Top Mistakes to Avoid When Its Oral Hygiene Time

/0 Comments/in /by

When it comes to kids’ oral hygiene, parents aren’t getting an A+. There’s more work to be done in ensuring that the little ones keep their mouth cavity free and have healthy smiles. Take a look at the common mistakes parents make when caring for kids’ teeth.

Rushing the process

When kids brush their teeth and for how long matters. Rushing the brushing process not only affects kids’ oral health but also sets the wrong example for their long-term oral health practices.

A good rule is to brush your kids’ teeth for two minutes so that each tooth gets the care it deserves. If your kids brush their own teeth, guide them on spending time brushing each tooth along their gum line.

Flossing, an essential part of caring for kids’ teeth, should begin when your little one has two teeth that touch. Introduce it early to help form a habit and make it easier for your kids to transition to flossing by themselves.

A morning and bedtime brushing regimen are insufficient to prevent cavities; trips to the children’s dentist are also necessary. Get your kids into the groove of brushing their teeth after they’ve had bananas, raisins, or sticky, sugar-filled snacks. Now, this will take effort. Getting kids to brush twice a day in itself is a task. You may want to give in as well to their pleading and whining. Don’t. It would be best to put your foot down when it comes to your kids’ dental health.

Using the wrong tools and oral hygiene products

Are your kids’ oral hygiene aids helping them maintain healthy teeth and gums? Not using tools appropriate for their age group can impact their oral health. It’s a good idea to ask your children’s dentist for recommendations on oral hygiene products. Here are the basics to get started.

Clean your baby’s gums with a soft infant toothbrush or cloth and water. As soon as their first tooth appears, use an age-appropriate toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice. Once your kids are 3-6 years old, increase to a pea-shaped amount.

Leaving a child unsupervised

Kids under six lack the motor skills to brush their teeth effectively. An essential aspect of caring for kids’ teeth is assisting them until they’re able to do it correctly on their own. Give them instructions along the way, such as spitting out excess toothpaste after brushing.

There are teaching methods to help kids master the skill. One is to let them brush their teeth in the morning, and you brush their teeth at night until they’ve got the hang of it perfectly.

Not scheduling a dental checkup and dental cleaning

Many parents need help understanding how much dental care their children need. As a result, they delay taking them to the dentist, and consequently, their kids’ oral hygiene suffers.

You should see a children’s dentist by your child’s first birthday. A checkup every six months is recommended to prevent cavities and keep up kids’ oral health.

 

The health of your children’s teeth, gums, and mouth affects their overall health and, with age, their emotional well-being. The good news is that cavities and dental problems are preventable so long as your kids’ baby teeth and permanent teeth get the proper care. Avoid common mistakes on kids’ oral health and replace them with best practices, starting today!

Tumbles and Falls for Toddlers- What You Need to Know About Chipped Teeth

/0 Comments/in /by

Accidents are part of an active childhood, and despite you exercising utmost caution, your little one may sustain tumbles and falls quite regularly. Even in a child-proofed home, some of these can lead to injuries. If the child hits their face or head, one of the possible injuries is chipped or broken teeth. Here’s what you should know about such a dental injury that can, at times, warrant emergency dental treatment.

Always inspect a child’s mouth after a tumble or fall

Most importantly, remember to always check inside the child’s mouth when they have a fall. The child may not be able to convey that they have a dental injury. If you can’t spot any injuries outright, keep on the lookout for signs of hidden dental damage that may begin to manifest in the coming days. These could include swelling, a change in the colour of the tooth/teeth, or pain in any area of the face. Apart from this, tooth pain, jaw pain, bleeding from the tongue, gums, cheek, or teeth, or breathing and swallowing issues can also indicate oral damage.

If you can see that a tooth has chipped, find and remove the broken part so the child cannot swallow it accidentally. Store it in a little container of milk while you are taking it to the dentist. They may be able to reattach it. If you can’t find the fragment and you fear the child may have swallowed or inhaled it, bring the child in for emergency kids’ oral care.

A tumble or fall may not always be the cause of a chipped tooth

Chipped teeth are not always the result of falls. When the child is developing motor skills, they may face plant into the wall while walking. Some kids even hit themselves in the face with a toy or another object. Such unexpected dental injury can necessitate emergency dental treatment.

Apart from falls, even damage to tooth enamel can make the tooth weak enough to chip away at the slightest pressure. Enamel erosion in children often happens due to prolonged exposure to acidic foods. Proper kids’ oral care, especially before bed, can help reduce the risk.

Tooth decay in children is another big reason for weak teeth that chip easily. With tooth decay, a cavity is created in the tooth that can indicate the infection goes deep. Emergency dental treatment is essential to save the tooth in cases of tooth decay in children.

When a child has protruding upper teeth, there is a greater risk of dental injury. Parents must be extra careful with preventive measures with such children.

Action plan and treatment

When your child has taken a spill and injured their mouth or teeth, the first thing you do is to remain calm and collected. Your child calms down quickly when you present a confident, in-control air. Make sure you always have your pediatric dentist’s number at hand and ensure they offer emergency 24/7 treatment options.

For a fall that has resulted in some pain but no visible damage, try using a cold compress against the gum area to suppress pain and swelling. A warm salt water rinse is recommended to keep the infection from taking over the injured area.

Sometimes, if the tooth is damaged severely, child tooth extraction may be the only way to prevent further damage to the mouth and reduce the injury’s impact. Child tooth extraction can be a simple process with all the medical advancements we have today. In fact, for severe cases of tooth decay in children, when the root and pulp are damaged, child tooth extraction may be the way to curb and clear out the infection effectively.

 

To summarise, every parent must ensure proper kids oral care so that the child’s teeth aren’t weakened by enamel erosion or tooth decay. When the little one has an accident, do check the mouth and teeth for hidden injuries and keep watch on the symptoms for the next couple of days. If the child complains of severe pain or you can see a badly damaged tooth or the child cannot bite, head to the emergency room of your dental clinic immediately.

Allergies Vs. Your Kids’ Oral Health

/0 Comments/in /by

According to The Smile Place, allergies can affect kids’ oral health. They cause mouth breathing, dry mouth due to medications, restricted diet due to food allergies, and allergic reactions to dental materials. Woodlawn Kids Dental decodes the reasons how allergies can harm your kids’ oral hygiene. (Source: The Smile Place, Can Allergies Harm Your Kid’s Teeth?, May 12, 2021, https://thesmileplacede.com/can-allergies-harm-your-kids-teeth/ ).

 

Mouth breathing

The Smile Place explains how many of us are familiar with the unpleasant symptoms of allergies, such as itchy and watery eyes, nasal drip, and sinus congestion. Although allergies can be bothersome, they can have a greater impact on your kids’ oral hygiene than you may realize. Research by the Academy of General Dentistry has shown that mouth breathing can impact tooth development and cause a range of oral health problems. In children, excessive mouth breathing can lead to a gummy smile, facial development issues, and dry mouth. This can further exacerbate oral health issues.

Woodlawn Kids Dental agrees, “Allergens trigger an overproduction of mucus in the body, which can block airways and sinuses, leading to mouth breathing as a compensatory mechanism. This can be concerning for your kids’ oral hygiene, as mouth breathing can have implications for their oral health. Although it may not seem like a big issue, mouth breathing can have significant implications for oral health. Make sure to schedule a regular dental checkup with your children’s dentist to keep an eye out for these symptoms.”

Dry mouth

The Smile Place shares that Dry mouth is a prevalent issue among dental patients. It is not just uncomfortable but also poses a significant risk to oral health. With the decrease in saliva production, teeth are more susceptible to decay as saliva plays a crucial role in rinsing away bacteria and neutralizing acids that attack tooth enamel. This exposes teeth to harmful bacteria and acids, leading to an increased risk of decay. Furthermore, dry mouth can cause chronic bad breath and lead to the development of gum disease.

Woodlawn Kids Dental elaborates, “Dry mouth can have adverse effects on a child’s oral health, including:

Increased risk of tooth decay: Saliva helps to rinse away food particles, neutralize acids in the mouth, and remineralize tooth enamel. Without sufficient saliva, the risk of tooth decay increases.

Difficulty in swallowing and speaking: Dry mouth can make it difficult for children to swallow and speak, leading to discomfort and frustration.

Sore throat and mouth sores: When there is insufficient saliva, the mouth and throat can become dry and irritated, leading to the development of sores.

Gum disease: Dry mouth can also increase the risk of gum disease, as the lack of saliva makes it easier for bacteria to accumulate on the teeth and gums.

Bad breath: A dry mouth can cause chronic bad breath, which can negatively impact a child’s self-esteem and social interactions.”

How to care for your kids’ oral health with allergies

The Smile Place suggests that with allergies, it is important to encourage regular dental checkups. You need to provide plenty of water, limit sugary and acidic foods, consider allergy-friendly dental products, and talk to your children’s dentist about medications.

Woodlawn Kids Dental reiterates, “Caring for your child’s oral health when they have allergies can be challenging, but it’s crucial to take necessary steps to ensure they maintain good oral hygiene.”

 

“It is important to talk to your Children’s dentist about any allergies your children may have during their dental checkup. This will help you understand how these allergies may affect your kids’ oral health. The children’s dentist can recommend ways to manage the allergies and maintain your kids’ oral health,” Woodlawn Kids Dental concludes.

The Importance of Flossing for Your Children

/0 Comments/in /by

Flossing and kids? Absolutely. Floss removes bacteria from places where a toothbrush cannot reach. And it is essential to your kids’ oral hygiene. Here are the important things to know about flossing for children.

Is flossing necessary for children?

The main reason to introduce flossing for kids is to remove the build-up of plaque, which is responsible for cavities and gum sensitivity. Plaque forms between teeth, and brushing won’t remove it effectively. Flossing is the only way to get between the teeth and under the gums to remove plaque.

If plaque keeps building up, your child is likely to have stinky breath. This can attract jibes from peers and affect their self-confidence.

Neglecting to floss altogether and not paying attention to a kid’s oral hygiene increases the risk of gum disease. While it’s uncommon for children to have advanced gum disease, they can have a milder form of the condition known as gingivitis. A common sign is bleeding gums while brushing or flossing. Gingivitis can also be caused due to mouth breathing, nutritional deficiencies, and teeth grinding. Caring for kids’ teeth should include regular flossing.

When to introduce flossing

Flossing should begin once your child has two teeth that touch. This usually happens between two and three years of age.

You can train your kids to use regular dental floss. There’s a learning curve to this; being patient and doing it correctly is vital to caring for kids’ teeth (more on this in the next section).

Alternatively, you can use floss picks or water flossers. A floss pick resembles a toothpick and has strands of floss. There are fun kids’ floss picks in different colours and shapes. Have your children pick those that catch their fancy. A water flosser works on electric power and directs a stream of water at the teeth to dislodge debris. They are great for kids that have small teeth or braces.

Note that floss picks and water flossers are generally less effective than traditional floss. They are still valuable for kids’ oral hygiene as they can enthuse your children to begin flossing and move on to regular floss. Your children’s dentist should be able to provide more guidance in this regard.

Tips on teaching your child to floss the right way

An essential part of caring for kids’ teeth is teaching them to use oral hygiene products properly. Flossing may be challenging for young ones; not doing it correctly can cause pain and bleeding along the gum line. It’s crucial that you floss your child’s teeth and supervise them as your little one learns to floss on their own.

Steps of flossing

Step 1: Cut a piece of floss 18-20 inches long (teach kids to cut the right amount).
Step 2: Wrap the floss lightly around each middle finger.
Step 3: Using the index finger and thumb, move the floss gently between each tooth in an up-and-down motion.
Step 4: Shift the floss up and down, ensuring that you go below the gum line. Bend the floss to form a ‘C’ on the side of each tooth (this will require practice).

There are other methods of flossing that your children’s dentist will help you with.

To get your kids excited about flossing, allow them to choose dental floss in their favourite colour. To make the habit stick, reward them for flossing regularly, make it fun by playing music as they floss, or make flossing a family activity where everyone (to the extent possible) flosses together.

 

Flossing improves your child’s oral hygiene. Along with encouraging your child to brush and floss regularly and monitoring what they eat, you also want to get dental checkups with a children’s dentist every six months. Dental and gum problems in kids can be challenging to see. Only a pediatric dentist can tell you what’s happening and provide reliable guidance on helping your kids maintain a healthy mouth. Visit Woodlawn Kids Dental today.