When you
think of baby breath you think of something delicate, airy and sweetly
pleasant. But in reality, that's not always what you get.
Even
healthy children sometimes experience bad breath. But if your son or daughter
has persistent bad breath, it could point to improper dental hygiene.
Common Causes of Bad Breath
The first
and most obvious cause of bad breath in children, as in anyone, is unhealthy
oral habits. You should teach your child from a very young age to always brush
their teeth and tongue so that bacteria does not build up and bad odors
are prevented.
Let your
child know that brushing the tongue is just as important as brushing the teeth.
Supervise the brushing to make sure they are doing a good job. Make
sure children know from early on that regular care of the mouth is a normal
part of each day.
Eating
foods that have strong odors can also cause bad breath. If children are
brushing regularly after every meal, this will help with that problem, regardless
of what is consumed.
If your
child is sick, there are two possible sources of bad breath — the medicine he
or she is taking, or the infection/condition itself.
Check your
child's mouth regularly to make sure they don't have any cavities, sores in the
mouth or plaque build-up, all of which can contribute to bad breath.
Preventing Bad Breath
It is the
saddest thing to see a very young child with stained or rotting teeth. This is
something that might affect them for a lifetime and could have been prevented
with proper care.
Don't wait
until your child has an obvious problem before acting. Take your
children to the dentist now. Teach them that their dentist, just like
Officer Friendly, is indeed their friend.
You should
encourage children to floss daily and take good care of their teeth so they can
proudly brag when they visit their dentist and look forward to getting a
new toothbrush.
The
routine at Playtime Dental is designed to make your child's visit fun and
entertaining. If your child needs a dentist appointment, give our office a call
today. We are currently accepting new patients!
To floss or not to floss is not the question. We all know children need to get on board with flossing. If you are wondering why your kids should floss, when they should floss, and/or how often they should floss, here are some things your child's dentist wants you to know.
How Soon Should Children Start Flossing?
How soon should children start flossing? As soon as they have two teeth touching each other, because that is when food particles start getting stuck between teeth.
They will probably need your help until age 10 or 11 because children do not typically get good hand-eye coordination until around the ages of 8-10 and they might not get all the food particles. When they're older, they'll also have the manual dexterity to do a good job.
Why Do Children Need to Floss?
Simply put, our children need to floss to prevent cavity and gum disease. Plaque that isn't removed by flossing and brushing can harden and cause problematic tartar also known as, calculus.
Is There an Ideal Time to Floss?
Decisions, decisions, decisions. You may have heard that old song, "The Night Time is the Right Time!" That may be the "right time" to be with the one you love, as the song says, but is there a right time or a wrong time to floss?
Should children floss before or after they brush their teeth? Surprisingly, more people floss before they brush than after. They're probably thinking if they get little food particles out by flossing, then they can brush and gargle them away. However, many dentists say it doesn't matter.
The important thing is that your children do floss every time they brush. So how often should they brush? Twice daily is normally recommended. However, if your child wants to be fanatic about something, brushing and flossing more often won't hurt.
Just make sure that when you're teaching your child to floss that you teach him or her to throw the floss away after using it and don’t save it for later. They might be "saving" bacteria, which will get back on their teeth when they floss the next time.
Act Now
If you haven't begun to educate your children on maintaining a healthy mouth, start now! If it's time for your child's next dental appointment, call our office today to schedule a visit with Playtime Dental.
Of all your baby's milestones, one of the most exciting is the arrival of the first baby tooth. Teething occurs when the first baby tooth begins breaking through the baby's gums. You may not know what to expect during this time in your baby's life, so we've put together a list of the five things you need to know when it comes to teething.
1. When Teething Begins
The lower front baby teeth usually come in first. One to two months later, the upper front teeth make their appearance. This phase usually begins at about six months but it can be anytime between three and 12 months. All the primary teeth should come in by age 3.
2. Signs of Teething
Drooling is typical when baby teeth come. Keep a bib handy to wipe the chin to avoid chapping. Drooling may cause the development of a rash or redness. Have some Vaseline or skin cream handy.
Your baby may be irritable and cranky, and may not want to eat because of sore gums. You might find your baby pulling his or her ears and rubbing his or her cheeks during the teething process. Because of the discomfort of teething, your baby's sleep pattern may be disrupted as well.
Swollen gums during teething may cause a low-grade fever. However, if a high fever or diarrhea does occur, contact your child’s physician for an appointment because these symptoms are probably caused by something else.
3. Teething Pain Relief
If your baby is getting fussy because of teething, these remedies might help:
- Teething ring. This is a baby product used to soothe the gums, something a baby can gnaw and rub against the gums. Shop carefully for a safe product.
- Cold, wet wash cloth. Parents can cover their finger with the wash cloth and apply soft pressure to the baby's gums.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers. Ask your dentist for a recommendation.
4. Caring for New Teeth
Once those teeth start coming in, it's time to buy your baby's first toothbrush. Take time to clean the teeth after each feeding. This is the first step in establishing lifelong good dental habits for your child. This is also the time for your baby's first trip to the dentist to get recommendations for proper care.
Now that spring has rolled around, it is time to turn our attention to outdoor activities. The warm April weather means our little ones will head outside with their bikes and engage in all sorts of activities with their friends.
April also represents National Facial Protection Month. Too many people think that facial injuries predominantly occur when engaging in contact sports. The truth is that your children are quite vulnerable on their bicycles as well.
The Importance of a Helmet
Bike helmets have become so important that the federal government has instituted safety standards for their design and function. Do not let your child use a bike helmet that does not have a sticker stating it complies with the requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Demand that your kids wear their helmets at all times when riding their bikes. Do not let them get away with a helmet-less ride even if it is just down the street to their friend's place.
Furthermore, inspect the helmet as it rests on your child's head to ensure that it fits properly. If you and your child are not sure if it fits right, do not hesitate to consult with an expert at a bike store.
Choose the Right Size Bike
Too many parents think that a hand-me-down bike will suffice for their young one. Don't try to cut corners by forcing your child to ride a bike that is not the ideal size. A properly sized bike will help keep your child safe and sound.
Have your child stand so that he or she straddles the top bar of the bike with both feet flat on the ground. If there is not an inch to three inches of space between the top bar and your child, the bike is the wrong size. Also, check to make sure that the seat, wheels and handlebars all fit nice and snug.
Perform Regular Bike Maintenance
Bikes require maintenance just like automobiles. Check your child's bike chain on a regular basis to determine if it requires additional oil. Verify that the bike's brakes are functioning as designed. Sticking brakes can lead to a nasty accident that leaves your child bruised, bloodied or worse.
Also, be sure to inspect the tires on your child's bike on a regular basis. The tires should have ample air along with the proper tire pressure.
Playtime Dental is Here for Your Kids
The dental experts here at Playtime Dental are just as concerned about your child's teeth as you are. If Playtime Dental does not care for your little one’s dental needs and you have any interest in a new dentist, look no further. We provide a child-friendly dental environment that your little one will like. Reach out to us today to schedule an appointment by dialing 419-774-PLAY.
It is common for kids playing outside in the heat to grab a sports drink to re-hydrate and stay cool, but these drinks may be the cause of more trips to the kid's dentist for oral health problems. Drinking too many of these sugar-filled sports drinks can be harmful to a child's oral health. Sports drinks are everywhere, including school cafeterias, because they are thought to be a safe alternative for children to consume. Although they may be a healthier alternative to sodas, these drinks are just as capable of causing tooth decay.
Acid and Teeth
Many people associate enamel erosion with the bacteria found in the mouth as a result of poor oral hygiene habits. Unfortunately, highly acidic foods and drinks can cause significant damage to teeth without the help of bacteria. Sports drinks contain high levels of citric acid or phosphoric acid, which may leave children's teeth more prone to cavities and tooth decay. Once acid erosion starts to attack the enamel on teeth, the teeth often become more sensitive to hot foods, cold foods, touch and pressure, which causes problems with eating, biting and brushing.
Sugar and Teeth
Just like soda, sports drinks contain a high concentration of sugar and although sugar itself doesn't rot the teeth, the acid that is produced from bacteria due to the sugar, does. Sugar feeds the bacteria that live in our mouths. When children drink sports drinks and other beverages that contain a lot of sugar, the bacteria consumes the sugars, turning the sugars into a harmful acid that eventually causes erosion of the tooth enamel and causes cavities. The best way to remove the acid causing bacteria is to brush, but sports drinks are often sipped frequently throughout the day, which lengthens the amount of time the acids and sugars are on the teeth, leading to plaque and decay. Enamel demineralization leads to cavities on the areas of teeth that have an accumulation of plaque, which is caused by sugars and the bacteria.
Not only can the excess sugars in these drinks cause tooth decay in children, but it may lead to obesity, diabetes and other health issues. All of these can have a negative effect on oral health.
If you are concerned your child may have cavities as a result of drinking sports drinks, contact his or her dentist to schedule an appointment for a cleaning and thorough examination.
Your teen's smile enhances their confidence and self-esteem. It's one of the first things that will attract people to them. That's why it's so important to take good care of the teeth starting as soon as possible. Teens lead very busy and active lifestyles, which unfortunately can translate into less time spent on dental hygiene. Following these recommendations will help your teen maintain and sustain quality oral health.
Set a Routine
It is recommended that a person brush at least two to three times per day with a fluoride toothpaste in addition to flossing at least once per day. Over time they'll get used to the routine. Doing so will help prevent tooth decay, plaque build-up and gum disease.
Diet
Dental plaque loves sugar and carbohydrates. Healthy snacks like fruits and veggies can actually help clean teeth, so encourage your teens to eat smart when it comes to snacking. A diet that's rich in nutrients is also going to benefit dental health over many years.
Regular Dental Visits
We're aware that teens maintain an active lifestyle, but routinely seeing a general dentist during the teen years is important for the general development of their teeth and mouth. Just because they saw a kid's dentist routinely and all of their permanent teeth have come in doesn't mean that the health of their teeth, gums and bone are optimal. Ignored or untreated dental conditions are going to detract from their overall health and smile, so make sure they get a cleaning every six months.
Piercings
Oral piercings might be popular with kids, but they can chip or break teeth. If your teen is set on it, some piercings are safer than others. We can make our recommendations if needed.
Mouth Guards
Dental injuries occur every year in sports. If your teen is involved in sports, they can prevent dental injuries by wearing a mouth guard. They're highly recommended and are custom fitted.
It's well established that both cough drops and cough syrup contain ingredients that can contribute to tooth decay and oral health issues. A child's teeth are most susceptible to cough syrup, particularly if they use cough medicine and then go to bed without brushing their teeth. The purpose of cough syrup is to coat the throat, but it also coats the teeth.
Sugar, Alcohol and Cavities
Cough syrup usually has a sweet taste because of the sugar in it, but it also often contains citric acid and alcohol. Alcohol can make the mouth dry. Bacteria in the mouth feed on that sugar, and the acid forms around the teeth from the bacteria. Saliva naturally cleans the acid away, but because of the drying effect of alcohol coupled with the naturally diminished production of saliva during sleep, sufficient saliva isn't produced to clean off the citric acid. That means the acid from the bacteria is left on the teeth for hours resulting in tooth decay.
Cavity Prevention During Cold and Flu Season
If you're going to give your child cough syrup during cold and flu season, give it to them well before they go to bed and make sure that they brush and floss their teeth before their head hits the pillow. If you have to wait until just before the child goes to bed before taking the cough syrup, have them brush and floss to remove the sugar from the surface of their teeth. Pills or capsules are the best alternatives to liquid cough medicine, and they work just as well so long as your child can swallow pills or capsules.
Tooth decay can cause pain and destroy teeth that you and your kid's dentist work so hard to maintain. Quality oral health for your kids helps keep your children healthy and reduces the costs of dental care. A little sugar, citric acid and alcohol in a dose of cough syrup might seem insignificant, but it can adversely affect their oral health over time, particularly before bedtime. Follow our cough medication recommendations for the optimal dental care of your child.
