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cavities

How to Maintain Your Kids’ Oral Health During the Winter Holidays

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Here are some things you can do to help your little ones avoid cavities and keep their teeth as healthy as always.

The holidays are a great time to unwind, eat good food, and enjoy spending time with your family. The best and simplest way to bond with loved ones is to gather around the table and enjoy a delicious home-cooked dinner. Most of us will prepare festive dishes for these feasts, and sweets are hard to avoid during Christmas. But, the last thing you want for the holidays is for your kids to get cavities from eating too many sugary things.

Here are some things you can do to help your little ones avoid cavities and keep their teeth as healthy as always.

Find Healthy Alternatives for Christmas Sweets

We know that Christmas is all about family traditions, and it often involves preparing sweets that you won’t serve for the rest of the year. However, you can offer the little ones healthier alternatives to the traditional recipes you are preparing. Include more fruit in the sweets you are baking, avoid processed foods, and stay away from caramel, chocolate sauces, toffees, and other super sticky, sugary ingredients that can linger in your child’s mouth.

Don’t Offer Sweets Throughout the Day

It’s tempting to let your kids break the rules during Christmas since you are all enjoying free time together, but it’s healthier to offer them sweets only once a day than giving them in small portions throughout the day. Of course, avoiding a sugar rush is also important, but small portions offered many times a day is not healthy for your kid’s teeth. Limit them after lunch only, for example.

Give Your Children Water During Every Meal and Snack

Avoiding juice and offering water instead is also very important to keep plaque to a minimum. Encourage your kids to rinse their mouths with water after every meal or snack, and give them juice as you would give any other sweet food – with limitations.

Monitor Their Brushing Closely

Brushing at least two times a day should not be negotiable, even during the holidays. Your kids might try to get a free pass just because it’s Christmas, but that can easily lead to cavities. Monitor their brushing and make sure they get rid of the plaque after every meal they have.

Schedule a Professional Cleaning after Christmas

To make sure your kids won’t get cavities during the Christmas holidays, schedule a professional cleaning with their St. Louis pediatric dentist when the holidays are over. No matter how well they brushed their teeth during this time, it won’t replace a good cleaning done in the dentist’s office.

Call Us Today

The Only Board Certified Dental Anesthesiologists in the State of Missouri, including the St. Louis Metro Area.

Call (314) 862-7844

My Kid Rarely Eats Sweets – Why Does He Still Have Cavities?

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Encourage a structured meal program and supervise their brushing at least twice a day to make sure they get rid of plaque.

Parents do their best when it comes to keeping their children healthy and teaching them good habits. Dental health is highly regarded in the US, and children are taken to the dentist early on so they can get used to being in the dentist’s chair.

Some parents also realize the great importance diet has when it comes to their children’s dental health, and are careful to exclude sweets from their diet to protect their teeth. However, these parents are very surprised when they find out that their children have cavities in spite of their efforts to keep them off sweets.

So why is that? If it’s not sweets, then what’s causing cavities in children?

Eating Foods Rich in Carbs

One habit that can lead to cavities is the type of food our children eat. Not everyone knows that it’s not only the sugar that’s bad for your teeth, but also starchy carbs. Snacks like pretzels, corn puffs or bread sticks can be just as bad for your child’s teeth. To understand this better, remember that starches have sugars that eventually turn into plaque once they reach our mouths and are processed by the bacteria there.

Starchy carbs have the tendency to be sticky when you chew them. Just think of a pretzel and how it turns into a paste-like substance that gets into your teeth’s grooves and in between. This is the kind of food we should try to avoid.

Eating Continuously Throughout the Day

Most children and teens need to eat every 3 to 4 hours during the day to fuel their growing and active bodies. However, every time your child has a snack, the bacteria in their mouth increases the acidity in their mouth. The acid, in turn, can attack the enamel that protects their teeth, causing tooth decay.

So in this scenario, it’s not necessarily what your child is eating but how often.

Alternatives to Avoid Cavities Altogether

If you have identified the culprit in your child’s diet, eliminate it immediately and replace it with something healthy. As parents, we know that it’s much easier said than done, but luckily there are amazing alternatives to starches that your child will surely love.

Instead of giving them dried fruit or products that contain dried fruit (like granola), switch to fresh fruit. Fresh fruit does not linger on the teeth for so long and has fibers that can actually help clean the teeth.

Instead of starchy food, offer them fresh vegetables, nuts, and peanuts, or dairy products (unflavored).

Encourage a structured meal program and supervise their brushing at least twice a day to make sure they get rid of plaque. When it comes to healthy habits, the power of example and persistence are the keys to success.

Call Us Today

The Only Board Certified Dental Anesthesiologists in the State of Missouri, including the St. Louis Metro Area.

Call (314) 862-7844

How Starchy Food Can Affect Your Child’s Teeth

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child eating chips

When it comes to their children’s oral health, many parents know that diet plays an important role in how strong our teeth and gums are. But many don’t know that it’s not only sweets that should be avoided, but also starchy food that might not taste sweet at all, but still break down into sugars.

What Is Starch?

Starch is a carbohydrate and it’s one of the main sources of energy for our bodies. Starch is crucial in our diet, and we are far from recommending banning it from the diet of your child, as you will deprive him of important macronutrients.

Starchy is contained by many products and it’s either native or modified, meaning it’s contained naturally by the product or it has been added during the processing. This distinction is important, as it will give us a better idea of what starchy food is good for your child and what you should consider avoiding.

So What Makes Starchy Food so Bad for Your Child’s Teeth?

Cavities form when the bacteria in the plaque – a thin film that covers your teeth after you eat – attack your teeth’s enamel and makes them vulnerable to decay. This bacteria feeds mostly on the sugars found in food, which is why sweets are so bad for your teeth. But starchy food also breaks down into sugar, making certain starch-rich products bad for your oral health.

Processed starchy food like chips, pretzels, crackers or corn puffs can have a bad effect on your teeth’s enamel because they tend to stick to your teeth, prolonging the exposure to sugars. The plaque that lingers in your mouth is not so easy to remove by simply brushing and can lead to cavities, demineralization and even gum disease.

What Alternatives Can You Offer?

As said before, it’s important to differentiate between naturally contained starches and processed ones, as the latter should be avoided as much as possible. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t feed your child starch-rich products, but be sure to choose items like fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grain bread and cooked food made from scratch.

Oral hygiene is equally important in promoting dental health, so make sure that your child brushes at least twice a day, flosses and rinses his mouth with water after eating starchy and sugary foods.

Regular visits to your St. Louis pediatric dentist will also keep cavities away from your child’s teeth, as they can get professional cleanings, tooth sealing and other preventive treatments that protect the enamel from decay.

If you still have questions about how to keep your child’s teeth healthy, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with a pediatric dentist and ask about the best options in terms of diet and oral hygiene for your little one. Give us a call today at (314) 862-7844 to learn more or schedule an appointment!

Why Does My Child Keep Getting Cavities?

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According to one report, about 42% of kids aged two to 11 get dental cavities.

st. louis child with cavity

You are aware of the importance of good oral hygiene habits. So, you brush your toddler’s teeth thoroughly two times a day. You are not giving him any candies or sugary drinks and his diet is overall balanced and healthy. So, why does he keep getting cavities?

The first thing that you need to know is that it’s not unusual. According to one report, about 42% of kids aged two to 11 get dental cavities. It happens so often that cavities are more common than conditions like asthma. Lack of proper oral hygiene, as well as an unhealthy diet, play an important role. However, that’s not the full picture.

How Babies and Toddlers Get Cavities

There is a group of bacteria called streptococcus mutans. The bacteria feed on sugar and produce acid that affects the structure of the teeth. It also creates plaque that erodes the teeth even more, depleting it from calcium. In time, the surface of the teeth is affected and eventually collapses. That’s when you get a cavity.

Babies are born without these bacteria but get infected by their caregivers (most often their mother.) Whenever you are kissing your baby on the mouth, eating with the same spoon or letting him use your toothbrush, you are creating opportunities for the bacteria to populate his mouth. And, if you have cavities yourself, then the chances of passing these bacteria on to them increases considerably.

What You Can Do

The first thing you need to do is to make sure that your toddlers brush his teeth correctly. It can be difficult for babies to understand the concept of cavities and why they need to brush. It’s also uncomfortable for them when someone sticks something into their mouth for no apparent reason. So, try to make brushing as fun as possible.

Here are some ideas:

  • Sing a song and dance while you are brushing
  • Let them brush the toy’s teeth first
  • Let them brush their teeth by himself. Praise him for a good job then tell him that you are just going to make sure that he didn’t miss anything.

It’s Never too Soon to Visit a Dentist

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Association (AAPD) recommends that babies see a dentist by their first birthday. If you wait too long, tooth decay may be well on its way and more difficult to prevent. If you haven’t already, then schedule an appointment with your St. Louis pediatric dentist as soon as possible. They can help you understand what you need to know about how to care for your kid’s pearly whites.

Give us a call today at (314) 862-7844. We’d be happy to help you setup an appointment!

Do Cavity Fillings Make You Anxious? Sedation Might Be the Solution!

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Talk about your fears with your St. Louis sedation dentist. Don’t hesitate to let them know if certain dental procedures make you nervous.

Many people believe that only anxious people can ask for sedation dentistry or those who need extensive, complex surgery. Not everyone considers the possibility of being administered sedatives for getting a cavity filling. However, this common procedure can make some patients anxious and uncomfortable, forcing them to postpone the treatment. So, the question you may ask yourself now is: can I request dental sedation for my cavity filling?

The short answer is yes.

woman discussing anxiety with dentist

It’s OK to Be Afraid

Dental anxiety is not as uncommon as you may think. Most patients experience some level of anxiety when in the dentist’s chair either because they had a negative experience in the past or because of the scary anecdotes they heard from their friends and family.

Dentists nowadays are working hard to offer their patients a welcoming and safe environment where they can receive the treatment they need without feeling uncomfortable. Many dental offices offer extra services that alleviate anxiety, such as massages, TV programs or music, warm towels and other small perks that could make the patient feel more comfortable.

However, when it comes to the pain and various sensations one feels when getting a cavity filled, warm towels may not be enough to calm down the patient. Sedation dentistry could be the solution in this situation. Not only that it will target pain and nervousness, but it will also eliminate them.

What Sedation Option Should You Choose?

Talk about your fears with your St. Louis sedation dentist. Don’t hesitate to let them know if certain dental procedures make you nervous. That way you can choose the sedation option that best meets your needs.

Laughing Gas – Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is one of the mildest options for sedation. You will inhale the gas and feel tingling sensations, numbness, and grogginess. Its effect doesn’t last long, but a cavity filling shouldn’t need more time anyway.

Conscious Sedation – This form of sedation will leave you conscious and able to communicate with the doctor, but unable to feel pain. It also makes you feel calm and relaxed, and able to go on with the treatment.

IV Sedation – This type of sedation is rather strong and your doctor might recommend in case of a more complicated filling. This form of sedation is administered by an anesthesiologist who will monitor your vitals at all times.

These are the main types of sedation, each with their own particular advantages, associated risks, and recommendations. Discuss your medical history with your dentist and decide which sedation option is best for your procedure. Following your doctor’s orders will ensure a smooth and anxiety-free procedure.

Speak With a St. Louis Sedation Dentist

Even if you only have to get a cavity filling, being sedated can make the difference between receiving proper treatment and postponing it.

Call The Dental Anesthesia Center and schedule an appointment today at

(314) 862-7844

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How to Keep Your Child’s Summer Cavity-Free

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Between stubbornness, unhealthy foods, and busy schedules, maintaining your child’s oral health is a tough task.

keep your child cavity free

Keeping your child cavity-free may get a lot tougher in the summer. Not only do children’s schedules get more irregular in the Summer months, but their food choices also suffer. This shouldn’t discourage you, though. With enough careful attention, you can keep your child’s summer healthy and cavity-free. A big part of that is regularly seeing a St. Louis pediatric dentist, while the other part is managing their oral health habits. The four most important practices to adopt are listed below.

Commit to Your Oral Health Routine

When Summer comes around, certain routines seem to go out the window. Your child doesn’t have school, their activities may be different, bedtimes change, and they often sleep at friends’ houses. In times like these, it is vital that you keep your oral health routine precisely the way it has been. No matter where your child is or what they have done that day, make a point of getting them in the bathroom for a full routine of brushing and flossing. That should include 2 minutes of brushing morning and night, flossing at least once per day, and taking extra care when dealing with braces.

Drink Lots of Water

There are a few reasons to increase your child’s water intake. The first has nothing to do with teeth: The weather is hot, and they should be drinking a lot to stay healthy and hydrated. The second is that summer seems to bring out the most sugar-filled drinks like lemonade, Gatorade, and sodas. These are very bad for dental health and should be avoided. Lastly, a dry mouth is a mouth that is vulnerable to cavities. Staying hydrated will keep them at bay.

Don’t Sacrifice Dental Health During Travel

Traveling can be very hectic, and when things get crazy, oral health may tend to get pushed aside. Don’t make this mistake when you take your summer vacation. First, add all of the necessary tools to your packing list so your child will be able to go through their whole routine while on the road. Second, set aside time every night to brush and floss. You don’t have to schedule your entire vacation meticulously, but planning dental care is a smart decision.

Eat Foods That Are Good for Teeth

Unfortunately, many of the classic summer foods and drinks are very bad for teeth. That includes things that are acidic like certain fruits, sugary like sodas, and starchy like potato chips. It is best for your child’s teeth if you replace these snacks with teeth-friendly foods like fibrous vegetables.

When it comes to keeping your child’s oral health in check, summer is the most challenging time of year. It is easy to lose control, but if you do, there will likely be consequences. No kid wants to have a cavity, and no parent wants to pay to get it fixed. You can do your best to avoid this situation by following the four tips listed above.

Call The Dental Anesthesia Center today to schedule your appointment at (314) 862-7844. We look forward to meeting you!