Merry Christmas!

Did you know that Christmas is the second biggest candy selling day?
We want our Safari Parents to be as informed as possible to ensure their child grows up cavity free.  Here are some nutritional information regarding the sugar content in various types of candy.  Don't forget to read the labels!

 

 

Fun Dental Facts #1

 

 

 

Animal teeth Animals' teeth are different depending upon what foods they eat. Meat-eaters (carnivores) have sharp teeth. Plant-eaters (herbivores) have flat teeth. Animals that eat both plants and meat, like humans, have sharp teeth in front and flat teeth at the back. Sharks lose teeth each week. They get new teeth when they lose the old ones. They may have over 20,000 teeth in a lifetime. Crocodiles have 60 teeth in their mouth at any one time and can grow up to 2-3,000 teeth during their lifetime. Poisonous snakes have hollow fangs which eject poison. Giraffes have 32 teeth, just like humans. Elephants have four sets of teeth in their lifetime. Their tusks are the longest teeth in the world. Dolphins have more teeth than any other animal. Some dolphins have over 200 teeth. Scientists can tell the age of a dolphin by the rings on their teeth. Snowshoe rabbits fight with their teeth. Adult males, called bucks, fight one another with their teeth when they court the females or does. Baleen whales don't have teeth. Instead they have stiff, fringed plates, made of the same stuff as human hair and fingernails. They hang down from the upper jaw and trap small fish and other food.   For the original article, please visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/find_out/guides/tech/teeth/newsid_3830000/3830561.stm

How Do I Choose the Best type of Mouth Guard for my Child?

Mouth guards are coverings worn over teeth, and often used to protect teeth from injury from teeth grinding and during sports.

There are three types of mouth guards:

1. Stock mouth protectors are preformed and come ready to wear. They are inexpensive and can be bought at most sporting good stores and department stores. However, little can be done to adjust their fit, they are bulky, make breathing and talking difficult, and they provide little or no protection. Dentists do not recommend their use.
2. Boil and bite mouth protectors also can be bought at many sporting goods stores and may offer a better fit than stock mouth protectors. The "boil and bite" mouth guard is made from thermoplastic material. It is placed in hot water to soften, then placed in the mouth and shaped around the teeth using finger and tongue pressure.
3. Custom-fitted mouth protectors are individually designed and made in a dental office or a professional laboratory based on your dentist's instructions. First, your dentist will make an impression of your teeth and a mouth guard is then molded over the model using a special material. Due to the use of the special material and because of the extra time and work involved, this custom-made mouth guard is more expensive than the other types, but it provides the most comfort and protection.

Generally, mouth guards cover your upper teeth only, but in some instances (such as if you wear braces or another fixed dental appliance on your lower jaw), your dentist will make a mouth guard for the lower teeth as well. Your dentist can suggest the best mouth guard for you. An effective mouth guard should be comfortable, resist tears, be durable and easy to clean, and should not restrict your breathing or speech.

Continue reading below...

If you grind your teeth at night, a special mouth guard-type of dental appliance -- called a nocturnal bite plate or bite splint -- may be created to prevent tooth damage.

Who Needs a Mouth Guard?

Mouth guards should be used by anyone -- both children and adults -- who play contact sports such as football, boxing, soccer, ice hockey, basketball, lacrosse, and field hockey. However, even those participating in noncontact sports (for example, gymnastics) and any recreational activity (for example, skateboarding, mountain biking) that might pose a risk of injury to the mouth would benefit from wearing a protective mouth guard.

Adults and children who grind their teeth at night should have a nocturnal bite plate or bite splint made to prevent tooth damage.

Why Use a Mouth Guard When Playing Sports?

Because accidents can happen during any physical activity, the advantage of using a mouth guard during sports is that it can help limit the risk of mouth-related injuries to your lips, tongue, and soft tissues of your mouth. Mouth guards also help you avoid chipped or broken teeth, nerve damage to a tooth, or even tooth loss.

 

Can I Wear a Mouth Guard if I Wear Braces?

Yes. Since an injury to the face could damage braces or other fixed appliances, a properly fitted mouth guard may be particularly important for people who wear braces or have fixed bridge work. Your dentist or orthodontist can determine the mouth guard that will provide the best protection for your unique mouth work. An important reminder: do not wear any orthodontic retainers or other removable appliance during any contact sports or during any recreational activities that put your mouth at risk for injury.

How Do I Care for My Mouth Guard?

To care for your mouth guard:

• Rinse your mouth guard with cold water or with a mouth rinse before and after each use and/or clean it with toothpaste and a toothbrush.
• Occasionally clean the mouth guard in cool, soapy water and rinse it thoroughly.
• Place the mouth guard in a firm, perforated container to store or transport it. This permits air circulation and helps to prevent damage.
• Protect the mouth guard from high temperatures -- such as hot water, hot surfaces, or direct sunlight -- to minimize distorting its shape.
• Occasionally check the mouth guard for general wear. If you find holes or tears in it or if it becomes loose or causes discomfort, replace it.
• Bring the mouth guard to each regularly scheduled dental visit to have your dentist exam it.

For the original article, please click on: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/mouth-guards

5 Tips for Proper Brushing Technique

By Jennifer Larson in: Ask the Expert | Featured Article | Growth and Development | Health and Safety

If your little one is taking on the toothbrushing duties, make sure they’re set up to succeed with these tips for proper brushing technique.

Brushing teeth

   

1. Use a soft toothbrush. And don’t forget to switch it out for a new one after about four months of use. 
2. A light grip is perfect. Suggest that your child pretend that the toothbrush is a magic wand!
3. Use the proper position. Hold the brush in a 45 degree angle from the teeth and brush in small circles—it’s easier on the gums.
4. Aim for two minutes. You can suggest the child brush her top teeth for one minute, then her bottom teeth for two, or break it up some other way.
5. Don’t forget to brush the tongue, too. Brushing the tongue helps fight bad breath and offers an extra measure of bacteria elimination.

For the original article, please visit: http://dailyparent.com/articles/5-tips-for-proper-brushing-technique/

Happy Halloween!

 

 

Did you know that Halloween is the biggest candy-selling day?  To our Safari parents: We know many kids love candy, especially after a fun day of trick-or-treating. 

Here are some examples of teeth friendly candy habits:
-xylitol chewing gums
-candy consumed after a full meal
-non sticky candy - try little M&M's instead of the chocolate caramels
-brush your child's teeth with fluoridated toothpaste

Some examples of non teeth friendly candy habits:
-chewy candy like gummy bears that promote snacking throughout the day
-hard candy or lollipops that promote sugar staying in the mouth for a long period of time

If you would like a more detailed explanation or more tips, please feel free to call Safari Children's Dentist and we would be more than happy to provide creative ideas to customize your child's personal needs.  We are serious about preventing dental cavities for your child!  Happy teeth equals happy child!

For the original article link: http://www.hccmis.com/blog/sugar-and-health-facts-sweet-tooth-infographic-part-3/

Is Your Kid Addicted to Sweets?

Here's how to make peace with junk food and still eat healthy. By Marisa Cohen from American Baby

A Realistic Approach to Sweets

My daughter Molly was 18 months old the first time she tasted a piece of candy. We were at the hair salon watching her older sister get a trim when the stylist offered Molly a yellow lollipop. As she took her first lick, her eyes opened wide as saucers, and she looked at me as if to say, "Mommy, where have these yummy treats been all my life?"

That was just the start. Her sister soon introduced her to gummy bears and M&Ms, and now, whenever I offer apples or grapes as an afternoon snack, Molly pouts and says, "Nooo, chocolate!" It's a struggle, but I'm trying to teach her that treats are only a small part of an otherwise balanced diet.

Sure, it would be great if we could eliminate all sugary, fatty foods from our kids' lives and have them happily munch on carrot sticks all day. But unless you plan to lock them in the house until they leave for college, that's not practical. "As soon as you tell a child a certain food is forbidden, it becomes very desirable," says Laurie Higgins, RD, a pediatric dietitian at the Joslin Diabetes Center, in Boston. The first time he encounters a stack of Oreos at school or a Snickers bar at his friend's house, it could trigger an obsession as serious as the one you had for that bad boy your mother warned you not to date.

A more realistic approach is to accept the fact that children love sweets, and that there is a healthy way to integrate them into your family meal plan. Here, some simple rules for taming your child's sweet tooth.

 

 

6 Simple Rules for Taming Your Child's Sweet Tooth

1. Introduce treats as a regular part of your child's diet early on.
The little health fairy in your head may be telling you to avoid giving in to requests for ice cream and brownies for as long as possible, but dietitians say it's better for you to introduce sweets, usually between 18 months and 2 years, than to have kids pick up their eating ideas from friends or TV. "If your child has established a well-rounded diet including vegetables and fruit, it's fine to introduce treats as soon as she starts asking for them," says Amy Jamieson-Petonic, RD, manager of the Fairview Hospital Wellness Center, in Cleveland. Just be sure to emphasize moderation and portion control.

2. Keep it small and sweet.

3. Don't attach emotional baggage to food.
Children should enjoy snacks and candy for their flavor and texture and not as a reward or comfort, says Jamieson-Petonic. We know it's tempting to dangle a bag of chocolate kisses in front of a child who's having a meltdown in aisle 12. Instead, try tempting them to behave with an activity, like an extra story or a Candy Land marathon.

4. Take care to preserve those pearly whites.
When it comes to caring for your child's chompers, you might be surprised to learn that a piece of chocolate is no worse for teeth than a Goldfish cracker. In fact, it may even be preferable, says Michael Hanna, DMD, a pediatric dentist in Pittsburgh. "It's not the food itself that causes cavities," he says, though some 90 percent of foods contain sugar and starches, both of which can lead to cavities. "What matters is how long they remain in your mouth."
Smooth, creamy foods like chocolate, cheese, and ice cream get washed down by saliva as soon as you finish chewing them; but crumbly snacks like crackers, pretzels, and chips tend to break up into smaller pieces that get wedged into your molars. And the longer they're stuck there, the more opportunities there are for the sugars and starches in the food to set off an acid attack, which eventually causes decay. Just be sure your child washes down cookies and crackers with water or milk and brushes her teeth soon after.

5. Sticky food should be an occasional treat.
"When Anna was 15 months old, we started giving her chewy fruit snacks, which I thought were a healthy alternative to junk food," recalls Tracy Bauer, of Kirkwood, Missouri. "When she turned 2, I was brushing her teeth and noticed some discoloration on one of her molars. I took her to the dentist, and she had a cavity." Dr. Hanna warns that fruit roll-ups should be given in moderation because they get stuck in the teeth, causing more decay. Although they are nutritious, dried fruits such as raisins and apricots fall into this sticky category as well, so brush your kids' teeth thoroughly after he eats them.

6. Be a healthy role model.
"Candy can become a culture in some homes," says Cynthia Northington, PhD, a psychology professor at William Patterson University, in Wayne, New Jersey. "If you don't want your child to become fixated on it, make sure it doesn't play a big role in your own life." Eat healthy meals and snacks, and your kids will follow suit. Besides, think of all the times you've sworn to cut down on the sweet stuff to fit into a swimsuit. Isn't teaching your child how to have her own positive relationship with food the best incentive of all?

Handling Halloween

What to do with that giant bag of candy that comes home on Halloween? This year, institute a buy-back program: Let your child pick out 10 or 20 of his favorite pieces of candy, to be doled out once a day, and offer to trade him an extra-special treat for the rest of the bag. Great options include a special day at the zoo, a trip to the movies, a T-shirt with his favorite character, or a new board game. But make sure you don't eat his booty in front of him -- either toss it or take it to your office.

Marisa Cohen, a mother of two, is a writer in New York City.

Originally published in American Baby magazine, October 2005.

All content here, including advice from doctors and other health professionals, should be considered as opinion only. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others.

For the original article, please visit: http://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/feeding/healthy-eating/nutritionkid-addicted-to-sweets/?page=1

 

 

 

10 Things Your Pediatric Dentist Wants You to Know

By Jennifer Larson                  

Make a visit to your child’s pediatric dentist easy-peasy with these dental hygiene suggestions from the docs themselves. 

istockphoto.com

October is Dental Hygiene Awareness Month. But for many parents, the prospect of taking their child to the pediatric dentist sounds more like a Halloween nightmare.

 

Don’t panic! You can prepare a child so the visit isn’t scary at all. A good rule of thumb is to offer a general overview of what to expect: “The dentist will look at your teeth, take some pictures and clean your teeth with a special toothbrush.”
“If you, the parent, have any apprehension about dental visits, never pass that on to your child,” says Dr. Warren Brill, president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). “Always tell them that the dentist is a person who is there to help keep them healthy and make sure they have pretty teeth and a pretty smile.”

In order to keep your child’s dental visits as painless and cavity-free as possible, here are 10 things that your pediatric dentist wants you to know:
1. Brush at least twice each day. Ideally, your child would always brush after eating, but aim for at least twice a day, including after dinner.
2. Use a toothpaste with fluoride.  “Any toothpaste containing fluoride sold over the counter in the U.S. contains an effective, appropriate amount of fluoride,” says Dr. Joel Berg, past-president of the AAPD. Use a lentil-size amount for a child younger than 3 years and a slightly larger amount for older kids.
3. Make sure your child is brushing properly. If you’re not sure your child has fully grasped the right technique, you might want to do most of the brushwork yourself. When your child is a little older—maybe 7 or 8 years—you can just watch them as they brush. “Keep an eye on what they do,” says Dr. Brill. “And if you have to follow up, follow up.”
4. Schedule your child’s first dentist appointment by age 1 year. You might even go sooner if your child develops teeth earlier.
5. Treats should be treats. Dentists often wince when they hear about children eating lots of sticky foods and candy. “It sticks in the grooves of the teeth,” says Dr. Brill. “Even brushing and rinsing may not remove all the sticky goo from the grooves.” Try to reserve those sticky treats for special occasions.
6. Don’t let your child drink sugary drinks frequently. Think of all that sugary liquid bathing your child’s teeth and gums, over and over. “Sipping on a soda with sugar all day can be seriously cavity-causing,” says Dr. Berg. “When it comes to cavities, it’s the frequency of sugar more than the quantity in total that can cause cavities.”  
7. No drinks in bed. If your child stalls at bedtime by asking for a glass of water, you can give in. But don’t put your child to bed with a bottle or cup of milk or juice, unless you plan to brush their teeth before they nod off.
8. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Since diet does have a relationship to oral health, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends eating lots of fresh veggies, fruits and whole grains.
9. Sealants can be a good protective measure. Dentists can apply a material to your child’s molars to help ward off cavities. “It fills in those grooves where decay is so prevalent, where it’s so easy to occur,” says Dr. Brill. 
10. Floss! As soon as your child has teeth that touch each other, they can get food and bacteria stuck in between them—and floss is the best way to get it out. You can buy pre-strung flossing sticks to make the flossing process easier.
As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Taking these simple steps can create life-long good dental hygiene habits and ensure a pleasant visit to the dentist.

For the original article, please visit: http://dailyparent.com/articles/10-things-your-pediatric-dentist-wants-you-to-know/

Sesame Street: Healthy Teeth, Healthy Me: Brushy Brush PSA

We want our Safari kids to be cavity free!  Parents often tell us: "My child won't let me brush his/her teeth."  Why not try to make it fun?

Here is a great video with Elmo singing the Brushy Brush song.  Elmo even used the right amount of toothpaste (a pea size amount)!  Maybe you can try showing this video to your child while you are brushing his/her teeth? 

Thumbsucking

At Safari Children's Dentistry, many parents have asked a lot about thumb sucking recently!  I know we have lots of info on our Parent's Corner, but I found a great article on WebMD.com to supplement our information.

9 Ways to Wean a Child off Thumb Sucking

Your preschooler won't stop sucking his thumb? Help your child kick the habit for good.

 

By Heather Hatfield
WebMD Feature

Reviewed by Roy Benaroch, MD

 

Kara Angelone's 3-year-old daughter Addie was a thumb-sucker from day one -- literally. Tucked away in her baby book is an ultrasound image of Addie sucking her thumb in the womb. Now, three years later, she's still not ready to let it go.

"It makes her feel safe and comfortable," Angelone says. "I can tell it helps soothe her because, whenever she feels stressed, in goes the thumb and she calms down in a second."

But should a 3-year-old still be sucking her thumb? Experts in psychology, pediatrics, and pediatric dentistry say there are things parents can do to help their children move past thumb or finger sucking. 

Soothing by Thumb Sucking

"Sucking is very natural for babies," pediatrician Robert Anderson says. "It's very common for them to use their thumbs or fingers as part of their routine to find comfort and to soothe themselves."

Within the first few months of life, or even sooner, a baby can become a thumb or finger sucker as a way to fall asleep, to calm down, or to just feel good, Anderson says.

At this stage, not only is thumb or finger sucking common, it is considered harmless in terms of a child's growth and speech development. The questions most parents ask themselves, however, is how long should it go on? Should a child still suck her thumb when she is ready for preschool?

      

Kids Who Won't Quit Thumb Sucking

"Usually, a child who is in the 2- to 4-year range will start to develop other coping skills beyond thumb or finger sucking, such as language development," says pediatric dentist Mary Hayes.

Hayes says these coping skills replace the need for a child to suck on a thumb or finger. But for some kids, thumb sucking or finger sucking is harder to kick, which could lead to problems for their growing mouths.

 

"We used to think that as long as a child stopped sucking by the time they developed their permanent teeth there would be minimal impact on the mouth and jaw," Hayes says. "Now, research shows that thumb or finger sucking can have an impact even at a younger age -- as young as 2 to 4 years old."

Hayes, a diplomate and fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, says that the sucking puts pressure on the sides of the upper jaw and the soft tissue on the roof of the mouth. As a result, the upper jaw can narrow, causing the teeth to not meet properly from the top to the bottom. Although this can be fixed with braces, it can also cause speech problems such as a lisp that may need to be corrected in therapy.

The long-term effects of thumb or finger sucking don't stop there. If a child has a cross-bite, a condition in which the upper and lower teeth don't meet properly, it can make it worse. A "thumb hole" in the roof of the mouth, which comes from sucking, can cause the teeth in the back of the mouth to take on the brunt of chewing. This causes an imbalance across the teeth and affects the structure of the mouth and jaw as they are growing with the child.

"The trick is to work with the child to lessen her dependency on thumb sucking or finger sucking before the coping skill turns into a habit," Hayes says.

 

How to Curb the Sucking

When your child reaches the preschool age, it might be tempting to pop his thumb out of his mouth every time he starts to suck, especially if you think it might be affecting the growth and development of his teeth and jaw. But you may want to consider resisting that urge and use a different strategy.

"This is a self-soothing activity," family psychologist Jenn Berman says. "It is important to remember that you will not have a child who is going off to college sucking his thumb. It will eventually come to an end."
 

Adults don't realize how anxiety-provoking growing up is for children, and sucking their thumbs or fingers is a soothing activity that can help reduce their anxiety, Berman says. So if your child is approaching preschool and still sucking away, here's how to handle it correctly:

DO try to limit the time that your child sucks his thumb to his bedroom or in the house, not in public, Berman says. Explain to him that this is a bed activity during nap time and at night.

DON'T turn it into a confrontation. "Don't tell your child, ‘You cannot suck your thumb anymore,'" Anderson says. "Try to recognize him and praise him when he's not sucking his thumb instead of criticizing when he is."

DO talk to your child about her thumb sucking or finger sucking. "Help your child understand that when she is ready to stop, you will be there to help," Berman says. "She will eventually come to you and tell you, ‘Mommy, I don't want to suck my thumb anymore,' because you've empowered her to get there." 

DON'T prohibit your child if he tries to suck his thumb or fingers after being hurt or injured. "He needs to be in his comfort zone, and by not letting him go there, you're only traumatizing him more," Berman says.

DO practice self-awareness with your child. "When your child is sucking his thumb, ask him, ‘Do you know you are sucking your thumb now?'" Hayes says. "If he says no, help him recognize that, and find another way to soothe him if he needs it, like a blanket or stuffed animal."

DON'T use the nasty-tasting stuff that is marketed to stop thumb sucking and finger sucking. "It's just cruel," Berman says. "It's pulling the rug out from under your child and that's not fair."

DO come up with creative ways to help your child understand that he is growing up and one day won't suck his thumb anymore. "Ask your child, ‘Do you think Bob the Builder sucks his thumb?'" Hayes says. "Then they'll think about, and start to process whether they want to be sucking their thumbs anymore."

DON'T try a glove or a mitten on the hand as a quick-fix to thumb or finger sucking. "This will just frustrate them and cause more anxiety," Anderson says. "Likely, they're old enough to just take it off, and as a result, they'll just want to suck more."

DO remember that a child will grow out of the need for thumb sucking or finger sucking when he's good and ready. "While parents may not like it, it's best left alone," Berman says. "Kids will eventually give it up."

Sugary drinks tied to obesity among preschoolers

Five-year-olds who drink sugar-sweetened sodas, sports drinks or juices every day are more likely to be obese than those who have sugar-sweetened beverages less often, according to a new study.

Although the link between sugary drinks and extra weight has been well documented among teens and adults, researchers said that up until now, the evidence was less clear for young children.

“Even though sugar-sweetened beverages are relatively a small percentage of the calories that children take in, that additional amount of calories did contribute to more weight gain over time,” said Dr. Mark DeBoer, who led the study at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.

He and his colleagues surveyed the parents of a nationally-representative group of 9,600 children when the kids were 2, 4 and 5 years old. The children were all born in 2001. Parents reported on their income and education, as well as how often children drank sugary beverages and watched TV.

For more on the Toronto Start story, please click on the link:
 http://www.thestar.com/life/health_wellness/2013/08/06/sugary_drinks_tied_to_obesity_among_preschoolers.html
 

Chris Hadfield Brushes his Teeth in Space

Kids, don't forget to brush your teeth 2 times a day.  Even astronauts brush their teeth in space!

How to Help a Child Who's Scared of the Dentist

Your child's next dental appointment is bound to go smoothly if you follow these tested tips on prepping for and getting through the visit.

By Kristen Finello 

Going to the dentist, as we all know, is an important part of keeping our kids' mouths healthy. Still, it typically doesn't rank very high on any parent or child's "want-to-do" list. Being asked to sit still -- often tipped back in a big chair -- with a bright light in their eyes and someone poking around in their mouth can rattle even the calmest of kids.
At my now 6-year-old son Brady's first checkup, he happily climbed onto my lap in the exam chair and opened wide. He was perfectly at ease -- until the hygienist began to recline the chair. As the chair moved, Brady began to squirm and whimper. At that, his older sister -- who had just sailed through her own exam without a tear or complaint -- began to cry and yell, "Stop! Leave him alone! Don't hurt my brother!" which, of course, made Brady wail louder. By the time the exam was over, the idea of getting a root canal was more appealing than the thought of bringing my kids back for their next checkup. Fortunately, as my kids have learned what to expect and developed a good relationship with their dentist and her staff, appointments have gotten much easier. Their biggest concern these days: which two trinkets to choose from the "prize box" at their end of their visit.
Whether your child is mildly nervous or seriously afraid, try these strategies to make visiting the dentist a more positive experience.

• Opt for a pediatric dentist. You may be happy with your dentist but a practitioner who specializes in treating kids and adolescents brings extra expertise and experience to the table. Pediatric dentists have an extra two to three years of training beyond dental school so they are experts at managing fearful young patients. In addition, their offices are designed to be kid-friendly. Even little things like outfitting kids with sunglasses to combat the brightness of the lights during an exam or having stuffed animals available for squeezing can help calm nerves.
• Start early. The AAPD recommends scheduling your child's first visit as soon as teeth begin to appear or by his first birthday. "An excellent way to minimize anxiety for children is to start regular dental visits before a problem like a cavity develops," says Edward H. Moody, Jr., D.D.S., vice president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and a pediatric dentist in Morristown, Tennessee. The benefits of early and regular dental care are two-fold: Your child gets into the routine of seeing the dentist while he's still young (and possibly less nervous) and staying on top of any potential problems can cut his chances of needing extensive (ouch!) dental treatment down the line.
• Do a meet and greet. Did you know that you can bring your child to the dentist's office to get acquainted before the day of their actual checkup? "If kids -- or parents -- are nervous I always recommend that they visit the office prior to their appointment so they can meet the staff, see where they'll sit and find out what to expect during the exam," says Lezli Levene Harvell, D.M.D., a board-certified pediatric dentist in Newark, New Jersey, and mother of five who has treated her fair share of reluctant patients. "Coming to the dentist can be a bit of an overload. By visiting first kids can get acclimated and come back another day knowing what to expect. It's a great tool that is completely underutilized."
• Get a little bit closer. Having a parent's hand to hold or lap to sit on while getting their teeth checked out can be a big comfort for kids. "Sometimes I'll have nervous kids lay on Mom's lap while I count Mom's teeth and then the child's," says Dr. Levene Harvell. "A child on Mom's lap instead of sitting alone can be like night and day."
• But don't do too much talking. Yes, it's tempting to maintain a steady stream of chatter in hopes of distracting your child from the exam (I've been guilty of this!), but resist. Letting the dentist do the talking will help him develop a better rapport with your child, say the experts at the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Have questions? Speak to the dentist after he completes the exam.
• Consider scheduling your child's appointments with the same hygienist each time. Often that's the pro who handles a large part of a routine checkup. I've found that always having my kids' cleanings done by their favorite hygienist, Denise, makes the appointments go more smoothly. "For younger children or those who tend to be uneasy around new people or things, seeing the same hygienist may be help build a sense of trust and make the visit more relaxing," notes Dr. Moody.
• Take it slow with kids prone to gagging. "Children often have a fear that they're going to gag and choke but it's usually more of a psychological problem than a physical issue," says Dr. Moody. "When a dentist goes slowly, is patient, and provides positive encouragement as a child gets used to having her teeth cleaned and examined, it lets her gradually understand that there is no real cause for concern." For kids who are sensitive to gagging, x-rays can be hard because the small film tabs have to be inserted pretty far back in the mouth. Dr. Levene Harvell's advice: Ask the dentist if x-rays are necessary at that visit. Sometimes they can be skipped.
• Make the most of distraction. Many dentists' offices have TV screens playing kid-friendly shows or videos mounted near the exam chair to attract kids' attention. Another option: Ask your child's dentist if she can use your smartphone or MP3 player. Popping in the earbuds and listening to favorite tunes or a book on tape can help take the focus off the dental procedure.
• Forget your own dental demons. If you dread the dentist, your child can pick up on your feelings. "Many parents have their own horror stories," says Dr. Levene Harvell. "When they come in and see that our office is nice and friendly, that can calm the parent down, which makes the child calmer too."
• Run interference if siblings or friends tell scary dentist stories. Is the kid next door detailing the time his dentist yanked on his tooth so hard people could hear him scream from blocks away? Put the kibosh on those types of tales as quickly as possible.
• Don't say, 'Don't worry. It won't hurt.'" Of course you mean to reassure your child but his mind is going to zero in on the word hurt. Checkups and 90 percent of first visits are nearly always pain-free, so steer clear of that concept entirely, recommends the AAPD.

Copyright © 2013 Meredith Corporation.
All content on this Web site, including medical opinion and any other health-related information, is for informational purposes only and should not be considered to be a specific diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual situation. Use of this site and the information contained herein does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others.
For the original article, please go to: http://www.parents.com/kids/hygiene/tooth-care/how-to-help-a-child-whos-scared-of-the-dentist/

Tooth Soothing Time with Drs. Berg and Chussid

Resource: American Academy of Pediatric Dentist

June 27, 2013 03:40 PM
 

Immediate Past President Dr. Joel H. Berg and AAPD member Dr. Steven Chussid were featured in a Parents Magazine article about healthy habits and soothing strategies while your child is teething. If you’re a first time parent, the first signs of teething typically appear around 4 months—that’s when your infant’s saliva production kicks in and they start to put anything in the mouth.

 

"Despite what you may have heard, teething doesn’t cause high fever or diarrhea. Since your baby is putting everything in her mouth in an effort to massage her gums; it’s easy for her to pick up germs," says Dr. Steven Chussid. To provide relief, wet a clean washcloth, wring out the excess water, and put in the refrigerator or freezer to chill. "Your baby may also like for you to massage his gums with your clean finger or a moist gauze pad," says Dr. Joel H. Berg.

 

To read the full article: http://www.aapd.org/assets/1/7/ParentsMagazineJune2013.pdf