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Happy Holidays!
Wishing you and your family the most beautiful of holidays.
Happy Passover
Happy Easter
Happy Orthodox Easter
From each of us at KidsTootHotline to each of you all our best for an amazing holiday.
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You’re going about your regular day. Work, school, after school, dinner, homework. Then you walk into your child’s room and notice they’re playing with their lip. They see you standing there and before you can ask anything, they say “Mom, look at this bubble on my lip.”
When you look, there is definitely a bubble on the inside of their lip. Then you think back and don’t recall anything being there yesterday or the day before that.
After a few questions you find out that this bubble comes and goes, it gets bigger and smaller, thankfully doesn’t hurt, and they run their tongue and teeth over it when it’s there.
But what is this bubble? Where did it come from? Why does it come and go, and change shape?
There is a specific type of bubble that is commonly found in the mouth that acts in this way; it’s called a Mucocele.
So, what is there to know about mucoceles?
A mucocele is another name for a mucous cyst. By nature, cysts are fluid filled sacs.
Mucoceles are frequently seen in children due to their tendency to bite or suck on their lips and cheeks. These habits can lead to trauma not only to the delicate oral tissues but also to the minor salivary glands which lie underneath.
These glands have ducts which provide a path for the saliva to flow into the mouth. When these ducts are blocked the saliva has no where to go. Saliva keeps forming and with no where to go causes the glands to swell. The swollen salivary glands become a mucocele.
Mucoceles tend to be transparent, mucous-filled dome shaped bubbles.
The bubble may be clear or the same color as the mouth tissues. It can take on a bluish or reddish color depending on where it is and how much pressure there is from the buildup of saliva.
Sometimes the surface may become white, rough or scaly due to repeated sucking on the bubble.
Mucoceles are usually the result of trauma in the mouth which injures the tiny salivary ducts lying just under the surface of the mouth tissues.
Lip or cheek biting and/or sucking causes trauma which injures these salivary gland ducts. Saliva keeps on forming normally. It is the ongoing accumulation of saliva under the surface that causes the mouth tissues to bulge. This bulge is the saliva bubble (mucocele) that you see and feel.
Mucoceles may fluctuate in size. They can often grow larger and then shrink. In some cases, they can rupture spontaneously releasing the built up saliva into the mouth.
However, they can reappear if the underlying cause is not addressed.
4 things to know:
Mucoceles can develop in a few places in the mouth.
These areas include the:
Mucoceles are generally harmless and tend to resolve on their own. They can be a source of discomfort and may persist if not evaluated and properly treated.
When treating mucoceles in children, pediatric dentists often opt for a conservative approach. In many cases, the mucoceles will deflate on their own and heal without intervention.
However, if a mucocele persists, becomes painful, interferes with eating and speaking then surgical excision may be necessary to alleviate discomfort and help prevent recurrence.
If your child experiences any of these symptoms, you need to contact your pediatric dentist or pediatrician:
Like the saying goes, the first time you see something won’t be the last time. The first time I saw a child with a mucocele was when I was in the 1st year of my pediatric dentistry residency
I have seen mucoceles many times over the years since then. Each time a child comes into my office with one, I remember back to the first time a Mom brought her daughter in to have “her lip bubble” checked out.
What you learn from textbooks is not always how you see it in person. But this was classic.
A Mom brought her school age daughter into see me since this “cheek bubble” was “there for a while.” They were great with giving me an understanding of the time line, what had changed, and what their concerns were.
The cheeks like the lips have many, many little salivary glands. When 1 or more of these glands is hurt their ducts get squished and the saliva has no place to go so it stays inside the gland.
Saliva is continuously being made so it builds up in each gland. As the saliva builds up it creates a “bubble.”
In this child’s case the bubble was the size of a pencil eraser and the color of her cheek. The cause? Cheek biting. Not just one time. As her Mom said “only when she gets nervous.”
According to Mom, she noticed her daughter was biting her cheek a lot. Then during toothbrushing the previous night, she also noticed the “bubble” was bigger than before and came in the next morning.
I asked Mom why she hadn’t called or come in before? Mom said that since it wasn’t bothering her and it would come and go she wasn’t worried. But when she saw it the night before all that changed and she brought her daughter in. Which we were both glad she did.
Since this mucocele had been an ongoing issue at the time for almost 6 months I gave Mom a referral to the Oral Surgeon. Once I knew the specifics about the Oral Surgeon’s plan for treatment I made them a follow up appointment with me.
A happy Mom with peace of mind and a happy daughter.
Has your child had a mucocele? What (if any) treatment did they need? Did you know about mucoceles before? Tell Us, We’d really like to know! Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@proton.me Like Us on Facebook
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World Oral Health Day is a global observance dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of oral health and promoting good oral hygiene practices.
This day emphasizes the connection between oral health and overall well-being, encouraging parents and people of all ages to take care of their children’s and their own teeth and gums.
So what is there to know about World Oral Health Day?
This is an annual event that focuses on the significance of maintaining good oral health throughout life.
World Oral Health Day’s goal is to encourage and develop better oral care practices.
World Oral Health Day is observed every year on March 20th.
March 20th was chosen to reflect the importance of the number 20 in oral health. Children should have 20 baby teeth, and seniors should aim to have at least 20 of their natural teeth.
World Oral Health Day was launched by the FDI World Dental Federation in 2007 to raise awareness about oral health and its impact on overall health.
For 2026 the motto “A Happy Mouth is…A Happy Life” inspires lasting, positive change by showing the vital role oral health plays in living a healthier, happier life; which begins in childhood.
Oral health is a crucial component of overall health.
Poor oral hygiene can lead to a range of issues, including tooth decay, gum disease, and even systemic conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Systemic disease in adulthood can be traced back to childhood habits.
A positive mouth-body connection ultimately shows how oral health supports well being throughout life.
Oral health matters at every age and stage of life. From a baby’s first tooth to a confident smile in older age, oral health is far more than just healthy teeth. It shapes how we eat, speak, learn, work, and connect with one another.
Oral health is essential to living life to the fullest. It is inseparable from overall health, influencing both body and mind.
At its core is prevention, simple daily habits and regular check ups that can make a lifelong difference.
Celebrating World Oral Health Day is celebrating every life, young and old. Because feeling your best starts with a healthy smile, every day and at every age.
It’s important to prioritize your child’s and your oral health for a very good reason, a healthy mouth is the gateway to a healthy, happy life.
What are your thoughts? Do you think there is a connection between a healthy mouth and a healthy body? Do you believe oral health plays a vital role in living a healthier, happier life? Tell Us, We’d really like to know! Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@proton.me Like Us on Facebook
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When it’s snuggle time with your child, you expect your child’s breath to smell as sweet as they are. While children’s breath can be very sweet, there are times when your toddler to teen’s breath is plain stinky.
Bad breath, also known as Halitosis not uncommon in children. A comprehensive 2014 study found 37.6% of children have bad breath.
As a pediatric dentist I’m routinely asked about this by parents. Most of the time the conversation starts with: Why does my child’s breath smell so bad?, or The white gunk on my child’s tongue smells really bad, or My teenager is really uncomfortable about their breath.
Today I have answers for you about what causes halitosis, how to take care of it and when it needs to be evaluated by your pediatric dentist or your pediatrician.
Halitosis is the medical term for chronic bad breath.
Everyone, even children get bad breath from time to time. Especially after eating stinky foods like garlic, onions or other strong odor foods.
But if bad breath is ongoing or doesn’t resolve, it could be a sign of an oral health issue or something else going on in their body.
Bad breath isn’t usually a sign of something serious. But if it doesn’t get better despite changes you make to address it, it’s time to see the pediatric dentist or pediatrician.
Everyone breathes through their mouths once in a while, especially when it’s cold and flu season. Even then you’ll notice that your mouth feels dry and chapped.
This is because breathing through the mouth, and especially for children who breathe through their mouths every night when they sleep do dry out their mouth. The drying effect is due to a decrease in saliva production. Less saliva means more dry mouth.
What else can cause mouth breathing? Something stuck in their nose, congestion from a sinus infection, seasonal allergies, or certain medicines like an asthma inhaler. When any of these issues show no signs of resolving anytime soon, it’s time to see your pediatrician.
Tonsillitis is an infection that makes the tonsils appear red and swollen. It occurs due to viruses or bacteria.
On the other hand, enlarged tonsils and adenoids can cause bad breath when they trap nasal secretions, food particles, and bacteria.
Tonsil stone(s) sit on the surface of the tonsil(s). With time it attaches food and bacteria. Since you can’t reach it to clean, what’s on it stays there and attracts more and more. This is the time to see your pediatrician.
Drinking the right amount of water is important to keep your child’s body hydrated. Being well hydrated means that their salivary glands are producing the correct amount of saliva which in turn helps to cleanse their mouth and teeth, helping them to have fresh breath.
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research states that saliva helps clean the mouth. When children don’t drink enough water, the amount of saliva in their mouth’s decreases. Less saliva leads a decrease the natural ability to clean our mouths. and an increase in the odor causing bacteria in our mouths.
Poor oral hygiene can cause smelly breath even in children as young as toddlers. The most common places for food debris to hang out is in-between teeth, on the gums, and also on the tongue.
Food debris is more than left over particles of food, it is also the mouth bacteria that attaches onto the food, and all of this together make up what we call dental plaque (or plaque for short).
Ever notice a white coating on your child’s tongue? That’s the plaque that attaches to the natural crevices on their tongue. You know that if the plaque is on the tongue, it’s for sure on the teeth and gums.
Did you know that bacteria causes cavities? Yes they do.
The natural bacteria in the mouth latch onto the plaque. The longer this sits on the teeth and in-between the teeth the more the tooth enamel is broken down, which is how cavities are formed and grow.
Cavities keep growing and the larger it gets the more likely it is to cause an infection. When the infection forms more types of bacteria come to the site and since these bacteria have their own smell the mouth gets even smellier.
If your child has a loose crown or filling, food and bacteria can get trapped underneath, which can also cause bad breath.
The same plaque that sits on the teeth, in-between teeth and on the tongue also sits on the gums and causes their breath to smell like sulfur or rotten eggs. Also known as gingivitis, this causes the gums to become red, swollen and bleed during toothbrushing.
Some of the foods we really like are good for us and are happy our children want to eat can cause smelly breath. The most talked about are onions and garlic.
So what to do? After enjoying your oniony-garlicky delights, your child can rinse their mouth with water, brush their teeth, or chew sugar-free gum to freshen up their breath.
The sugar free gum helps to stimulate saliva production to naturally help cleanse their mouths.
Your child may have bad breath if they have certain medical conditions, such as tonsillitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, or other respiratory infections.
If your child has a serious medical condition such as diabetes, kidney disease, gastrointestinal issues, liver disease they may also experience chronic bad breath.
Some children, especially toddlers like to put things into their nose, whether it’s a tiny toy, something they find, or bits of food.
When something gets put into the nose, it causes an increase in nasal secretions like a runny nose, inflammation and a bad smell that can be mistaken for bad breath. This is the time to seek immediate medical attention.
Children can have halitosis for several reasons, and the approach to treatment depends on the cause.
Sometimes it’s a trip to your pediatrician to make sure everything is okay; or sometimes it’s your pediatric dentist you contact.
Sometimes what you’re doing at home is the solution to taking care of your child’s bad breath.
Toothbrushing twice a day in the morning before going to school and at night after flossing. Remember to brush their tongue and use a fluoride toothpaste to help reduce the risk of cavities;
Toothbrush bristles wear down with regular twice daily use and should be changed every 3 months to make sure your child’s teeth are properly cleaned so their breath can stay fresh;
Or use a 2 minute brushing timer;
Brush teeth together and establish your daily routine.
Most children and teenagers have bad breath when they wake up. This usually goes away after they have something to eat, drink and brush their teeth.
Key ways to prevent bad breath for your child is to:
However, there are times when you’re concerned because your child’s bad breath doesn’t go away no matter what you do. This is the time for you to talk with your pediatric dentist or pediatrician.
Have you noticed your child’s breath lately? Are you worried your child may have bad breath? Has your child asked you how their breath smells? Tell Us, We’d really like to know! Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@proton.me Like Us on Facebook
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Back in the day it was all about getting your ears pierced. I remember being so excited when my parents finally said I was old enough to get my ears pierced and pick out my first set of earrings.
Fast forward to today. Now it’s about piercing the tongue, lips, cheeks, skin around the mouth and even the uvula (the little flap of skin hanging down in the back of the mouth).
You may not be surprised to see a teenager with a face or mouth piercing. But it may be surprising to know how dangerous they can be.
While everyone likes to display their personal style, oral piercings can cause dental problems along with other health risks and complications.
Piercings can interfere with:
They can also cause:
In addition:
Piercings can hurt teeth in several ways:
The best advice about oral piercings is to avoid getting them altogether.
If your child already has a piercing prevention is best. Something doesn’t seem right? It’s best to remove their mouth jewelry before it causes more of a problem, and contact your pediatric dentist or pediatrician.
Don’t pierce on a whim. The piercing will be an added responsibility to your child’s and to your life, requiring constant attention.
If you’ve made the decision to have a piercing done, make sure an experienced professional does the piercing.
Does your child have a mouth or face piercing? What type do they have? How do they take care of their piercing? Tell Us, We’d really like to know! Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@proton.me Like Us on Facebook
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The mention of the Tooth Fairy brings out joy and excitement in all of us. No matter if your child is about to lose their first tooth or you’re a pro, the thought of a visit sparks amazing anticipation.
The slightest suggestion of a visit from the Tooth Fairy causes such happiness and wonder that a special day has been set aside to honor our tooth loving friend. Yes, Tooth Fairy Day is coming on February 28th.
Let’s celebrate the magical journey into one of childhood’s most cherished traditions, the Tooth Fairy!
The Tooth Fairy is a magical fairy who visits children when they lose a baby tooth and leaves them a gift in exchange for their tooth. There may be an extra gift if their tooth is clean and healthy.
She’s 118 years old. The first known mention of the Tooth Fairy was in the Chicago Daily Tribune in 1908. In the fairy realm that’s probably about 25 years old.
The Tooth Fairy uses the teeth she’s collected for magical purposes. She may build fairy tooth castles, fairy schools, or create fairy jewelry.
The Tooth Fairy can use the teeth to hold her fairy dust that she sprinkles to grant special wishes and promote sweet dreams for children so they don’t even know she’s taking their teeth.
It’s thought that the Tooth Fairy gathers about 300,000 teeth from children worldwide every night. No wonder she’s considered to be one of the busiest fairies in the fairy realm.
With each child having 20 baby teeth to lose, the Tooth Fairy becomes a frequent visitor. She marks each of her visits with a souvenir to show her presence and celebration of a child’s growth.
The Tooth Fairy is a clever parental accessory to help promote good oral hygiene for their child. Children never want to disappoint the Tooth Fairy. The mention of her name motivates and encourages toothbrushing and flossing in exchange for receiving her reward.
National Tooth Fairy Day is observed on February 28th and August 22nd.
Why twice? No one really knows for sure. It could have something to do helping to remind parents to keep up with their child’s twice a year dental examinations. Or, it offers a special opportunity to doubly celebrate this treasured time honored childhood tradition.
This is totally up to your discretion.
The Tooth Fairy’s rates fluctuate with the market. Dental insurance company Delta Dental has been researching the Tooth Fairy rate for many years. They have found a correlation between the stock market and how much she pays for teeth.
So the Tooth Fairy follows the Stock Market, who knew?
Sometimes instead of money, the Tooth Fairy may leave a small toy, a book, a fun activity set, or a thank you note.
The Tooth Fairy continues to fascinate, charm and play a memorable role in the lives of children and families. Her enchanting tradition reminds us of the joy, magic and wonder of childhood.
Share with us your family’s Tooth Fairy stories and traditions. How does your family celebrate your Tooth Fairy’s visit? What are your memories of the Tooth Fairy and have you passed them down to your children? Tell Us, We’d really like to know! Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@proton.me Like Us on Facebook
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Being a parent means worrying about absolutely everything. Especially when it comes to things in the mouth.
The mouth is a scary place for so many, especially when you’re not quite sure what you’re looking at.
Thankfully there are a few things that don’t need to worry you. These are actually typical findings seen in a child’s mouth.
Some children may have 1 or 2, some may have all; but all children will experience at least 1 of these changes as they grow.
I’ve put together 9 commonly seen oral changes you may notice in your child’s mouth.
Children’s teeth are just like they are, lots of variety.
While there is a typical time line for baby teeth to come in there is also variability in the process. Most babies get their first teeth between 4 and 9 months of age.
The exact order the teeth come in doesn’t matter. What matters is that the teeth come in and your child has their full set of 20 baby teeth by about their 3rd birthday.
Spaces (or gaps) between baby teeth is good. This is something important that we like to see.
Baby teeth are smaller than adult teeth and permanent teeth need the extra space to come in correctly. Without enough room, crowding can develop as the adult teeth come into the mouth.
Generally children start losing (aka exfoliating) their baby teeth around 6 years of age.
However, the earlier baby teeth come into the mouth, the earlier they fall out. Like wise, the later baby teeth come in the later they fall out.
Baby teeth start to become loose when the adult teeth push up from under the gums and naturally melts away the baby tooth’s root. Then the adult tooth grows into that same place.
Sometimes the adult tooth isn’t growing directly under the baby tooth, it’s growing a little further to the back behind or in front of the baby tooth. When this happens the baby tooth doesn’t fall out and the adult tooth grows in behind or in front of the baby tooth.
6 year molars (aka first permanent molars or adult molars) are the first set of permanent teeth which come into a child’s mouth that do not replace any baby teeth.
You’ll see these adult molars coming into your child’s mouth all the way in the back in the empty space behind their last baby molar.
When children have a combination of baby teeth and adult teeth they are in their mixed dentition.
This is the time when they start losing their front baby teeth and their adult teeth begin to come in. The mixed dentition lasts up to when a child loses their last baby tooth.
As children grow so do their jaws. Each growth milestone is reflected in the position of their jaws, the eruption pattern of their teeth, and the alignment of their teeth.
Facial and jaw growth can also affect how teeth look.
This is why it’s important to monitor a child’s developing dentition and growth pattern at regular examinations.
The gums outline teeth in a specific way and the way they look says a lot. When we look at the gums were look at 3 things. The color, the shape and the texture of the gums.
It’s not that only 1 aspect can be off. If 1 is off, there’s something going on that affects all 3 characteristics.
Which is why dry, puffy, red, swollen, irritated, or bleeding gums adversely affect the teeth.
Whether it’s baby teeth or adult teeth, as a tooth makes it way toward the tops of the jaws it is common to feel pressure. This pressure, known as teething is sporadic, intermittent, and can be uncomfortable.
When bottom teeth are coming in, it’s common to feel pain in the ears. This is why some children will pull on their ears or put their fingers into their ears.
When the top teeth are coming in, it’s common to feel like they have a headache. This is why some children will rub their foreheads or the tops of their heads.
While these 9 changes are commonplace, if any issues last for more than a couple of days or things are getting worse it’s important to follow up with your pediatric dentist or pediatrician for an examination.
What is the scariest thing you’ve seen in your child’s mouth? Which of these findings has your child had? Tell Us, We’d really like to know! Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@proton.me Like Us on Facebook
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Happy Valentine’s Day!
Time has really flown by. It feels like yesterday we were ringing in the new year and now Valentine’s Day is almost here. With all these never ending sweets, how are you supposed to protect your child’s healthy smile?
While there are a lot of Valentine’s traditions that involve sugary candies, there are other ways to celebrate this special day.
As a Mom and pediatric dentist, I understand. We want to preserve the fun traditions, the fun foods, but with a twist. A twist that’s equally special with a little less added sugar.
In honor of Valentine’s Day I’ve put together for you some tooth friendly ideas for you to try.
Jazz up their morning pancakes by adding a drop or two of red food coloring to the batter and with a cookie cutter, cut them into heart shapes.
French toast more to their liking? Cut the bread into hearts after cooking.
Bagel and cream cheese or toast part of their breakfast. Add a drop of red food coloring to their cream cheese to make it pinky-red. You can also cut their toast into hearts.
Fruit with breakfast is always great. Cut strawberries into heart shapes and serve with pancakes, or french toast, or bagels, or toast. Or prepare your child’s favorite fruits and serve them in a heart shaped bowl.
Keep the celebration going with lunch.
They’ll be so excited when they see their heart shaped sandwich and fruit, especially if you include a hand written heart shaped note next to their plate.
On a cold and frosty Valentine’s soup hits the spot. Why not serve it in a heart shaped bowl?
Having a salad? Arrange your salad fixings in a heart shape along with your heart shaped sides.
Teachers love celebrating Valentine’s Day. They always ask for the children’s (and parents) participation.
Instead of sweets like candies or cupcakes, consider Valentine’s cards with small stickers or toys, and always include one for the teacher.
It’s really nice to receive that heart shaped box of candy. Once the candy is gone, what is there? Celebrating Valentine’s Day is more than candy, it’s lasting memories.
Some great classic gifts are stuffed animals like teddy bears, balloons (or heart shaped bouquets), and of course flowers.
Maybe there’s a certain toy or game your child wants and has been working towards or has earned. A trip to their favorite park is always fun and great together time or family time.
How about a Valentine’s family night out? What about staying home and making some family favorites together?
However you choose to celebrate, Happy Valentine’s Day!
How are you celebrating Valentine’s Day? What are some of your healthier tips for Valentine’s Day? Tell Us, We’d really like to know! Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@proton.me Like Us on Facebook
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Do you believe in the power of a happy and healthy smile?
What if I told you about the actual impact a smile has on a child’s overall health?
Think about it. You smile at your child and they smile back. You both giggle and feel great. Smiling may be a simple expression, but its benefits go beyond simply making us look happier.
With this in mind, today we’re talking about the benefits of smiling.
As children grow they often become self-conscious about their appearance. The internet and especially social media don’t make things easier for them or their parents.
A beautiful smile isn’t only about looks. It’s about feeling good on the inside and out. Their smile plays a major role in how they feel about themselves, and how they present themselves to others.
Children smile about 400 times a day. When a child smiles they naturally feel happier. This in turn helps them face challenges and new situations with a positive spirit.
When a child smiles big and often, it demonstrates their confidence. Other children want to be around them. This helps a child to build friendships and lifelong relationships.
A beautiful smile helps children builds strong connections and have positive social experiences with their peers.
Smiling is important for a child’s health. It’s a natural mood booster. Each time they smile, their body releases natural stress releasing compounds, called neuropeptides. These neuropeptides relax their body and lower their heart rate and blood pressure.
Don’t feel like smiling? Even laughing can improve a child’s mood. Plus it’s hard not to smile when you’re laughing.
There’s nothing quite like seeing a child’s smile to make everyone feel better. It really creates a positive atmosphere for the whole family.
While a smile can go a long way for a child, there is nothing like a parent’s support and encouragement to help them feel great about themselves. Creating this loving and supportive environment makes everyone feel more secure and accepted.
This is why talking with them about their oral health is so important. Good oral health, a beautiful healthy smile, and good communication go a long way to forming a positive self-image.
A smile does more than foster self-confidence and social interactions. It can also directly impact a child’s school performance. Children who have healthy smiles are less likely to be absent from school.
Which is why good oral hygiene routines are important for supporting children’s overall well-being and success in school.
There are some things you can do to help your child develop good oral care habits:
A healthy smile is the first sign of a happy child. While smiling makes you feel happy, it also helps keep you healthy. As the saying goes, “smiling is contagious.” A home filled with smiles becomes a more positive and supportive place.
Remember the power of a smile, it might just be what you need to brighten up your day.
How do you describe a happy child? How many times a day does your child smile? Now, how many times a day do you smile? Same number of smiles in a day or different? Tell Us, We’d really like to know! Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@proton.me Like Us on Facebook
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For the last few years we’ve heard a lot about how the mouth affects the rest of the body. That the bacteria typically in the mouth has been found in other organs of the body and implicated in various diseases.
This does make sense since the mouth is the entrance to the body.
With this in mind, today is a good time to discuss how this mouth-body connection affects children.
This is the link between oral health as it relates to overall health. It’s the role that the harmful bacteria in our (children’s and yes parent’s too) mouths play in systemic disease.
Everyone’s mouth (including children) has good and bad bacteria. The good bacteria help keep us healthy. With poor oral hygiene the bad bacteria over grow. The imbalance leads to inflammation and infection.
This inflammation and infection don’t stay in the mouth. They affect the rest of the body. With time and age this compounds on itself and affects disease progression.
The bacteria and inflammation are linked to:
Oral health affects children’s lives in ways that extend beyond cavities.
It’s important to look at:
Regular dental check-ups can sometimes reveal signs of health issues before they appear elsewhere in the body. This allows for prompt referrals to your pediatrician and other appropriate healthcare providers when necessary.
Inflammation and infection in the mouth are the same as it is in the rest of the body. The immune system goes into overdrive to fight it.
With chronic inflammation the immune system is always on high alert. and this leads to immune fatigue.
In other words, poor oral health puts stress on the immune system making children (and parents) susceptible to colds, viruses, and long term health issues.
As a parent knowing about and understanding the mouth-body connection allows you develop comprehensive health habits for your child and support them as they grow:
These unified approaches to health can benefit your child as they grow and into adulthood.
Your child’s mouth isn’t just about teeth. The mouth is a window into the rest of their body, and oral health issues can influence and be influenced by your child’s general health.
Is your child a mouth breather? Are they a good sleeper, do they snore or do they wake up at during the night? Has your child missed school because of tooth or mouth pain? What is your family’s brushing habits? Tell Us, We’d really like to know! Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@proton.me Like Us on Facebook
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