Tips for Kids: National Children’s Dental Month

February is National Children's Dental Health Month. This month-long national health observance brings together thousands of dedicated dental professionals, health care providers and educators to promote the benefits of good oral health to children, their caregivers, teachers and many others.
 

The theme created for the 2016 American Dental Association campaign is “Sugar Wars.”  

Children are faced with a confusing array of food choices, from fresh produce to sugary and processed convenience meals and snacks foods. 

What children are eating today poses not only affects their oral health, also poses serious concerns regarding their overall health.
 
The following are some tips to help reduce a child's risk of tooth decay:

Sugary foods and drinks should only be consumed with meals. This is because saliva production increases while eating and helps neutralize acid production and rinses food particles from the mouth.

Limit snacks between meals. If children crave a snack, offer them nutritious foods.  


If your children chew gum, choose sugarless gum with xylitol or recaldent. Chewing sugarless gum after eating can increase saliva flow and help wash out food and decay-producing acid.
 

Monitor beverage consumption. Instead of soft drinks, sports drinks or energy drinks, children should drink water or low-fat milk.
 

Help your children develop good brushing and flossing habits. Parents should assist their children until the ages of 8-10, depending on the child’s ability to brush properly.
 

Schedule regular dental visits.  Children should be seen every 6 months for check-ups to monitor the development of their teeth and for regular teeth cleanings.

New Year’s Resolutions For A Healthier Smile!

A New Year’s resolution often involves some sort of short-term or long-term goal.  Ask yourself, what are your “goals” for oral health in 2016?  We at Beachside Dental want to help you achieve those goals!  Before you ever step foot into our office, here are some resolutions that will help you achieve the smile you desire.

1) Schedule a Dental Appointment
Nearly one third of people in the United States do not visit the dentist annually, according to the American Dental Association. Making a dental appointment is actually the first and most important step towards oral health. To make the process of scheduling your appointment easier, you can make an appointment at Beachside Dental on our website (www.beachsidedds.com) or even on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/beachindentist).

2) Daily Flossing
Brushing your teeth twice a day isn't enough.  Flossing will help to keep plaque from building up between your teeth or to remove particles of food from your mouth. If your gums bleed when you floss, this is a sign that your gums are inflamed and that you actually need to floss more often.  If you stick with this healthy habit, you’ll be on your way to a healthier smile.

3) Cut Back On Sugar
Cutting back or eliminating sugar can drastically reduce your risk for tooth decay. Here are some suggestions; Drink sugar-free sparkling water (flavored is OK) instead of soda, or chew a piece of sugar-free gum when you have a craving for something sweet.

4) Stop Smoking
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking nearly doubles your risk of having gum disease, and is linked to a host of other health issues. Prepare for the cravings you will have when you quit and find healthy activities to engage in to keep you from giving in to any temptations. General medical practitioners can help in conjunction with dentists, to help you address any nicotine addictions.

5) Eat Healthy
In addition to cutting back on sugary foods/drinks, consider eating as healthy as possible. Dairy products high in calcium are great for your teeth, as well as foods high in fiber which increase the amount of saliva in your mouth 

Why You Should Visit the Dentist Regularly

Ever wonder why dentists recommended you be seen every six months, even if your teeth don’t hurt or if you don’t usually have your teeth cleaned that often?  Some believe the reasons are financially driven, and that couldn’t be further from the truth; well sort of (I’ll explain more later).
 
The truth is, regular dental visits are essential for achieving optimal oral health, including your teeth and gums.  Depending on your treatment needs, you may even need more frequent visits for certain teeth cleanings, possibly every 3 to 4 months.

A Routine Dental Visit

Checking your teeth for cavities is just one part of a routine dental examination.  A dentist (or dental hygienist) will complete the following procedures during your visit:

• Examine the gums• Check for evidence of gum disease• Check for loose teeth• Examine your tongue• Check your bite• Looking for visual or radiographic evidence of tooth decay• Check for broken teeth• Check for damaged fillings• Evaluate any dental appliance you have• Check the contacts between your teeth• A Routine Cleaning
 
Another important reason for a routine dental visit, is to have your teeth cleaned thoroughly, beyond what a toothbrush or floss can do for you at home.  

If not removed, soft plaque can harden onto your teeth and irritate the gum tissue and possibly lead to periodontal disease.
 
Food or beverages and tobacco can stain teeth as well and can be removed by polishing your teeth.  A dentist or hygienist will also review important information about proper oral hygiene techniques and answer any questions you may have, general or specific, about your mouth.

Holiday Oral Health Care for Kids

Take the fright out of holiday sweets with these
oral care tips.

With Halloween just behind us, and other holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Easter, etc. on the horizon, this is a good time to consider holiday oral health care tips for our children.  
With tooth decay being the most common chronic childhood disease, it is so important to teach your child about the harm too much candy can cause on their teeth and gums and what you and they can do to help prevent it.

Every time we eat, bacteria in our mouths interact with food, creating and acidic by-product which can attack enamel. Sugar creates an especially acidic byproduct, which is why sugary/sticky foods and drinks are more likely to create decay. 

This is even more true between meals, because this is when your mouth produces the least amount of saliva to combat and neutralize the acids.

Here are some oral health care tips to combat the effects of sugar:
• Save sugary treats for after mealtime: This is when the amount of saliva produced in the mouth is greatest, reducing the effects of acidic attacks.
 
• Consider serving dairy products with treats:  Dairy products such as milk and cheese act as buffers to the acids produced by oral bacteria.
 
• Flossing regularly:  Candy often gets stuck between the teeth, making these areas more susceptible to decay.
 
• Drink lots of water:  Water also acts as a buffer in the oral cavity and can also rinse away some of the sugary contents in the mouth. 

Don’t Be Scared of the Dentist!

It is estimated that 8-20% of the population suffers from a crippling fear of the dentist, preventing these individuals from seeking routine dental care.  Whether that anxiety stems from a negative dental visit in the past, or a fear of the unknown, avoiding the dental office can have severe health consequences.  

Let’s take a look at some of the common fears associated with being in a dental office, and how these fears can be dealt with.

Fear of the unknown-  Many patient are scared to be in a dental chair, for fear of the unknown; what will they be doing to me?!  An initial examination or consultation should always begin with an open-ended conversation between the patient and dentist.  At Beachside Dental, we want to know what is bothering you about your mouth/teeth as well as what oral health goals you may have.  We also want to know about any negative experiences you may have had, so that we can work together to avoid a similar experience.  There should be no secrets about the impending dental treatment or techniques used to complete the work.

Fear of the dental instruments- Dental instruments can look intimidating, not only when used in your mouth, but sometimes just sitting out in the open.  
The truth is, dental instrumentation and technology continues to improve on a seemingly daily basis and at Beachside Dental, we provide our patients with the “latest-and-greatest”.  If you have a question about a particular instrument, it’s your right to know what the tool is and how it works. 

Extreme dental anxiety-  For some, the anxiety associated with a trip to the dentist, even for a simple procedure, may prove to be too much to overcome by conversing with the dental team or knowing more about the procedure/instruments being used.  There are many sedation or relaxation techniques that can be employed in these circumstances, which are safe for the patient and allow for a more pleasant experience.  As a patient, you should consult with the dentist to see if you are a candidate for sedation for dental visits.

At Beachside Dental, Dr. Savidan utilizes the latest technology and techniques in a low stress and comfortable environment.  Our goal is to always provide you with an exceptional dental experience, from your new-patient examination and including any dental treatment you may need.  Give us a call to schedule your examination today, and make your next trip to the dentist a day at the Beach…

Breastfeeding and Oral Health

Did anyone know there is such as thing as “National Breastfeeding Week”?!  
I didn’t, but figured once I heard about it, this month’s blog was a good opportunity to discuss breastfeeding and its effect on the oral health of a baby.
   

A June 2015 study published in Pediatrics reported that babies who exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months were 72% less likely to have crooked bites (aka. malocclusion).  Dentists and orthodontists are quick to point out though, that other factors such as genetics, thumb-sucking and pacifier use are all just as important when it comes to teeth alignment.
 
Another benefit of exclusive breastfeeding, is a reduced risk of baby bottle tooth decay.  “Bottle rot” is cause by the frequent, prolonged exposure of the baby’s teeth to drinks that contain sugar. Many times, a baby is put to bed with a bottle containing formula, milk or fruit juice. The upper front teeth are usually the most affected, but other teeth may also be badly decayed.
 
It’s important to know that babies who breastfeed can also develop cavities.  
A few days after birth, you should begin wiping your baby’s gums with a clean, moist gauze pad or washcloth, daily. Once the first tooth emerges, brush the baby’s teeth twice a day using a children’s toothpaste in an amount no more than a smear or the size of a grain of rice.
 
I personally have witnessed the destructive effects of poor oral hygiene and diet on many babies, and I hope this blog has shed some light on an important issue.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office. 

Give us a call today to schedule your toddler’s first dental visit!

Dental Emergencies 101

The last thing anybody wants to deal with during their summer vacation is a dental emergency!  In addition to kids being outside more and playing more sports, adults might also find themselves being more active and prone to various dental injuries. 
Below is a list of common dental emergencies and how to deal with them:

What do I do if I knock out a tooth?
    If your child knocks out a “baby tooth”, try to find the tooth and keep it moist while in route to see the dentist.  Chances are a baby tooth will not be re-implanted, but it is helpful for the dentist to see the tooth for themselves.
    If an adult tooth is completely dislodged from the mouth, try to find the tooth and gently rinse the tooth with water or milk while trying not to touch the tooth’s root.  If the tooth is completely intact and clean, you may try to re-implant the tooth yourself before heading to the dental office.  If that’s not possible, place it in between your cheek and gums, in milk, or use a tooth preservation product that has the ADA Seal of Acceptance.  Contact the dentist, ASAP.

What should I do if I bite my lip or tongue?
If you bite your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water and apply a cold compress. Contact the dentist right away or consider going to the emergency room if there is excessive bleeding or the pain is extreme.

What do I do if I have a bad toothache?
For toothaches, rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it out. Carefully use dental floss to remove any food stuck between your teeth. Do not place aspirin on your aching tooth or gums as it may burn the gum tissue. If the pain persists, contact your dentist.

What can I add to my emergency kit?
The Save-a-Tooth emergency tooth preservation kit is a great addition to any first aid kit in case you lose a tooth unexpectedly.  It's also good idea to have floss on hand in case something gets caught in your teeth.