pediatric dentist

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.

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.

One of the most challenging decisions parents regularly make is when to take their children to see a dentist. The reason is that many issues solve themselves with time, and people prefer to have that happen rather than spending time and money at a dental office. This approach can backfire, though, as some problems signal a need for professional help. Here are seven of them.

Chronic Pain

A day or two of tooth or gum pain for your children may not worry you. However, when that becomes three days or more, it is time to go to the dentist. The reason is that an extended period of discomfort almost always signals a more significant problem. Seeing a professional right away will help solve that issue as quickly as possible.

Bleeding Gums

Next, we have bleeding gums. This symptom is indicative of two things. One, your children might not floss enough, meaning the gums are sensitive and need more care. The second is a gum disease, which is much more severe. Either way, it is a good idea to speak with your dentist.

Receding Gums

One thing to note about gum recession is that it almost never affects children. Instead, it is typically an issue that the elderly have. Still, if you noticed gum loss in your children, it could be a sign of a more significant oral health problem.

Shifting Teeth

Parents often have a tough time with this one because they know that kids lose their baby teeth early in life. This fact causes them to not take shifting teeth seriously. Unfortunately, this approach can lead to more significant issues later on in life. Instead, get those moving teeth checked out by a pediatric dentist.

Bumps and Sores

What is confusing about bumps is that many of them go away on their own, a typical example being canker sores. On the other hand, your child might develop a thrush, which is a much more severe condition. Without professional help, this fungal infection could cause your child harm.

Dry Mouth

Saliva is essential to oral health. The reason is that it keeps the entire system lubricated, which provides protection from acids and other dangers. A dry mouth will take that defense away and make your children more prone to oral health issues. Experiencing this symptom for a day or two could merely be dehydration, but extended bouts are cause for concern.

Discoloration

Lastly, we have discoloration. This issue affects the teeth and the gums, both of which can cause long-term damage. If you notice strange coloring in your child’s mouth, it is time to set up an appointment with a professional.

You should not only take your child to the dentist when a major problem arises. It is in their best interests to visit a pediatric dentist on a regular basis to ensure their oral health is monitored. In this way, minor problems can be caught before they turn into major problems. To set up an appointment, give us a call today at (314) 862-7844!

If your children have trouble going to the dentist, you don’t have to accept that it will be a fight every time they have an appointment.

Any parent will tell you that all kids are different. This idea is especially prevalent in the case of pediatric dentistry. While some children will be happy to see the dentist, others will feel stress and other negative emotions before and during their appointments. Below, we will discuss how to curb this effect and make dentist visits fun for your children.

Take Care of Their Teeth

One of the best things you can do for your children is make their dental visit a smooth one. You can do that by taking care of their teeth. This practice will do two things. First, it will make the appointment take less time and be less intensive. They won’t have extended scraping and bleeding gums, which will go a long way in keeping them happy. Second, they will get a favorable report from the dentist, which will make them feel like they achieved something… And they did!

Purchase a Children’s Book

Another method parents often use is purchasing a children’s book to help with dental stress. Doing so gives your children an idea of what the dentist will be like with the aid of pictures and digestible information. A typical story in these books is a child being scared of the dentist, overcoming fear, and ending up having fun. Showing your children this series of events allows them to put themselves in that character’s shoes and believe that they can conquer their fears.

Avoid Scary Words

Something that all people do, and children especially, is react differently to two words that have nearly the same meaning. The reason for this is that connotation is a powerful force. While you’ll want to describe the dental visit honestly, you should also pay attention to word choice. Try using “discomfort” over “pain,” and other similar replacements. The primary hurdle that children must get over is fear, so lessening it through word choice is well worth it.

Let Them Bring a Calming Toy

Many children have a particular toy or game that calms them down in stressful situations. This trend is especially prevalent among the very young. If this is the case with your children, let them bring that stuffed animal, toy, or handheld gaming system to the dentist. Doing so will allow them to ease their anxiety and make the visit go smoothly.

Use Positive Reinforcement

Your time before and during the dentist is only half the battle. What comes after matters too because you want them to enjoy the dentist in the future. A way to make that happen is to use positive reinforcement. First, use your words to tell them how brave they were while in the dental chair. Next, consider taking them to a place that they love, like the movies.

If your children have trouble going to the dentist, you don’t have to accept that it will be a fight every time they have an appointment. Instead, you can make some of the basic behavioral tweaks on this list, which will make them much more receptive. Doing so will achieve a worthy goal: Making both your and your children’s lives easier.

Schedule an Appointment Today :: Call (314) 862-7844