A History of the Tooth Fairy

The tooth fairy legend is common for American children. Tracing where it might have come from prior to the 1900s is a mixed bag of speculation and forced analogy, but there are definite traces of earlier legends that do have at least some elements of the same magical entity. For those who want to know, here is a line-up of the usual suspects. These are the traditions from which our current tooth fairy may well have emerged.

Irish Leprechauns, Pixies and Fairies

The old Irish traditions of the leprechaun with his pot of gold, or the fairy with her "fairy gold," yield definite similarities to the generosity of our American tooth fairy. Their penchant for generosity, particularly that of the fairies who repaid human debts two-fold, can easily be seen as precursors to the tooth fairy's generous payment to children for their no-longer functional teeth.

Italy

The Italian Marantega is a legendary figure that gave gifts to children around Christmastime. The Christmas gifts from Marantega were usually exchanged for a tooth left under the pillow or under the bed.

France

As early as 1887, there was a pair of French traditions involving the placement of a lost tooth under the pillow for an overnight money exchange. One tradition involved the Virgin Mary of Christian tradition making the transaction, and the other was a more average "good fairy" character.

Europe

All over the continent there was an age old tradition quite similar to our American tooth fairy, but the benefactor was an animal figure--birds and rodents were quite popular. The lost tooth was to be placed in some location, perhaps behind some furniture or cooking stove, and the good crow or mouse would exchange it, not for money, but for a better tooth. This might seem cheap compared to other legendary benefactors, but then, what would you expect from small animals?

Our tooth fairy may have developed from any or all of these traditions, but she has definitely come to stay. Children love the concept so much that we aren't likely to escape the clutches of this wonderful little sprite.

And it is certainly good to have a legend such as this to help assuage the fears of young children when they begin losing baby teeth. The legend can make the idea of the dentist more fun, making your trips to the kid’s dentist much more enjoyable.

Here at Playtime Dental, we love making going to the dentist fun for the whole family. If you are looking for a children’s dentist in the Mansfield, Ohio, area, please contact us!

Importance of Dental Care for Preschoolers

Dental care from a children’s dentist offers a variety of solutions against any possible tooth and gum damage. A 2006 paper in Pediatric showed that children who took longer than their first birthday to see a children’s dentist were more prone to having recurring problems and emergency dental visits.

About Children’s Teeth

Children’s teeth begin to grow under their gums immediately after birth. There are two types of teeth: milk teeth (more commonly called baby teeth) and permanent teeth. Milk teeth usually erupt through the gums at the early age of six months. They are replaced by permanent teeth around the age of six. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), founded in 1947, has compiled a three-part approach to caring for children’s teeth: prevention, education, and research.

​Prevention: What can damage children’s teeth?

Tooth decay

Tooth decay occurs if children often consume sugary foods or drinks, or do not clean their teeth properly. Our mouths are full of bacteria that build up on the teeth to digest some of the sugar in our food and drinks. These bacteria form acids which weaken the enamel (hard outer layer of the teeth) causing tooth decay.

Dental erosion

Dental erosion is the gradual corrosion of enamel on the surface of the tooth. The most common cause is acid from drinks such as processed fruit juice and soda. These acids attack the surfaces of the teeth leading to dental erosion. Harmful acids can also be produced if your child vomits or has stomach problems.

Education and Research: Teeth protection practices for children

Parents should realize that food does not cause tooth decay, eating does. A visit to the children’s dentist will prove that dental health does not only depend on what children eat, but more on how often they eat it. Attacks by bacterial acid, lasting for more than 20 minutes, often lead to tooth decay and eventual dental erosion.

While it is true that baby teeth do eventually come out, it is also true that they are crucial to the child in the meantime. Because of this, it is crucial for children to brush their teeth properly at least twice a day, preferably following breakfast and dinner, to reduce bacterial growth following meals. Until your child has developed good dental habits, it is important for their parent or caretaker to supervise brushing and flossing. Building a good dental routine while children are young ensures good dental health as they grow.

Visit Playtime Dental for more information regarding your child’s dental health, or to schedule a cleaning.

A Good Kids Dentist to Restore Your Kids Smile

If your child has a chipped or broken tooth, pay a visit to a kids dentist for a professional checkup. It is common for kids to chip or break their teeth while playing. This happens when the enamel, the hardest protective part of the tooth, has reached its limits. A kids dentist can restore your child’s smile without the trip being scary or uncomfortable. But before you go, here are some basics to know about this sensitive issue.

Restore Your Kids' Dental Health

By visiting a kids dentist, you will be advised on the best treatment for your child. In some cases, it is possible to mold the shape of the kid’s tooth into its former self. One method that dentists use to restore broken or chipped teeth is through bonding a filling to the tooth to restore the missing structure. Depending on the specialist’s specifications, you might be required to visit the dentist at most three times for you to get to the bottom of the problem.

Composite Resins

In bonding, the materials used are called composite resins. These are tooth-colored plastic materials. The materials are applied to the affected tooth and then formed into a definite shape. The next step is curing (hardening). It can be done by either a chemical procedure or the use of light. Colored materials are used to brighten the discolored tooth. Your child will be able to have that confident smile once more.

Contact us at Playtime Dental for more information about keeping your child’s smile beautiful.

Bleaching: Great Choices to Brighten Your Smile

Many teens want whiter teeth. Talk to your kids’ dentist about bleaching as an option to make your child’s smile really stand out. This is usually considered by parents after their children have tried whitening toothpastes or have changed their diets to help whiten their teeth. The darkening of teeth can also occur because of injury or something else that could be wrong with the teen physically, so it may also be the sign of something else that should be checked out medically. Once this is done, bleaching can be handled in a number of different ways.

IN-OFFICE BLEACHING

In-office bleaching at your kids’ dentist is the most reliable choice for a fast result, but likely the most expensive, depending on your insurance coverage. A concentrated bleaching agent is applied to your child’s teeth and is activated with heat or light. It usually takes about an hour for this whole bleaching process to take place and most patients need as many as four visits for this to be truly effective on stained teeth. A children’s dentist can also focus on specific teeth, so that not all the teeth are bleached but only one in particular to match the bright shade of the rest.  Bleaching with trays (at home bleaching) is recommended afterwards to maintain the desired shade of the teeth.

AT HOME BLEACHING

Another method is a bleaching kit that a kids’ dentist can give you to use at home. An impression (mold) is taken of the child’s teeth and then made into a tray for bleaching gel. The child then wears the tray filled with bleaching gel for a set period of time over the course of a week or two. This is best for children who have all their teeth, such as teens. Performing teeth whitening at home can also be cheaper, but more risky as it can be done improperly. However, the side effects from it are relatively minimal.

For more information on bleaching teeth, check out the AAPD website or contact us at Playtime Dental. We'd love to help you and your child pick the best whitening option for you.

Whitening Toothpastes: Do They Really Work?

Everyone wants not only to have straight and healthy teeth, but also the white, beautiful smile so many people are drawn to. That’s one of the reasons there are more and more whitening toothpastes than ever before, with each kind promising the successful whitening of your teeth when you brush on a regular basis. But answering the question of whether they really work or not is tough, as teeth can appear very white just after a good brushing with most toothpastes and then return to a darker color after eating or drinking certain foods. So can any of these whitening toothpastes actually whiten teeth and keep them white for an extended period of time?

HOW DO WHITENING TOOTHPASTES WORK?

Whitening toothpastes contain chemicals or abrasives that act as polishing agents, with the ability to remove stains from the surface of teeth. They will definitely give teens whiter and brighter smiles that will make them all the more attractive when they flash those pearly whites. However, because there are various brands of whitening toothpastes, some work more effectively than others.

BEST RESULTS WITH WHITENING TOOTHPASTES

For the best results, most whitening toothpaste manufacturers recommend you leave the toothpaste on the teeth for at least a minute so that the chemicals and abrasive agents can do their job removing stains. This makes sense when you think about it. It’s also important to keep in mind that each person’s diet and teeth are different. Some people consume more drinks and food that darken the surface color of their teeth, while others have teeth that are more susceptible to stain. In other words, some whitening toothpastes work better for some people and not for others, making it even more difficult to know which ones will work for you.

OTHER OPTIONS TO MAKE TEETH WHITER

If whitening toothpastes don’t work and there is still a desire to make teeth whiter, bleaching can be done as well, though this should be done by a dental professional rather than using bleaching products you buy yourself (as this can lead to misuse and chemical burns). If darkening of teeth continues to occur, there may be other dental or medical conditions going on as well and these should be investigated.

You can learn more about whitening toothpastes, bleaching teeth and what the color of teeth may indicate at the AAPD website or by talking to us at Playtime Dental.

Dental Care for Your Preschooler

In a study released by the Center for Disease Control, the number of decayed or filled surfaces in children under six progressed with age. For example at age 2 children experienced between 0-2 cavities. By age three, the number of cavities was found to be between 0-5. By age four, cavities jumped from 1-6, and by age five, cavities jumped from 2-8 in primary teeth. As a parent, you might be wondering how to reduce the impact of decay and cavity/fillings for your child. The good news is that there is a lot that you can do to help improve the oral health of your children.

Help to develop a positive attitude for dental visits

As a dentist who works well with dental patients who are young and growing, I recommend finding a dental home doctor for your children by the age of one. As parents, you play a huge role in how successful your children perceive dental visits. If you dread going to the dentist, then your children will pick on that emotion and fear the dentist. Instead, try to act excited to go to the dentist. Make a big day out of dental appointments for your kids. Praise and reward them for brushing their teeth. The younger they are when they take pride in their oral health the better it is for you as a parent. Good oral health is the result of great parenting. As a dentist, I can give you the best advice, but it is up to you to make sure it is followed. These tips and tricks can help you achieve great oral health for your children.

Tips and Tricks to get your child to help with their oral care.

Start off early and avoid sugary drinks and snacks. Read the label on juice and dairy products and choose items with the least amount of added sugars.

Set dental appointment times when your child is at their best. This means choosing a time when they are alert and rested. Even the best dentist may have a difficult time overcome a grumpy mood.

Introduce children to the dental environment before their appointment. Familiarity is a great tool to reduce stress in children. Also take the time to explain the procedure to children, and encourage them to ask questions.

Another great tip is to include dental teachings in bedtime stories. ... and the little prince brushed his teeth and then .... We hope that these tips help you and inspire your child to engage in the best oral health practices possible.

Fluoride for Babies

As a parent, you're probably concerned about your baby's health and you may be wondering whether you should be cleaning his teeth. The truth is that a baby's tooth development could greatly benefit from teeth cleaning and a little fluoride. This wonderful little mineral can help prevent tooth decay by strengthening the tooth enamel. Additionally, it will make your baby's teeth more resistant to amino acids and potentially harmful bacteria.

When Should You Begin A Teeth Cleaning Routine With Your Baby?

It's a good idea to wait until your baby's about six months old before you begin your baby's teeth cleaning routine. It doesn't matter that his teeth haven't come in all the way, he still needs a small amount of fluoride to help his developing teeth to grow strong. You should meet with your child's dentist to determine your individual child's specific fluoride needs.

How Do I Make Sure My Baby Is Getting Enough Fluoride?

Your baby will get his fluoride from water and toothpaste and sometimes from bottled fruit juices even through it's not always listed on the label. However, if your drinking water doesn't contain fluoride or the right amount of fluoride, you may need to talk to your dentist about a fluoride supplement. Your dentist will then prescribe just the right amount of fluoride that's recommended for your child's age.

The prescribed fluoride can be easily administered via liquid fluoride drops or through the use of a prescription vitamin. Many HMO insurance plans may cover at least a portion of the cost of the fluoride for your child; therefore, the price should be minimal. Fluoride has been proven to reduce tooth decay anywhere from 50 to 70 percent; therefore, it's a dental health issue that shouldn't be skipped. Just make sure you follow the recommended dosage, because when it comes to fluoride, more is not better.

If you would like some help finding a dentist that works specifically with children, check with your HMO insurance plan provider to find a dentist that caters to the young and growing. Your HMO group may be able to recommend one of their preferred providers to you.

Conclusion

Cleaning your baby's teeth should become part of your daily routine once your baby turns six months old. Your dentist will instruct you on the proper techniques for cleaning his teeth, as well as, any additional amounts of fluoride your baby may need. Never hesitate to talk with your dentist about any concerns you may have about your baby's teeth. Your dentist will be your best resource when it comes to the dental health of your baby.