Category: Pediatric Dentist and Your Family

What are Dental Sealants?

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In the Know for You to Know

Today I am answering your questions about Sealants. So many of you have been writing in asking about Sealants so for you in honor of National Children’s Dental Health Month I am dedicating this post to your questions.

What are Sealants? Sealants protect the groovy chewing surfaces of back teeth where most cavities in children are found. Made of clear or tooth colored plastic-like material, they are applied to the teeth to help keep them cavity free.

Are Sealants safe? Yes the are. The flowable material is safe and the light used to harden the sealant is a special wavelength that is completely safe. The light isn’t a laser or an x-ray.

How do sealants work? Even with flossing and brushing carefully, it can be difficult to keep the tiny grooves and pits on the molars clean. Food and bacteria build up in these crevices increasing the risk of cavities. Sealants “seal out” food and plaque, reducing the risk of cavities.

How do you apply sealants? The application of a sealant is quick and comfortable. It takes only one visit. First the tooth is cleaned, a conditioner is applied and then dried. The sealant is flowed onto the grooves of the tooth and hardened with a special light. Your child will be able to eat right after their appointment.

How long do sealants last? Sealants can last several years when cared for, and protect your child’s teeth through out the most cavity prone years. With good oral hygiene and avoiding biting on hard objects, sealants will last longer. Sealants are checked during routine dental visits.

Which teeth should be sealed? The natural flow of saliva usually keeps the smooth surfaces of teeth clean but does not wash out the tiny grooves and pits. So the teeth most at risk for cavities are those recommended for sealants and they are the permanent molars, the 6 year old and 12 year old molars. Many times the permanent premolars and baby molars will also benefit from sealant coverage. Any tooth surface with “nooks and crannies” can benefit from the protection of sealants. Sealants offer no benefit to smooth flat surfaces, so sealants are not applied to those areas.

If my child has sealants, is flossing, brushing and fluoride still important? They are definitely important! Sealants are one step in the plan to help keep your child cavity free.

Are sealants recommended for all children? No, just like your child is an individual so are their teeth. A lot goes into a conversation about whether to seal or not to seal teeth. It’s all based on the specific needs for your child.

More tips? We have lots. We’re her just for kids!

Excited to go to the Dentist

Brushing My Teeth With My Mom
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In the Know for You to Know

Has your child told you how excited they are to go to the Dentist?

That they can’t wait to have their teeth counted and tickled?

What flavors will they pick to treat their tongue and bedazzle their smile?

What prizes will they choose and what will their goodie bag hold?

As a parent you know it’s about more than teeth, it’s about the experience,

Your experience in a place that is fun, magical, educational, comfortable and familiar.

This is the world of Pediatric Dentistry, This is the world for You.

Wishing you all my best for an amazing holiday season!

More Tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!

Dental Care for Adolescents

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In the Know for You to Know

What does a healthy mouth mean to you?

Is it a bright smile and fresh breath? OR

Does it mean you can talk and laugh with confidence?

Facts and tips on keeping a healthy smile

What you need to know about your own dental health —

FACT 1: You have not outgrown cavities. Cavities are more of a problem now.

FACT 2: Swollen and inflamed gums (gingivitis) is not the only risk to your oral health. It is also a threat to your appearance. Gingivitis causes red, swollen, painful bleeding gums and bad breath.

FACT 3: You are still growing. Your face and jaws are still changing. Even though you think you have all your permanent teeth, your wisdom teeth are going to start to come in. Being healthy and attractive during this time is as easy as taking good care of your teeth and visiting your Pediatric Dentist every 6 months.

How you can keep a healthy smile

Eat intelligently. Life is more hectic now with school, sports, studying, a job, new responsibilities. If you have to eat on the run choose fresh fruits and vegetables instead of junk food.

Snack smartly. Be careful of snack foods since they contain a lot of sugar and cause cavities. So read the labels.

Brush your teeth for 2 minutes 2x’s a day with a fluoride toothpaste and floss before brushing every night to help prevent gingivitis and cavities on the sides of you teeth.

Keep up with your dental checkups. Tooth cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants are important for you.

Do not smoke, vape, or chew tobacco! The warnings you hear and see are true. Smoking, vaping, using any form of tobacco doesn’t only cause heart and lung problems. They cause mouth and throat cancer. Noticing any changes in your mouth? Call your Pediatrician or Pediatric Dentist now!

Wear a mouth guard for any sports or activities where your mouth can get hit.

Buckle up in the car. Doesn’t matter if you’re the driver or passenger. A seat belt with a shoulder harness can keep your face from striking the steering wheel, the dashboard, or windshield during an accident.

Your dental health and appearance are as important to your Pediatric Dentist as they are to you and your parents.

Let your Pediatric Dentist keep your smile healthy and sparkling.

More Tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!

7 of our Favorite Books to read before your Pediatric Dentist appointment

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In the Know for You to Know

Our favorite books to read before your visit. By the way, parents and children LOVE them too!

Baby teeth are important and so are dental check-ups. These pearly whites help your child chew their food, speak, grow, and eventually guide their adult teeth into their correct positions.

20 Baby Teeth guiding all those Adult Teeth into position they must be super important

Keeping baby teeth healthy helps you keep your child healthy not just now but also for when they are the adults. Starting early, or as early as possible is the key to starting on this path.

So snuggle up, choose a good book (or two or three) and start on your dental journey.

The Tooth Book by Dr. Seuss A hilarious book about all things teeth.

The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist by Jan and Stan Berenstain Mama, Papa, Brother and Sister set out for their trip to the Dentist and learn about all the ways a Dentist helps keep teeth healthy.

Curious George Visits the Dentist by H.A. Rey Read about how George’s first visit to the Dentist is fun and a learning experience all in one.

Dentist Trip (Peppa Pig) by Scholastic George is going to the Dentist for his very first visit and Peppa is coming along to show him how much fun this will be.

Off We Go to the Dentist by Avril Webster Great book for helping children adjust to new experiences and potential sensory issues (bright lights, sounds, textures). Gently introduces what to expect at your visit for toddlers, children with special health care needs, and children for whom English is their second language.

Dora Goes to the Dentist by Randy Roper Dora describes her trip to the Dentist and involves the reader by asking you to look for things and do certain things (like opening your mouth wide). Just the right amount of detail.

Sesame Street Ready, Set, Brush! A pop-up book Elmo, Zoe, and their friends show how much fun dental visits and taking care of your teeth at home can be.

More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!

Happy Milk Chocolate Day

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In the Know for You to Know

Chocolate is all about enjoyment and making you feel happy.

Which is your chocolate choice for your child?

Do you LOVE the gooey, sticky and chewy sweets? OR Do you LOVE the melty richness and luxurious feel of smooth chocolate?

Did you know that smooth chocolate is a better choice for your teeth than sticky treats?

Stickier treats get stuck in between your child’s teeth and in the deeper groovier chewing surfaces of their teeth. So they stick around longer and cause cavities. While it’s best to avoid them all together to prevent cavities, if your child occasionally indulges, remember to Brush, Brush, Brush and Floss, Floss, Floss those stickies away as quickly as possible.

Which ever they love, keep this in mind the next time you choose your child’s sweet delight, chewy, sticky, gooey take a long time to eat and sticks to their teeth and causes cavities while smooth melty chocolate slides off teeth quicker and is less likely to cause cavities.

Cavities or No Cavities that is the Question

Photo by Igor Ovsyannykov on Pexels.com

So which will you choose?   Can you guess the Pediatric Dentist’s choice?  

Send me an email on my Contact page and let me know your choices.

Enjoy and don’t forget to brush and floss!

More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!

Top 6 tips to know about Your Pediatric Dentist for Your Family

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In the Know for You to Know

Tip 1 You’re wondering, why take my child to a Pediatric Dentist?  Isn’t my Dentist okay and it’s one less trip?

Maybe it is or maybe it isn’t.

Did you know that Pediatric Dentists are the Pediatricians of Dentistry. As Pediatric Dentists we have two to three years of specialty training following dental school and limit our practice to treating children only. 

That’s right, from your child’s first tooth to College graduation. We’re there with you from their first tooth, for every new tooth, every tooth bump and every tumble.

We are both primary and specialty oral health care providers for ALL infants and children through adolescence and young adulthood.

For children, adolescents, young adults, and adults with special health needs we are your go to Dentist. Our goal for you is to receive care while also providing insights for what you are experiencing, will experience over the coming months, make suggestions and plans for your home routine while enhancing dental care.

Our Commitment to Your Family

We do what we do for your child because we CARE

Tip 2 Now you’re asking yourself, if we go, what is a Pediatric Dentist’s approach for children?

I’m glad you asked.  We strive every day and in every way to exceed your expectations because you are entrusting us with the care of your child.  

We do this by providing the highest quality state of the art personalized oral health care for your child in a compassionate, family friendly, relaxing environment where your comfort is our top priority.

Everything is specifically for children.  Our offices are transformed into magical kid friendly places (adjusted for COVID).  We know the cutting edge techniques, have the latest and greatest materials, and the best stuff. 

We understand “child’s time,” and give every child all the time he or she needs to build a long lasting relationship on mutual trust, respect, and confidence.

You and your Pediatric Dentist are on the same team with the joint goal to set up positive expectations and experiences for your child no matter their age.

Stay tuned for Tip 3

More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!

Top Summer Questions for Healthy Teeth

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In the Know for You to Know

4 Top Questions

Summer is here and it’s time for lazy days and fun foods. Fun also means a balanced diet and keeping up with good habits, so those eagerly awaited goodies taste extra special.

Daddy and daughter eating ice cream and laughing on a beautiful summer day

How do I keep a routine for my children?

Put together a traveling dental kit.  This way if schedule changes disrupt your good habits you can start up where you left off.  Remember, during your travels that bottles and sippy cups are good for comforting your child, however falling asleep with one in their mouth increases cavity risk.

How do I keep my child’s diet healthy for their teeth?

Special foods are fun when eaten along with a healthy and balanced diet of fresh fruit, veggies, whole grains, water, and plain milk.

What about sticky gooey treats?

Gooey, sticky and chewy are fun to eat, not so much to remove from teeth.  When you indulge choose treats that are super smooth and slide off the teeth like smooth velvety dark chocolate.

What’s the most important thing for me to do? 

Establish consistent daily routines that can be done in a fun way. Do something fun while brushing to keep your child’s attention long enough for you to brush all their teeth. Brush and floss together and have a brush-a-thon to your child’s favorite tunes. Use a sticker chart and remember to be on the look out for their fun flavor toothpaste or a toothbrush with their favorite character.

More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!