Oral Health Tips for Kids

Teaching children good oral habits can be a struggle, but good pediatric oral care is crucial to your children’s overall health. Healthy adult teeth begin with healthy kid’s teeth.

Take good care of your child’s teeth. Although they eventually fall out, baby teeth play a crucial role in helping your child bite, chew, and speak clearly. These are some good pediatric oral care tips to teach your child:

Brushing and Flossing

Parents should help brush their children’s teeth until the age of eight and assist in flossing until the age of ten, according to the AAPD. Having health teeth build confidence and participation in your child’s education and social life. Encouraging healthy habits can be difficult if your child won’t cooperate, but here are some ways to make brushing fun.

  • Buy children’s toothpaste with your child’s favorite character on it. Let your child pick it out so they are more likely to use it when the brush.
  • Create a reward chart that your child can add stickers to when they’ve brushed each morning and night. When the chart is full, let your child have a small reward like a trip to the playground or their favorite meal for dinner.
  • Have a brushing song. Let your child pick out a song to play when they brush their teeth. This will make brushing more fun and ensure your child is brushing for the appropriate length of time.
  • Using a light-up timer toothbrush can be fun for children. The light flashes until they brushed for the correct length of time. Interactive toothbrushes are a good way for your child to be involved in their oral health habits.

Tooth-Friendly Food

Offering healthy, tooth-friendly food options to your child will help encourage healthy teeth and build good oral habits. Provide fruits, nuts, vegetables, and cheese for snack instead of cookies or sweets. Children may need encouragement to try these foods, but these tips can help:

  • Let your child pick out healthy snacks. Have your child go to the store with you and pick out healthy fruits and snacks so they are more willing to eat it at snacktime.
  • Share and “feed” the health snack to your child’s favorite toy. They will be more willing to try a new food or eat fruit if they can share it with someone else first.
  • Have healthy snacks be convenient. A hungry child won’t want to wait for you to slice an apple or wash and cut grapes. Having these snacks prepared in an easy-to-reach container or bowl in the fridge makes having healthy snacks a breeze.
  • Save starchy foods for mealtime. Eating them in conjunction with other foods and beverages reduces the risk of cavities, as opposed to eating them as a snack.

Reduce Sugar

Sweets, juice, and candy can cause cavities because they eat away at the tooth’s enamel. Here are some tips to help reduce sugar and combat the effects of sugar on your child’s teeth:

  • Limit candy and sugary desserts for after mealtime. This is when there is the most saliva in the mouth to help protect your child’s teeth.
  • Store candy from holidays like Easter and Halloween in a sealed container and create specific times for when your child can have a treat. This will pace the amount of sugar they consume.
  • Encourage your child to drink more water to help prevent tooth decay. Water with fluoride can reduce the number of cavities children get in their baby teeth.
  • Floss after eating sweets. Flossing helps remove tiny particles that get stuck in your child’s teeth, which cause cavities.

Lead By Example

Kids follow by example, so it is important to be a good role model and demonstrate good oral habits for them. Brush and floss with your child instead of having them do it alone. Treat it like a routine instead of a chore they have to do.

By practicing healthy oral habits, your children will see your actions and it will translate into their lives. Show them that it can be fun and important to your overall health.

Serve Milk at Meals

Drinking milk acts as a buffer to the acid that causes tooth decay.  The enzymes in the dairy protect the teeth from oral bacteria that contributes toward tooth decay and erosion of tooth enamel.

Teaching your children proper oral health habits can be easy – it’s putting it into practice that can be difficult. However, teaching children how to care for their teeth will set them up for good oral habits they will carry into adulthood.

If you would like to learn more, please do not hesitate to give us a call or contact us to book an appointment.

 

Best At-Home Remedies for Sensitive Teeth

Having sensitive teeth makes eating and drinking pretty painful. However, it is a common and treatable condition that 1-in-8 people experience.

Tooth sensitivity happens when your tooth’s enamel is stripped away, leaving the layer of dentin and nerve roots exposed. The enamel protects the tooth, and with it gone, you may experience sharp pain or hypersensitivity.

If you have sensitive teeth, it is important to visit your dentist so they can determine the underlying cause of your pain. In the meantime, here are some at-home remedies you can use to reduce tooth pain and relieve discomfort.

At Home Remedies for Sensitive Teeth

  1. Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a mild antiseptic and is often used as a disinfectant to clean wounds and cuts. But peroxide is also effective as a mouthwash to heal gums and prevent inflammation. To use hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash, use equal parts hydrogen peroxide and warm water and swish for 30 seconds. Spit and rinse with water to remove any remaining hydrogen peroxide. It is important to not swallow this mixture.

Studies show that using a hydrogen peroxide mouthwash prevents gingivitis, kills bacteria, and has healing properties.

  1. Green Tea

Green tea is known for its healthy benefits, such as cancer prevention and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also helpful to oral health.

For sensitive teeth, unsweetened green tea acts as a great mouthwash. Swish and rinse twice a day to reduce inflammation and strengthen teeth. An extract in green tea, called EGCG, fights bacteria, resists plaque build up, and decreases the risk of tooth erosion: all symptoms that contribute to tooth sensitivity.

  1. Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is a tried-and-true remedy that uses natural ingredients and substances to improve oral health around the tooth and gum line. Coconut oil has many health benefits. It is also useful in improving oral health, as well as helping with sensitive teeth.

The process is simple: swish coconut oil around in your mouth for a short time every day. Oil cuts through plaque, removes bacteria and toxins from the gums, and fights off cavities. Using coconut oil means there are no harsh chemicals and it doesn’t taste as bad as other oils.

  1. Garlic

Garlic contains naturally-occurring compounds that are beneficial to your overall health.  It contains strong antibacterial and natural anesthetic qualities.

Garlic is traditionally used in folk medicine to relieve tooth pain from sensitivity. A 2011 study discovered that chewing on garlic releases a substance called allicin. Allicin is what gives garlic its use as an antibacterial agent and natural anesthetic. It is because of this that garlic helps relieve tooth sensitivity and can even prevent issues like tooth decay. The antibacterial properties kill germs that cause oral infections and cavities.

  1. Essential Oils

A popular remedy for many medical conditions, essential oils can be used to improve the health of your gums and teeth. The three most popular essential oils for oral health are:

  • Peppermint Oil – Peppermint oil is an antiseptic and kills bacteria to help prevent gum diseases and protect dentin and enamel. Its flavor also helps fight bad breath.
  • Clove Oil – This type of oil contains a germicidal property and is used in dentistry because of its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anesthetic properties. Clove extract, called eugenol, has particular analgesic effect, which helps treat sensitive teeth.
  • Cinnamon Oil – Another oil with antibacterial properties, cinnamon oil fights tooth decay by killing bacteria and preventing teeth from getting sensitive.

  1. Capsaicin

Capsaicin naturally occurs in chili peppers – the substance responsible for the spice and heat. In a 2011 study, capsaicin proved to relieve some types of pain. It numbs nerve fibers, making them less receptive to pain signals. Applying capsaicin gel to the gums reduces pain from tooth sensitivity.

If you would like to learn more, please do not hesitate to give us a call or contact us to book an appointment.

Bad Breath: How It’s Caused & What You Can Do About It

Having bad breath is embarrassing and can even cause anxiety. But halitosis affects 25% of people, whether it is lingering morning breath or chronic halitosis. It is no surprise that millions are spent annually on products to freshen our breath and keep our mouths clean.

Oral hygiene is the leading cause of bad breath, but there are a number or causes for why you have offensive breath. But the real culprit is a bacterium that lives in your mouth. There are simple, at-home remedies. In some cases, your dentist may recommend using different toothpaste, toothbrushes, or having more frequent visits in their office.

Causes and Solutions for Bad Breath

Diet

It’s a no brainer: what you eat affects your breath. Diets that are low in carbohydrates (ketone diets, specifically) cause bad breath because of the way your body burns fat as its main energy source. The end product is ketones, which causes an acetone-like odor on your breath.

Foods with strong odor have negative effects on breath. Vegetables that are Alliums – like garlic and onions – commonly contribute to smelly breath because they contain high concentrations of sulfur compounds. Other foods such as strong spices (like curry), aged cheeses, fish, and acidic beverages (like coffee) contribute to foul breath. This is because after these foods are digested, they filter into the bloodstream and into the lungs, where your breath is affected.

Solution: Immediately after eating, brush and floss to get rid of any food particles that may be stuck to your teeth. Garlicky breath can stick around for up to 2 days, so don’t be surprised if you still smell garlic on your breath. Mouthwash and sugar-free gum can help freshen your breath and aid in rinsing away any residual food particles.

Dry Mouth

Saliva washes away bacteria in your mouth, deterring foul breath. But if you suffer from dry mouth (xerostomia) you may experience bad breath as a result. Dry mouth is caused by a problem with salivary glands, which can be affected by certain medications and diseases. Medications used for blood pressure, autoimmune diseases, diuretics, and many other conditions can cause the salivary glands to malfunction. This causes them to not produce enough saliva to keep you mouth wet.

Solution: Sipping on water throughout the day can work well to prevent dry mouth. Chewing sugar-free gum and sucking on sugar-free candy or lozenges between meals may also make a difference, because they stimulate your salivary glands. If you have chronic dry mouth, your dentist may recommend a saliva substitute.

Medical Conditions

Conditions and medical disorders can cause halitosis, mostly due to the medication patients take. Medications contribute to dry mouth, while others breakdown chemicals that produce a foul odor that is carried on your breath. Some conditions cause your body to react differently to medications, types of food (in the case of reflux and lactose intolerance), or internal processes, such as liver disease.

Some conditions that can cause bad breath are:

  • Periodontal infections – Gum disease & tooth decay are a common cause, since the infection is in your mouth.
  • Tonsillitis – Tonsillitis is caused by viruses or bacteria on your tonsils, which can become inflamed and infected, causing foul odor.
  • Respiratory infection – bacterial infections in the lung affect the air in your lungs that you exhale.
  • Diabetes – Diabetes can cause your blood to have high levels of ketones – acetone being one chemical – and can cause your breath to smell like nail polish remover.
  • Reflux – Reflux is the acidic regurgitation of stomach contents and causes heartburn and a sour or bitter taste in the mouth.
  • Liver or Kidney disease – When your liver does not process chemical substances in your body properly, the odors do not get filtered properly and cause bad breath.
  • Lactose intolerance – Lactose intolerance is the body’s inability to digest the sugars in milk. The undigested sugar microbes put off a sulfurous pungent odor that causes a foul smell on your breath.

Solution: If you have chronic bad breath and typical remedies like constant brushing, flossing, and products to freshen your breath do not work, it’s important to see your dentist to identify any underlying health concerns.

Tobacco Products

Smoking along causes foul mouth odor. Smokers and oral tobacco users are more likely to experience gum diseases and are at an increased risk for tooth decay. Gum disease and tooth decay are both common factors in cases of halitosis.

Poor Dental Hygiene

It is no surprise that poor dental hygiene causes halitosis. When plaque builds up on your teeth, it irritates the gums and causes inflammation between the teeth and gums. Your tongue is a breeding ground for bacteria. The back of the tongue has many grooves and crevices that trap bacteria and food particles. It’s hard to clean the back of the tongue without triggering your gag reflex, even with a tongue scraper. This bacteria can build up and causes a particularly foul odor on your breath.

Solution: Seeing your dentist regularly is important to having a clean mouth. But a professional cleaning only keeps plaque away for a short period of time. A good at-home oral routine is essential for maintaining clean teeth. Toothpaste has antibacterial properties, but the key is using proper brushing technique to remove the bacteria and food residue from your teeth. After brushing, flossing helps remove any leftover particles that get stuck between your teeth. Using an antiseptic mouth rinse also helps reduce bacteria on the tongue and teeth.

If you experience embarrassing bad breath and at-home remedies are not being effective, contact your dentist today to schedule an appointment.

If you would like to learn more, please do not hesitate to give us a call or contact us to book an appointment.

How Dry Mouth Can Cause Cavities

Dry mouth, called xerostomia, is the medical condition of not having enough saliva to keep your mouth wet. It can happen to anyone – especially when they are stressed or nervous. When untreated, it can make chewing, swallowing, and even talking difficult.

Dry mouth increases the risk for tooth decay or infections, and is a common cause for cavities.

Causes of Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is a result of not drinking enough water during the day or rehydrating after exercise. Sometimes, temporary dry mouth comes from stress or nerves – such as the kind that comes from speaking in front a group of people or performing.

More times than not, having dry mouth is a side-effect of medication.  In fact, nearly 20% of seniors experience it as a result of medications they are taking. Hundreds of medications cause the salivary glands to produce less saliva, such as medications for:

  • High blood pressure
  • Antihistamines
  • Pain pills
  • Decongestants
  • Overactive bladder medications
  • Antidepressants
  • Diuretics
  • Muscle relaxants
  • Medication for Parkinson’s Disease
  • Medication for anxiety

Other conditions that can cause chronic cases of dry mouth include autoimmune diseases, AIDS, diabetes, Sjogren’s syndrome, and cancer. Treatments for cancer like radiation therapy and chemotherapy cause dry mouth because the salivary glands can be affected during these types of treatments.

How Dry Mouth Causes Cavities

Cavities are created as a result of tooth decay. Tooth decay occurs when there is damage to the tooth, from plaque that is clinging to the teeth. The acid in plaque eats away at your tooth’s enamel, creating holes called cavities.

Dry mouth increases your chances for cavities because the primary function of saliva is to help wash away any food debris left in your mouth after eating. Enzymes in saliva help break down food and aid in digestion. Without saliva, the food does not get broken down enough and gets stuck to your teeth easier.

Saliva also contains bicarbonate, calcium, and phosphate which neutralizes plaque acidity and helps rebuild and restore tooth enamel.  Without saliva, your mouth is much more at risk for developing cavities and experiencing tooth decay.

Issues Associated with Dry Mouth

Dry mouth causes other issues, too – not just cavities. If dry mouth goes untreated, severe tooth decay and gum disease is common.  In fact, 30% of tooth decay in elderly adults is caused by dry mouth, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation.

Untreated dry mouth can lead to other health issues, such as:

  • Trouble speaking
  • Fungal infections
  • Hoarseness
  • Difficulty chewing and swallowing food
  • Dry nasal passages
  • Difficulty wearing dentures

Treatments to Improve Your Oral Health

There are many effective ways to treat dry mouth and improve oral health. Your dentist might prescribe medication to help increase saliva production or they may recommend a saliva substitute.

Some at-home tips for treating dry mouth include:

  • Sugar-Free Gum or Mints: Mints and gum help battle dry mouth by stimulating saliva production. Look for products that contain xylitol – a sugar substitute that helps prevent cavities.
  • Brush and Floss Regularly: Practicing proper oral health hygiene prevents plaque buildup. When plaque gets built up on your teeth, the acidity it what breaks down your tooth enamel, increasing the risk for cavities.
  • Drink Plenty of Water: Staying hydrated increases saliva production and helps keep your body health. Drinking water with a meal will help rinse away any residual food debris.

Depending on the severity of your dry mouth, some dentists may recommend having in-office treatments or sealants. These are coatings applied to the surfaces of the teeth to protect them against decay.

If you experience dry mouth, talk to your dentist right away to determine the source of the problem.

If you would like to learn more, please do not hesitate to give us a call or contact us to book an appointment.

How to Prepare Children for their First Pediatric Dentist Appointment

The Canadian Dental Association recommends that children see a pediatric dentist within 6 months of their first tooth eruption or by their first birthday. This ensures they get their teeth checked before any problems can arise.  In most cases, a dentist visit every 6 months is recommended for preventative measures.

There are numerous reasons for taking your child to the dentist while they are young.  Dentists are able to advise on how to clean teeth at home and identify any problems and fix them right away. This also teaches your child that going to the dentist is a part of self-care and that dentists can help prevent problems that stem from the mouth.

Pediatric dentists often take X-rays during early visits to show any decay between the teeth and to determine whether the teeth are growing in properly as they should. Dentists are able to see if teeth are coming in crooked or if the mouth is too crowded, which can cause problems.

Although baby teeth will fall out to make room for adult teeth, it’s important to keep the baby teeth healthy. If a baby tooth becomes infected or damaged, it can cause issues with your child’s oral health for years. Infections enter the bloodstream through tooth decay and can cause other health concerns.

Going to a pediatric dentist from an early age will help teach your child proper oral hygiene habits that will keep their mouths healthy throughout their lives.

How to Prepare for Your Child’s First Dentist Visit

The dentist can be scary for children if they don’t know what to expect. Schedule their appointment for the morning when they are most away and alert.  Having an afternoon appointment that is close to nap time or after they’ve been playing all day can result in a poor first experience.

If your child is a toddler or preschooler, talk to them and help them understand what they can expect from the dentist visit.  Build excitement! A pediatric dentist is trained to make the visit as calming as possible, and many offices even have toys and games for their younger patients.  Your child does not harbor any negative feelings towards their new dentist so do your best to keep any concerns to yourself. It is a brand new experience for your child, so it is up to you to make it as fun as a trip to Grandma’s – without the candy, of course!

What to Expect at Your Child’s First Visit

The first appointment will likely be short and sweet. So the child doesn’t get scared, the dentist will talk to them and show them proper brushing techniques. Depending on the age of your child, you may be asked to hold the child or have them sit on your lap while the dentist pokes around in their mouths.

This first visit is mostly a meet-and-greet for your child and their new dentist. It is a way for them to familiarize themselves with one another and for the dentist to build a relationship with your child so going for regular cleanings is a positive experience. They will look around at your child’s teeth to check for any issues or cavities.  It’s possible they will save that for the second visit. Your child’s dentist will also speak with you, the parent, about good oral hygiene habits and how you can promote good habits at home.

The first appointment is a great time to bring up any concerns or questions you have for the dentist. This includes thumb-sucking, whether you should be encouraging fluoride use, how often to brush, and even what kind of toothpaste to use.

When children are younger, they should visit the dentist every 6 months.

Overcoming Fear of a Pediatric Dentist

Some children do have anxiety about visiting medical offices, and a pediatric dentist is no different. But there are ways to help your little ones overcome any fear they may have about these routine check-ups.

Play Pretend: At home, make it a game to play pretend and play “dentist office.” This will let your child step into the role of the dentist and they can look at your teeth. Have them pretend with baby dolls or stuffed animals – cleaning and polishing their teeth.

Be a Cheerleader: A parent is their child’s greatest cheerleader. Encourage your child and get them excited about visiting the dentist. The more positive you are about it, the more likely your child will be comfortable during his/her appointment.

Plan a Reward: After your child’s appointment, reward them with a trip to the park or playground for their good behavior and clean bill of health. Knowing this will also help keep your child’s mind off of the dentist visit.

Be Prepared: To make your child as comfortable as possible, it can help to bring along their favorite stuffed animal or toy. Something familiar and comforting can help ward away any scary thoughts they have about being in the dentist chair.

How to Care for Your Child’s Teeth At Home

Having a good dental hygiene routine at home can make dentist appointments much more enjoyable for your child.  Getting them used to brushing and caring for their teeth prevents cavities and other issues that may make the dentist visit scarier.

  • Before your child’s teeth erupt, clean their gums with a damp, soft cloth.
  • Brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush, only using water before the age of 2. After they reach 2 years old, introduce a small dab of toothpaste. Teach your child to spit out the toothpaste after brushing.
  • Avoid giving your child a bottle or milk or juice at bedtime or when you put them down for a nap to prevent baby bottle tooth decay.
  • Assist your child in brushing their teeth until they reach 6 years old. Have your child watch you brush to learn good brushing habits and patterns to minimize missing any spots.
  • Avoid sticky foods and treats, as they can increase the chances of tooth decay. Foods like sweetened juice and drinks, hard or sticky candies, and sticky snacks are some top offenders in children. Provide your child with health snacks like fruit that have natural sugar as well as fiber and other healthy benefits.

If you would like to learn more, please do not hesitate to give us a call or contact us to book an appointment.