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.

Seeing your child smile makes your day -- and you know what? It makes our day, too. That’s why All Kids Pediatric Dentistry is your trusted Charlotte dentist. Dr. Marcela Mujica, D.M.D, M.S.D. and her whole team want to keep your child smiling now, and for many years to come -- and to do that, we need to protect their young teeth from decay. That’s especially important during the halloween and holiday season. Listen up -- this morning, Dr. Mujica is in with some key tips for preventing cavities this month, and all year long!

Your Child’s Oral Health A Factor in Overall Health, Too

When your child has a healthy mouth, free from infection and decay, he is far more likely to be healthier overall. Poor oral health contributes to a number of problems in young children -- from malnutrition to loss of sleep and a higher risk of future orthodontic issues. To prevent cavities and other oral problems, keep the following tips in mind.

#1: Monitor Her Cleaning Techniques

Once your child reaches age six, she should be ready to start brushing her teeth on her own. That doesn’t mean it’s time for you to step down, though -- Dr. Mujica says it’s just as important for you to be beside her as she brushes, making sure each quadrant of the mouth gets a full clean. Emphasize the importance of brushing for two minutes, twice a day, and flossing once a day.

#2: Set Some House Rules

Your child’s teeth are especially vulnerable during the halloween and holiday season, when candy and special treats are all around. It’s important to establish some rules to prevent frequent snacking at home -- one good one is banning candy in the bedroom. When treats are relegated to a specific area, like the kitchen, little ones are far less likely to indulge all day long or fall asleep with candy in their mouth, a huge cause of tooth decay in kids.

#3: And Some Lifestyle Rules, Too

Help your child understand that eating a healthy, balanced diet is good for their teeth, too. Halloween can be a great time to talk about this, says Dr. Mujica. Let them know you understand it’s exciting to have lots of candy, but that moderation is key. Encourage them to rinse their mouth out after eating or drinking sugary items, too. If they do it often enough it’ll become a clean feeling they’ll crave -- and their teeth will be healthier as a result.

#4: Set the Example They Need

Your child looks up to you for everything, and it’s no different with their oral health. Make sure you’re setting an excellent oral hygiene example by brushing and flossing consistently, and staying on top of your twice annual visits to the dentist. Talk positively about the dentist and oral health, and if your child dreads oral hygiene tasks, you can try making them a family event -- she’ll be far more excited to brush and floss if everyone is doing it at the same time.

Schedule a Post-Halloween, Pre-Holiday Checkup Today

If it’s been six months or more since your child’s last dental checkup and cleaning, schedule an appointment at All Kids Pediatric Dentistry today. Good oral hygiene is especially important this time of year, so make sure your child is starting the holiday season off cavity-free with a visit to the dentist in Charlotte -- we’ll work to help their teeth stay healthy today, and for years to come. Call us to schedule your child’s dental appointment today.

Dr. Marcela Mujica and her Charlotte, NC dental team know how difficult it can be to communicate your child’s dental health concerns when English is your second, third, or fourth language. Luckily, at All Kids Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Mujica is fluent in both English and Spanish. We welcome Spanish speaking patients, and help children get the oral health care they need to establish a solid foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles. Contact the Spanish speaking children's dentist Charlotte, NC residents rely on to find out more or schedule an appointment today.

Patient Convenience from the Spanish Speaking Dentist Charlotte Loves

Dr. Mujica and the team at All Kids Pediatric Dentistry offer children from Charlotte, NC a variety of dental services. We work hard to preserve your child’s natural smile with dental sealants to block out harmful, decay-causing bacteria, and fluoride treatments to strengthen tooth enamel. When your children do encounter dental health concerns, we provide dental restorations to return their smiles to optimal health. Have questions about our services? E-mail Dr. Mujica whenever dental questions arise. She’s always happy to help patients better understand their dental health.

All Kids Pediatric Dentistry is conveniently located in southwest Charlotte.  Easily accessible from Interstate Highways 485 and 77 near the Whitehall Commons shopping plaza where Walmart, Lowes and Publix are. We offer ample parking, and are wheelchair accessible. Our office is open Monday through Friday until 5 pm for after school appointments, and we offer weekend appointments from 9 am to 2 pm on Saturdays.

We know that when it comes to your child’s dental care, you have enough to worry about. That’s why our practice offers flexible payment options, and is a preferred provider for major insurance plans & PPOs including: Aetna, Ameritas, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Delta Dental, NC Medicaid, NC Health Choice, and MetLife. If we are not an in-network provider for your plan, we’re happy to process and file your claims to help you receive the maximum benefit from your coverage.

All Kids All Smiles Always Welcome

Dr. Mujica, is a bilingual pediatric dentist who offers excellent dental care for children. The Spanish children's dentist Charlotte, NC residents trust always welcomes new patients. At All Kids Pediatric Dentistry, our team specializes in helping children develop and maintain healthy smiles. We work with you and your child to determine what treatments are necessary, and develop a personalized dental care plan. Every smile is unique, and growing smiles need extra attention. During childhood, when primary teeth are replaced by permanent dentition, proper care is essential in order to build a solid foundation for your child’s smile. We offer outstanding preventive care, interceptive orthodontic treatments, and work to ensure your child has a beautiful, natural smile.

Call the Spanish Pediatric Dentist Charlotte Loves – Dr. Marcela Mujica

Don’t wait to get the best dental care for your child. Call to schedule your appointmetn today. Llama a el mejor dentista para niños en Charlotte, NC y haz una cita hoy, Dr. Mujica.