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You are here: Home / Archives for Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric Dentistry

How to Brush Your Teeth With Braces

November 11, 2019 by DAC Leave a Comment

Taking care of braces properly might be a hassle at times, but making it a fun habit and being persistent will pay off in the long run.

girl with braces brushes her teeth

Braces are now more popular than ever. One reason is that people are becoming aware of the importance of correctly aligned teeth. Moreover, dentistry has become patient-oriented and advanced enough to make this treatment comfortable. Childhood is a good time to wear braces, as long as the patient has enough permanent teeth, and it gives them confidence and a good outlook on dental health.

However, having braces is quite a lengthy process, and it requires extra care when it comes to what your child eats and how they clean their teeth. Even if patients are at least 8-10 years old when they get braces and they already brush their teeth by themselves, it’s important to get involved as a parent when it comes to ensuring good brushing habits.

Get the Right Tools for It

Braces need special tools to be cleaned, so make sure you get them and replace them when necessary. You might already know that it’s important to choose the right toothbrush for your child’s needs, so get a new one as soon as they are wearing their braces.

Their toothbrush should have soft, thinner bristles that can get in the tight spaces in between the teeth and behind the braces. Use them with a good fluoridated toothpaste that is designed for children and will protect your child’s enamel.

Proxy brushes are also needed when wearing braces, as they are created to properly clean the teeth thoroughly, behind the wires and in between them while being gentle on the hardware of the braces. Proxy brushes come in different sizes, so make sure you get the one your St. Louis pediatric dentist recommends.

If you want to make sure food deposits are properly cleaned, you can get water or air flosser for your child. These use a jet of water or air which will clean everything effectively.

Monitor Their Cleaning Technique and Assist Them When Needed

Getting the right tools will not help if your child doesn’t use the proper techniques when cleaning their teeth and braces. When you are at the dentist with them, make sure to follow when they give cleaning instructions and ask them to demonstrate them. This will give you the chance to address any questions you may have.

Make Sure They Follow the Dentist’ Recommendations

As mentioned, your child’s diet should also be adapted to them wearing braces. First of all, the extra surfaces and tight spaces in their mouth are easily retaining food particles, which can lead to cavities if not cleaned properly.

You should also pay attention to what your child eats, and it’s best to eliminate foods that can damage the teeth or braces or that get stuck to them. These are sticky and hard foods like caramels, chips, starchy snacks, etc.

Take Them to Get Checked as Often as Needed

Going for dentist check-ups is mandatory when wearing braces, as they need to be fitted and evaluated periodically. Make sure your child gets to every appointment and keep your information updated.

Taking care of braces properly might be a hassle at times, but making it a fun habit and being persistent really helps your child embrace the treatment and realize the importance it has for their future dental health.

Filed Under: Blog, Pediatric Dentistry

How Acidic Food Affects Your Kids’ Teeth

November 4, 2019 by DAC Leave a Comment

Protecting your child’s teeth from cavities is all about creating a daily habit of brushing their teeth and giving them a proper diet.

acidic food affects teeth

When it comes to food, it is very important to keep in mind what food is bad for your kid’s teeth and avoid it as much as you can, making sure that you keep their diet diverse.

How Acidic Food Affects Teeth

Acidic foods are the main culprit when it comes to cavities and weakened enamel. They are present in our daily diet, but they are often eaten excessively by our kids, even when we are very careful to provide healthy foods.

Acidic foods contribute to the formation of cavities by weakening the enamel, which is the hard protective layer of our teeth. Children’s baby teeth have thinner enamel, and it will be more prone to cavities than permanent teeth enamel. If the teeth are constantly attacked by foods with a low Ph level, they will eventually show signs of demineralization. After this, they can easily get cavities and often decay starts near the gums, where plaque accumulates.

Acidic Foods

With some foods like citrus or pickles, it’s clear that they are acidic, but if you are unsure which others are on the list of acidic foods, we have compiled the most common ones you can find in your kitchen:

Soft drinks and juice: even when they are low on added sugar, sweet drinks, and especially carbonated ones will attack your little one’s teeth. Keep these drinks to a minimum and avoid giving them before bed

Citrus fruit – lemon, orange, clementine, grapefruit; these fruits are highly acidic and should be combined with alkaline foods when given to children

Tomato: the slightly sour taste of tomatoes show that they are acidic; if your kid loves tomatoes, serve them with non-acidic foods and brush the teeth after eating

Sour candy, raisins: these are put together because of the combination of damaging effects – first, they are acidic, and second, they are sticky and most harmful to the teeth because they linger on them for a long time

Avoiding Decay Associated with Acidic Foods

To avoid damage from acidic foods, you don’t necessarily have to ban them completely from your child’s diet, but it’s important to follow a few rules when it comes to giving them.

After eating acidic food, your child should brush his teeth. However, even if you are tempted to get them in the bathroom immediately after their meal, it’s very important to wait a while before brushing. Acidic foods soften the enamel and brushing too soon can actually damage the teeth more. Wait for an hour or so and let the saliva do its cleaning before thoroughly cleaning the teeth with a brush and paste.

Consume acidic foods with water and teach your child to not keep them in their mouths for too long. If you do give them juices or soda, make them use a straw for it, as it keeps the juice away from the teeth.

Prevention is key when it comes to dental health, and avoiding as many acidic foods as you can is more effective in the long run than other methods.

Filed Under: Blog, Pediatric Dentistry Tagged With: pediatric dentist

Is It Really That Important To Have Your Child’s Teeth Professionally Cleaned?

October 9, 2019 by DAC Leave a Comment

Regularly having your child’s teeth cleaned will lay the building blocks of a lifelong oral health routine.

st. louis girl getting her teeth cleaned at the dentist

When it comes to our children, we want to do what’s best for them and keep them as healthy as possible. But often parents are accused of being overprotective or worrying excessively. You may be wondering if it is really that important to have your child’s teeth professionally cleaned by a dentist.

The short answer is yes. Professional cleaning is important for your child’s oral health, in more ways than you think.

It Gets Them Used to Being at the Dentist

Your kid’s earliest memories will form his attitudes and behavior later in life, and often people develop a fear of the dentist during early childhood. Going to the dentist for such a simple procedure is a great way of getting them introduced to the environment, being in the dentist’s chair and having the doctor work on their teeth.

Be patient when it comes to the first visits and try to make it a pleasant, fun experience for them. It will serve as a base for a lifetime of good dental habits.

It Emphasizes the Importance of Good Oral Hygiene

When your dentist does acleaning, they will also use that opportunity to explain the importance of regular check-ups. Your child will be educated about the type of treatment they are getting and how they can expect to evolve in the future. If you choose a doctor with experience in working with children or just an empathetic person with a bit of skill in talking to the little ones, it will have a great impact on your child’s future.

It Gets the Teeth Actually Cleaned Properly

You might think that your child’s teeth cleaning regime at home is flawless and makes the professional cleaning redundant, but the dentist will actually get those hard to reach spots that even regular flossing can’t get to. The tools used by the dentist are more effective at removing bacterial plaque and debris in between the teeth, preventing cavities and gum disease.

Regular Deep Cleaning Is a Must for Anyone

Deep cleaning, or professional cleaning, isn’t only for people with dental issues. Even when your pearly whites are in top condition you should schedule a cleaning at the dentist. Follow your child’s example and have it done too. This kind of solidarity will reinforce the message you want to send your child and it will give you a lovely smile.

If you haven’t scheduled your child for professional teeth cleaning yet, do it as soon as you can. It’s a simple, yet important procedure that will lay the building blocks of a lifelong oral health routine. Schedule a consultation with your St. Louis pediatric dentist now and help your child build healthy habits.

Filed Under: Blog, Pediatric Dentistry Tagged With: pediatric dentist

What You Need to Keep Your Kids’ Teeth Healthy

October 2, 2019 by DAC Leave a Comment

By starting early, you can create lifelong healthy oral care habits that will impact your child’s long-term well-being.

toothbrush toothpaste and floss

Keeping their baby’s smile bright and healthy is a priority for any caring parent. Baby teeth are just as important as permanent teeth for a child’s overall health. Most importantly, by starting early, you will create lifelong healthy oral care habits that will impact your child’s long-term well-being.

The biggest challenge of all is to convince your child to brush and floss two times a day. Then, you have to pay attention to damaging habits that hurt their enamel, cut the foods that cause cavities, and so on. It’s a lot of work and helping your kids develop healthy habits may be difficult when your child is a rebellious toddler.

Another issue for parents seems to be choosing the right products for their children’s oral health. We have listed some essential products and tools that you can include in an oral health kit for each of your children.

Dental Health Essential Kit

To keep those pearly whites healthy and strong, put together an essential kit for every child and add products suitable for their age, as follows:

Before the First tooth Emerges

Be sure to always have sterile cloths for cleaning your baby’s gums when needed. Infants don’t need intensive oral care, as they should be exclusively breast or formula-fed, but sometimes their gums and tongue might get some milk residue. Using your clean finger, wrapped in sterile cloth, gently wipe any build-up.

Infants

Brushing your child’s teeth should start as soon as the first baby tooth emerges. For your daily cleaning, their dental kit should contain:

  • Sterile cloth
  • Silicone finger toothbrush that also massages aching and itchy gums

Toddlers (ages 1 to 3)

The first years in your child’s life are essential for putting the base of oral hygiene. Even if they lack the dexterity to properly clean their own teeth, it’s time to introduce interesting items in their dental kit:

  • Toothbrushes suitable for their age
  • Mild toothpaste that doesn’t need rinsin
  • Flavorless floss or floss picks that you will use in between their touching teeth

Preschoolers (ages 3 to 5)

Now you can introduce new items:

  • Electric toothbrush suitable for their age
  • Fun toothpaste that they can choose themselves

Ages 5 to 8

Besides the basic tools, you can include extra items in the kit:

  • Fun, colorful toothbrushes with their favorite characters
  • Flavored toothpaste
  • Floss
  • A small portable kit for when they are away from home

Ages 8 to 12

Kids should have solid oral health habits by now. You can keep the dental kit as it is, and only introduce a new size of toothbrushes and mouthwash that is alcohol-free. A visit to the orthodontist might also be scheduled around this age.

Teenagers

Teenagers have a habit of defying authority, so they might skip their brushing or not be interested in their dental health so much. Getting them some cool disposable toothbrushes to carry or investing in interesting tools and products that they choose will encourage them to keep those teeth clean. It’s also time to discuss braces if your teenager has orthodontic issues.

Keeping your child’s teeth healthy is all about educating them about how important it is. Fortunately, there are plenty of helpful products on the market to help you with the process.

Filed Under: Blog, Pediatric Dentistry Tagged With: pediatric dentist

Is There a Link Between Childhood Obesity and Oral Health?

September 26, 2019 by DAC Leave a Comment

Talk to your child’s pediatrician and their pediatric dentist about how to implement good eating habits.

oral health dentist st louis

Child obesity is an increasing problem in our modern society. More often than not it is associated with unhealthy eating habits and a poor example set by parents, role models and peers. Obesity in children can lead to many problems that manifest directly or over the years. Could there be a link between poor oral health and child obesity?

If your child has gained some weight and you start noticing that their figure is modifying, it is best to ask your pediatrician if there is any reason for concern. Depending on the child’s age, his weight may or may not be excessive.

As a child grows older, the weight and height graphs modify, so make sure you use the right measurement and reference system to determine if your kid truly has a weight problem. The BMI score is one of the indicators that can lead to obesity diagnosis. BMI (Body Mass Index) shows the proportion between the child’s weight and his height.

What Are the Leading Causes of Child Obesity?

There are many reasons your child may gain an unhealthy amount of weight. First of all, you need to evaluate the family’s eating habits. Do you often eat out or prepare highly processed meals? Are you drinking large amounts of soda drinks or fruit juice? Do you indulge, often in sweets or fatty snacks? These habits can lead to a weight problem not only for your child but for all the members of your family too.

Another leading cause of childhood obesity is the lack of proper exercise. Children are increasingly giving away their physical activities in favor of playing video games indoors. If they spend too much time indoors, they lack the minimum amount of effort needed to stay in shape.

If your child is obese despite having a healthy diet and a proper amount of daily exercise, you might want to investigate possible hormonal causes.

Is Child Obesity Linked to Oral Health?

A study conducted in 2017 by the University of Gothenburg explored the possible links between childhood obesity and oral health problems. The study showed that children who had the most risks of having cavities also had unhealthy eating habits and weight problems.

To put it simply, children who have unhealthy eating habits may also be more prone to having oral health problems. Eating too much sugar leads to child obesity as well as cavities. One of the solutions proposed by the researchers conducting the study was to bring the discussion about child obesity into the dentist office. If dentists would be more involved in promoting good eating habits, child obesity may be easier to prevent.

If you are interested in your child’s health, giving your child a proper diet, proper amounts of exercise and promoting good oral health habits are essential. Talk to your child’s pediatrician and their pediatric dentist about how to implement good eating habits.

Filed Under: Blog, Pediatric Dentistry Tagged With: oral health

“There’s a Gap Between My Baby’s Front Teeth – Should I Worry?”

September 13, 2019 by DAC Leave a Comment

In many cases, the gap between the front baby teeth is harmless and it will disappear once the adult teeth emerge.

child with gap between front teeth

Your child’s smile might simply be the best thing in the world for you! However, many parents are often worried about the development of their baby or all the possible issues they may have. Being cautious is not a bad thing unless you start worrying excessively and without having a rational basis for it.

When it comes to your child’s baby teeth, you probably have a lot of questions since the first one emerged. Now you see a gap between your baby’s front teeth, possibly not the only one, and you are wondering if it is normal or not.

Let’s discuss when you may want to have your baby’s gap checked out and when to keep enjoying your little one’s contagious smile.

The Gap is Caused by the Frenulum

The labial frenulum is the small, stringy piece of tissue that connects the upper lip to the gums or the upper maxillary. We all have it. Some individuals have a frenulum that connects to the gum quite low, getting all the way between the two front teeth. Check if that’s the case with your baby, and if you do notice a frenulum that is planted low in the gum, you may have found the cause.

While a front teeth gap only has a cosmetic impact in most cases, a tight frenulum can cause a number of other issues. If you notice other symptoms besides the gap, your child may need a frenectomy. These symptoms include improper latching and painful breastfeeding, difficulty pronouncing certain sounds, issues when weaning. Check with your pediatrician or with a pediatric dentist to get a proper diagnosis.

The Gap is Caused by Small Teeth or Natural Development

In most cases, the gap between the front baby teeth is harmless and it will disappear once the adult teeth emerge. Some babies have small teeth or they simply get them more spaced in the beginning. This is a good thing because it gives them enough room to grow nicely aligned and prepare the ground for beautiful adult teeth.

The Gap Might Be a Sign of Unusual Proportions or Development

If you feel that the gap between your baby’s front teeth is too big and something to worry about, schedule an appointment with your St. Louis pediatric dentist to see if there is an underlying cause for it. In very rare cases, missing teeth, extra teeth or an oversized jaw can cause such a symptom.

Before you stress about it, remember that gaps are often something to be expected and occur in about 40% of children. The best way to eliminate possible issues is to schedule a check-up with your child’s dentist.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please give us a call today at (314) 862-7844.

Filed Under: Blog, Pediatric Dentistry Tagged With: baby teeth, pediatric dentist

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