Snacks: What should I avoid that is highest risk for causing cavities?

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Did you know that children’s dental health really depends LESS on what they eat, but MORE on how often they are eating it!? FACT: About 90 percent of all foods contain sugars or starches that enable bacteria in dental plaque to produce acids. This acid attack can lead to loss of tooth mineral and to cavities. It is actually WORSE to slowly sip on a sugary drink throughout the day, than it is to drink it all at once. Such long-lasting “snacks” create an acid attack on teeth for the entire time they are in the mouth.

Build healthy habits from the beginning: If children have poor diets, their teeth may not develop properly. Children need protein, vitamins and minerals, especially calcium and phosphorous, to build strong teeth and resist tooth decay and gum disease.

What should you avoid?

  • Carbonated beverages: Acids present in these drinks can cause EROSION (yes, that’s bad) of enamel, just like the sugars present in sweetened drinks or juices.

  • Cooked starches (or fermentable carbohydrates) like breads, crackers, pasta, pretzels, potato chips and even dried fruit can lead to cavities just like sugars can BECAUSE they take longer to clear the mouth than sugars. “Does that mean my favorite goldfish snacks?” Yep! They are very sticky on the teeth!

  • Candies! Duh, you know we had to say that one. But that’s not a snack. Save that for a special treat or special time like a birthday party.

Now what’s good to have?

  • Choose nutritious snacks that are good for dental health and overall good nutrition. Some healthy snacks are cheese, fresh fruit, vegetables, yogurt, peanut butter and chocolate milk. Limit the number of snack times throughout the day to no more than 3.

  • CHEESE as the cavity fighter! Certain cheeses have been shown to have characteristics that disrupt the development of cavities and stimulate the flow of saliva, clearing the mouth of food debris and acting as a buffer to neutralize the acids that attack teeth. The calcium and phosphorous found in cheese also reduce or prevent decreases in pH levels of saliva and promote remineralization of tooth enamel.

  • If your child chews gum, select products that are sugar-free. Recent evidence suggests the use of xylitol chewing gum can decrease a child’s caries rate.

All information provided by FAST FACTS from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (2014)

We LOVE this Practical Tooth Snack Guide provided by The Dentist Dad.

You can download it for free: https://www.thedentistdad.com/snackguide/

Annual Doctor & Referral Appreciation Party!

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Every year we invite all our wonderful referring partners to an afternoon of fun, food, door prizes, and most of all camaraderie, as we celebrate the relationships we’ve built over the years. We had a GREAT time seeing the awesome doctors we work with as well as their teams!

Thank you all for coming AND thank you for working with us and our amazing patients year after year.

Let’s talk about Nitrous Oxide!

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Children often have a hard time cooperating for dental treatment especially if it is new for them. If you think about it, it is a lot to ask of a little one! This is one reason why parents prefer to bring their tots to pediatric dentists instead of general dentists.

One of our tools in our behavior management toolbox that pediatric dentists can use to help children during treatment is a safe, colorless gas called Nitrous Oxide (N2O). It helps to relieve dental anxiety and discomfort for a child during dental treatment. It works simply by breathing it in through the nose by means of a little rubber nasal hood or what we might call “an astronaut mask”. The child will then feel more relaxed. The effect is mild, though, so it is best for patients with little anxiety and for those who will undergo simple dental procedures. Nitrous oxide does not bind blood and wears off rapidly as soon as it turned off so the patient can resume their daily routine like going back to school or participating in activities.

Sometimes children may need a little more help than just nitrous, so we have other deeper sedation options. Visit our clinical updates tab to learn more about those methods! After a thorough examination, the dentist will be able to let you know if nitrous is a good option for your child. Parents are a crucial part in determining their child’s ability to withstand dental treatment and should engage in active discussion with the dentist to determine the right choice. Child’s age, level of anxiety, health history, and amount of dental treatment should all be discussed and considered before scheduling the treatment appointment.

If you have questions about nitrous oxide for your child, let us know! We are always happy to discuss with you and give more information!

Check out our new “Cavity Free Club” Wall!

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If your kiddo has no cavities at their check-up, then he or she gets to go up on our Cavity Free Club wall!

At the end of the month we will draw a name and the winner receives a fun, exciting price!!

We hope YOU get to join our Cavity Free Club! Good luck to all contestants!

Remember to brush twice a day, floss once a day, and visit your dentist twice a year for a check-up and cleaning!

February is Children's Dental Health Month!

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February is National Children’s Dental Health Month! This year’s theme is Brush, Floss, Smile!!

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!

Join us March 9th for our annual doctors & referrals appreciation party!

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Every year we invite all our wonderful referring partners, doctors and their teams to an afternoon of fun, food, door prizes, and most of all camaraderie, as we celebrate the relationships we’ve built over the years. We can’t wait to celebrate again this year Guadalajara Mexican restaurant. Please RSVP if you plan to attend!

Does my child have a dental infection?

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Children can develop a dental infection for numerous reasons: 1) due to a large cavity that progressed to the nerve of the tooth, 2) prior treatment on the tooth, 3) abnormal pathology or abnormal development of a tooth, 4) previous trauma or injury to the tooth, or 5) grinding or biting into something that breaks the tooth.

If a dental infection is left untreated it can cause pain, fever, difficulty eating or drinking, facial swelling (or cellulitis), severe blood illness (or septicemia), airway compromise, or a life-threatening infection.

It’s important to contact your dentist immediately if you see anything abnormal in your child’s mouth or if your child is experiencing pain or sensitivity of their teeth.

What does an infection look like? A dental infection can start out looking like a small bubble (or “pimple”) near a tooth. Over time or even quickly, it can can worsen to look like a large swelling inside the mouth or swelling of one side of their face if it spreads far enough.

How can we treat it? Depending on the cause or tooth (primary or permanent), we can treat a dental infection with 1) pulp therapy, 2) extraction of the tooth, and/or 3) antibiotics. Pulp therapy is where we clean out the infected nerve tissue inside of the tooth, place some medicine to protect the tooth and then cover it with a crown. If we have to extract a tooth before its normal time to fall out, we may place a space maintainer to hold the adjacent teeth in place until its time for the new permanent tooth to come in. Antibiotics are usually given to take care of any swelling and then followed by one of the previous treatments.

Steps of pulp therapy: 1) clean infected nerve tissue of tooth, 2) place medicine inSIDE, THEN 3) place full coverage crown

Extraction of a tooth

ORAL antibiotics

If the infection is severe enough to be causing high fever, facial swelling, etc. then referral to the hospital for IV antibiotics may be necessary, so we want to catch and treat it before it gets to that point!

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s teeth, please contact Dr. Lindhorst or Dr. Theriot at 713-461-1509.

Dentistry for children with special needs

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Starting good oral hygiene at home and seeing a pediatric dentist early are important for ALL children, including those with special healthcare needs. If dental care is started early and consistent then EVERY child can enjoy a healthy smile! Cavities are preventable with effective brushing and flossing, limited snacking, adequate fluoride, sealants, and regular visits to the pediatric dentist.

Here at Smiles for Kids, we see all children with special health care needs, which may include chronic physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional conditions. Some of the more common conditions that require special care in dentistry include Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, epileptic or seizure disorders, vision and hearing impairments, cleft lip/palate and other craniofacial conditions, and learning and developmental disabilities. We have two board-certified pediatric dentists, Dr. Kasia Lindhorst and Dr. Adrien Theriot. Pediatric dentists are the dental professionals of choice for children with special needs. Their education as specialists - two or more years beyond dental school - focuses on care for children including those with special needs.

Why can children with special healthcare needs be more susceptible to dental decay and gum disease even though they may be born with healthy teeth?

  • Some disabilities interfere with the ability of the child to brush and floss on their own.

  • Some children with special needs are on diets detrimental to dental health or may have difficulty clearing food from the mouth.

  • Certain medications can lead to increased risk of dental disease.

  • Sometimes the time, energy and financial resources of the family are devoted to other more pressing health problems.

Dental conditions that parents should watch for: enamel irregularities, gum infections, baby teeth or permanent teeth coming in later than expected, dry mouth, problems with the way teeth fit together like crowded teeth or bite problems, decay, congenitally missing teeth, etc.

What does a dental visit for a child with special healthcare needs look like at Smiles for Kids?

We understand that each child is unique and may need extra care to feel comfortable during dental exams, cleanings or treatment. For example, one child might do great with positive communication, another might benefit from a body blanket to help control involuntary movements, and still another might need mild sedation to feel relaxed during treatment. Our pediatric dentists are well trained with a variety of possible approaches, and you as the parent can help select the approach that is best for the specific health and behavioral needs of your child. Most importantly, don’t delay dental visits because of a fear of how they will do. We are happy to do small and frequent visits to get them accustomed to the smiling faces, rooms, chairs, tools and environment.

Dental home care tips:

  • Brush twice a day. The best times are after breakfast and before bed.

  • Use a toothbrush with soft bristles. Get a new one when the bristles no longer stand straight up, usually every three months.

  • Use a smear or rice-size amount of fluoridated toothpaste for children under 3- years-old. For those 3 to 6 years of age, no more than a pea-size amount of fluoridated toothpaste should be used.

  • If a child cannot tolerate toothpaste, perhaps because of gagging or an inability to spit, parents and caregivers should brush the teeth with a fluoride rinse or fluoridated water. This will still help prevent gum disease and tooth decay.

  • Begin flossing once a day when two teeth are close and touching.

If your child has special healthcare needs or you have questions about your child’s first visit to the pediatric dentist, give us a call at 713-461-1509.

*All information gathered from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry