KidsDental

Soothing Your Teething Child

Teething can be a painful and uncomfortable time for both baby and mom, but fortunately there are ways to comfort and sooth your teething child. Watch this video from Colgate for a quick and affordable idea to relieve your child of some of the pain associated with teething. It will give mom a few moments of peace as well!

What to do if Your Child has a Tooth Knocked Out

Whether it happens at school recess or evening soccer practice, bumps and bruises are the norm for most children. But what should you do if your little midfielder’s tooth is knocked out during a slide tackle at Sunday’s game? If it’s a primary tooth (also commonly referred to as a baby’s tooth) and there doesn’t appear to be any other damage to the gums or teeth, all you need to do is alert the Tooth Fairy. If it’s a permanent tooth, however, you can take careful steps to help save it while you’re on your way to the dentist.

When handling the tooth, don’t touch the root, but instead hold it by the crown—the part you can see above your gums. If it’s not cracked, have your child hold the tooth in the socket. If it shows signs of damage, keep the tooth in milk or saturated in your child’s saliva. These measures should help save the tooth while you make an emergency visit to your pediatric dentist.

Beverages That Can Do Serious Harm to a Developing Smile

Kids often have hectic routines and making sure they follow a healthy diet can be a challenge. While many families trying to be healthier often avoid the drive-thru, stay away from processed foods, and cook more at home, what your kids are drinking throughout the day can be easily overlooked. Some of the most popular beverages consumed by children and teens can damage tooth enamel and contribute to tooth decay. Are these in your refrigerator?

• Soft Drinks

A study in a peer-reviewed journal, “General Dentistry,” found that over a long period of time, carbonated beverages like soft drinks can wear away at the tooth’s enamel, causing permanent damage. The study found that the flavor additives in these types of beverages are to blame. Avoiding these types of beverages in childhood can help to prevent eroding teeth. If your child does want to indulge in soda every now and then, have him or her sip it through a straw instead of drinking it straight from the can.

• Sports and Energy Drinks

Other popular beverages among growing children and young adults that are harmful to teeth are sports drinks and energy drinks. The same journal published another study showing that tooth enamel was damaged after only five days of exposure to each type of beverage. What can we tell children to do to lessen the damage if they do decide to consume these beverages? Saliva can help wash away the harmful acidity, so chew sugar-free gum or rinse out your mouth with some water. It’s best if children don’t consume these beverages an hour or so before bedtime, since brushing teeth directly after drinking them can disperse the acid throughout the mouth.

The next time you’re in the beverage aisle, consider stocking your cart with kid-friendly drinks that have little to no sugar and have a low acidity, like milk or sugar-free juice. And for those times when your child does want to indulge in a soda, don’t forget the straws.

If you’re looking for a great dentist office to schedule your child’s next appointment, call KidsDental at 469-685-1532 today. We have everything to keep your child happy during his or her visit—our patients can even watch a movie during their appointments!

Reasons to Bring Your Child to a Pediatric Dentist

Is your child’s dentist on speed dial? From regular checkups to the occasional toothaches, there are many reasons kids may need to visit a pediatric dentist throughout childhood. Some of the most common reasons include:

• Regular checkups: Children should begin visiting the dentist by their first birthday.
• Orthodontic care: Early treatment is recommended to prevent the need for more treatment later on in life.
• Dental emergencies: This includes but is not limited to toothaches, an abscess tooth, bitten tongue or cheek, or chipped or broken teeth.

It’s important for your child to begin practicing healthy oral habits early on in his or her life. If you’re looking for a pediatric dentist, contact KidsDental today by visiting us online or calling 469-685-1532. Our office provides a fun environment for kids, including video games and even a SuperSlide Playscape right in our lobby!

How to Make the Most Out of Your Child's Orthodontic Visit

The success of pediatric orthodontic treatment largely depends on proper daily care. From routine brushing and flossing to eating a proper diet, it’s important to teach your child how to take care of his or her teeth throughout treatment. Here are daily tasks your child can do every day to ensure he or she is getting the most out of having braces:

• Brushing and Flossing

Orthodontists recommend brushing several times throughout the day, including after every meal. Brush the wires, going up and down and side to side, making sure there are no food particles lodged in the braces. Then brush the teeth as you normally would without braces using a circular motion.

Children with braces should also floss at least once a day. Use a floss threader to get in between each wire, and continue to floss between the rest of the teeth.

• Wearing Elastics

Elastics should always be worn unless your child is brushing or flossing. If elastics aren’t worn every day, your child may experience soreness as a result. Elastics usually only need to be changed once or twice a day.

• Eating a Braces-Friendly Diet

During orthodontic treatment, your child will need to avoid certain types of foods that could damage the braces or tooth enamel. Stick to food items and beverages that have low acidity, such as bananas, carrots, meats, crackers, and soup. Avoid hard or sticky items such as nuts, candy, popcorn, gum, or ice. Also be sure to cut up any hard-to-eat foods into smaller pieces, like pizza, corn on the cob, celery, or pretzels.

Practicing healthy daily habits will pay off in the long run and will ensure your child’s orthodontic treatment is a success. If you have any questions about how to help your child take care of his or her teeth properly while wearing braces, ask your pediatric dentist. At KidsDental, our team of dentists and hygienists are here for you. To set up an appointment for your child, call 469-685-1532 today.