It’s official, the holiday season is here! Your kids and the plaque bacterias in their mouths are ecstatic, but their teeth are quivering in fear! Don’t worry, here at South Davis Pediatric Dentistry we understand that part of the holiday cheer is the goodies, the chocolates, the candy canes, the cookies and all the other yummy things only eaten this time of year. It isn’t fair to expect you to spend the entire holiday season saying ‘no’. Instead, we’ve made a list of holiday tips for a healthy dental holiday season.
1. Brush, brush, and brush!
This is an important part of everyday life. Pack it into your morning and night routines, and don’t forget even with the holiday bustle. Brushing teeth twice a day from an early age will not only help to instill healthy dental habits but will ensure the holiday doesn’t wreak havoc on their pearly whites. On days when they’ve had a lot of sweets or something really sticky, consider doing an extra brushing after their midday meal or just right after the sweet treat. Ideally, we should all brush our teeth for two minutes at a time. This can be tricky with kids, so consider singing a song (maybe a holiday jingle for the season) while they brush to help them go the distance. When they’ve finished brushing, grab the brush and take a turn also. It can be hard for little hands to get the places in the back or up on top.
2. Floss!
The importance of floss cannot be overstated when it comes to having healthy teeth for the holidays. Those sweet foods and candies love the grooves and tight spaces between your kids’ teeth and will happily stay there despite a good brushing. Get out the floss, and consider doing a little show-and-tell for your kids so they can see what the floss is able to snag even after brushing. Sometimes seeing is believing!
3. Keep your dental appointments.
The crush of the holiday season and the places to go and the things to do can have you going all over town and out of town. You might feel pressure to cancel a holiday dental appointment. Please don’t! Regular dental checkups for your kids are important. When scheduling, consider trying to get it in before things really heat up, or try for early in the new year.
4. Surround yourself and your kids with healthy options.
We aren’t saying to avoid the candies and cookies full stop. However, when your home pantry and fridge are stocked with yummy healthy options making them more accessible; your kids will be eating better in general, at least while they’re at home. Being able to grab healthy snacks for on-the-go will also help you avoid those less healthy choices while you’re out and about that are sometimes made of desperation when you’ve got hungry kids who just can’t wait. Make those moments for the sweet treats even more special because they aren’t part of every moment of every day.
5. Give dental Christmas gifts.
Dental hygiene items will make great stocking stuffers for your kids, and even other people’s kids. Consider some fun toothbrushes of their favorite characters or colors and throw in some minty or cinnamon-flavored floss. A quick google search for floss flavors will yield other crazier flavors of floss such as: bacon, pickle, coconut, cupcake, pumpkin spice and so much more. Older kids might even get a kick out of an electric toothbrush. Promoting dental health can be seasonal too!
6. Drink water with fluoride.
Drink lots of water this holiday season, not only is it important to stay hydrated, but the fluoride in water will help your teeth fight against tooth decay. Try to stay away from sodas and juices when your kids are eating sweets and counteract their harmful effects on teeth by serving water to help wash away the sugars and acids.
7. Look for ways to make favorite holiday treats a bit healthier.
Can those holiday pastries or cookies be made with whole wheat flour instead of white flour? Can that cup of hot cocoa be made with milk, cocoa powder and just a bit of sugar instead of pouring in a pre-made packet or a couple spoon-fulls of chocolate syrup? The internet is your friend when it comes to altering recipes to healthier options or sugar substitutes. Take a look and see if you can find something that you can still feel good about while also pleasing the kids’ holiday expectations.
“Saliva contains important elements such as bicarbonate, calcium, and phosphate. They not only neutralize plaque acids, but also help repair early tooth damage and decay.” That is a pretty great natural defense your body has. Eating those sweet treats during or right after mealtime when your saliva production is at its highest will ensure your body’s best defender is in the game when it counts the most.
9. Get off the non-stop sweet train.
Grazing on sweet treats all day long may be a savory delicious habit during the holidays, but the non-stop assault on your teeth can be incredibly damaging. Try to keep the sweet intake to one sitting, and then wash it down with water if brushing isn’t a practical option at that point in the day.
Giving your kids information about why it’s important to take care of their teeth instead of just telling them to do it can help them get on board with their oral hygiene. Also, lead by example! If you aren’t brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once, and drinking lots of water, get started now! Help it be a happy dental Christmas and keep these nice teeth dental habits up throughout the year! On behalf of all of us here at South Davis Pediatric Dentistry, we wish you and your loved ones happy holidays!
There are a million things to remember when you’re a parent. Your kids’ needs can occupy a ton of your headspace, and it’s not uncommon for what they want to be out of alignment with what they need. Worrying about what they eat and drink is probably high on your priorities because we all want healthy kids. But did you realize that what they eat and drink can have an impact on their dental health as well?
According to the ADA (American Dental Association), “the mouth is a window into the health of the body.” They further inform readers that the gum disease of periodontitis has been linked to major health problems including cardiovascular disease, stroke, pneumonia, and even early birth and low birth weight for infants born to women with periodontitis. Taking care of your kids’ teeth will help promote their overall health. Start early to nurture healthy food appreciation by focusing on healthy snacks and drinks for your kids. We at South Davis Pediatric Dentistry have made you a list of Do-Eats and Don’t-Eats to make it easier for you.
Here is the “Do’s” list:
1. Do – Eat crunchy fruits like apples or pears.
If you’ve ever wondered “are apples good for your teeth,” breathe easy because we can tell you “yes they are”. Apples and pears are a sweet treat that are a good source of vitamins. Their high-water content helps lessen the effects of their (natural) sugars and the crunchiness also helps to scrub away tooth plaque.
2. Do – Eat crunchy veggies like celery, carrots.
Celery and carrots contain stellar amounts of vitamin A which is good for maintaining tooth enamel. Also, they’ll be scrubbing that plaque with all the chewing they will do!
3. Do – Eat leafy greens.
Spinach, kale, and broccoli are additional vegetables that are good for oral health. They contain folic acid which helps to maintain teeth and gum health.
4. Do – Eat Dairy.
Dairy snacks such as cheese and yogurt will help protect the tooth’s enamel because they are packed with calcium, casein, and phosphorous. Look for yogurts that are low in sugar, and cheeses that are low-fat.
5. Do – Eat Eggs.
Eating eggs promises more calcium, protein, and vitamin D for dental health. Vitamin D is a necessary component of oral health because it helps the body absorb the ever-important calcium.
6. Do – Eat Nuts.
Let your kid go nuts at snack time. Peanuts, almonds, and cashews are loaded with minerals such as calcium and phosphorous which protect their pearly whites by replenishing those minerals that can be eaten away by acids in other foods.
7. Do – Drink Water with Fluoride.
This is one of the best drinks for children’s teeth. According to the ADA, fluoride is a major defense player in fighting tooth decay, helping to prevent it by at least 25 percent in adults and children. Water will help to wash away sugars and acids left on teeth from foods, and the fluoride absorbed into tooth enamel through water and toothpaste will fight the good fight. Please beware that not all bottled water contains fluoride, if you have safe drinking water from the faucet in your home, use it to refill your kids favorite water bottle and know that you’re getting them the fluoride their teeth need. We also recommend doing fluoride treatments, read more about why we recommend them and what not to eat after a fluoride treatment in our post, ‘Why is Fluoride Important to My Child’s Dental Health?‘.
8. Do – Drink Milk.
Is milk good for your teeth? If your kid likes to drink milk, no problem. Milk has nutrients that help to counteract the harmful acids produced by plaque bacterias. If you feel the need to give a sweet drink, consider adding your own mix of cocoa powder and a small amount of sugar. This gives you control over the amount of sugar going into the drink, as opposed to already sweetened cocoa which may be loaded with sugar and/or high fructose corn syrup.
9. Do – Drink Homemade Juices.
Pre-made juices, or juices made from concentrate contain large amounts of sugars. If you want to give your kids juice, consider making your own at home to have control over how much sugar is added. Tip, try to stick with fruits that are not acidic.
Now for the Don’ts list:
1. Don’t – Eat chewy candies.
It’s no secret that candy contains loads of sugars and is generally considered bad for your teeth. The chewy candies are more likely to get stuck in teeth nooks and crannies and cause enamel erosion. Sour candies are generally considered even worse for teeth because their high acidity in combination with the stickiness is a double whammy on teeth. If your kids do eat candies, be sure to brush well afterward and rinse with water!
2. Don’t – Eat chips, pasta, or white bread.
While these foods are admittedly delicious and often favorites of kids, beware! These starchy foods are simple carbohydrates and when broken down, transform into simple sugars that contribute to tooth decay. Try to convert your kids to whole wheat versions of these foods.
3. Don’t – Eat sugary cereals.
Sugary cereals appeal to kids because of their bright-colored boxes and fun mascots but know that those sugars and corn syrups can do a number on teeth. Look for unfrosted cereals, or even try making your own granola at home.
4. Don’t – Eat dried fruits.
You might think that dried fruits for a snack are a healthy option. The problem with dried fruits, unfortunately, is their stickiness and the reality that they often contain sugars.
5. Don’t – Drink sodas or other sugary drinks.
Soda is a bad one for teeth, not only does it contain zero nutritional value, but it’s sugar content combined with the acidic content from the carbonation are tough on tooth enamel. Bottled juices or sports drinks should also be avoided because of their high sugar content and acidity.
6. Don’t – Eat lemons.
Are lemons bad for your teeth? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Citrus fruits are a good source of vitamin C and other nutrients, but highly acidic fruits can wreak havoc on tooth enamel. Avoid grapefruits and lemons especially for this reason.
We know it can be tough monitoring these things, especially because some of the foods and drinks on the Don’t list are so prevalent and easy to grab when you’re on the go. Just do your best, and work on instilling the habit of brushing teeth twice a day, and flossing daily for healthy gums.
Here at South Davis Pediatric Dentistry, we are dedicated to helping you get your children started with healthy dental habits early in life. Give us a call today and schedule an appointment for your child, it’s never too early to start!
Reactions to braces vary from child to child. While some kids are excited about getting their braces on and see it as an “initiation” of sorts into teenage years, still others have a lot of anxiety about braces as they worry about how they will look or feel. One thing is for sure, braces for kids are a big milestone and this orthodontic treatment will make a difference that will impact them their entire life.
As a parent of a child who might need them, you probably have your own set of concerns and questions about braces. Join us as we cover everything you need to know about kids and braces.
Why Do Some Kids Need Braces?
There are several different reasons why kids might need braces, including:
Crooked teeth
Overlapping teeth
Overcrowded teeth
A “bad bite”, which is also known as malocclusion
When there is a difference in the sizes of the top and bottom jaws, it is known as a malocclusion. In cases where the upper jaw is bigger than the lower jaw, this is known as an overbite. In cases where the lower jaw is bigger than the upper jaw, this is known as an underbite.
Losing baby teeth too soon can sometimes cause tooth and jaw problems that warrant braces for correction. Oral fixation habits, such as thumb sucking, can also lead to dental issues in kids. However, for the majority of cases, issues with the teeth and jaws are simply inherited and if you needed braces, it’s likely that your child will also need braces.
Identifying the Need for Braces for Kids
Your pediatric dentist will most likely be the first one to notice any alignment or bite issues during a routine examination, and they will recommend that your child sees an orthodontist. An orthodontist is a dentist who specializes in jaw/teeth alignment problems. The decision as to whether your child definitely needs braces and what devices would work are made by the orthodontist.
Some kids will see the orthodontist when they are six years old, others might not see one until they are 10, and even some won’t see one until their teen years. There is no concrete age at which your child should see an orthodontist. Sometimes even adults go to get orthodontic treatment done. However, many orthodontists recommend that your child has their first visit around age seven because by then issues like overcrowding or uneven bite should be obvious.
It’s important to keep in mind that even if you start the process early, that does not mean that the child will get braces right away. The orthodontist will assess the problems and decide when is the best time to start treatment. Sometimes they need to do things to prepare the teeth for braces, such as having an appliance installed that widens the jaw or removing teeth to create more space in the mouth.
What to Expect at First Orthodontist Visit
During the first orthodontist visit, your child will receive a thorough full mouth examination. They will have your child bite down to look for alignment issues, and ask you if your child has difficulty chewing, swallowing, and if you’ve ever heard clicking or popping sounds coming from the jaw.
At this first visit, there may be X-rays of the mouth and teeth taken in order to see how they are positioned and if there are permanent teeth that still need to come in. The orthodontist may also make a mold (impression) of your child’s teeth. This mold is created by pressing a tray of gooey material into the top and bottom teeth. Once that mold hardens, the result is an exact replica of your child’s teeth which will then be used to determine the best treatment options.
What are the Different Types of Braces?
Through the steady application of pressure on the teeth, braces eventually move the teeth into a straighter position. In most cases, the child will only require braces that consist of brackets, wires, and rubber bands. Brackets attach to the teeth and are connected by a wire and rubber bands. Over time, the wire is tightened in order to slowly line the teeth up properly. Kids enjoy picking out what color to use for the rubber bands. Metal brackets are still commonly used, but there are now options for clear or white ceramic brackets, which is nice because they are a lot less noticeable. There are also braces that go behind the teeth, and those are called lingual braces.
In some cases where only minor alterations are needed, clear removable braces might be used and they are called aligners. As the alignment treatment progresses, new aligners are used to progress the straitening.
Additional devices might also be needed, such as headgear. Headgear is a horseshoe-shaped wire that attaches to the back of the teeth and it provides a greater force to move the teeth. Thankfully, headgear is usually only worn at night.
Frequent visits to the orthodontist spaced out by a few weeks each will be required once the braces are on in order to monitor progress and make any adjustments that are needed. The length of time a child wears braces will depend on how much needs to be fixed, but on average they are worn for about two years. Once the braces are removed, your child will probably need to wear a specially molded retainer. A retainer is either a small hard piece of plastic that has metal wires on it or a thin piece of plastic that is shaped like a mouthguard. Retainers are important because they help prevent the teeth from wandering back to their previous positions.
Should My Child See an Orthodontist?
It’s important that you find a good, reliable orthodontist that you can trust. After all, braces do more than just straighten teeth to make them attractive, they also help to keep your child’s mouth healthy for the rest of their life.
Are you wondering whether or not your child should see an orthodontist? There’s only one way to find out. When your child sees a highly experienced dentist for an examination, not only can they recommend whether orthodontist treatment is advised for your child, but they can also lead you to highly skilled and reputable orthodontists in your local area.
Call us today at (801) 294-8880 to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced pediatric dentists.
Imagine having dark coloration or stains on your front teeth. Now picture yourself as a young child going to school with this type of tooth discoloration. As you could imagine (or maybe you experienced this first hand in your childhood), there is a great deal of stress, anxiety, and embarrassment that comes with this condition. This is especially true when you’re talking about stains that result from the medication tetracycline, which can be particularly noticeable and notoriously difficult to remove.
Teeth discoloration is a really common condition. There is good news. At South Davis Pediatric Dentistry, we provide solutions for discolored and stained teeth. The type of teeth whitening service that is most appropriate for your child is going to depend on the type and color of discoloration that they are dealing with. Keep reading to learn more about pediatric teeth whitening from South Davis Kids.
Tooth Discoloration in Children: Culprits and Treatments
As a parent, it’s completely normal to feel a sense of dismay when you realize that your child is dealing with a smile that is not full of pearly whites. Whether they are stained completely or have streaks of various colors ranging from grey to orange, it’s disheartening to see your child go through this.
Tooth discoloration can be caused by many different things, and some of these are more serious and others are simply cosmetic problems. We’re going to review the different types of tooth discolorations and what treatment options are appropriate for each one.
Grey Tooth Discoloration in Children
There are a number of different causes of grey tooth discoloration. When one tooth is grey (usually dark in color), but the other teeth are white, this is usually a sign of trauma. When a child experiences blunt force trauma to the mouth, a tooth can slowly die, which leads to the grey discoloration.
Besides blunt force trauma, when a tooth is injured and subsequently receives an increase in blood flow, it can also create a greyish discoloration. When dealing with grey discoloration, it’s important that your pediatric dentist conducts a thorough examination and takes X-rays. Sometimes injured teeth can abscess and may need to be removed. However, depending on the type of injury, sometimes teeth can heal and return to their original color.
When the child presents with grey discoloration on many teeth, the culprit is usually antibiotic use. Tetracycline is a common antibiotic that has been used for many years, staining teeth all the while. In fact, this side effect is so powerful that if a woman takes this antibiotic while she is pregnant, her child may present with teeth that appear gray in color. Primary teeth and secondary teeth can both be affected by the use of this antibiotic, although it’s more commonly seen on baby teeth. Treatments to resolve this type of discoloration usually involve intense bleaching, veneers, or crowns. However, when it comes to pediatric treatments – usually bleaching and whitening services take care of it.
There is another antibiotic that is often prescribed that can cause temporary grey discoloration of teeth, and that is amoxicillin. These types of stains will go away with fastidious oral hygiene and vigorous brushing.
Yellow or Orange Discoloration of Teeth in Children
Poor dental hygiene can cause children to develop yellow or orange discoloration of teeth. In order to prevent these types of stains, parents need to encourage frequent brushing and ensure that their child is paying particular attention to the gum line, where the orange build-up is most common. Bringing your child in for regular six-month professional cleanings along with keeping up with daily brushings can help prevent these stains from getting worse.
Black Tooth Discoloration in Children
Black lines or patches on the teeth are usually a side effect from iron-containing medications. Iron overdose is quite dangerous for children, so it’s not often that parents will see these types of stains unless they have a child with severe anemia that requires iron medications.
White Patches on Children’s Teeth
Another type of tooth stain commonly seen in children is white patches. Naturally, teeth are ivory, or creamy in color, and any type of bright white patch is noticeably out of place. By far the most common cause of white patches on teeth is a condition called fluorosis. Too much exposure to fluoride during childhood can lead to fluorosis.
These types of stains are very difficult to remove because they are intrinsic to the tooth itself. If the white patches are very noticeable, caps, veneers, and bleaching can help to reduce this visibility. White patches may also be the first sign of tooth decay. If this is the case, you need to ensure your child is frequently brushing their teeth in order to prevent cavities.
Great Advancements Have Been Made in Aesthetic Dentistry
Aesthetic dentistry has come a long way in the past decade. New innovation makes tooth restoration possible, even for patients who were told there was nothing they could do for their teeth in the past. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recognizes the increased demand for pediatric dental whitening services. In their official policy on the use of dental bleaching for child and adolescent patients, the following is stated:
“The desire for improved dental esthetics has fueled innovations in dental materials. Patients, parents, and the news media request information on dental whitening for children and adolescents with increasing frequency. In addition, increased demand for bleaching materials and services has affected both the variety and availability of dental bleaching products on the market.”
Make Your Pediatric Dentist Appointment in South Davis County Today!
Are you concerned with tooth discoloration in your child? We can help determine the cause of the discoloration and provide appropriate treatment. Parents and physicians throughout Bountiful, Kaysville, Farmington, and Centerville trust the professionals at South Davis Pediatric Dentistry for children’s dental health needs, and you can too. Call us today at (801) 294-8880 to set up an appointment.
New experiences are an integral part of a child’s growth and developmental phases. Your child will experience several “firsts” during their first years. A first tricycle. A first playdate. Another first that many children go through that is not so fun is their first cold sore.
In this blog post, we are going to look at what cold sores are and how to treat them. Watch this video to hear Dr. Jason Horgesheimer talk about treating cold sores for children at South Davis Pediatric Dentistry.
What are Cold Sores?
Also known as fever blisters or oral herpes, cold sores are small blisters that appear around the mouth and lips. While you will typically find cold sores around the corners of the mouth or lips, they can also appear inside of the mouth, on the chin, cheeks, and nose, too. The blisters begin to ooze a clear type of fluid after a couple of days, and then they crust over. It takes about one to two weeks for them to heal completely.
Even though they are known as “cold sores”, they actually have nothing to do with having a cold. These mouth sores are usually caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). This is a separate type of herpes than the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), which is responsible for genital herpes. However, both of the strains are capable of causing sores in any part of the body.
Cold sores are very contagious and can be passed on through skin-to-skin contact, saliva, or even by touching an object that has been handled by someone who is infected with the virus.
Concerns Associated with Primary HSV Infection
When a child gets a cold sore for the very first time, it is called primary HSV infection. During this primary infection, the blisters often spread to the interior of the mouth affecting the lips and gums, as well as the surrounding lips and mouth. During this primary infection, a child may also develop the following symptoms:
Swollen and tender lymph nodes
Sore throat
Irritability
Drooling
Every case varies, but sometimes these symptoms are so mild, that the parents do not even notice them. However, there are times when these symptoms can be so severe, it can affect the child’s ability to eat and drink and may require the administration of pain medication for comfort.
What are the Potential Complications of Cold Sores?
If the virus from cold sores spreads to the eye, a child can develop HSV keratitis, which is an infection of the cornea. Typically this type of infection will heal without damaging the eye, but other times, it can lead or blindness or corneal scarring. In fact, HSV is a major cause of blindness worldwide.
Babies under six months of age can be severely disabled by HSV infection. In fact, if a newborn baby catches HSV, the results can be deadly. Relatives or parents with cold sores should never kiss a baby because their immune systems are underdeveloped.
What You Need to Know About Cold Sore Recurrence
After a child has been exposed to HSV, the virus settles into bundles of nerve cells in the body. It will not cause any symptoms unless it’s activated. If activated, it will travel back up to the surface of the skin. Recurrence of cold sores is highly variable from person to person, although it remains in the body for life. Some children never get another one and others will have outbreaks a few times every year. When they return, it’s often in the same spot – but usually not inside of the mouth after the primary HSV infection.
What are the Signs of a Cold Sore Flare-Up?
When a child is about to develop a cold sore, parents might notice the child touching or scratching the area. It may become red and swollen before the sore erupts. The child may experience tingling, burning, or itching as the sore is coming on.
What are Common Triggers for Cold Sores?
If the child’s immune system is already down or if the skin is irritated for other reasons, this may cause a cold sore to develop. Typical triggers for children who have already been exposed to the HSV virus include:
Fatigue and stress
Exposure to intense sunlight, heat, cold, or dryness
Injuries to or breaks in the skin
Illness (i.e., cold or flu)
Dehydration and poor diet
Fluctuating hormones (i.e., during a teen’s menstrual periods, etc.)
Try to Prevent the Spread of HSV
Some things you can do as a parent to keep your child from spreading HSV include:
Instruct your child not to scratch or pick at cold sores
Have your child wash their hands frequently
Clean and disinfect toys
Don’t allow your child to share drinks, utensils, towels or other items
Wash towels and linen in hot water after use
How to Help Ease the Symptoms of Cold Sores in Children
Apply ice or a warm washcloth to cold sores to ease the pain
Give chilled or icy treats for tender lips and to avoid dehydration
Avoid acidic foods, such as citrus fruit and tomatoes, that may irritate the cold sores
Consider the use of a pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
How We Can Help Treat Pediatric Cold Sores
If your child is developing a cold sore, we encourage you to contact us for an appointment right away. When given early on, anti-viral medications are very effective at reducing the length of a cold sore and reducing the pain and other symptoms. If your child is experiencing a cold sore, contact our pediatric dental office in South Davis County to set up an appointment. You can reach us at (801) 294-8880.
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