Mikey the Bunny

Complete avoidance is never the answer. Children, and adults, just want what they can’t have. Instead, teach safer sugar consumption behavior. 

Encourage your child to only eat sugary treats with a meal. Or offer the treats right after a meal. This helps children avoid the temptation to eat candy after they’ve brushed.

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), eating candy after a meal assists in canceling out harmful acids that lead to tooth decay. Don’t let your children wait too long to brush.

2. Provide alternatives

It’s easier for your children to resist eating a whole bag of fruit-flavored snacks when healthier sweet alternatives are around. As Halloween approaches, make sure you stock up on raw berries, apples, carrots, and other natural treats.

The fiber in whole foods helps reduce cravings and over-consumption while training the taste buds to prefer these better choices. But remember that fruit is still sugary and acidic and fruit juice is not the same as whole fruit.

Monitor fruit consumption as well. It’s not completely harmless. Always encourage rinsing and brushing after eating.

3. Select better candy

Now we get controversial. While all candy can cause tooth decay, there are some candies that are better than others. The longer a candy stays in the mouth, the greater risk to your child’s teeth.

Hard candies and those that require a lot of chewing will stay on the teeth longer. Taffies, caramel, and shiny candies may stay on the teeth for hours because of their stickiness. If you must choose between one candy and another, chocolate is really your best option. It’s chewed up and swallowed much more quickly than other candy types.

4. Make sure your toothpaste has fluoride

You may be surprised to find that some very popular natural toothpastes don’t include fluoride. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in some foods. Studies show that it reduces tooth decay risk significantly in children.

It’s also naturally occurring in most home tap water. However, many children today drink filtered or bottled water. They may not get sufficient fluoride if it’s not in their toothpaste. Please, go check the tube next time you brush.

5. Encourage healthy eating all year 

Dr. Sina would like to remind you that children who are accustomed to eating healthier foods all year find themselves less tempted to eat candy at Halloween. In fact, when you eat a well-balanced diet, most candy tastes too sweet. Does it mean your children won’t eat some candy? It probably doesn’t, but they may want to eat less of it.

6. Set some limits

Set some healthy limits. If your children trick-or-treat, bring all of the candy home. Let them choose a certain number of their favorites. Discard the rest. It seems like a waste of money and food, but allowing them to eat all of it could lead to cavities.

7. Don’t feel bad

This time of year, you might feel like the “bad guy,” but you’re being a parent. You’re doing what’s best for your child. As your little ones grow, they take these moderation skills into adulthood. They’ll be so grateful you helped them learn self-control.

Make sure your children understand why these rules are in place. Reward them when they make their own smart decisions about sweets to reinforce positive behavior.

8. Don’t buy into, “Everyone’s doing it”

It feels like candy is just part of being a kid. You may feel pressure from parents, teachers, and your children to ease up. If you’re following these 10 strategies, then you’re right on track. You’re not being too strict, and you’re probably not the only parent on the block who limits candy consumption. 

9. Reinforce the brushing schedule

Take this time to reinforce brushing and flossing with your little ones. Protect your children’s teeth now, and give them healthy habits they’ll take into adulthood.

10. Schedule a checkup

You’re probably thinking about tooth health as Halloween approaches. It’s the perfect time to schedule a check up here at Dentistry for Children. Contact the office to request an appointment.

Fortunately, at Dentistry for Children, we offer solutions to help kids protect their teeth and even quit their grinding habit. The key to preventing damage is to seek treatment as soon as possible. Of course, first, you need to determine if your child is grinding their teeth. Here’s what you should look for.

Telltale signs of teeth grinding

When a child grinds his or her teeth at night during sleep, parents are often able to hear the teeth grinding together, especially if the child is a heavy grinder. If a sibling shares the room, they also may hear grinding noises. That’s certainly the easiest way to know if your child has a teeth grinding problem. But what if you listen and don’t hear anything, or you aren’t able to listen while your child is sleeping? That’s when it’s time to look for other clues.

Headaches, earaches or jaw pain

Since teeth grinding places a lot of excess stress and strain on the jaw muscles, many chronic teeth grinders have frequent headaches or ear or jaw pain. If your child has any of these complaints, there’s a good chance he or she is a grinder.

Tooth pain or sensitivity

Grinding puts a lot of pressure on the tooth surfaces and on the roots too. When a child grinds on a regular basis, all that pressure can make teeth very sore, or the surrounding gums can become overly sensitive. In extreme cases, grinding can cause tiny cracks or chips to form in the tooth. Those cracks can make your child’s teeth very sensitive to hot or cold foods, another clue your child may be grinding their teeth.

Jaw clicking

If your child has been grinding for a while, the jaw joints may have become irritated or inflamed. When that happens, you may hear clicking noises when your child chews or yawns. Even if you don’t hear them, your child may. Pay attention if they report any unusual noises when they chew.

Rhythmic jaw movements

Sometimes if you closely, you may actually see your child grinding, especially when they’re focused on other activities like watching TV or playing video games. Look for repetitive tightening movements or side-to-side movements in the jaws.

Not all children who grind their teeth will exhibit noticeable symptoms. But that still doesn’t mean your child’s grinding habit will go unnoticed. During your child’s six-month dental check-up, Dr. Sina will carefully examine each tooth for any telltale signs of grinding, like worn tooth edges or tiny cracks.

A lifetime of healthy teeth and gums

Bringing your child to Dentistry for Children every six months is one of the best things you can do to help your child enjoy healthy teeth and gums now and during their adult years. Not only do routine checkups with Dr. Sina help identify (and stop) grinding and other oral health problems in their earliest stages, but taking your child to see the dentist regularly establishes a healthy pattern of behavior that can stick with your child even after they’ve grown and left the nest. If your child is exhibiting the signs of teeth grinding, or if they’re having any other unusual symptoms, don’t delay care. Book an appointment online today.

Although there is no current nationwide data about the number of cavities dentists fill in baby teeth, statistics from the period between 1999 and 2004 confirm that about one-quarter of children aged two to five had dental caries, and more than half of kids between the ages of six to eleven had fillings. It is unlikely that the percentages have changed a great deal since then because they have been relatively constant since they were first tabulated in the early 1970s.

Dentistry for Children in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada, specializes in modern techniques and painless fillings, but Dr. Maryam Sima and associates also urge parents to begin teaching good habits to children early in order to prevent cavities. 

The path to early brushing

Parents should gently massage an infant’s gums and gently brush baby teeth as soon as they appear. We also recommend a first visit to the dentist before a child’s first birthday.

When the child is old enough to hold a toothbrush and sit or stand in front of a mirror, a parent can help to maneuver the brush over the teeth and along the gums. As a toddler demonstrates interest in holding the toothbrush on his own, make a game of brushing your teeth together. Place a small amount of toothpaste on the brush, and show your child the proper way to move the brush around his mouth.

Then playfully rinse and spit until the youngster becomes adept enough to attempt the whole process alone. Offer encouragement and extend the brushing time a little at a time. It’s the regularity that’s important at first, not the duration of the brushing.

Encourage good habits before and after a cavity is filled

If your child does develop a cavity or two, there is no need for panic. Cavities in baby teeth can be filled quickly and painlessly with little chance of complication. Most children’s dentists today use white filling material, and nobody is likely to notice the filling.

If your child has had regular dental appointments, there is little reason he will fear having a cavity filled. The child may experience some soreness or sensitivity to heat or cold, but they are not likely to last. It’s wise to avoid citrus drinks immediately following the appointment, and gentle gum massage or brushing with a soft brush can be helpful. Tenderness should disappear within a few days at most. 

Effective dental hygiene stems from good habits, and it’s what you do after the cavity is filled that will make a difference in the lives of older children and young adults.

Recommendations for childhood routine

Just as for adults, children should be encouraged to brush their teeth for a full two minutes morning and night. Children typically need some help, or at least attentive supervision, until they are at least seven or eight years old.

Flossing is vital, and a handled flosser is usually the best way to instill that habit. 

Fluoride is instrumental in preventing cavities, both for children and adults, so the use of fluoride toothpaste is recommended even if your water supply is treated. Check with your dentist about the desirability of topical fluoride treatments or sealants to prevent cavities. And don’t forget to schedule those twice-yearly appointments for cleaning and routine exams. 

Other important aspects of dental hygiene

In addition to brushing, flossing, and regular checkups, be aware of any unusual spots on your child’s teeth, and never ignore complaints about aches, pains, or sensitivity to heat and cold. Tooth grinding during sleep can be a symptom worth investigating. 

Finally, know the importance of a proper diet, and limit the child’s intake of sugar and soft drinks. Drinking water should be encouraged, especially following sweets or after eating sticky foods.

Call Dentistry for Children or use our convenient online form to contact us at either the Las Vegas E. Silverado Ranch Boulevard location or at our Henderson location on North Green Valley Parkway. 

1. Know your child’s cavity risk level

Lifestyle, health, and socioeconomic factors can increase the risk of decaying teeth. Evaluating these risks allows you and your child to take control of various tooth decay factors to reduce risk. For example, a child with the following illnesses may be at increased risk:

• Autoimmune disorders
• Diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2
• Cancer, particularly if receiving radiation
• HIV
• Osteoporosis or other conditions that may impact your child’s bone health
• Depression

Improving how you and your child manage these conditions can help prevent pediatric tooth decay in yourself or a loved one for whom you may be caring. On the lifestyle side of things, drinking lots of soft drinks and juice and failing to brush and floss increase your risk, but addressing these lifestyle choices reduces your risk profile. 

2. Teach proper brushing and flossing techniques

You already know the importance of brushing and flossing, so we don’t have to list that as a tip, but are you doing it properly? Just as importantly, are you teaching your child to brush and floss properly? Many people are not.

You should be brushing for at least two minutes after every meal, but at the very least in the morning and before bed to reduce the level of acid and harmful bacteria that remain on your teeth. You should brush gently to avoid inflaming and damaging the gums. In two minutes, you should be able to go over every tooth on the front, back, and top several times, which reduces the risk of missing a spot.

When it comes to flossing, work with your children because they may be tempted to pull a piece of floss back and forth like a saw, which cuts into the gums. Instead, follow these tips:

1. Work the floss in between two teeth slowly
2. Create a “C” around one of the teeth so that the floss is folded over the front and back of the tooth
3. Gently carry the floss down the tooth into the gumline and back out
4. Repeat the “C” on the other tooth
5. Pull the floss straight up or down to remove it, never out like a string.
6. Adjust the floss so that a clean stretch of floss is used between each set of teeth

Floss at least once a day. Your child should also learn to brush the tongue to remove bacteria. Supervise brushing and flossing for most children up to age six or seven until you’re confident they’re doing it right. Pop in on occasion after that to ensure they don’t fall into bad habits that they may learn from friends or relatives.

3. Drink more fluoridated water

Water not only hydrates the body, but drinking more of it makes it easier to reduce the number of sugary or acidic drinks your child consumes. Introduce “plain” water early, avoiding water flavoring, which adds acid and potentially harmful chemicals to the water. If you and your child don’t drink water from the tap, your child may need fluoride supplements or regular fluoride treatments, which have been shown to significantly reduce tooth decay in children.

4. Schedule regular dental checkups

From the moment that first tooth breaks through, it’s time to begin scheduling regular visits to the dentist for your child. This way, Dr. Sina can catch health challenges or issues early. Tooth decay in baby teeth can quickly spread to permanent ones if untreated.

Keep your child on track for a healthy smile that lasts a lifetime. Contact Dentistry for Children to schedule an appointment.

Of course, knowing that your child should see the dentist and actually getting your child to enjoy the routine are two different things. Many children are nervous about seeing the dentist, usually because they’ve had an uncomfortable experience in the past. At Dentistry for Children, we also understand the importance of establishing good oral health habits early on, and we help relieve anxiety and concerns with state-of-the-art laser dentistry treatments that can be a lot more comfortable than traditional treatments that rely on “old-fashioned” drills.

What is laser dentistry?

Laser dentistry may sound like the stuff of science fiction, but it’s actually been around for a while. At Dentistry for Children, we use the Waterlase iPlus dental laser, a state-of-the-art instrument designed to provide safe, effective, and comfortable treatments for patients of all ages. The Waterlase iPlus laser uses laser-powered droplets of water to perform repairs and restorations.

The iPlus has been used for more than two decades in both children and adults. During an iPlus procedure, the laser and water work together to gently remove soft tissue like decay, plus they can provide deep cleaning to get rid of plaque and tartar that can harbor disease-causing bacteria. The laser uses rapid bursts of water and laser energy — 100 pulses per second — for treatment that’s fast and comfortable. The laser also covers a larger area than a traditional drill, which makes treatment faster, and that means less time spent in the dental chair for your child.

Benefits of laser dentistry

Obviously, one of the biggest benefits of laser dentistry is the reduction in discomfort. In fact, the laser system is so gentle, many procedures can be performed without the need for an anesthetic. But that’s not the only benefit. The laser is also a lot quieter than a traditional dental drill, and it doesn’t cause vibrations either. Plus, the laser combined with water means there’s no overheating of nerve and soft tissue, which is one of the reasons why the treatment is so much more comfortable.

The laser is very precise, which means more of your child’s natural tooth material can be preserved during filling procedures. What’s more, because of the technology used in laser dentistry, there very little or even no bleeding or swelling after treatment either, so recovery is faster and more comfortable. If your child needs a filling, the laser can also improve the way the filling material bonds with your child’s tooth, which means the restoration will be more secure and durable.

Laser dentistry procedures

The iPlus laser isn’t just precise — it’s versatile too. At Dentistry for Children, we use the iPlus laser for an array of treatments and procedures, including:

• Routine dental cleanings
• Cavity treatment and fillings
• Root canal preparation
• Gum reshaping procedures

During cavity treatment, one of the most common procedures for kids, the laser is especially good because it’s accurate enough to break down and remove only the decayed portion of the tooth without harming the healthy tooth material — something that can’t be achieved with a traditional drill.

Give your child the gift of healthy teeth — for life

Childhood is the time for establishing a lifetime of good habits, including good oral health care that can help your child avoid tooth decay, gum disease, pain, and tooth loss all the way through their adult years. If it’s been a while since your child’s last office visit or if you’d like to learn more about laser dentistry and other treatments we offer at Dentistry for Children, book an appointment online today.

Why is flossing important?

Flossing is an important part of your dental care routine because it removes food particles from between your teeth. When these particles are not removed, they can cause tooth decay and gum disease. 

When should children start flossing?

Establishing good flossing habits early in life is important for many reasons. When children learn to floss early, they are more likely to continue this behavior throughout their lives. In addition, establishing good flossing habits at an early age ensures that teeth and gums remain as healthy as possible. 

In general, it is best to begin flossing as soon as your child’s teeth start to fit closely together. This usually happens between the ages of two and six. If you aren’t sure whether it is time for your child to begin flossing, talk to your child’s dentist. 

How to teach children to floss

When you have decided it is time for your child to start flossing, you will need to do it for them at first. Most children will be able to floss on their own without help by the time they are 10 years old. Be sure to purchase a flexible, soft floss to prevent injuries to the gums while your child is still learning. Continue to supervise and assist your child with flossing each day until the habit is established and he or she can floss without help. 

Most children will experience some bleeding during the first few flossing sessions, which is normal. However, if bleeding continues for more than a week, be sure to mention the issue to your child’s dentist. 

Getting help from the dentist 

One of the best ways to make sure that your child is engaging in the appropriate dental care habits is to ask your child’s dentist for guidance. In general, children should be visiting the dentist once every six months for a cleaning and a check-up. During this visit, you can ask the dentist or another member of the staff to discuss flossing and other important dental care habits with your child. 

If your child needs to see a dentist for a check-up or cleaning, please contact Dentistry for Children today. You can also request an appointment online. 

Here are a few tips on how to help your child prepare to have their wisdom teeth removed:

Take them to a pediatric dentist

This is more important than you might think. If your child needs their wisdom teeth removed, don’t just settle for your general dentist. As wonderful as general dentists may be, their offices can often seem cold and uninviting. A pediatric dentist’s office, on the other hand, caters especially to kids with bright colors, fun toys, and inviting decorations that help keep children in a good mood when they come to the office. This can play a large role in helping them relax and feel safe before the surgery.

Explain ahead of time

Prepping your kids before the procedure is key. Let them talk and interact with the dentist or surgeon during the consultation so they’re comfortable with who’ll be performing their procedure. Make sure they know what wisdom teeth are and why they have to be taken out — explain the procedure to your child in terms they understand, and answer any questions they have. You can even show them picture books of going to the dentist, and role play the situation with them to make sure they’re prepared. Play up all the ice cream they’ll get to eat, too!

Prep for recovery

Before you head to surgery, make sure you’re prepared for your child’s return home. Set up a cozy recovery spot with plenty of blankets and pillows on a bed or couch where they can be comfortable. Have water, ice packs, the television remote, and tissues close at hand. You should also stock up ahead of time on soft foods, soup, hydrating liquids, ice cream, and frozen pops so your child has plenty of options once they want to eat. Make sure you fill any prescriptions for pain medication ahead of time, too, so you don’t have to worry about running another errand on the way home.

Give them something to look forward to

It helps your child get through the prep time and the surgery if they know something fun is waiting for them on the other side. This could be some kind of gift or prize they’ve had their eye on for months, or maybe an experience they can look forward to, such as going to a concert or a game. Keeping their sights set on something bigger than the discomfort they may be feeling can give them motivation to persevere through the procedure and recovery.

While having your wisdom teeth removed isn’t naturally a fun experience, you can help make the process much more palatable for kids by following these simple tips. If your child is ready to have their wisdom teeth removed, call the expert team at Dentistry for Children to set up a consultation today!

Find out why kids dentistry is essential for your child’s health. kids dentistry

Removing a baby tooth due to decay can cause the remaining teeth to shift toward that vacancy. This means there’s no natural spot left for the adult tooth when it tries to come in, which can leave the child in pain and create a crooked and misaligned smile as the adult teeth force the surrounding teeth into unnatural positions.

Dr. Maryam Sina and her associates here at Dentistry for Children have seen the devastating results that dental decay can create, but these issues can be prevented by starting a good dental hygiene routine as soon as your baby is born.

Here are the simple ways you can care for your baby’s gums today and ensure they’re not affected by dental decay in the future.

Keep your baby’s gums clean

You don’t need to brush your baby’s gums before any teeth appear; actually, doing so can damage their gums because they’re quite sensitive at this stage. All you need to do is wipe your baby’s gums with a clean and damp washcloth that’s wrapped around your finger to remove any debris that may accumulate, such as milk that settles on the gums.

The best time to clean your baby’s gums is directly after feeding and before you put them down for a nap.

Make sure your baby is getting enough fluoride

Most toothpaste has fluoride to strengthen your child’s teeth as they grow and develop, but according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children younger than 2 years old should use only a smear of toothpaste, which might not contain as much fluoride as they should be getting.

Check your water supply to see if fluoride is added. If it is, make sure your baby is drinking enough tap water to benefit from the mineral right away. If your baby doesn’t like tap water or your supplier doesn’t add fluoride, ask Dr. Sina about supplemental fluoride.

Limit sugary foods and drinks

Sugar is a major cause of dental decay, and “baby bottle rot” can be a serious risk for young children. Baby bottle decay develops when sweetened drinks (or those that contain natural sugars like milk and fruit juice) cling to the gums. This creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, so when those first teeth break through, they’re immediately at risk of dental cavities.

The best way to prevent baby bottle decay is to avoid giving your baby sugary foods and beverages, and to never put your baby to bed with a bottle. You shouldn’t share utensils or food with your baby, either; the sugars found in your saliva may enter your child’s mouth and attack the gums that way.

Schedule your baby’s first dental exam

It’s always better to prevent a problem for your baby than to have to cure one, of course, so schedule your baby’s first dental visit when their first tooth breaks through, or by their first birthday, whichever comes first. 

When you come to us at Dentistry for Children, Dr. Sina examines your child’s mouth, gums, and teeth to check on progress and potential issues. This is all carried out in a comfortable and relaxed environment that your child will enjoy revisiting time after time.

Call us today or send us a message here on our website to book your baby’s dental exam at Dentistry for Children at either our Las Vegas or Henderson, Nevada, location.