At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we know the challenges that come with maintaining your child’s oral health during the busy fall season.
Fall is a season of crisp air, cozy sweaters, and plenty of treats! As the leaves change, it’s also a great time to focus on your child’s oral health. Between Halloween candy and seasonal snacks, it’s easy for sugary temptations to take a toll on their teeth. But don’t worry—with a few proactive steps, you can keep your child’s smile healthy this Fall.
I want to thank everyone at the Dental Anesthesia Center for taking care of me yesterday—Meaghan helped me get the forms filled out correctly and in on time, Daisy for guiding me in and getting me out safely, Dr. Hoffman for taking care of my teeth and dealing with my really terrible gag reflex, and EVERYONE who helps make this happen. I don't know all of your names, but I do know that it takes all of you working together to make my dental care possible and have good results.
I'm always nervous when I first arrive, even though every procedure has had a good outcome. I've never had any pain or excessive bleeding as a result. The one thing I realized yesterday is that all of you are warm, friendly, positive, you have what is called a good vibe, which helps me a great deal.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience. We’re so glad our team could help you feel comfortable and supported throughout your visit. Providing a safe, positive environment is very important to us, and your feedback means a great deal. We truly appreciate your trust in our care!
Dr. Thoms and his entire staff at The Dental Anesthesia Center have been absolutely wonderful!! They're all so kind and knowledgeable. I would give them 10 stars if I could!!!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words! We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. It means a lot to hear this feedback.
Dr Mike Hoffman is the best dentist I’ve ever been to. His whole practice focuses on the patient’s needs. He is the consumate professional with expertise across the dental spectrum and in anesthesia. I highly recommend him and his practice.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your thoughtful review and recommendation! We’re grateful for your kind words and are proud to provide patient-centered care with a focus on comfort and safety.
Yes, my grandson has nonverbal autism and they took very good care of him.. He had to have some extra extractions which I was concerned about, but everything went very well. Very happy and I thank you all for all the work you did.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words. We’re so glad to hear you had a positive experience and that everything went smoothly. We truly appreciate your trust in us.
I took my son to an appointment today with Dr. Hoffman. We had a great experience from the time we arrived until we departed. The receptionist was very friendly and helpful. The dental assistants were very helpful and polite with my son. The doctor is very kind and patient. They explain everything as we went through the process. We were aware of the cost from the beginning to the end and we're allowed to make decisions about how to handle my child's care and not shocked with additional charges after the fact. My child does not resist going to this office. Great experience.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad to hear your experience was positive from start to finish. Our team works hard to create a comfortable, transparent, and supportive environment for every patient and family. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback!
Solidify Routines
Often, when schedules change, so do routines. With Fall arriving, your children are probably back to school. This radical lifestyle shift can lead to failing oral care if you’re not careful. To avoid this trap, make sure your children are carrying out their regular dental routine every morning and night. If they do not, try doing it with them to make it a fun, communal event. Doing so will make your children much more enthusiastic about their oral health.
Handle Halloween
When Fall comes, so does Halloween. While this might be your children’s favorite time of year, it can quickly become a nightmare for their teeth. All of that candy can damage their oral health and quickly lead to cavities. Still, you should not feel obligated to cancel Halloween altogether. Instead, handle it smartly and moderately. One way to do so is by limiting candy consumption per day and not being afraid to throw it out after some time passes.
Pack Lunches
Over the summer, you can control almost every meal your children have. Once the school year comes around, they often have much more freedom to eat unhealthy food that damages their teeth. You can lessen this risk by packing your children’s lunches most days. Doing so will give them healthy, teeth-friendly options rather than the problematic food they might find at school.
Football Season
If you’re a football fan, you may host or attend small viewing parties on Sunday. While these events are fun, they also usually feature poor dietary options. Between soda, chips, and other snacks, navigating these events seems like a minefield for your children. Just as with Halloween, you don’t have to ban them from consuming any foods and drinks they love. Instead, be aware of the risks associated with some snacks and limit their consumption.
Sugary Drinks
An unfortunate truth about sending your child to school is that they often have access to vending machines. Considering how many adults have trouble staying away from soda, you can imagine that children find it even harder. Additionally, many kids start their favorite sport in the Fall. At practices and games, there may be pressure to consume sports drinks. If you can, try to curb this behavior by educating your children about the dangers of sugar.
While Fall has many positive aspects, it can be problematic for your children’s oral health. That being said, with common sense rules and habits, you should get them through the season without any issues. Of course, if some oral health issue arises, you can always call our St. Louis pediatric dentists to schedule an appointment.
