Pediatric Dentistry

Our team knows that periodontal disease isn't something exclusive to adults. It can affect adolescents as well. Gingivitis, which is a milder form of periodontitis, is a form of periodontal disease, and a warning that more serious problems may arise. Untreated gingivitis can develop into full-blown periodontitis.

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) explains that research proves that younger people may develop more severe forms of gingivitis. Gingivitis is linked to periodontal disease. Children and adolescents who have type 1 diabetes or immune deficiencies are more likely to suffer from periodontal disease.

There are three types of periodontal diseases our team sees in children and adolescents.

Chronic gingivitis

Parents may suspect that their adolescent has chronic gingivitis if he or she shows or complains of symptoms such as redness, swelling, or bleeding gums. Early treatment may prevent gingivitis from developing into a more severe form of periodontal disease.

Aggressive and/or chronic periodontitis

Once called adult periodontitis, the term chronic replaces “adult” because periodontitis can occur in people in their early teenage years, and progress throughout their teens. Chronic and aggressive periodontitis primarily affects incisors and first molars. One of its distinguishing characteristics is bone loss. Curiously, patients who suffer from this form of the disease have minimal dental plaque on examination.

Generalized aggressive and chronic periodontal disease

This form of periodontal disease has many of the same characteristics of the chronic and aggressive form, but this more severe type of the disease affects the entire mouth. Symptoms include major plaque and calculus accumulation, and inflamed gums.

In both forms of more severe periodontal disease, the overall gum structure may change. The severity of these changes may alter gum strength enough to loosen teeth, or even worse, cause them to fall out.

The success of any treatment is largely contingent on early diagnosis. Our team should conduct a thorough periodontal exam as part of an adolescent’s twice-yearly complete dental examinations.

The mouth is full of bacteria. Some of it is necessary for food digestion. Diseases are more likely to develop if bacteria travel to open places in the mouth, such as exposed gum pockets or cavities. Proper dental hygiene is essential for a healthy mouth, and a healthy mouth offers greater protection against painful dental diseases.

Be sure every member of your family has a complete dental exam and cleaning twice a year, and contact us when you or your young kids or adolescents complain of pain, sensitivity, or other oral problems. Early detection at our office leads to treatment of oral problems and prevents them from turning into serious periodontal disease and potentially irreversible problems.

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 as 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.

Aim for Comfort and Consistency

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.

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.

Baby teeth are meant to be lost so that the incoming adult teeth can erupt without issue. Most of the time, baby teeth are lost naturally, or due to an impactful force common in childhood. However, sometimes a baby tooth must be pulled to make room for the incoming adult tooth to avoid crowding and misalignment. If your child has a tooth extracted, they can experience pain and sensitivity in the following days. Follow these tips to keep your child’s mouth clean – and pain free – after they’ve had a tooth pulled.

The Day of the Extraction

Discourage Sipping from a Straw and Swishing

For up to 24 hours after the extraction, the newly exposed socket is incredibly sensitive. To avoid losing the healthy blood clot, make sure your child doesn’t use a straw during this period. The suction created when slurping can cause the clot to dislodge, and lead to more bleeding. Additionally, they should not vigorously swish any liquids as this can also cause the clot to come loose.

Stick to Soft Food

The day of the extraction, only serve your child soft foods that require little or no chewing. The socket and the area surrounding it will be very sensitive, and chewing firm foods can cause them pain and discomfort. Food that can be eaten with a spoon like mashed potatoes, soup, scrambled eggs, yogurt, apple sauce or pancakes are perfect to serve them in the 24 hours following their pulled tooth. Try to make sure their food isn’t too hot or cold, since their gums will be very sensitive to extreme temperatures.

2 – 7 Days after Tooth Extraction

Use Icepacks to Fight Swelling

Your child may have swollen cheeks in the days immediately following their tooth extraction. A good way to ease your child’s pain and fight swelling is by using an ice pack every 2 – 3 hours, or as needed. Have your child wrap an ice pack in a thin towel or cloth, and apply it to the affected area for 15 minutes at a time.

Incorporate a Saltwater Rinse

After 24 hours, it’s ok to begin using a warm saltwater rinse to clean their exposed socket. You can make a saltwater rinse by combining 8 oz of warm water with 1 teaspoon of salt. Have your child gently swish the saltwater in their mouth for 30 seconds before spitting it out. Saltwater rinses clean their mouth and help ease pain in the affected area.

Encourage a “Hands Free” Policy

It’s important that your child does not touch the newly exposed area so that it can remain clean. They should avoid touching or picking at the extraction area so that don’t introduce any germs into the area and prolong the healing process.

Continue Brushing

Your child’s mouth will be very sensitive for a few days after the extraction, but they should continue brushing their teeth twice a day for 2 minutes at a time. They should be more gentle than usual, and avoid brushing the extraction site all together to prevent unnecessary bleeding. They should also continue flossing normally while being careful around the extraction site.

Does Your Child Need a Tooth Pulled?

As pediatric dentists, we understand the importance of proper tooth spacing for incoming adult teeth. If your child has adult teeth arriving directly behind their baby teeth, then visit our office. We will assess their mouth and determine whether or not a tooth extraction would benefit their overall oral health. We aim to make the process as friendly and painless as possible. We’ll guide you through the days and weeks following the extraction and monitor the health of the newly pulled tooth in a series of checkups.

Piercings are a trendy way for teenagers to fit in with their friends and express themselves. Teens can pierce just about any part of their body, but it can be particularly concerning when your child gets an oral piercing. Tongue, lip and cheek piercings can damage teeth, gums and cause infections that can lead to more serious illnesses. The bottom line is that oral piercings may look cool, but they can cause a lot of issues down the road.

Common Ailments Caused by Oral Piercings

Infection, Pain and Swelling

Mouths are full of millions of types of bacteria, and by exposing an open wound like an oral piercing to bacteria can lead to infection and pain. If not treated, an infection can spread and cause major illnesses down the road.

Nerve Damage

If your child gets their tongue pierced, they may get minor nerve damage. Simple nerve damage to the tongue will make their tongue feel numb for a few hours after the piercing. Sometimes, the numbness can last much longer and require an appointment with a doctor or dentist. Nerve damage can even affect their sense of taste.

Excessive Drooling

A tongue piercing can increase saliva production and cause excessive drooling. There’s nothing cooler than a constant stream of spittle on your shirt.

Chipped or Fractured Teeth

Hard metal oral piercings often clack against nearby teeth, and can cause serious damage. It is common for those with oral piercings to play with their piercing by moving it around with their tongue or clicking it against their teeth. This can cause them to chip, scratch or lose their teeth. Oral piercings can also damage dental filling and sealants.

Blood-borne Disease

The National Institutes of Health have identified oral piercings as a possible factor in transmitting hepatitis B, C, D and G.

Make Sure They Keep it Clean

To lower their risk of infection, have your child clean their oral piercing once per day. Make sure that before they clean it, they thoroughly wash their hands to avoid introducing any germs into their mouth. Unclean piercings can collect food debris and begin to smell, and taste awful.

Take it out before Sports

If they play sports make sure that they remove their piercing before hitting the field or court. Dental injuries are one of the most common injury in youth sports, and they can lower their risk of losing teeth by removing the metal clacking around in their mouth before participating.

Is Your Child Experiencing Pain Related to an Oral Piercing?

If your child has prolonged bleeding or pain related to their oral piercing, then make an appointment with our office immediately. They may have an infection, and it must be treated by a pediatric dentist.

People use their teeth in surprising – and sometimes destructive – ways. We’ve all used our teeth as tools at some point in our lives, but did you know that you can crack or fracture your teeth if you use them improperly? In fact, cracked and fractured teeth are the third leading cause of tooth loss. This is why it’s important that you instruct your child not to hold things (other than food) in their teeth. Below, we discuss some ways that you can help you child avoid cracking their teeth.

Teeth Are Not…

Nutcrackers

Surprisingly enough, teeth are not designed to crush the hard outer shell of nuts. Pecans, walnuts, almonds, and hazelnuts all have a protective shell encasing the edible nut. Trying to break open a shell is a great way to crack a tooth.

Our tip: Buy a metal nutcracker, or shelled nuts so that you can avoid shells altogether. And crack any unshelled nuts for your child so that they don’t try to open them with their teeth.

Scissors

Using teeth to try to tear or cut something is another process that can lead to a cracked tooth. When you try to cut something with your teeth, you are often exposing your teeth to harder surfaces than you would encounter when eating. In addition to chewing on something that’s harder than food, you’ll also be applying an unnatural amount of pressure on your teeth that can cause them to crack or break.

Our tip: Instruct your child on how to safely use scissors, and teach them not to tear anything with their teeth.

Hands

Ok, your hands are full and you just need to hold that one final item in your mouth for a few steps before you can release it and get on with your day, that’s not so bad, right? Wrong. Carrying items in your mouth can lead to cracked teeth or worse – serious oral and facial injuries. This is unsafe because if  trip or stumble while your hands and mouth are full, you have no way to brace yourself and you risk suffering a serious facial injury.

Our tip: Tell your kid to practice patience and teach them not to carry things in their mouths.

Bottle Openers

This should be an obvious no-no, yet people continue to use their teeth to pry off metal bottle caps. You should never bite metal, or chew on metallic objects because they are much harder than your teeth and can seriously damage them.

Our tip: Teach your child how to open bottles with a bottle opener. Better yet, open the bottle before serving your child that mineral water or soda.

Remind Your Children that Teeth Aren’t Tools

Sometimes, it’s easy to forget that our teeth are meant for chewing, and not to lend us an extra hand or tool in a given situation. It’s especially easy for children to forget this. Talk to your children about why it is unsafe to use their teeth as tools, and remind them that cracking a tooth can hurt! If your child has fractured or chipped a tooth, then bring them into our office as soon as possible. If you can, retrieve the broken piece of tooth and store it in a cup of milk and bring it along for your visit. Oftentimes, we’ll be able to fix their tooth using the broken piece.

Did you know that dental floss used to be made of silk thread? Or, that toothbrushes used to be made of bone and horse hair? Oral health care has a long and weird history that stretches back to ancient cultures and includes numerous ingredients and tools that have helped carve the path for modern dentistry. Today, we look at the origins of toothpaste and how it has evolved into the product we know today.

5000 – 3000 BC Ancient Egypt

As with many other tools, toothpaste originates in ancient Egypt. The ancient Egyptians (particularly the pharaohs and wealthy) valued cleanliness and oral health and began experimenting with the first iteration of toothpaste. Their version of toothpaste consisted of rock salt, dried iris flowers, pepper and mint crushed into a fine paste with a bit of water. Some mixtures even included the ashes of ox hooves and burnt egg shells! This mixture led to bleeding gums, but it was surprisingly effective at cleaning teeth, even when compared to what was used just 100 years ago.

Greece and Rome

Around the same time as the Egyptians, Greek and Roman leaders were using the Egyptian mixture, but began experimenting with their own toothpaste. They added more abrasives to their mixture to increase the cleaning power, the most popular of which were crushed bones and oyster shells. The Romans added charcoal to help freshen their breath.

Around 500 BC, ancient China and India used a similar mixture, but added more flavoring ingredients like ginseng, herbal mints and salts.

1700’s gets Toasty

The ancient power cultures had pretty much perfected their form of toothpaste, and it remained popular and used by many upper class people for a long time. And then, toast was introduced. Used toast was ground into a fine powder and used to scrub teeth. While there is no clear origin of using toast as toothpaste, it was a very affordable option for a lot of people.

1824 – Let’s add Some Bubbles

In 1824, a dentist named Dr. Peabody decided to add soap to the ground up toast mixture to enhance the cleaning power. A few decades passed, and then toothpaste makers began adding chalk to their mixtures to create the creamy consistency that we’re familiar with today.

1873 – Mass Production

Colgate began producing toothpaste on a wide scale in 1873, and distributed their toothpaste in jars. In 1892, Dr. Washington Sheffield put toothpaste in a collapsible tube, like the ones used today. That same year, Colgate began distributing toothpaste in tubes similar to the ones we see today.

1914 Welcomes Fluoride

In 1914, it was discovered that fluoride significantly decreased dental cavities.  That same year, it was added into toothpastes to achieve better cleaning results. Soap was eventually phased out in favor of fluoride and sodium lauryl sulphate in the 1940’s.

1987 Edible Toothpaste

To help keep astronauts’ (yes, astronauts) teeth clean while in space, NASA invented an edible toothpaste that could be swallowed after brushing. Edible toothpaste was then repurposed for young children to use, because it did not present a risk if it was ingested.

1989 Shines Brighter

In 1989, Rembrandt marketed the first whitening toothpaste that would “whiten and brighten your smile.” Other toothpaste producers quickly followed suit and now whitening toothpaste is one of the most popular types available.

Toothpaste Today

We’ve come a long way from crushed oysters and ginseng mixtures. Now, there are countless types of toothpastes that have a variety of acute end-goals, and still clean your teeth. Navigating the toothpaste market can be a bit difficult, but we’re here to help. Schedule an appointment in our office to discuss the type of toothpaste that will work best for your child, and what would work best for our entire family.

It’s never too early to begin a healthy oral care routine. In fact, you should begin caring for your child’s gums long before their first tooth emerges, which is usually around the six-month mark of their life. Healthy gums are an important predicator of healthy teeth, and maintaining clean gums will help ensure that your child has healthy, cavity-free baby teeth. But how can you keep your infant’s mouth clean? Below are some tips that will you keep your new child’s mouth clean, and set them up for a healthy smile later in life.

Avoid Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Baby bottle tooth decay is one of the most common ailments that young children encounter. It usually occurs when infants drink milk or other sugary beverages in their bottle without cleaning their mouths afterwards. You can avoid baby bottle tooth decay by giving your child water after they’ve had milk, and by limiting or eliminating sugary beverages in their bottles. If your child requires a bedtime bottle, then make sure that it is filled with only water so that you’re not exposing their teeth to sugar for long periods.

Use a Washcloth

You can clean your infant’s gums – or their first teeth – by simply using a cold, clean wash cloth. Simply rinse a clean, soft wash cloth with cool water and wring it out. After your child has finished eating, or drinking a sugary drink, use the damp wash cloth to gently wipe out their mouth. This will remove any sugar or acid that’s left by their food, and help prevent early cavities.

Find the Right toothbrush

Once your child has a few more baby teeth – usually between 8 and 12 months – then you can graduate from a wash cloth to a toothbrush designed for toddlers. There are a lot of toothbrushes designed for babies and toddlers from which to choose. Generally speaking, toothbrushes designed for babies have much softer bristles and a smaller head than those meant for older children.

After finding the right toothbrush, begin brushing your child’s teeth and gums twice per day. Make sure to be extra gentle, since their teeth and gums are still developing and are quite sensitive. Use toothpaste with fluoride that is made for very young children, and not as spicy as adult’s toothpaste. Use only a smear of toothpaste – about the size of a grain of rice – to brush their teeth. When they’ve gotten older and have more teeth, use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Always be sure to rinse their mouth out with cool water after you’re done brushing, and try to keep them from swallowing any toothpaste.

Visit Our Office

If you’ve just had a baby, and are unsure about how to properly care for their mouth, then visit our office. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry advises new parents that their child should establish a dental home by their first birthday. By doing so, you can help your child avoid cavities, and become more comfortable visiting the dentist as they age. Our office is designed to cater to children, and create a relaxing and unintimidating atmosphere which they look forward to visiting.

The school year demands a lot of time commitments from both students and parents. Between altering morning commutes, trucking kids to and from extracurricular activities and unexpected overnights, schedules change and time seems to slip away. Sometimes, a jam-packed schedule can leave us with less time to take care of our teeth at home, which is why we’ve decided to create the tooth travel kit for those kids (and parents) with demanding schedules.

Toothbrush

This one is a no-brainer, but everyone should be brushing their teeth twice per day for two minutes at a time. Buy your child a new toothbrush with the ADA seal of approval on the package. Additionally, buy a small travel case or cover for the toothbrush to keep the head clean and the bristles in good shape.

Tooth Paste

You can’t really brush your teeth without toothpaste, so toothpaste is a must for any oral health care kit! Look for a travel-sized tube that can easily fit in a small storage bag, and check to make sure that the toothpaste contains fluoride to enhance its cleaning power. Again, look for the ADA seal of approval to ensure that it has been thoroughly evaluated, and find a flavor that your child likes.

Floss

Brushing only cleans about 1/3 of the total surface area of teeth which leaves most of the teeth unclean! Your child should floss once per day, and clean between every space in their teeth. Your tooth travel kit should contain a small pack of travel floss for them, or a set of floss picks to encourage them to regularly floss.

Xylitol Gum

Chewing gum that is sweetened with Xylitol is a great way for your child to freshen their breath and help protect their enamel after a meal. Gum sweetened with Xylitol can help protect enamel by stimulating saliva production that can clear teeth of residual acid from a recent meal.

Bottled Water

Water is one of the best tools we have in keeping our mouths clean, especially fluoridated water, which helps make teeth more resistant to acidic foods. When packing your child’s tooth travel kit, pack a bottle of water, and encourage your kids to drink water instead of juice or soda. Also, swishing water helps remove debris caught in teeth that can lead to enamel loss and acid buildup.

Visit Our Office

We love helping busy parents find solutions that keep their families’ oral health in focus. Schedule an appointment in our office so that we can thoroughly evaluate your child’s smile, and provide them with oral health tips and treatment options that work.

As your child begins brushing their own teeth, it can be difficult to choose the right toothbrush for their overall oral health. The market is flooded with products all claiming to clean teeth better than the rest. But, what about an electric toothbrush? Is it really better than a standard toothbrush? The answer may surprise you.

Manual Toothbrushes

Manual toothbrushes are the most popular type of toothbrush for children because they are reliable, and come in a variety of shapes, colors and designs that many kids find appealing. They are also much more inexpensive than electric toothbrushes, which make them a great option for a cost-conscious family. However, manual toothbrushes can be difficult for young children that are just learning to brush their teeth, since they lack the dexterity needed to adequately clean their teeth. If you decide to buy your child a standard toothbrush, invite them along so that they can help you choose it. This makes them more likely to find a toothbrush that they will actually want to use.

Electric Toothbrushes

Electric toothbrushes are handy tools for teeth of all ages, and can make brushing fun for young children. Most electric toothbrushes also feature timers, which can help ensure that children brush for the recommended two minutes per session. Additionally, many electric toothbrushes feature a pressure sensor which helps kids limit how hard they are brushing to prevent upsetting or damaging their gums. Electric toothbrushes are perfect for very young children that don’t have the dexterity to adequately brush their own teeth. However, electric toothbrushes are typically more expensive than manual ones.

Just Brush

Regardless of the toothbrush, the most important thing is that your child brushes their teeth for two minutes, twice per day. When you do purchase a toothbrush for your child, make sure that it has the ADA seal of approval on the package somewhere, which ensures that it has been thoroughly vetted by a team of oral healthcare experts.

Visit our Office

If your child has sensitive teeth, then visit our office. Sensitive teeth could indicate tooth decay or cavities. We will perform an extensive oral exam to assess the state of their overall mouth-health, and provide a treatment plan that works for their specific case. Schedule an appointment with our office today!

Childhood cavities are the most prevalent childhood illness in the united states, and they are almost entirely preventable. One big way you can help your kids avoid cavities is by limiting the amount of foods that are destructive to their teeth. Below are some foods that you should limit – or cut – from their diets to help keep cavities at bay.

Starchy Snacks

We don’t often consider snacks to be unhealthy for teeth, but starchy snacks like crackers, chips and cookies can damage teeth. Starchy foods can get stuck between teeth and stick around long after a meal concludes, and that’s the problem – starchy foods stuck on teeth provide bad bacteria with sugar, which powers the bacteria to multiply and attack enamel. Regular brushing and flossing usually takes care of sticky starches, but have your child swish cool water in their mouth 30 minutes after they snack to get rid of any food debris that can lead to cavities.

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

Fruit is always good, right? Well, not necessarily. 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.

Ask Us about Mouth-Healthy Dietary Choices

It can be challenging to design a healthy diet that your children enjoy, but we’re here to help. Schedule an appointment with our office, and ask us about the best foods for optimal oral health.

Whether you bring your child to the dentist for his or her very first appointment or your child is older and needs special attention, you should consider the value of a pediatric dentist. Although a family dentist has the education to treat patients of all ages, a pediatric dentist receives additional training that is often required for kids. Children are not small adults, so their oral health care needs are different—just like their general health care needs are. Charlotte pediatric dentist Dr. Marcela Mujica is loved by parents and kids alike for her training, experience and gentle disposition.

Special Attention

As a Charlotte pediatric dentist, Dr. Mujica knows exactly how to care for children’s developing smiles. She understands the dental concerns that you may have about your children’s teeth, including tooth decay, pediatric gum disease and teeth alignment. And because she watches your children grow and see how their smiles develop, she is able to notice problems quickly and treat accordingly. Finally, a pediatric dentist is able to assuage the fears that are unique to a child visiting the dentist. She and her team can help your son or daughter feel comfortable so they can have the dental care they need.

A Children’s Space

There are many ways in which our practice is specially designed just for kids. The difference between a pediatric dental office and a general dentist’s office are obvious when you and your children come through the door. Our office is bright, cheery and colorful. We have age appropriate toys and games in the waiting area, so your children feel comfortable and home.

Also, in our office your children will see others their age allowing Charlotte pediatric dentist to work on their teeth. This paints a positive picture that gives each child added confidence and comfort.

Finally, the equipment we use is kid-size. Standard-sized equipment is certainly fine to use on children, however, smaller equipment is designed just for a child’s mouth. In addition, Dr. Mujica or the hygienist often introduces each piece of equipment one at a time, so the sights and sounds do not overwhelm children.

Preventive Dentistry with Your Charlotte Pediatric Dentist

The earlier you begin bringing your children to the dentist, the sooner they can begin a lifetime of good dental and oral health. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry advises parents to schedule that first appointment when the first tooth erupts or when your child is one year old—whichever comes first. As you child matures, we can assist you in explaining the importance of proper brushing and flossing, and we’ll show your children how best to care for their teeth as they grow.

Call Our Office Today

To make an appointment for pediatric dentistry in Charlotte, contact All Kids Pediatric Dentistry today.

Time. For. Bed. The three most disliked words in a child’s vocabulary. Is there anything you can do to make bed time smoother? Yes, say the experts. First and foremost, stick to a routine and that includes nightly brushing and flossing, too. To make bed time easier and to ensure your children go to bed with clean teeth, Whitehall children’s dentist Dr. Marcela Mujica offers the following tips.

Routine, Routine, Repeat

Children thrive on the consistency of a routine. Therefore, establish and nightly bed time routine when they’re young and make sure to include tooth brushing and flossing. Give children what they expect and they’re less likely to resist. Skip a step in the routine and you and your child might suffer the consequences.

Avoid Changing the Time of the Routine

Just as important as the nightly routine itself is that it happens at the same time every night. When bed time is later than usual then your son or daughter may be too tired to endure the hassle of brushing their teeth. And if bedtime is too early then they may not be able to settle down.

This or That?

Whether or not they brush their teeth is not a choice. That’s a must. However, there are decisions your children can make that will let them feel some sense of control. For example, you can let children decide which flavor of toothpaste to use each night. And for a real change of pace, let them choose which bathroom to brush in.

Chart Their Progress

In addition to being told their doing well, children like to see their progress, too. Draw a teeth brushing and flossing chart or download one online. Then, let your kids place stickers on the chart after they’ve brushed and flossed their teeth for the night. Once there are a certain amount of stickers, they can receive a reward such as a small toy, a new toothbrush or a package of Xylitol sweetened chewing gum.

Family Fun

There’s no reason not to brush and floss your teeth right along with your children—even if you are planning to stay up and have a snack. Have a race to see who can brush their teeth the longest. When you stop after two minutes, your child wins the race and you’ve just gotten them to brush for two minutes or a bit longer.

Call Our Office Today

For more tooth brushing and flossing tips from Whitehall children’s dentist Dr. Mujica, contact All Kids Pediatric Dentistry.

Cheers! Charlotte children’s dentist Dr. Marcela Mujica would like to raise her glass and toast your children with a wish for happiness and health. One of the things you can do to help your children enjoy healthy smiles is to make sure they always have healthy beverages to drink when they raise a glass. Read on to find out what drinks are healthy for kids and what drinks are best avoided.

What Drinks to Offer

Water. Good old clear cool water is absolutely the best beverage for young children and teenagers. Water keeps a body hydrated and does not add calories, fat or sugar to a diet. If your child prefers flavored beverages then try adding some natural flavors to the water. Mint leaves, berries, apples or a cinnamon stick can all add a tasty twist to water.

Milk. Dairy products are an important component of almost everyone’s diet and milk is an excellent source. Milk provides calcium, vitamin D and protein. Your child should have around 16 to 24 ounces of milk a day. If they cannot digest milk, then choose an unsweetened milk alternative such as almond, soy or coconut milk. Your pediatrician can help you decide whether whole, reduced or fat free milk is best for your child.

What Drinks to Avoid

Soft drinks. Whether you grew up calling them sodas or pop, these carbonated beverages are filled with sugar and offer almost no benefits. When children have too many soft drinks, the results are always negative. Some of the consequences include weight gain, type 2 diabetes and, of course, poor dental health.

Fruit drinks. Lemonade, fruit punch, powdered mixes, orange juice and apple juice are primarily—you guessed it—sugar water. Just because the package says “100 percent vitamin C in every serving” doesn’t mean you are giving your child something healthy to drink. If your child is eating enough fresh fruits and vegetables daily, then you don’t have to worry about their intake of vitamin C.

Chocolate milk. Tastes good and it does have all the goodness of milk. However, chocolate milk and other flavored milks typically contain around four teaspoons of sugar per serving, which is not good for your child’s teeth or his body.

Vitamin Water. Must be healthy if it has vitamins, right? Wrong. One 20-ounce serving of the popular brand Vitaminwater contains about 120 calories and 31 grams of sugar.

Contact Your Charlotte Children’s Dentist Today

For more information about good nutrition for your child’s oral health, call All Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Charlotte today.

Just as you take your children to a pediatrician for their general health, you should also take the kids to a pediatric dentist for their best oral health care. Pediatric dentists are not only trained in the special dental needs that children have, they also know how to examine and treat children so they’re comfortable and not afraid. Whitehall pediatric dentist Dr. Mujica helps hundreds of children enjoy healthy and happy smiles, and she can do the same for your kids, too!

Becoming a Pediatric Dentist

In addition to the four years of schooling required for dental school, Whitehall pediatric dentist Dr. Mujica completed the Pediatric Dental Residency program at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry and received a Certificate of Residency in Pediatric Dentistry along with a Master of Science degree in Dentistry. A program in pediatric dentistry includes hospital and emergency training, as well as several orthodontic treatment methods. Dr. Mujica often works closely with general dentists or pediatricians who refer young patients to her for specialized dental treatment that only a pediatric dentist can provide.

Who Should See a Pediatric Dentist?

As a pediatric dentist in Whitehall, Dr. Mujica is qualified to treat children from infancy through the teenage years. Also, if a child has special needs or must be treated in hospital because of another medication condition, Dr. Mujica is trained to offer that treatment, too.

Services Provided by a Pediatric Dentist

Just like their colleagues general dentists, pediatric dentists are primarily focused on preventing and maintaining dental and oral health. With this in mind, Dr. Mujica offers the following pediatric dentistry in Whitehall:

• Oral health exams during infancy, including risk assessment for tooth decay
• Preventive dentistry, such as dental cleanings, dental exams, fluoride treatment and digital radiography
• Nutrition and diet recommendations for a healthy smile
• Counseling to parents whose children use a pacifier or thumb suck
• Restorative care of cavities with tooth-colored fillings and repair of teeth with dental crowns
• Diagnosis of oral conditions that associated with certain illnesses such as diabetes, asthma, allergies, congenital heart defects and ADD or ADHD
• Treatment of pediatric gum disease
• Oral surgery for infants who are tongue-tied
• Care in case of dental emergencies such as a knocked out or broken tooth

Call Your Whitehall Pediatric Dentist Today

To take advantage of the expertise offered by a pediatric dentist, schedule an appointment with Dr. Mujica at All Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Whitehall.

Estimates are that between nine to 15 percent of adults in the U.S. avoid seeing the dentist because of anxiety or fear. That equals about 30 to 40 million people. So if that many adults are frightened to see the dentist, then it’s easy to understand why small children might be fearful, too. There they are, lying in a big chair, while a stranger wearing a mask pokes around in their mouth. No wonder they’re a bit frightened. Fortunately for parents and children, Whitehall pediatric dentist Dr. Mujica knows just how to soothe your children’s worries so they’ll be able to have the dental care they need.

Get an Early Start

The younger your children are when they begin seeing the dentist, the better. Dentists like to talk about a “dental home,” where all of your child’s dental needs are taken care of. Whether they are coming to their dental home for a checkup or an emergency visit, they’ll feel better being in familiar surroundings. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends scheduling an initial visit by the time your child is one year old.

Play Pretend

While at home, you can pretend to be the dentist. All you need is a toothbrush. As you brush, you can count their teeth, too, which is what we’ll do in the office. Let him hold a mirror to see his smile when you’ve finished brushing.

Allowing your child to be the dentist is another fun activity. Let her hold a toothbrush and brush the teeth of a favorite doll or stuffed animal. The more familiar your child is with the routine in a dentist’s office the more comfortable she’ll be when she gets here.

Say Little

When talking to your children about visiting the dentist, watch what you say. Never use words such as “shot,” “hurt,” or “pain.” Dr. Mujica and her team know what to say to keep your child calm even in a tough situation. Always stay positive about seeing the dentist; tell you child that the dentist helps everyone keep their teeth clean and healthy.

Praise but Don’t Reward

We don’t like the idea of telling children that if they behave at the dentist they’ll receive a reward. Doing so may increase their anxiety. They may start to wonder what’s going to happen at the dentist to make me want to misbehave? Instead, praise her for wanting to take care of her teeth and occasionally offer a surprise such as a sticker or small toy.

Call Our Office Today

If it’s time for your child to see the Whitehall pediatric dentist, then contact All Kids Pediatric Dentistry.

As a parent, one of your many responsibilities includes doing what you can to keep you children healthy. You make sure they get the sleep they need, eat right and have time to play and exercise. Did you also know that there are things you can do to help them have healthy smiles, too? In particular, you need to protect your child’s tooth enamel. Although tooth enamel is the strongest material in the human body, it is attacked daily by the acids produced by oral bacteria. Whitehall kids’ dentist Dr. Mujica would like to offer you a few tips on how you can strengthen your child’s tooth enamel so they are less likely to develop cavities.

Limit Sweet Foods and Drinks

What do the bacteria in your child’s mouth (and yours, too) like to feed on most? Sugar. This sweet and tasty substance feeds oral bacteria, which increases plaque and may eventually lead to cavities. That’s why Whitehall pediatric dentist Dr. Mujica recommends limiting the number of sugary foods and beverages your children have.

Add Calcium

Calcium is a mineral that builds strong bones and teeth—you probably know about that. But did you also know that calcium neutralizes those acids that oral bacteria produce? Therefore, calcium strengthens and protects enamels. Try to include at least one dairy food in each of your child’s meals, such as cheese, yogurt or milk. If your child can’t have dairy products then offer almond milk, soybeans and soy yogurt, kale and any canned fish.

Brush and Floss Day and Night

At what age should you start brushing your children’s teeth? Answer: whatever age they are when that first little tooth appears. The sugar in breast milk and formula is capable of feeding bacteria just as much as any other food or beverage. As your child matures and more teeth erupt, brushing for two minutes twice a day and flossing once a day are good habits to establish. Until your son or daughter is about seven years old, you should brush and floss their teeth for them to make sure all of the hard-to-reach spots are cleaned. And be sure to use fluoride toothpaste that the ADA seal of approval.

Can’t Brush, Then Rinse

When brushing isn’t possible, teach your child to simply rinse his or her mouth with water for about 30 seconds and then spit. This is a good alternative for removing particles of food after a meal.

Visit Your Whitehall Kids’ Dentist

Last but certainly not least, be sure to schedule dental checkups every six months for your children. Whitehall pediatric dentist Dr. Mujica wants to help you take care of your children’s smiles.

When your child comes to you bleeding, your natural instinct is to stop the bleeding as quickly as possible. Your Whitehall children’s dentist Dr. Mujica feels the same if your child’s gums are bleeding. However, in this case it is particularly important to determine the cause of bleeding. Read on to learn more about some of the common causes of bleeding gums in children.

Bleeding Gums: Is Your Child Using a New Toothbrush?

Sometimes, a new toothbrush can cause a child’s gums to bleed, especially if the bristles are hard. Check the package to see what type of bristles the brush has. Both children and adults should only use a toothbrush with soft bristles. Those hard bristles may feel like they’re doing a better job of cleaning, but in fact you’re only increasing the risk of bleeding gums as well as scratched tooth enamel.

Also, make sure your child isn’t using too much pressure when he or she brushes. Just a light touch when brushing will do.

Bleeding Gums: New Medication?

If you child has recently started taking a new medication, check the side effects. There are some medicines that can cause gum inflammation and increased sensitivity. Both can make your child’s gums more likely to bleed. In this case, your child will need to stick to their medication schedule, but they’ll also need to be extra gentle when they brush so they don’t irritate gum tissue.

Bleeding Gums: Has Your Child Begun to Floss?

When children first begin to floss their teeth regularly, some minor bleeding can be expected. Gum tissue can be quite sensitive, especially along the line where your child’s gums meet their teeth. Instruct your child to floss gently and slowly so they are less likely to irritate that gum tissue. In any case, bleeding due to flossing usually goes away after a week or so. If not, then schedule an appointment with the children’s dentist in Whitehall to make sure there isn’t a more serious problem.

Bleeding Gums: Is it Gum Disease?

Although gum disease is much more prevalent among older adults, it is not unheard of among children. If you notice that your child’s gums are red and swollen and they have a tendency to bleed, then the culprit may be gum disease. More often than not, gum disease begins in children because of poor oral hygiene that leads to plaque buildup. Encourage your children to brush for two minutes at least twice a day and to floss once a day. Also, schedule regular dental cleanings and exams for your children with Whitehall children’s dentist Dr. Mujica at All Kids Pediatric Dentistry.

Call Our Office Today

If your child’s gums are bleeding, schedule a visit with Dr. Mujica and he staff today.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that parents bring their children to see the dentist by the time they are one year old. Why so young? First of all, at this early age Charlotte children’s dentist Dr. Mujica is able to check on their dental development and possibly avert any potential problems. Beyond that, bringing young children to the dentist regularly helps them establish good oral habits for life and increases the likelihood that will have healthy and fewer dental problems.

Education with Your Children’s Dentist in Charlotte

From the time your child is born until he or she is around seven years old, you need to be the primary smile caretaker. Brushing and flossing are too important to leave to little hands that can’t reach every spot or to little bodies that quickly grow impatient!

Once they’re older, we’ll be glad to help you teach your children how best to brush and floss their teeth. When they are seated in the dentist’s exam chair, Charlotte children’s dentist Dr. Mujica and her team will take the time to show them how they should brush. The more instruction your children receive at a young age, the more likely they will be to brush well for long into the future.

Healthy Diet for Happy Smiles

We know that parents do their best to give their children the nutritious foods they need to grow. However, we also know that sometimes you can use backup help. That’s why we’re here. Dr. Mujica can talk to your kids about the importance of following a healthy diet not only for the health of their bodies, but for the health of their smiles, too.

By a certain age, children are able to understand that foods high in sugar and carbohydrates promote tooth decay, which means they’ll likely need to have a cavity filled. And no one wants that! Dr. Mujica will be able to offer your children tips on how they should eat to have healthier teeth.

Regular Dental Checkups with Charlotte Children’s Dentist

Finally, scheduling regular dental checkups every six months for your children establishes an important life pattern. If they begin seeing the dentist routinely from a young age, then they are much more likely to continue this pattern as they mature. With dental cleanings and exams, dental checkups are your children’s and everyone’s key to preventing dental problems and enjoying a lifetime of healthy and beautiful smiles.

Contact Our Office Today

If you would like to schedule an appointment for your children to see Charlotte children’s dentist Dr. Mujica, call us today. We want to put your kids on the path to a lifetime of smiles!

Ah, summer. Time for more play and more athletics. Generally speaking, physical activity is great for kids. What’s not great is a dental injury. At AKA Smiles, Dr. Mujica and her staff want kids to run, jump, swim, bike, pass, dunk and have fun. We also want to help them avoid tooth loss and other types of sports related dental injuries. Therefore, we recommend custom-fitted mouthguards in Charlotte, NC.

The Facts about Sports and Dental Safety

The journal Dentistry Today reported that an athlete is 60 times more likely to incur a tooth injury when he or she is not wearing a sports mouthguard. In fact, more than 200,000 high school and college injuries are averted thanks to mouthguards—and that’s only in the sport of football!

In addition to the injury itself, there is also the cost of dental services to consider as well. You could spend up to $5,000 covering the treatment necessary to replant a knocked out tooth. And if the tooth cannot be replanted, then replacing a tooth and the cost of treatment during the course of a lifetime usually falls between $15,000 to $20,000 per tooth. Rest assured, all of those dollar amounts are significantly higher than the cost of a sports mouthguard in Charlotte, NC.

Custom Mouthguards in Charlotte

At AKA Smiles, we will take oral impressions in order to prescribe a custom-fitted BPA-free acrylic mouthguard that your son or daughter can wear comfortably. With a mouthguard, your child is less likely to suffer the harmful dental consequences of a blow to the face or an injurious fall. Specifically, a sports mouthguard in Charlotte decreases your child’s risk of having an avulsed or knocked out tooth; a broken, chipped or cracked tooth; and a laceration to their lips, cheeks or tongue. Laceration injuries can be particularly harmful if your child is currently wearing braces.

In addition to preventing these oral injuries, mouthguards have now been shown to reduce the risk of concussion as well as the severity should one occur. Just as a mouthguard absorbs the impact of a blow, so too a mouthguard prevents the repercussions of the impact from injuring your child’s developing brain.

Call Our Office Today

Protect your child’s smile with a custom-fitted sports mouthguard in Charlotte. Contact All Kids Pediatric Dentistry to schedule an appointment. And enjoy the summer knowing your child’s smile is safe!

As a parent your child’s health is a top priority. You work hard to ensure they get enough sleep and eat the right foods. Keeping your child’s teeth healthy and cavity free should also be on your list. Even though baby teeth will eventually fall out, keeping these little teeth clean is important because they have a big job to do. Your child’s baby teeth are responsible for helping your child learn speech patterns and how to navigate solid foods. Baby teeth also act as space savers and guides for the adult teeth that will be arriving down the road. Your pediatric dentist in Charlotte offers some tips for keeping your child’s teeth cavity free.

Help Your Child Brush and Floss Regularly

As soon as your child’s first tooth arrive you should begin to brush teeth twice daily with soft toothpaste that is safe to swallow. Not only does this keep your child’s teeth clean and healthy, it instills good oral hygiene habits early on. The use of toothpaste with fluoride prevents cavities and is well known and documented to help build and strengthen your child’s teeth. Children under age three (3) should use a small smear of fluoridated toothpaste – no more than the size of a grain of rice. Children between the ages of three to six (3-6) should use a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste. Your child will need assistance brushing until around the age of six or seven years old.

Regular Dental Visits

Visiting the dentist regularly helps to maintain optimum oral health because your dentist can detect conditions like tooth decay in its earliest stages. Bringing your child with you to your own dental appointments helps them see that the dental office is fun and not scary, and prepares them for their own future dental visits.

Parents should establish a dental home – preferably a pediatric dentist – for the infant by 12 months of age.

Eat Healthy Foods

We all understand that sugar is the number one enemy of your teeth, but did you know that eating healthy foods actually promotes oral health? Eating fresh fruits and vegetables helps increase saliva flow, which washes away the food debris that causes plaque and tooth decay. Reducing the number of snacks they have in between meals and limiting your child’s intake of sugary and starchy foods also helps prevent tooth decay and cavities.

We’re here to be your partners in helping your child achieve and maintain great oral health. Dr. Marcela Mujica has worked with children for many years and she specializes in making your child feel comfortable and at ease. Our office is made just for children with games and toys that will help them look forward to their dental appointments. We can’t wait to meet your child! Contact us today to schedule their appointment.

You want your child to have excellent oral health. Simple, effective toothbrushing habits, started early, keep enamel strong and gums pink and vibrant. Learn how your Charlotte pediatric dentist, Dr. Marcela Mujica, encourages parents to teach kids the right way.

What’s the big deal about brushing?

They’re only baby teeth, right? Why fuss about brushing properly? The fact is that baby teeth support your child’s speech, nutrition, appearance and alignment of incoming adult teeth.

So, if a child takes good care his teeth at home, brushing and flossing to eliminate plaque, check-ups at All Kids Pediatric Dentistry are a breeze. Teeth last, and cavities are few and far between.

What’s the right way to brush?

According to your children’s dentist in Charlotte, brushing correctly starts with parental supervision. Without it, kids simply don’t spend enough time at the bathroom sink, and the American Dental Association maintains that 2 minutes with that toothbrush is the bare minimum. So, make a game of if, if you can, and use your phone to time little ones’ hygiene efforts.

Of course, the youngest of brushers need mom or dad to brush teeth for them. Use an ADA-approved toothpaste--about a pea-sized amount--and a junior-sized, soft-bristled brush. Older kids--ages 6 and up--can brush solo because they have the manual dexterity and know-how to do so. However, parents need to ensure kids are thorough.

Whatever the age, children should use short, gentle, back and forth strokes on each tooth right at the gum line, gradually working their way around the top and bottom teeth. They should pay particular attention to deeply grooved back molars and the back surfaces of all teeth. If they have been careful enough, brushing should take children and adults at least 2 minutes. Flossing and rinsing adds another minute or more if patients wear traditional metal or ceramic braces or have fixed bridgework or other restorations.

Additional dental guidelines for kids

Dr, Mujica likes to see her little patients for a quick “look see” by the first birthday or whenever that first tooth erupts. Routine 6-month check-ups and cleanings start at age 2. Her vigilant exams find problems early and watch for proper tooth and jaw development and also correct alignment. She checks for gum disease and tooth decay--one of the most frequently occurring diseases in young children, according to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia.

Are your children brushing correctly?

Find out for sure by checking in with the friendly team at All Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Charlotte. Learn other tips for great oral hygiene for you and your family when you come for routine exams and cleanings with Dr. Mujica. Contact the office today for a convenient appointment time.

Did you know children should begin visiting the dentist regularly around the time of their first birthday? Maybe it feels a little early, but decay can begin with that very first tiny tooth. Make sure you’re doing the most for your child’s smile — here are the top six reasons to visit Dr. M., pediatric dentist in Charlotte, NC.

#5: We Check for Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

When you take your baby to the pediatric dentist early, it gives us the chance to check for decay caused by the bottle — and to give you tips for avoiding it, too. Baby bottle tooth decay occurs when the sugars in their favorite beverages (yes, even milk) are allowed to collect on their little teeth, forming the acids that damage tooth enamel. To avoid the condition, make sure you clean your baby’s mouth out after each feeding, and never put them to sleep sucking a bottle (unless it’s filled with water).

#4: Let Them Know The Dentist Isn’t Scary

Scheduling your baby’s first visit with the pediatric dentist on time, and then keeping up with regular appointments, sends them a big signal: there’s nothing to fear in the dentist. Too many children grow up afraid of the dentist simply because they rarely go, and when they do they have cavities as a result. Help your child’s teeth last for a lifetime: schedule regular visits to the dentist, starting around their first birthday.

#3: We Make Sure You’re Doing It Right, Too

A lot of parents fear they’re not really cleaning their child’s teeth and gums well enough. Guess what? Your pediatric dentist and her team are the experts at recognizing where you’re doing well, and where you could use a little help.

#2: Baby Teeth Are Crucial for Good Oral Health

Yes, baby teeth will eventually fall out — but that doesn’t make them any less important than permanent teeth. Make sure you’re keeping these first teeth healthy by brushing and flossing regularly, as well as visiting the pediatric dentist every six months. When primary teeth are lost too early, serious side effects can occur as a result — including speech problems, poor dietary choices and orthodontic issues with the permanent teeth.

#1: Establishing a Relationship Is Key

When you visit the pediatric dentist, you’re establishing a relationship with a dental professional that will stay with your child for years — and that’s one key to maintaining teeth that last a lifetime. Trusting one dentist with your child’s teeth increases the chance that small problems, like cavities or tiny changes with their gums, will be noticed before they turn into larger issues.

If you and your child still don’t have a pediatric dentist you trust, please contact the office of All Kids Pediatric Dentistry today. We’re committed to caring for the small smiles in our North Carolina community. Call us today!