But the commercial said these are "healthy" drinks! Are they healthy or not?

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Most people know that cokes and sodas are not good for your health or teeth because they contain lots of sugars! There are many drinks out there that are advertised as “healthy” but truly aren’t. These include Gatorade, fruit juice drinks, bubbly or flavored waters, energy drinks, and more. The following are some examples of these types of beverages:

  • Sports/Energy drinks – While they market themselves to contain electrolytes which might seem enticing for after sports and activities, several brands contain low pH, which means it is acidic. Acidic drinks can weaken the teeth by eroding enamel. When the enamel is weak, your teeth become sensitive to heat and cold and susceptible to cavities. Also check the grams of sugar, sodium and other chemicals they sneak into these drinks that are not good for overall health. Instead reach for coconut water! Coconut water provides much-needed electrolytes!

  • Fruit juices – Most people think that fruit juices are healthy so they take it in large doses and often give it to their children as sources of vitamins. However, fruit juices can never replace the benefits that you get from eating real fruits. Even the ones marketed as “organic” can contain high levels of sugar. Fruit juices’ sugar and acidity levels are high enough to weaken the tooth enamel.

  • Sparkling water - these waters can be very acidic since they contain carbonic acid. Which means it can erode tooth enamel!

  • Tea – Tea is an antioxidant and several studies show that it is good for overall health. But it can also erode and stain teeth. Black tea is found to erode teeth faster than the green variety. However, this effect is not as fast when compared to that of fruit juices and energy drinks because there is no sugar in plain tea unless it is artificially added. Be careful of the sweetened teas also like Boba and canned Arizona teas that contain flavorings. Thats all sugar!

  • Bottled water – Water in general is an excellent choice for rehydration, but bottled water does not contain fluoride, an ingredient that helps keep teeth strong and healthy. So when available, drink fluoridated tap water instead. It does not only save you a few dollars but also helps you keep your pearly whites for many years.

Here are some tips on minimizing damage from sugary and acidic drinks:

  • Read the label. If you can’t resist reaching for a “healthy” drink, at least choose one that has the least sugar and right pH level.

  • Use a straw to minimize contact of acid and/or sugar ingredients on your teeth and drink it in a short amount of time, instead of sipping on it throughout the day.

  • Fluoridated tap water remains the best choice so reach for the faucet instead of acidic beverages.

  • After having an acidic drink, rinse your mouth with water to give your enamel time to recover.

  • Brush your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, and floss daily!

  • Visit your dentist regularly. Check-ups are important for maintaining a healthy smile!

Want to know more?! Visit https://www.healthyfoodamerica.org/sugartoolkit_kahuna!

What are "bitewing" x-rays and why do we take them?

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These are “bitewing” x-rays. We call them “cavity detecting x-rays”. They are used to detect interproximal (between the teeth) cavities if back teeth are touching. This is the most common area for children to have cavities! Dental x-rays are an important diagnostic tool in the treatment of children and can provide a broad range of information that cannot be gathered in visual exams. We often see children with no visual evidence of cavities, who surprise us on x-rays with significant cavities between the teeth. If the cavity is caught on the x-ray early, we can double our preventative methods or restore the tooth with a small filling. However, if we do not take an x-ray in early stages of cavity development, we can visually discover it only once it is large and needs “baby root canal” and crown or even an extraction.

At Smiles For Kids, we respect the radiation emitted by the x-rays, but it is our role as dental professionals to educate families on why, how, and when we utilize this important diagnostic tool. The interval of taking dental x-rays depends on then individual child’s risk for cavities or pathology. How do we determine risk? We look at bacteria levels by amount of plaque or tartar buildup on the teeth, texture of enamel, presence of visible cavities, and more. We also look at parent and sibling history of cavities, nighttime feeding practices (such as going to bed with food or drink or nighttime nursing), amount and frequency of acid and sugar exposure, daily oral hygiene practices, spacing between the teeth, age of the child, and more.

Join us at our annual Patient Appreciation Party!

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We are SO excited to invite you to our 15th Annual Smiles For Kids Annual Patient Appreciation Party!! PLEASE join us on Sunday, September 24th at 3pm. There will be games, prizes, balloon artists, pizza and popcorn buffet and a showing of Trolls: World Tour!!

Hope to see you there! Please RSVP to drkasia@smiles-for-kids.com.

- The Smiles For Kids Pediatric Dentistry team

The Benefit of Sealants!

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As soon as the first tooth erupts, cavities instantly become children’s dental archenemy making regular brushing extremely necessary. At Smiles for Kids, we place a great emphasis on prevention. That includes diet and oral hygiene instruction with patients and caregivers, fluoride application and specifically, sealants. Sealants are a protective coating for the grooves of teeth where toothbrush bristles and floss can’t reach, most specifically the back teeth such as premolars and molars.

Think of sealants as the Captain America shields against tooth decay. They are recommended for baby and adult teeth with deep pits and grooves that are susceptible to bacteria, plaque retention and acid attack, as well as for patients with a history of cavities or at higher risk for future cavities.       

According to scientific studies, children aged 5-10 years with sealants applied, sealants reduced cavities between 11% and 51% compared to those with no sealant, at 24 months. Another study also found dental sealants to reduce more tooth decay in the grooves of children’s molars than fluoride varnish application.

Aside from being effective, dental sealants are safe and affordable too! Insurance companies understand their impressive protection and cover them in large percentage. The cost of 4 sealants is close to the cost of one filling.

Talk to your pediatric dentist about sealants! They will examine your child’s teeth and report to you if dental sealants are appropriate for your child’s age and condition. Note that not all children need these. To give you an idea, kids six years of age are the best candidates for sealants because it is the age when the first permanent molars appear and are most vulnerable. Keep in mind that even with dental sealants applied, children still need to get regular dental checkups, cleanings, x-rays and fluoride treatments. Sealants may be applied by the dentist, the dental hygienist or dental assistant that is properly trained and certified in placing sealants.

The key to proper sealant placement and retention is good isolation and technique. We like to use Isolite dental isolation systems when placing sealants because they have a built-in bite block, control the patient’s cheeks and tongue while protecting the airway, come in many sizes and has a light for better illumination of the mouth. The edges of the Isolite can be trimmed for patient comfort if necessary. You can find out more about this on our clinical updates page!

Sealants are non-invasive, easy to place, cost-effective and a critical player in the fight against dental caries!

Accidents happen! What to do if something happens to your child’s tooth?

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Summer is here and all of the fun sports have started! Accidents can happen anytime and anywhere like while playing baseball, rock climbing, riding a bike, running down the sidewalk, dancing... So what should you do if your child hits their mouth or knocks out a tooth? These guidelines will help you determine what to do until you can see your pediatric dentist!

What to do if a BABY tooth is knocked out:

  • Call your pediatric dentist as soon as possible. Our office number is 713-461-1509.

  • Rinse the mouth with water and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling.

  • Spend time comforting the child rather than looking for the tooth. Remember, baby teeth should not be replanted because of potential damage to developing permanent teeth.

  • The pediatric dentist may make an appliance to replace the missing tooth depending on which tooth it is and the age of the child.

What to do if an ADULT tooth is knocked out:

  • Find the tooth and rinse it gently in cool water. DO NOT scrub it or use soap to clean it.

  • Replace the tooth in the socket and hold it there with clean gauze or a wash cloth. If you cannot put the tooth back in the socket, place the tooth in a “Save-A-Tooth” solution container, or a clean container with cold milk, or your own saliva. DO NOT put it in regular water.

  • Call your pediatric dentist to be seen in the office immediately.

What to do if a tooth is chipped or broken:

  • Call your pediatric dentist right away. They will determine how severe the chip is and if you need to be seen immediately or during normal business hours.

  • If you can find the broken tooth fragment, bring it to the dentist and they may be able to bond it back together.

What to do for a toothache:

  • Call your pediatric dentist to schedule an appointment for an exam and x-ray to determine the cause of the toothache and necessary treatment.

  • Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen according to your child’s medical history, age and weight until you can be seen by the dentist.

There are many other types of dental injuries that can happen that aren’t listed here. It’s always best to contact your pediatric dentist right away for any injury so we can help guide you on what to do. Give us a call at 713-461-1509!

Memorial Day Snack Idea!

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Dr. Theriot has a delicious red, white and blue recipe for you and the kids to make this holiday weekend! It’s one of her favorite snacks and is super easy to make!!

All you need are your favorite yogurt, strawberries, and blueberries!

⭐️ Spread the yogurt out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper
⭐️ Add fresh fruit on top of the yogurt. We like how they cut the strawberries into stars!
⭐️ Freeze for a few hours until yogurt is solid.
⭐️ Break up or slice, and serve!

Make this recipe your own with other yummy fruits and even granola!! Yogurt alternatives like Greek or non-dairy are great too! Instead of spreading out onto a baking sheet, you can even make individual bite size snacks using cupcake cups for easy serving.

*Picture belongs to ForkAndBeans.com

Why its important to visit your dentist for routine check-ups!

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Did you know that approximately more than 51 million school hours are missed annually by school-aged children due to a dental problem or visit?! Regular dental visits (i.e. “preventive dentistry”) help children stay cavity-free.

Preventive dentistry can keep your child’s smile healthy and attractive. Children in dental pain are distracted from their studies. Children with healthy teeth have better attendance and are more attentive in school. Children with healthy mouths are more likely to be able to eat comfortably and get the sleep they need. A healthy mouth is more attractive, giving children confidence in their appearance. Finally, preventive dentistry means less extensive and less expensive treatment for your child.

Teeth cleanings remove plaque build-up on the teeth. Plaque irritates the gums and causes decay. Fluoride treatment renews the fluoride content in the enamel, strengthening teeth and preventing cavities. X-rays help the dentist to see inside your teeth and underneath the gums and bone where we cannot visually see with our eyes. These x-rays can detect cavities before they become a big problem, can detect abnormal pathology, infections, missing teeth, and more. It is essential to get an on-going assessment of changes in a child’s oral health by a pediatric dentist. For example, a child may need additional fluoride, dietary changes, sealants or interceptive orthodontics for optimal oral health.

Other preventive steps you can take to keep your child cavity-free:

  1. Good home dental care - brush twice a day (after breakfast and before bed). Parents should supervise the brushing for school-age children until they are 7-8 years of age (about the same time they can tie their own shoelaces or write in cursive). The best toothbrushes have soft, round-ended (polished) bristles that clean while being gentle on the gums. The handle should be the correct size to fit your child’s hand. When adjacent tooth surfaces are touching or tight, it is time to begin daily flossing.

  2. Fluoride - Fluoride not only helps prevent cavities and slows the growth of decay, but it can also reverse decay in its early stages. The enamel of a tooth remineralized with fluoride is stronger than the original tooth surface. Water fluoridation is still the No. 1 cost effective way to prevent tooth decay. Select a fluoride toothpaste with the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance.

  3. Sealants - Most cavities in children occur in places that sealants could have protected. Pit and fissure (i.e. grooves) decay accounts for 80-90% of cavities in permanent back teeth and 44% in baby teeth. With appropriate follow-up care, the success rate of sealants may be 80-90% even after a decade!

  4. Limited snacking - Snack in moderation, no more than three times a day. Snacks should contribute to the overall nutrition and health of the child. Cheese, fresh fruits, vegetables and yogurt are all nutritious snacks. Check out last month’s blog post all about snacking.

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

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.