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Pediatric Dentistry

What is Bruxism and When Should You Worry About It?

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Signs of bruxism are pain when chewing, sore jaw or teeth in the morning, chipped enamel or very specific wear in the points where the teeth meet.

Most children start grinding their teeth as soon as they get those first pearly whites on both the upper and lower jaw. It is also a way to experiment the new things they can do with the latest additions, so you don’t need to worry at first. It is perfectly normal. It is also to be expected when the permanent teeth start emerging or when other factors make them anxious. However, in the latter case, grinding teeth can be a sign of psychological distress and should be addressed early, as it tends to worsen with time.

The medical term for grinding your teeth compulsively is bruxism. You can talk about it with the your St. Louis pediatric dentist to learn more about how you can tackle it. But, as said before, a temporary habit of grinding teeth should be expected and you don’t have to worry about it.

If your child seems to persist in grinding his teeth and you consider it to last a bit too long, then you should contact a medical specialist to eliminate possible causes for chronic bruxism and get a possible courses of treatment.

Signs of Bruxism

First, you need to make sure you’ve identified the issue correctly. In a lot of cases, teeth grinding happens at night, during sleep, so your child may actually be unaware of the grinding. Observe the child during his sleep and check if there are any grinding sounds in the course of one or two hours. If the child sleeps in the same room or bed with siblings, ask them if they hear grinding at night.

Other signs of sleep bruxism are pain when chewing, sore jaw or teeth in the morning, chipped enamel or very specific wear in the points where the teeth meet. In this case, bruxism has been going on for long enough to affect the integrity of the teeth, so you need to schedule an appointment with your St. Louis pediatric dentist as soon as possible for a diagnosis.

Treatment of Bruxism

The treatment of bruxism depends on eliminating its cause. That is why it is important to see a dentist about it. They will be able to identify problems with the teeth, possible alignment problems, or other oral health issues that can correlate with bruxism.

If the teeth seem perfectly fine, the pediatric dentist can guide you towards other specialists, like a child therapist. If stress is the culprit behind bruxism, a therapist or counselor will talk to you and the child to identify the cause of the stress or anxiety.

St. Louis Pediatric Dentistry

If you are concerned about your child grinding their teeth, don’t wait to schedule an appointment with your pediatric dentist. At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we value our patient relationships, making it our priority to deliver gentle dental care that you deserve from sedation dentists in St. Louis. We work hard to make you feel at ease by providing exceptional patient care in a relaxed, convenient atmosphere.

Call us today to schedule an appointment at (314) 862-7844.

How to Make Brushing Your Toddler’s Teeth Fun

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Your child’s oral health is extremely important for their overall well-being, and getting them to like brushing their teeth is a big accomplishment!

Convincing your toddler to sit still and keep his mouth open while you thoroughly brush his teeth twice a day may seem close to an impossible mission.

mother helping daughter brush her teeth

No matter how restless your toddler gets when it comes to oral hygiene, it shouldn’t be compromised, even if baby teeth are only there for a few years. Children need good oral hygeine habits for many solid reasons:

  • Baby teeth will help the permanent ones align properly;
  • Taking care of their teeth at an early age will teach them good oral hygiene habits;
  • Brushing their teeth regularly prevents a long list of oral diseases.

You may already know the theory too well, but no guide is telling you how to tackle this mission day after day. We have a few tips that our St. Louis pediatrician dentist recommends for making brushing your toddler’s teeth fun. You may have to test and see which one works best for your little one, but their pearly whites will definitely thank you for it later.

The Power of Example

You already know how good your toddler is at imitating your actions and behavior. Use this natural imitating mechanism to teach them how to brush their teeth and get them used to it daily. Have your toddler with you in the bathroom when you brush your teeth. You can put them in their high chair, have them on the sink or countertop or place them comfortably on your lap, it’s up to you. Make sure you make brushing look exciting and fun.

Let Them Make Decisions About It

Toddlers love to try doing things themselves, even if it’s sometimes painstakingly slow or clumsy. You should be proud and encourage their initiatives, especially when it comes to good habits. They learn best by experimenting on their own. Let them pick their toothbrush, water cup and toothpaste (from a variety of child-friendly ones, of course) and let them practice brushing before you clean them yourself.

Use Their Favorite Toys

Does their favorite teddy bear or toy dinosaur join you when you’re brushing your teeth? They should, because everybody needs to clean their teeth. Consider letting your toddler “brush” their toys’ teeth and praise them for a job well done. If you have pets, cleaning their teeth is a great way of involving your child in the process and get them to like it more.

Find Books and Songs About It

Learning with the help of children’s books is a great option we have nowadays, as there is a book for just about any type of situation parents may find themselves into. Find a fun book with appealing images about brushing your teeth and read it regularly with your toddler. If you enjoy music together, you can sing a fitting song at cleaning time.

Making brushing your teeth fun might not work at first, as toddlers can be extremely fussy about being held or forced to do something, but it is worth insisting and changing the strategy if the present one doesn’t work. Your child’s oral health is extremely important for their overall well-being, and getting them to like brushing their teeth is a big accomplishment! Don’t give up!

3 Simple Ways to Protect Your Child’s Tooth Enamel

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Prevent a number of potential oral health problems by protecting your child’s tooth enamel.

Tooth enamel is the most important line of defense for our teeth. Erosion can weaken and expose them to decay and other problems. Oral hygiene is paramount for our children as it can impact not only the appearance of their teeth but their health and alignment as well. So, creating good dental habits from an early age will benefit them in the long term, even if their pearly whites are only temporary for now.

st. louis girl brushing her teeth

If their baby teeth begin to show signs of oral disease, it is crucial to get treatment right away. Some parents think that it is better to avoid putting their children through scary dentist treatments since their teeth will be replaced anyway. However, the health of baby teeth will influence the health of permanent teeth. Plus, it’s essential to get children used to the dental office and be comfortable when they get their regular check-ups with their St. Louis pediatric dentist.

Of course, the ideal approach to oral health is to prevent problems, since the dental tissue doesn’t regenerate like other parts of our body do.

Let’s see what you can do to protect your child’s enamel and prevent a large number of potential oral health problems.

Brush and Floss at Least Twice a Day

Focus on creating a good habit in your child’s daily routine by getting them used to brushing their teeth and flossing every day, at least in the morning and evening.

Start cleaning their teeth the moment the very first tooth erupts and clean them with a cloth or a silicone brush for babies. As their teeth emerge from the gums and they can better hold and use the brush, you can let them brush themselves. You should generally brush their teeth yourself up until they are around three years old to make sure it’s done correctly.

You can also introduce them early to the dental clinic and have a St. Louis pediatrist dentist chat with them and explain with patience and empathy how treatment will be administered and what preventive measures they should take.

Rinse with Water after Every Meal and Snack

An excellent habit that you can include in your child’s hygiene routine is rinsing their mouth with water after every meal they have.

Doing this straightforward thing will efficiently prevent enamel erosion by flushing away acids and food debris that could damage the teeth if it lingers in the mouth for too long. It is also quick and simple to do, so your child will be less likely to protest.

Avoid Foods and Drinks That Are Damaging to the Enamel

Some foods and drinks are really bad for your child’s teeth, and unfortunately, they are often some of the favorites ones of the little ones.

As you may have guessed by now, the biggest culprits are sweets. Candies like toffee or caramel that sticks to their teeth are the most damaging ones, but they aren’t the only sweets that you should avoid.

Fruit juices and soda are also very bad for your child’s teeth, as they are both sweet and acidic. Try to limit or eliminate them from your child’s diet, as they generally provide little, if any nutritional value. It’s better to give your child fruit as it may help them exercise their chewing muscles, get their necessary fiber intake, limit the sugars that are ingested and clean up their teeth rather than destroying them.

Other than the three measures presented above, you can help your child’s oral health by being involved in their oral hygiene, always insist that they clean their teeth and make the dental office a friendly and safe place for them.

7 Vitamins That Are Great for Your Teeth

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These seven vitamins will contribute greatly to you or your child’s oral health.

In the dental industry, we talk a lot about what foods you shouldn’t eat. The reason is that most oral health issues stem from the combination of improper eating and lack of cleaning. What we discuss less are the foods that improve your oral health. Well, we are changing that today by presenting 7 mouth-friendly vitamins and minerals, plus the foods your children should eat to get them. You can find an explanation for each of them in the following passages.

buying broccoli

Calcium

The most well known of the bunch is calcium, which plays an integral role in teeth and bone health. You can obtain this mineral through foods like milk, yogurt, certain vegetables, and some types of fish. Please note that you may have trouble getting enough if you have dairy issues. In that case, a nutritional supplement might be your best option. This should be discussed with your doctor.

Vitamin D

The interesting thing about Vitamin D is that it does not have a direct effect on your oral health. Instead, it helps you absorb calcium, which we’ve already covered. The best way to get Vitamin D is through sun exposure, as very few foods have it. If you’re looking into supplements, many companies combine calcium and Vitamin D in the same pill.

Potassium

Potassium plays two roles in oral health. They are increasing tooth density and reducing calcium leaching. Foods that contain this mineral include bananas, tomatoes, some beans, all kinds of potatoes, and avocados.

Phosphorus

Calcium is the primary bone builder in your body, but it requires a team of vitamins and minerals to help it function. One of them is phosphorus, which plays a supporting role. You can find it in many types of seafood, other meats, and lentils.

Vitamin K

This vitamin helps block harmful substances from degrading your teeth and assists in strengthening every bone in your body. The best foods to get it from are leafy greens like kale and spinach, though many other vegetables have it too.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps protect against gum disease, which frequently affects children. Oranges have famously high levels of it, but so do leafy greens and other vegetables. The latter might be preferable due to their lack of sugar.

Vitamin A

One of the things people often don’t know about oral health is how important saliva is. When you don’t have it, your mouth becomes dry, and you are at heightened risk of many diseases. Fortunately, Vitamin A is in a variety of foods. The most popular of them are fish, kale, spinach, eggs, and carrots.

One thing to note is that you can obtain many of these vitamins through nutritional supplements. Some of them even have everything you need for healthy teeth, as they are specifically constructed to do so. Though we are not nutritionists, the general wisdom on this subject is that getting your vitamins from food is more effective than supplements. Of course, you may consider doing both. This should be discussed with your doctor.

One thing you can be sure of is that taking care of all 7 points on this list should lead to a healthier mouth. To schedule an appointment with a pediatric dentist at The Dental Anesthesia Center give us a call at (314) 862-7844.

What is the Best Age to Get Braces?

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How do you determine what is the best age for your child to get braces? Asking your child’s dentist is a good place to start.

Should my child have braces

If you think back to when you were a kid, you likely remember other kids getting braces in junior high or high school. However, over the years practices have changed. Braces have become more popular at younger ages. But, the right treatment age for your child is based upon a variety of factors and on your child’s unique needs.

So how do you determine what is the best age for your child to get braces? Scheduling an evaluation with your child’s dentist is a good place to start.

Dose Your Child Need Braces at All?

The first issue to investigate is whether or not your child needs braces at all. Some of the factors that determine this include health issues. For instance, some children need braces to correct problems like overbites, underbites, and jaw conditions. Another factor is aesthetic reasons, which mostly just comes down to straightening crooked teeth. If your kids have issues in either of those areas, getting braces is likely a good idea.

Why We Can’t Give an Exact Age

Unfortunately, we cannot give you a simple answer to this question. Each child is different, each having his or her own specific factors to consider. However, your child’s dentist is able to help determine at what age they are ready to get braces.

Pediatric Dentist St. Louis

At The Dental Anesthsia Center, we can treat children of all ages with any type of dental need. Children have dental anxiety just like many adults do. Some children who are experiencing anxiety and are unable to cooperate for needed dental treatment can benefit from anesthesia services. In addition, children with physical or mental disabilities who are unable to cooperate for dental treatment can benefit from these services.

Pediatric Dentist St. Louis

Your child’s initial oral examination will include a visual examination, charting, diagnosis and treatment recommendations. We work hard to make your child feel at ease by providing exceptional patient care in a relaxed, convenient atmosphere. Depending on your child’s circumstances, we will discuss if sedation or anesthesia is right for your child. Call us today to schedule your appointment at (314) 862-7844. We look forward to meeting you!

5 Ways to Help Your Child Feel Relaxed at the Dentist

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Does your child experience anxiety or misbehave at the dentist’s office? If so, the following tips can help!

Though many children react positively to dentists and other medical providers, some have issues with going to appointments. The most common results are anxiety, rebellion, and generally misbehaving. This behavior can be incredibly frustrating for parents. Fortunately, there are a variety of methods you can use to manage your children’s behavior before and during dental appointments.

child scared at dentist's office

Realistic Expectations

The first method you can use comes before you ever arrive at the dental office. It is creating realistic expectations for your children. What this strategy does is reduce fear through education. The first way you can do so is through simple explanations about what a facility looks like and what might happen during an appointment. The second method is reading through a children’s book that tackles this issue for you.  

Modeling

Children tend to model their behavior on the people around them. You can use this effect to help them with dental fears. The best way to do so is to bring them along to an appointment for you or one of their siblings. This experience should show them how a person is supposed to handle medical treatment.

Distractions

Now, let’s move on to management tips that you can use at the appointment, rather than before it. One of them is providing distractions, and the best way to do so is through the dentist’s entertainment system. What it allows you to do is focus your children’s attention on a television show or movie, rather than the treatment they are getting. Not only are distractions useful, but watching entertaining content might help you build a positive association between your child and the dentist.

Incentives

One of the most powerful persuasion strategies you can use is offering incentives. To do so, think of one of the things your children love to do most. Whether that is a trip to the movies, going to the park, or eating at a favorite restaurant, you can use that activity as a bargaining chip to help your children behave. Even better, sharing the experience can be a wonderful bonding moment for you and them.

Positive Reinforcement

Lastly, a bit of positive reinforcement goes a long way when it comes to behavioral management. Telling your children that they are brave and giving other words of encouragement should make them behave at the dentist. As an added benefit, this method should become more and more effective as time passes because reinforcement tends to compound when used over long periods.

If you’re lucky, none of your children will have issues going to the dentist. What might happen, though, is that one or more of them misbehaves or feels anxiety when doing so. Your best bet at solving this problem is utilizing the tried and true behavioral management techniques on this list. One last factor that you can’t discount is the quality and friendliness of your pediatric dentist. If you think it might be time to find a new pediatric dentist, find someone that puts your children at ease.