February is Children's Dental Health Month!

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Check out these important facts:

  1. Tooth decay is the most common childhood disease.

  2. 3 out of 5 children are affected by tooth decay.

  3. It is 5 times more common than asthma.

  4. 51 million school hours are missed due to oral disease.

  5. It is recommended to see the pediatric dentist by your child’s first birthday!

  6. Brush your child’s teeth twice a day for 2 minutes. Then floss to clean in between the teeth. Parents should help with brushing until they can clearly write their own name.

  7. Fluoride helps to make enamel stronger and protects teeth against cavities by fighting acid & erosion.

  8. Avoid sticky snacks like gummies and crackers because those will linger on the teeth longer. Instead, try yogurt, cheese, fruits and veggies!

  9. Water is the best drink for your teeth AND your body!

To learn more about Children’s Dental Health Month, and to download some fun activity sheets and coloring pages, visit: ADA.org!

New Beginnings: Dr. Theriot Takes the Helm

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Dear Parents,

I hope this letter finds you well and that you’re all staying healthy and happy in this early part of 2025. It’s with a mixture of excitement and a bit of nostalgia that I’m reaching out to share some important news with you. After much thought and careful consideration, I’ve made the decision to transition the ownership of our practice to my wonderful associate of the past seven years, Dr. Adrien Theriot, effective February 1st, 2025.

For many years now, it’s been an absolute honor to have your child, and your family be a part of our dental family. Watching your children grow, seeing their bright smiles, and building relationships with you has truly been the most rewarding part of my career. It’s a privilege I never take for granted, and I’m deeply grateful to each of you for trusting me with your child’s care.

I want you to know that Dr. Theriot is someone I trust wholeheartedly, and I am so excited to introduce her to you although most of our families have met her over all these years! Dr. Theriot brings years of experience working in our practice as well as her gentle approach to all our little patients and a wealth of pediatric dental knowledge. In addition to being an absolute gem in the pediatric dental world and being a member of multiple professional organizations, she is also an active member of our community. She is a mom to two beautiful girls and lives with her husband in our neighborhood. More importantly, she shares the same values I’ve always strived to uphold providing not only excellent dental care but also a warm, caring, and safe environment for your children.

I know that change can sometimes feel a bit unsettling, but I want to reassure you that everything you love about our practice will remain the same. The friendly faces you see when you walk in, the compassionate team who has been caring for your family, and the high standards of care we’ve always upheld will all stay just as they are. Dr. Theriot and I are both dedicated to making this transition as smooth as possible for you and your child, and I know she will continue to provide the level of care and attention that you’ve come to expect from us.

If you have any questions, concerns, or just want to talk more about this change, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to help in any way I can. You are more than just patients to me—you are part of our extended dental family, and that won’t change.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for the trust and the memories we’ve shared over the years. I am confident that Dr. Theriot will be a fantastic partner in continuing the care of your child’s dental health, and I look forward to watching this next chapter unfold with you.

With heartfelt gratitude and best wishes for your family’s health and happiness,

Dr. Kasia Lindhorst

What is Swim Stain?

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Swim staining, commonly known as "swimmer’s stain," refers to discoloration of teeth after prolonged exposure to chlorinated water. This staining can be yellowish, brownish or greenish in color and can range from mild to severe. It commonly affects competitive swimmers, recreational swimmers or just swimmers who spend a lot of time in pool water. Chlorine, while essential for keeping pool water clean and free from bacteria, can lower the pH of the water. Highly acidic water increases the likelihood of enamel erosion, which allows staining agents to penetrate the surface of the teeth more easily. Many pools contain metals like copper and iron, often used in algaecides or other cleaning treatments. These metals can bind to the enamel on your teeth, leading to a greenish or brownish discoloration. This is particularly common in pools with poor filtration systems or those that are not regularly maintained. Dry mouth can make enamel more susceptible to damage, so swimmers who also breathe through their mouth instead of their nose, have less saliva production. Less saliva means less protection of the teeth. While staining is the most common noticeable problem, teeth can also appear dull, less glossy or even feel rougher due to the enamel being worn down.

How can you prevent swim stain?

1) Brush your teeth before swimming. This will help remove the plaque or biofilm on the surface of the teeth, and help minimize the amount of chlorine or chemicals that stick to your teeth. Using fluoridated toothpaste helps to prevent tooth decay and protect enamel from acidic breakdown. You can also use a tartar control or whitening toothpaste that has gentle abrasives for helping remove surface stains and specific ingredients that help break down the stains on your teeth.

2) Rinse your mouth with fresh water before and after swimming, and drink water during breaks. This will help keep your mouth hydrated, promote saliva production and minimize the amount of time chlorine or chemicals are exposed to your teeth.

3) Check the chlorine and chemical levels. Make sure the pool water is tested, well-maintained, filtered appropriately, and has a healthy balanced pH.

4) Visit your dentist more frequently for professional dental cleanings. We can use professional dental abrasive pumice and polishing systems to keep the teeth clean, smooth and polished.

If you have noticed swim stain, would like to know more or want to schedule your child for an appointment for a dental cleaning, give us a call at 713-461-1509!

Spreading holiday cheer to Boys & Girls Country!

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This Holiday Season we were blessed to give back and picked a very deserving organization again: Boys and Girls Country! Our team truly believes in the spirit of giving and helping others. We were excited to donate much needed gifts and essentials to this wonderful organization and make someone else's Christmas magical!

Merry Christmas from Smiles for Kids Pediatric Dentistry!

https://boysandgirlscountry.org/

Canker Sores vs. Cold Sores: what's the difference?

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Canker sores (or called apthous ulcers) are a shallow lesion that develops inside the mouth on soft tissues, such as the cheeks, below the gums, inside of the lip, under the tongue or on the tongue. They look like a small white or yellow circle with a red border. They can burn or cause discomfort when you eat, drink or even when you brush your teeth. Canker sores do not occur on the outer surface of the lips and are NOT contagious. They are quite common and the exact cause is unknown, but they are not known to be a viral nor a bacterial infection. Possible triggers are:

  • stress,

  • acidic foods,

  • trauma such as biting the cheek, sports injury or brushing too hard,

  • ingredients in mouth products such as sodium lauryl sulfate,

  • diet lacking in vitamin B12, zinc, folate (folic acid) or iron,

  • hormonal shifts during menstruation

Most of the ulcers resolve on their own in 2 weeks. Applying a topical numbing gel can help with discomfort for children that are old enough for it. It is recommended to avoid spicy or acidic foods while the healing is in progress. Use a soft bristled toothbrush when brushing the teeth twice daily. Avoid toothpastes and mouth rinses that contain sodium lauryl sulfate.

Cold sores (or called fever blisters), however, usually appear outside the mouth on or around the lip. They usually look like a cluster of blisters, and they can eventually burst, causing oozing and crusting. Cold sores result directly from the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). This virus is dormant until triggered, which is when you might experience a tingling or burning sensation in your mouth and the development of a sore. Several factors can trigger the recurrence of a cold sore:

  • Stress

  • Other viral infections

  • Fatigue

  • Exposure to sun or wind

  • Hormonal changes

  • Fever

Cold sores usually heal on their own but may take up to 2-4 weeks. Because cold sores are caused by HSV-1, they may be treated with an antiviral topical, blister treatment or oral medications if they do not heal on their own. The virus itself cannot be cured. The American Academy of Dermatology strongly encourages the use of sunscreen during an outbreak, as sun exposure can affect the healing of the sore. Unlike canker sores, cold sores ARE contagious and can spread easily, so to prevent spreading the virus, you should not share utensils or any other items that touch the mouth, and avoid kissing.

Dr. Lindhorst and Dr. Theriot are happy to address any questions or concerns. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call at (713)461-1509.