Healthy Teeth

Will Chewing Ice Ruin My Child’s Teeth?

March 14th, 2019

Chewing ice is a common habit that can cause a surprising amount of damage. Here’s how chewing ice can ruin teeth, which may end up in a costly trip to the dentist or orthodontist. 

Fractured Teeth

Teeth may seem tough and sturdy, but they aren’t designed to crunch very hard objects like ice. Chewing ice can easily lead to a cracked or chipped tooth, which requires an emergency dental visit to repair the broken tooth. If your child has a cracked tooth, then try to save the remnants of the tooth in a small bag of milk, and immediately schedule an appointment with our office. If you act in time, a dentist will be able to repair a fractured tooth.

Broken Oral Appliances

Despite their sturdy construction, chewing ice can damage oral appliances. Oral appliances like braces and retainers play a vital role in developing healthy smiles that have proper tooth and bite alignment. Those with braces risk dislodging wires or even damaging brackets, which can result in an expensive trip to the orthodontist. If your child has an oral appliance, it is important that you communicate to them the dangers of chewing ice.

Damaged Dental Fillings

Dental fillings are one of the most common oral appliances used today, and are adhered to teeth by a bonding agent. Many fillings are made of porcelain, which can be cracked by chewing ice. Additionally, the glue adhering fillings can crack, which causes the filling to become dislodged. Losing a filling hurts, and requires an immediate trip to the dentist for a repair. Dental fillings play an important role in keeping teeth healthy, and when they’re cracked the tooth is more vulnerable to cavities and sensitivity.

Cracked Tooth Enamel

Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, yet chewing ice can still damage it. Tooth enamel is the first line of defense against cavities, and helps protect teeth from sugar and acid attacks. If tooth enamel is damaged, it can leave a tooth more vulnerable to acid attacks and tooth decay. Tooth enamel takes enough abuse from food as it is, so tell your kids to avoid chewing ice, it’ll save them from a trip to our office.

Bad Dental Habits Damage Teeth

 

Chewing ice is a common habit, and can become a reflex that children don’t even notice. If you see your child chewing ice, talk to them about it, and communicate how it can negatively impact their smile.

Can Candy be Mouth-Healthy?

November 15th, 2018

People love candy, and what’s not to love? It’s sweet, and you can enjoy it pretty much anywhere. But, if you eat too much candy, your teeth will suffer. So, are there any types of candy that are healthier for teeth? 

Dark Chocolate 

Dark chocolate contains polyphenols, which are natural chemicals that limit the buildup of bad oral bacteria. Polyphenols also help prevent bacteria from turning sugar into acid, thereby limiting acid attacks and keeping enamel healthy. 

If you need to satisfy your sweet tooth, find some all-natural dark chocolate. Be sure that it is at least 70% cocoa to get the most nutrition.  Dark chocolate can also help reduce cholesterol, blood clots and clogged arteries. Milk chocolate contains a combination of milk and sugar additives that can contribute to tooth decay, while dark chocolate does not contain those ingredients. 

Xylitol Mints 

Xylitol naturally stimulates saliva that aids in overall oral health. Increased saliva can help prevent bad breath by eliminating dry mouth, and prevent prolonged exposure to acid and sugar caused by food debris. You can find xylitol-sweetened mints at your local supermarket or convenience store! 

Dark Chocolate Mixed Nuts 

Nuts contain fiber and protein, both of which promote healthy teeth. Chewing nuts promotes saliva production that naturally protects and cleans your teeth by clearing the mouth of debris and acid buildup that can lead to cavities. You can find dark chocolate covered nuts to really supercharge your mouth-healthy sweet treat.

Avoid These Types of Candy 

Hard Candy 

Be vigilant when letting your child eat hard candy, because it can crack teeth. Hard candy also tends to stick around longer than other candy, which exposes teeth to sugar for longer. Extended contact with sugar can lead to more cavities because sugar provides bad bacteria with the energy it needs to destroy enamel.

Sticky Candy 

Like hard candy, sticky candy can get stuck in tooth crevices and stay around long after it’s been swallowed. Sticky candy is difficult to remove from teeth, and gives cavity-causing bacteria more time to eat away enamel. 

Sour Candy 

Sour candy can leave teeth susceptible to cavities more so than any other candy. This is because sour candy contains a high amount of acid. In fact, the elevated acid content is what makes it so sour. The acidity can eat away the enamel of teeth, and leave them vulnerable to cavities. 

Visit Our Office 

A mouth-healthy diet is an important part of maintaining optimal oral health. If you’re concerned about how your child’s diet may be affecting their teeth, then bring them into our office. We’ll perform a routine oral health checkup and provide a dental plan that works for their mouth.

Packing the Perfect Mouth-Healthy Lunch

September 28th, 2018

As a parent, you can help your child achieve a healthy smile in many different ways. One way you can greatly help is by packing a lunch that improves their oral health. 

 

Avoid Sugary Drinks – Even “Healthy” Drinks 

Allowing children to sip on sugary beverages over long periods of time increases their exposure to sugar, and acid attacks that can erode their enamel. Try to limit or remove sports drinks, sodas, and high-sugar juices from their diets to aid in their oral health. Sugary beverages are one of the leading sources of sugar for children, and some can even be disguised as “healthy drinks” like nutritional water or sports drinks.

Pack Water 

Water helps rid teeth of damaging acids and food debris, and help keeps saliva flowing – which naturally keeps teeth clean. Water is the healthiest beverage for teeth, and we suggest packing it instead of any other drink in your child’s lunch. 

Also, don’t fall for nutritional waters. Most of these “enhanced” water products have an excessive amount of sugar, and aren’t great for teeth or overall health. 

Stay Away From Food Marketed as “Healthy” 

Granola cereal, dried fruit and trail mix can seem like healthier options, but they’re often packed with extras that aren’t healthy at all. In fact, dried fruit sticks to teeth and fuels bad bacteria that cause cavities, and granola can be packed with extra sugar and fat. If you’re buying granola or health cereal, stay away from those that have marshmallows, chocolate pieces, and even candy. Look for a higher fiber content, and granola that contains more natural ingredients like nuts and rolled oats.

Add More Whole foods 

When packing your child’s lunch, add in natural, whole vegetables and fruits whenever you can. Instead of packing starchy chips, try to add small pieces of celery with a healthy dip, or baby carrots. Instead of packing an imitation fruit snack as dessert, try packing fresh, fibrous fruit like strawberries, kiwi or apples. By replacing sweets and starches with fibrous fruits and vegetables, you can help your child avoid unnecessary sugar, and help them keep their teeth clean while they’re away from home. Fiber naturally cleans teeth by scrubbing away food particles leftover from a meal.  

Substitute Nuts for Chips 

Crackers, potato chips and other starchy foods can get stuck in the small areas of tooth surfaces.  Without proper brushing, these foods provide sugar to bacteria that feed on it, which ultimately leads to tooth decay. Instead of chips, pack nuts instead, which are full of fiber and healthy protein. 

Dietary Choices Affect Teeth

The food your child eats affects their teeth, and influences their overall oral health. Visit our office for more information about mouth-healthy diets, and how food can impact teeth.  

Parent’s Guide to Dental Visits with Less Stress

August 16th, 2018

Getting your child excited about visiting the dentist can be tough, and many children feel stressed about visiting for the first time. Here’s how parents can help their children be excited for their first dental visit. 

Show Your Child the Office Online 

Before you take your child into a dentist’s office for the first time, take a few minutes to go through photos of the practice with them. This can help them better understand what to expect, and get them excited about their visit.

Schedule a Stress-Free First Visit 

Kids can be very nervous to visit the doctor or dentist for the first time. Pediatric dentists know this, which is why most offer relaxed “meet and greets” for their first office visit. The first visit gives you a chance to gauge how your child responds to the new surroundings, and gives them a chance to enjoy the office without sitting in the dentist’s chair. 

Bring a Comfort Toy 

Soft, comfortable toys or blankets can work wonders for young children that are anxious about their first visit. If your child has a toy that makes them feel more comfortable, then bring it along on your trip to the pediatric dentist’s office. A small piece of home can help your child feel more comfortable while they are at the dentist’s office. 

Encourage Positive Oral Health Routines at Home 

One of the best ways to quell dental-visit stress is by establishing healthy oral care routines at home before their visit. This will help familiarize your child with brushing their teeth, and get them comfortable with the idea of oral healthcare. 

Use Encouraging Language 

Before visiting the dentist, be sure to ease your child’s stress by reminding them how fun and positive a dental visit is. Tell them about how you enjoy getting your teeth cleaned at the dentist, and how much you appreciate your dentist helping your teeth.

Establish a Dental Home by Their First Birthday 

One of the best ways to eradicate dental-visit anxiety is by finding a dental home for your child before their first birthday. Introducing your child to their dentist early can get them more comfortable with oral health, and gives you an early leg up on helping them grow healthy baby teeth. 

Visit Our Office 

We would love to speak with you about your child and their dental needs. We see children of all ages, so call us and schedule an office tour! We want to make visiting the dentist fun, so stop by and see why pediatric dentistry is the way to go for your children! 

The Perfect Menu for a Mouth-Healthy Day

June 28th, 2018

A mouth-healthy diet can be a great tool for improving your oral health. But, altering your diet can take a lot of time and research. So, we’ve decided to help by outlining the perfect day of mouth-healthy food.

Breakfast: Apple Slices, Mixed Nuts, and Milk 

Breakfast is the perfect time to begin a mouth-healthy day of nutrition! This mixture contains a high amount of fiber, which naturally cleans teeth. Both the nuts and milk contain calcium and vitamin D, which promotes healthy teeth and helps teeth and bones absorb calcium. Milk also contains a protein called casein, which strengthens tooth enamel and helps fend off cavities. This light, refreshing breakfast is easy to eat at home, or can be easily eaten on the go.

Lunch: Garden Salad with Cucumber, Bell Pepper and Chickpeas 

 

A garden fresh salad is a fun meal that you can eat at home, or pack for your children to enjoy at school. We suggest making it with a base of fresh spring mix lettucefresh-diced bell pepper, thin sliced cucumber, rinsed chickpeas, feta cheese, and your favorite vinaigrette salad dressing. 

The chickpeas are high in protein, and the cucumbers are high in vitamins B and C, which fight gum inflammation and help repair gums. All of the vegetables are high in fiber, which helps naturally scrubs teeth free of food debris. The feta cheese adds a nice bit of calcium and casein to the dish, and provides a creamy flavor.

Dinner: Baked Salmon with Glazed Carrots and Roasted Brussels Sprouts

For dinner, we have a trio of mouth-healthy items that are sure to please the entire family. This meal contains a nice balance of healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins.

The salmon contains high amounts of vitamin D, which signals your body to absorb calcium into the bloodstream. Carrots are full of fiber and vitamins B and A, which helps promote healthy salivary flow. Saliva naturally cleans teeth by washing away harmful acids that can erode enamel. The brussels sprouts provide more fiber to the meal, and contain a lot of potassium, which improves bone and teeth density.

Bonus! Mouth-Healthy Snacks!

Snacking is inevitable, and there are plenty of mouth-healthy options that are easy to eat. Cheese is a great option that is high in calcium, which promotes strong teeth and bones, and casein, which strengthens tooth enamel. Mixed nuts, baby carrots, celery and kiwi are also fantastic mouth-healthy snacks that are delicious, and easy to eat on the go.

Oral Health Includes a Healthy Diet 

Brushing, flossing, and visiting us, your pediatric dentist, are all great ways to keep teeth healthy – but a healthy diet is also a fantastic way to get healthier teeth. If you’re concerned about how your child’s diet may be affecting their teeth, then visit our office. We’ll give you mouth-healthy dietary tips that you can use at home to help your children earn a healthy, bright smile. 

Sweet Treats are Fine for Teeth

May 10th, 2018

A well-rounded diet is vital for healthy teeth and gums. Unfortunately, dieting means excluding some of your favorite sweets to improve your overall wellbeing. But, never fear: you can still enjoy certain sweet treats that promote a healthy mouth.

Dark Chocolate 

Dark chocolate might not strike you as mouth healthy – but it’s actually a fantastic treat for tooth enamel! Dark chocolate contains polyphenols, which are natural chemicals that limit the buildup of bad oral bacteria. Polyphenols also help prevent bacteria from turning sugar into acid, thereby limiting acid attacks and keeping enamel healthy. When buying dark chocolate, be sure that it is at least 70% cocoa to get the most nutrition.

Strawberries 

Strawberries are an amazing, sweet fruit that can be eaten raw, or added into a number of sweet desserts. They are also high in fiber, which scrubs teeth and keeps tooth enamel strong. Strawberries are packed with vitamin C, which helps your body produce collagen – a protein vital to maintaining your gums’ strength. All in all, strawberries are one of the absolute best sweet treats for teeth and gums. 

Apples 

Apples are high-fiber fruits, which naturally clean teeth as they’re being eaten! Apples scrub your teeth, gums and tongue as they’re being eaten because of their fibrous texture – particularly the skin. This helps fight plaque buildup, and helps remove surface stains from teeth. Apples also fight bad breath by removing traces of bad plaque and residue from the back of the tongue.  

Apples are fantastic treats that can be enjoyed many ways. We suggest dipping apple slices in almond butter for a high-fiber and protein snack.

Frozen Yogurt Popsicles 

Frozen yogurt is packed with healthy bacteria, which helps fight bad bacteria that stick to teeth and lead to cavities. The best news is that frozen yogurt popsicles are a fun way to get a healthy serving of calcium, and they come in a variety of options. When purchasing frozen yogurt popsicles, look for some that are made with low fat, Greek yogurt, which is full of healthy protein.

Drink Water after Treating Yourself 

After enjoying any meal or treat, be sure to drink a glass of water. Water naturally cleans teeth by washing away food debris and damaging acids that can lead to cavities. 

Visit Our Office 

If you’re concerned about how your child’s diet may be affecting their teeth, then bring them into our office. We will evaluate their smiles and offer a variety of treatment options that fit their case. We can also give you tips on eating for better oral health, and point out food that can lead to tooth decay. 

Teeth & Tummies! 5 Foods that are Great for Tooth & Gut Health

April 6th, 2018

A mouth-healthy diet can go a long way in helping your entire family improve their oral health, but can also better your general health as well. Here are 5 foods that your teeth – and stomach – will love. 

1 - Probiotic Yogurt 

Probiotic yogurt is an absolute must-have for those seeking mouth & gut health. Yogurt contains calcium, which builds strong tooth enamel, and casein, a protein that helps prevent bacteria from sticking to teeth and causing plaque buildup. Probiotic yogurt is also packed with healthy enzymes that improve digestion, and probiotics that help remove bad gut bacteria that can lead to inflammation and cramping.

2 - Kale 

Kale, and other vegetables like broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower, are all fantastic for teeth and promoting stomach health. Kale is high in water and fiber, which promotes healthy digestion. Plus, fiber naturally cleans teeth of food debris, thereby helping to prevent plaque buildup. Kale also contains glucosinolates, which helps fight inflammation and aids in regular food digestion. 

3 - Mangos 

Mangos help keep healthy gut bacteria alive, which promotes regular and healthy digestion. They are also packed with vitamin C, which aids the development and maintenance of healthy gums. When shopping, buy whole mangos, rather than mangos stored in preservatives that are packed in sugar.  

4 - Dark Chocolate 

Healthy food can also be delicious, just look at dark chocolate! Dark chocolate has some amazing benefits for teeth. It contains flavonoids, which help eliminate bad oral bacteria that fuels cavities and tooth decay. Dark chocolate helps gut health by feeding healthy gut bacteria responsible for breaking down and digesting food.  

 Almond Butter 

Whole, raw almonds can be tough on teeth, but almond butter can be amazing for teeth and digestive health. Almond butter is packed with calcium, which helps build strong teeth, healthy gums, and strong tooth enamel. Almond butter also contains a good amount of healthy dietary fiber, which promotes regular digestion. By eating almond butter instead of almonds, you can still take advantage of their nutritional benefits without the risk of cracking your teeth. When shopping for almond butter, buy a jar that is minimally processed and contains the most amount of fiber. 

Try a Mouth-Healthy Diet 

When shopping for mouth-healthy food, try to get a lot of whole fruits and vegetables and incorporate plenty of healthy fiber. Try to avoid fruit packed in sugary syrup, as well as starchy carbohydrates that can stick to teeth and fuel unhealthy plaque buildup.

4 Keys to a Healthy Mouth

March 23rd, 2018

A healthy mouth is something that parents can help their child attain right in the comfort of their own home. Here are 4 important keys to a healthy mouth for children – and adults!

1 – Maintain a Proper Oral Health Routine 

Food debris left on your child’s teeth encourages bacteria growth that eats away at enamel and causes cavities. This is why it’s important to have a steady, consistent oral health routine. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends children brush twice per day, for two minutes at a time, and floss once per day to clean debris from the hard-to-reach areas of their teeth. A proper oral health routine is the best way to keep a mouth clean, and prevents a lot of oral health ailments. 

2 – Drink More Water

Water is a fantastic tool in the fight against bad bacteria and tooth decay. Water is not acidic, and does not harm teeth at all. In fact, it improves saliva production, which naturally cleans teeth of debris and restores the mouth back to a healthy ph balance. Try giving your child more water instead of sugary drinks to help keep their teeth strong and healthy. If they must have juice or a sweeter drink, water it down so that they aren’t consuming too much sugar at one time. 

3 – Limit Sugar 

Sugar feeds the bad bacteria on teeth, causing plaque and ultimately cavities, which is why you should limit the number of sugary foods and drinks that your child consumes. Before buying snacks, check the back of the package for the amount of sugar contained in the package. Try to avoid sugary drinks like soda, fruit juice and sports drinks, all of which are notoriously high in sugar.

Additionally, reconsider how many starchy snacks like bread, chips and crisps you give your child. Starch can stick onto teeth, and turn into a food-source for bad bacteria that lead to cavities.

4 – Eat a Mouth-Healthy Diet 

A healthy diet is critical to getting a healthy mouth. Mouth-healthy foods like fruit, vegetables, nuts and calcium-rich items can all strengthen teeth. When buying fruit and vegetables, make sure that you purchase them in their full-forms, and that you don’t buy fruit packaged in sugary syrup. Try adding fibrous vegetables like celery, spinach or carrots to your child’s diet, since fibrous food naturally scrubs teeth clean of food debris, and combats bad bacteria buildup.

Does Your Child have a Healthy Mouth? 

The best way to help your child achieve a healthy smile is by scheduling an appointment with our dental office so that we can evaluate the state of their oral health. Our team of dentists will give you a status report, and offer any treatment necessary to get your child the healthy smile they deserve.

7 Snacks Better for Your Child's Teeth than Cheetos

February 8th, 2018

Chips give parents a quick way to satisfy their children’s snacking habits. Chips and other starchy snacks can stick onto teeth long after snack time, and can lead to tooth decay. 

The Problem with Cheetos and Starchy Snacks

Starchy snacks like crackers, bread and chips tend to stick to teeth after they are consumed. The starch breaks down and turns into sugar, which feeds unhealthy bacteria that attack and erodes enamel. This can make teeth more susceptible to cavities, which cause tooth sensitivity and pain.

Try these Mouth-Healthy Snacks Instead

1 - Celery

Celery is packed with water, which helps stimulates saliva production – which helps keep teeth clean of damaging acids. Celery also scrubs teeth as it is eaten, and that’s because it’s packed with fiber. Celery is a great dipping snack, and can be eaten anywhere on the go.

2 - Cheese

Cheese is high in calcium, which promotes strong teeth. It also contains a protein called casein, which strengthens tooth enamel and helps to prevent cavities. String cheese and other handheld cheese snacks are far better for teeth than chips and starchy snacks.

3 - Carrots

Carrots are full of fiber and vitamin A. Carrots stimulate saliva production, which cleans teeth and helps prevent the buildup of bad bacteria that can lead to cavities. Vitamin A also helps maintain healthy mucous membranes in the mouth, which help prevent oral disease.

4 - Nuts

Nuts contain calcium and vitamin D – both of which promote healthy enamel and teeth. They also have high amounts of healthy fats and protein that help promote muscle and tissue growth.

5 - Apples

Apples are fantastic treats that have earned the nickname “nature’s toothbrush.” That’s because the fibrous content and thick skins on apples are perfect for scrubbing teeth of damaging sugar and food debris.  Apples are great at fighting against plaque build up. 

6 - Yogurt

Non-fat Greek yogurt is a great snack for teeth, and it can be used as a base to add some of your favorite fruit and nuts. Yogurt is full of calcium, casein and protein – all of which build stronger enamel and teeth. 

7 - Kiwi

Kiwis are sweet fruits in the berry family. They’re packed with calcium, which helps build strong teeth. Their high fiber content cleans teeth as they’re eaten. Calcium also helps fight bad acids that damage tooth enamel. 

Does Your Child Have a Mouth-Healthy Diet?

If you’re concerned about your child’s diet, and think that it may be affecting their teeth, then visit our office. We will work with you and discuss mouth-healthy foods that promote beautiful, healthy smiles.  

How to Help Prevent Cavities this Halloween

October 19th, 2017

This Halloween, your child will surely come into an inordinate amount of candy - all of which is packed with sugar and terrible for teeth. While sugar won’t lead to cavities overnight, it can do some serious damage in the long term. Here’s how you can help prevent cavities this Halloween.

Water, Water, Water!


Water can drastically improve your child’s overall health, and does a lot to promote a healthy mouth. But, did you know that saliva is 99% water, and is critical in the fight against cavities? This makes it imperative that your child drinks plenty of water this Halloween so that they can help keep their teeth clean. Water also helps prevent cavities by rinsing food debris away from in between teeth. By drinking enough water, you help prevent dry mouth and ensure that your child’s saliva is produced at an optimal rate. 

Avoid Sour Candy


Sour candy can leave teeth susceptible to cavities more so than any other candy. This is because sour candy contains a high amount of acid. In fact, the elevated acid content is what makes it so sour. The acidity can eat away the enamel of teeth, and leave them vulnerable to cavities. 

Try Xylitol Gum

Most chewing gum can’t claim to help clean teeth, but gum sweetened with xylitol can. That’s because xylitol helps stimulate saliva production, which naturally cleans teeth. The mouth fights cavities by producing saliva to wash away food debris, and restore its proper Ph balance. Xylitol naturally stimulates saliva that aids in overall oral health. Increased saliva can help prevent bad breath by eliminating dry mouth, and prevent prolonged exposure to acid and sugar caused by food debris.  

Try giving your child chewing gum sweetened with xylitol 15 minutes after a meal to improve their saliva production, and naturally clean their teeth. You can find xylitol gum is most health food stores, or online.

Limit Candy Consumption

Finally, the best way to prevent cavities this Halloween is by limiting your child’s candy consumption to only a few servings per day. Don’t let your child binge-eat their candy, as 3 pieces of candy can quickly turn into 10. If your child does have a few pieces of candy per day, be sure that they rinse their mouth out after eating their candy to avoid acid buildup on their teeth.

Visit Our Office

It’s important that your children brush their teeth twice per day for two minutes at a time if you want to keep cavities away. This is especially important when consuming foods that contain high amounts of sugar. So, as your child hauls in bag of candy this Halloween, be sure that they thoroughly brush and floss after eating candy to keep their enamel strong and their mouth healthy.

Tooth brushing Tips for All Ages

August 3rd, 2017

Caring for your child’s mouth is important for their current health and long term tooth development. Keeping a clean mouth helps prevent cavities, infection and gum disease, and it also creates a healthy smile as they get older. However, your child’s oral care routine – and toothbrush – should change over time as well. Below are some tips to help you clean their mouth as they age. 

Babies 1 – 12 months

A baby’s first tooth doesn’t typically erupt until they are 8 months old, but it’s still important to keep their mouth clean. You can clean their gums by taking a damp cloth or gauze and gently rubbing it over their gums to remove any food debris. You may choose to use a very soft, baby toothbrush and lightly brush their gums using a very low amount of pressure to avoid upsetting their sensitive gums. However, a damp cloth works just as well.   

Toddlers 13 – 24 months

After the first tooth emerges – usually around the 8-month mark – begin to use a toddler’s toothbrush to clean their mouth. When shopping for a toothbrush, look for one that has rounded bristles and a small head that can easily fit into their mouth. Find a toothbrush that has very soft bristles, without the hard rubber liners on the outside of the head (called burs). You can begin flossing their teeth once they have two teeth touching. Use flat, wide floss and apply very gentle pressure to clean all sides of the tooth.  

Preschoolers 2 – 4 years

By now, they will be walking, talking and eager for a bit of independence. They should have most of their teeth, and be familiar with brushing and flossing. Now is the time to start letting them have some input into their oral care routine. Take them with you to pick out their next toothbrush. Children love to be included in making decisions, and by giving them a little bit of responsibility, you empower them to make a decision. Make sure that the head of the toothbrush easily fits inside of their mouth, and that it has soft bristles. Since children lack developed dexterity, look for a toothbrush with a large handle to help them grip it more easily and continue assisting them as they brush. At this stage, you should also still be helping them floss and using the flat, wide dental floss. 

School-aged Children 5 – 8 years

Your child is a tooth-brushing master, and the only thing they need to keep making progress is the right toothbrush. Help them pick a toothbrush that has a longer neck, and a larger head than their preschool toothbrush, but still fits comfortably inside their mouth. See if you can help them find a toothbrush with their favorite cartoon character or superhero to keep them engaged and entertained while they brush. If you think they are ready, you can begin to let them floss on their own, but under your supervision. As they approach 8 years of age, they should be ready to brush and floss by themselves.  

Be Consistent

It’s important to buy them a toothbrush that they are comfortable using. Monitor their mouths for any minor bleeding, and ask them about how it felt to use their new toothbrush for the first time. To establish the healthiest oral care routine, be sure that they are brushing twice per day for two minutes at a time. Try to only buy toothbrushes and tooth paste that has the ADA seal of approval, so that they are is getting the best product possible for their oral health. 

Ask Us!

Visit our office if you have any questions about brushing your child’s teeth, or buying them a toothbrush. We will work with you to help them establish a healthy brushing routine, and teach them about the lifelong benefits of a healthy mouth. 

If you are unsure of the exact toothbrush your child should use, then we can help! We will be able to help you choose the best toothbrush for your child, and we can suggest a specific model most of the time. Visit our office today to discuss the tools your children use to attain better oral health.

Can Chewing Gum Fight Cavities?

July 21st, 2017

Chewing gum is a great way to freshen your breath with mint or cinnamon flavoring, but did you know that some chewing gum can actually improve your oral health? Gum sweetened with xylitol can help you freshen your breath and keep your mouth healthy. That’s because xylitol has the sweet benefits of traditional sugar, but it doesn’t have the negative effects on teeth like sugar. Here’s why.  

Food Debris can Lead to Cavities

When you brush your teeth, one of the prime goals is to clear your teeth of debris. That’s because sugar and carbohydrates in the leftover food debris can feed bad bacteria on teeth, and lead to prolonged acid attacks on teeth. These acid attacks erode enamel, and cause tooth decay and cavities. 

By clearing your teeth of food debris, you help prevent prolonged acid attacks and protect your tooth enamel.

Xylitol Gum helps Fight Cavities

Most chewing gum can’t claim to help clean your teeth, but gum sweetened with xylitol can. That’s because xylitol helps stimulate saliva production, which naturally cleans teeth. The mouth fights cavities by producing saliva to wash away food debris, and restore its proper Ph balance. Xylitol naturally stimulates saliva that aids in overall oral health. Increased saliva can help prevent bad breath by eliminating dry mouth, and prevent prolonged exposure to acid and sugar caused by food debris.

Xylitol is a Sweetener, but not It’s like Sugar

Xylitol tastes like sugar, but it’s very different. Sugar comes from the sugar cane plant, and is genetically different from xylitol. Xylitol is found in fruits and vegetables and its genetic makeup is much healthier for teeth than traditional sugar. The proteins and carbohydrates in traditional sugar fuel cavities, while the genetic makeup of xylitol prevents this from occurring.  

Try Xylitol

Xylitol also comes in granules that resemble traditional sugar. You can buy xylitol “sugar” from health food stores and natural grocers, usually in the baking aisle. Try substituting xylitol for sugar in your recipes, and see if the taste is affected. By incorporating more xylitol – and reducing your sugar intake – you can gain vital oral health benefits.  

Try Xylitol Gum after a Meal

 

Try chewing gum sweetened with xylitol 15 minutes after a meal to improve your saliva production, and naturally clean your teeth. You can find xylitol gum is most health food stores, or online. 

 

Can Fruit be Bad for Teeth?

April 27th, 2017

A more nutritious diet can help your child live a fuller, more healthy childhood. There are endless dietary actions that you can take to improve your child’s health, but one of the most common and effective methods is to add more fruits and vegetables to their diet. But, not all fruit was created equal. Sometimes, fruit can wreak havoc on young teeth that leads to cavities and tooth decay. Here’s some instances when fruit isn’t so peachy for your child’s health. 

Dried Fruit

Dried fruit is a food that you should avoid if you’re trying to improve your child’s oral health. Dried fruit contains much higher levels of sugar than their natural counterparts, and none of the water that helps make fruit so healthy. Let’s use prunes as an example. Prunes are just dried plums, except just one cup of prunes contains more than 400 calories and 45 grams of sugar. However, one plum contains just 75 calories and 16 grams of sugar. The bottom line is that you should choose fresh fruit and not dried fruit.

Sugary Fruit Juice

Fruit juice may seem like a good alternative to sodas and other sugary beverages, but fruit juice often contains as much – if not more – sugar than some of the leading sodas. Fruit juice has been extracted from the fruit, and in the process, it loses a lot of its nutritional value. After the fiber has been taken out of juice, what’s left is essentially sugar and water. Limit the amount of sugary fruit juices your child consumes, or, dilute juice with some water to reduce the sugar concentration.

Fruit Packed in Syrup

A lot of canned fruit is packed in a syrup that contains unhealthy amounts of sugar. The added sugar can lead to cavities, and many more health issues if your child eats it too frequently and in large quantities. When you are shopping for canned fruit, look for those that have no added sugar or those packed in 100% fruit juice. But the healthiest way to enjoy fruit is by eating fruit that hasn’t been altered in any way.

Smoothies

Smoothies can be a fantastic way to get the nutritional benefits of fruit, and the added mouth-healthy rewards of nonfat Greek yogurt. However, if made improperly, smoothies can be packed with sugar and calories. When making (or buying) a smoothie, make sure to limit using fruit high in sugar. Try to avoid figs, grapes, mangoes, pomegranates and cherries, since these fruits have very high amounts of sugar.

Citrus Fruits

Citric fruits like oranges, grapefruits, lemons and tangerines have a high amount of acid in them that can lead to tooth enamel erosion. Enamel erosion leaves teeth more susceptible to cavities and tooth decay. If you serve your child citrus fruits, rinse their mouth out with water after they’re done eating to wash the acid away, and help prevent cavities from forming.

Does Your Child Have a Healthy Diet?

Our office helps parents teach their children about earning a healthy smile, and keeping it long after they leave our office. A mouth-healthy diet is an important part of maintaining optimal oral health. If you’re concerned about how your child’s diet may be affecting their teeth, then bring them into our office. We will evaluate their smiles and offer a variety of treatment options that fit their case. We can also give you tips on eating for better oral health, and point out food that can lead to tooth decay.