incisors
Incisors are the teeth in the front of the mouth that help support your lips. There are eight straight, flat teeth – four on top and four on bottom – and they all work to help you chew your food and correctly pronounce words.
Canines
On the sides of your incisors are your canine teeth. Everyone has four canine teeth that help to cut through food and also support the lips. These pointed teeth, known as cuspids by dentists, work to guide all of your teeth into place as your upper and lower jaw fits together.
Premolars
Your bicuspids, or premolars, are found behind your canine teeth. These premolars are flat on top and are important for maintaining the height of your face and helping you chew your food. Every adult has four premolars on top and four on bottom.
Molars
Your molars are your twelve widest and flattest teeth located behind your premolars. Four of these molars are your wisdom teeth that are the last to erupt during young adulthood. Keeping these molars clean and cavity free can be difficult since they’re in a hard to reach spot of your mouth, but a slim toothbrush can help you reach them. Similarly to your premolars, molars help keep the height of your face and help when you chew your food. The molars in your bottom jaw have two roots and your top molars have three.
To keep each one of your teeth healthy and cavity free, it’s essential to brush and floss every day, eat healthy, and visit your dentist regularly. By teaching your little ones healthy oral care habits early on, you’ll help them maintain a smile that they can be proud of! To schedule your child’s appointment with Dr. Maggie, give us a call today!
When Should My Child Stop Thumbsucking?
September 21, 2016
It’s a natural reflex for kids to suck their thumbs, fingers, pacifiers, or other objects. As a parent, you may wonder if this is safe or when you should try to get your little ones to stop thumbsucking – here are some answers to commonly asked thumbsucking questions:
Why do kids suck on fingers or pacifiers?
Thumbsucking is a very normal babies and young kids, they begin sucking before they’re even born. It helps them to feel secure and helps them to learn about the world. Some young children use sucking to help them fall asleep at night.
Is thumbsucking bad for the teeth?
Most children stop thumbsucking on their own when they’re between two and four years old, but others continue for a long period of time. When kids continue sucking on thumbs, pacifiers, or other objects for too long their upper front teeth may not come in properly. This can affect their bite and jaw growth in the long term.
Should I worry about my child thumbsucking?
Dr. Maggie will watch how your child’s teeth grow and how their jaw develops during their checkups. If your child is three or older, you should begin encouraging them to stop the habit to avoid issues with tooth alignment down the road.
How can I get my child to stop thumbsucking?
Most children stop thumbsucking on their own, but some will require intervention from their parent or dentist. Once your child is old enough to understand, Dr. Maggie can speak with them about the consequences of a sucking habit and encourage them to stop. Advice from your dentist combined with parental support helps most children kick the habit.
Are pacifiers safer for kids than thumbs?
Whether you child sucks on their thumb, finger, or a pacifier, it all affects the teeth and jaws in the same way. However, some parents find that it’s easier to a break a pacifier habit because you can throw away a pacifier.
If you’re concerned about your child’s thumbsucking habits, talk to Dr. Maggie at your next visit!
Dental Sealant Fact or Fiction
September 5, 2016
Sealants are a great way to prevent decay in cavity-prone areas of your mouth. They’re made up of a plastic resin coating and placed in the tiny grooves and pits in your teeth similarly to white fillings, but without the coloring. How well do you know your dental sealant fact from fiction?
Dental sealants are just for kids. Fiction. Sealants are beneficial to anyone who wants them. The risk of tooth decay begins early, so children and teens are great candidates for preventative sealants.
Cavities are the most common childhood disease. Fact. According to the CDC, cavities are still the most common chronic disease in children ages 6 to 19 years old. Sealants are a great way to prevent cavities before they start.
Sealants are expensive. Fiction. Sealants are an inexpensive way to prevent cavities and can even save you money from costly cavity repair in the long run!
Sealants make your teeth look funny. Fiction. Since sealants are invisible, no one will ever know you have them! They’re painted right onto your tooth enamel and bond into the grooves of the chewing surfaces on your back teeth. The sealants protect your enamel from plaque and acids.
Sealants are painful. Fiction. When your dentist applies a sealant to your tooth, you won’t feel a thing! As long as your sealant is intact, your tooth surface will be protected.
Remember, even though sealants protect the chewing surfaces of your teeth, brushing and flossing every day is still required to prevent cavities on other parts of your child’s teeth. Your child’s sealants typically last about 2 – 5 years, but they’ll need to be replaced or retouched periodically to make sure their tooth is protected. To learn more about dental sealants, or to schedule an appointment for your child, give Dr. Maggie a call today!
Don’t Forget the Mouth Guard!
August 15, 2016
When hitting the field or court, the best way to prevent injuries is to wear the proper protective gear. Each sport has their own set of rules for what’s required, but when it comes to dental safety, many sports skip the mouth guard. Though mouth guards help to protect the lips, cheeks, tongue, and teeth, 67% of parents admit that their children do not wear a mouth guard during organized sports. The mouth and face of a child can be easily injured without the proper safety equipment and those who don’t wear mouth guards are 60 times more likely to damage their teeth.
Not only do mouth guards protect the teeth and soft tissues in the mouth, they can protect kids from head and neck injuries such as jaw fractures and concussions. According to a study by the American Association of Orthodontists, 84% of kids choose not to wear a mouth guard because they’re not required. Though it may not be required by coaches or referees, kids should be wearing a mouth guard whenever he or she is at risk of falling or contact with other players or equipment. While we may think of football or hockey as some of the most dangerous sports for teeth, nearly half of sports-related mouth injuries occur in basketball and baseball.
Any mouth guard works better than no mouth guard, but choosing one that your child can wear comfortably is important. An effective mouth guard helps to hold teeth in place, resists tearing, and allows for normal speech and breathing. There are several options for mouth guards, including a “boil-to-fit” mouth guard, which can be found in most sporting good stores, or custom mouth guards that can be provided by your dentist. As your Palm Harbor pediatric dentist, we want your kids to enjoy their favorite sports while also keeping their pearly whites safe! If you have questions about the best mouth guard for your child, contact us or talk to Dr. Maggie during your next appointment.
Back-To-School Dental Tips
August 1, 2016
The new school year is upon us and with that means stocking up on school supplies, the latest wardrobe, booster shots, and sports equipment. According to the American Dental Association, a dental checkup is just as important as your usual back-to-school prep. Tooth decay affects kids in the US more than any other chronic infectious disease and dental disease causes students to miss over 51 million school hours each year. To best prepare your child to have their greatest school year yet, don’t forget these items on your back-to-school checklist:
- Dental checkups: Your child’s regular dental exams are important for diagnosing and treating dental problems before they become a serious issue. Your dentist may suggest fluoride treatments or sealants to help prevent decay and other dental problems to help save your child lost school time and pain.
- Brushing and flossing: An excellent oral healthcare routine is the key to success. The start of a new school year is a great time to remember to grab a new toothbrush and stock up on floss and mouthwash. Consider buying several toothbrushes at a time to remember to change it out every few months. If you can’t remember, try to change it every time report cards come out.
- Healthy foods: Choose healthy lunches and snacks for your child, including grains, milk, cheese, raw vegetables, yogurt, or fruit. As a family, it could help to cut back on sugary foods and soft drinks.
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Sports mouthguard: Wearing a properly fitted mouthguard is critical to protecting your child’s teeth and gums during their favorite sport season.
As your Palm Harbor pediatric dentist, we want to prepare your child to have a healthy and successful school year! Our mission is to help your child achieve the cavity-free, healthy smile they can wear with pride. To learn more about how to help your child have healthy oral habits to last throughout their life, contact Dr. Maggie today.
The Power of Fluoride
July 25, 2016
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention consider the fluoridation of community water to be one of the ten greatest public health achievements of the 20th century! For the past 70 years, people in the United States have benefited from drinking water with fluoride, leading to greater dental health. By simply drinking water, people are able to benefit from the power of fluoridation to protect their teeth from cavities whether they’re at home, work, or school. Community water fluoridation has been identified as one of the most cost-effective methods of delivering fluoride to all members of the community.
Tooth decay is caused from a buildup of plaque that dissolves the hard enamel on the surfaces of teeth. If this damage is not treated, it leads to cavities and tooth decay that can cause pain, infection, and tooth loss. Fluoride works to combat tooth decay by being incorporated into the structure of developing teeth as it’s ingested and by protecting teeth when it comes into contact with their surfaces. Here are some more facts about the power of fluoride in community waters:
- Tooth decay is one of the most common childhood diseases. It’s five times as common as asthma and seven times as common as hay fever.
- Community water fluoridation refers to the adjustment of fluoride that is naturally present in the water to optimal levels to protect teeth.
- Studies support that water fluoridation reduces dental decay by 20 – 40 percent.
- Without fluoridated water, there would be many more than the estimated 51 million school hours lost per year because of dental-related illnesses.
- For every $1 invested in water fluoridation, cities can save $38 in dental treatment costs.
- The average cost for a community to fluoridate their water is estimated to be from $0.50 a year per person to about $3.00 per year per person.
Dr. Maggie will review the benefits of topical fluoride and systemic fluoride exposure during your child’s appointment. We’ll go over your child’s fluoride exposure and make the appropriate recommendation for further fluoride treatment. If you have questions about fluoride and your child’s oral health, give us a call today!
Sippy Cup Safety Reminders
July 11, 2016
Parents are often surprised when they find that their toddlers have cavities during their dental checkups. They’re always making sure their kids are brushing, flossing, and eating healthy, but many times they forget that giving their kids sugary drinks in their sippy cups creates a hotbed for cavities. Sippy cups were created to help kids transition from drinking from a bottle to a regular cup, but they’ve become more of a long-term device rather than a transitional one because of how convenient they are for both parents and kids.
When kids sip on sugary beverages for an extended period of time, they’re exposed to a high risk of decay. Here are some reminders for healthy sippy cup use:
- Your child’s sippy cup is a training tool to help them transition into using a regular cup. It should not be used for a long period of time.
- With the exception of mealtime, a sippy cup should only ever be filled with water. Frequently giving your child any other drink in a bottle or training cup can lead to cavities.
- Unless it’s filled with water, avoid giving your child their sippy cup at nap time or bedtime.
Many dentists believe that the misuse of sippy cups stems from many parents waiting too long before taking their little ones to the dentist for the first time. Shortly after your child’s first tooth erupts and no later than their first birthday, they should see a dentist. At their first visit, your dentist will make sure you child’s teeth are developing properly and talk to you about proper sippy cup use and more. As your Palm Harbor pediatric dentist, we’re here to help set your child up for a lifetime of healthy teeth! To learn more about caring for your child’s pearly whites, or to schedule an appointment, contact Dr. Maggie Davis today!
Your Dental Care Playbook
June 21, 2016
On game day, most athletes have their own checklist or pregame ritual to get in the zone. Uniform? Check. Water? Check. Warmup? Check. Mouthguard? We hope so! No matter what sport or skill level, athletes should be taking care of their teeth on and off the field. Here are three ways athletes can improve their oral hygiene game to keep their teeth healthy and strong:
- Always wear a mouthguard: Make a mouthguard part of your uniform! Anyone who plays contact sports should wear a mouthguard to protect their teeth, gums, cheeks, lips, and tongue. Wearing a mouthguard can keep you safe from soft tissue damage and jaw injuries that could otherwise cause serious harm. While it doesn’t necessarily matter what kind of mouthguard you choose, make sure it fits comfortably.
- Skip the sugary sports drinks: Rather than reaching for a sugar-filled sports drink on the sidelines, choose water. The bacteria in your mouth takes the sugar from these drinks to produce acid that weakens the outer shell of your teeth and can increase your risk for cavities.
- Practice makes perfect: Just as with your sport, mastering your dental habits takes practice. An unhealthy tooth is more likely to be damaged in a sports injury. Keep your smile as strong as your game by brushing twice a day for two minutes and flossing daily.
As your Palm Harbor pediatric dentist, our team is here to help keep your kids’ teeth in tip-top shape. From orthodontics to fillings and cosmetic dentistry to restorations, our mission is to raise our children with a cavity-free, healthy smile they can wear proudly. We want your child to love the dentist and grow into a confident adult with a lifetime of healthy dental habits. To learn more about how to help improve your child’s dental hygiene game or to schedule an appointment, contact us today.
How to Care for Your Toothbrush
June 7, 2016
Passing along proper oral hygiene habits to your kids is an important task. If kids start brushing and flossing at a young age, they’re more likely to carry on healthy habits throughout their life. Many people don’t think about caring for their toothbrush, but it can be just as essential as keeping up with your dental care. As you begin to teach your little ones how to brush, don’t forget to include the following tips for terrific toothbrush care:
- Keep your toothbrush in the open air: Frequently keeping moist toothbrushes in a closed or covered container increases the risk of microorganism growth.
- Don’t share toothbrushes: When you use someone else’s toothbrush, you expose yourself to their germs and increase your risk of illness. Anyone with a weak immune system or anyone who is sick should avoid using someone else’s toothbrush.
- Keep your toothbrush upright: If you store your toothbrush in the upright position it’s able to properly dry before the next time you use it. When you have multiple brushes in the same holder, make sure to keep them from touching to avoid any cross-contamination.
- Rinse out your toothbrush: After you brush, be sure to properly rinse out your toothbrush to remove any leftover debris and toothpaste so it’s clean for the next time you use it.
- Replace your toothbrush every 3 – 4 months: Kids toothbrushes usually need to be replaced more frequently than adult brushes. When your toothbrush is worn and frayed it’s not able to do its job as effectively.
Teaching your kids at a young age to properly care for their teeth will help ensure that their pearly whites are strong and healthy for years to come. From teaching frequent brushing to flossing, Dr. Maggie Davis is here to help keep your kids cavity-free and smiling. To learn more about how to help your kids care for their teeth or to schedule an appointment, contact us today!
Make Dental Hygiene Fun: Part Two
May 26, 2016
Getting kids to brush their teeth can seem like a terribly difficult feat. Even if you can get them to brush, they might be fighting it the whole way…and who knows if they brushed for two minutes! While these tasks might seem impossible to achieve, there are simple ways to make oral care not only fun, but effective for kids. Check out the continuation of our last blog:
Books and Videos
Check out a children’s book from the library that encourages healthy oral care habits. You can also show your child a fun video about dental hygiene for kids. Stories and videos that are designed for children are great for teaching kids how to take care of their teeth and for making oral health something that they can relate to.
Special Toothpaste
Your child’s toothpaste can even be amusing! Your five year old may not run to the bathroom to use plain, minty toothpaste, but they can look forward to a good time cleaning his teeth with a strawberry or watermelon flavored toothpaste.
Gold Stars
To make brushing twice a day and flossing more enjoyable create your own gold star reward system. You and your child can decorate a poster with teeth, toothbrushes, healthy snacks, and other oral health themes to represent the days of the month. Give your child a sticker to put on the poster every time they brush their teeth.
Dentist Visit Surprise
Regular check ups are another important part of good dental hygiene for kids. Visits to the dentist every six months help keep your child’s smile sparkling and healthy. Surprise your child after the appointment with some fun family time. Head to the park or plan a picnic with healthy foods for healthy teeth.
So, there you have it. Who knew that encouraging great dental care in your children could be this simple? If it seems like they are reluctant, don’t give up! Your child’s teeth are very important, and making sure that they take care of them is something they will definitely thank you for it later.