Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!
Don't forget to brush you teeth, kids!  We definitely do not want "Zombie Mouth."
If you need more ideas on encouraging your child to brush your child's teeth, don't forget to book an appointment with Safari Children's Dentist!  We are here to help!

Halloween Fun Dental Facts

Start Off The School Year Right!

Students miss more than 51 million school hours per year* because of dental problems or related conditions. Dental pain can distract students, cause their schoolwork to suffer or even lead to school absences.  Children and adolescents with healthy teeth have better attendance, are more attentive in class and tend to participate more fully in school-related activities.
To start the school year off on the right tooth, and prevent oral-health-related absences, teach your student to floss once a day and brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Beware of frequent snacking, as repeated exposure to sugary or starchy snacks can increase the risk for cavities. And most important, visit your pediatric dentist twice a year. Your pediatric dentist provides an ongoing oral health assessment and can help your student prevent cavities and school absences.
For more information on oral health for your student, please visit the brochure list

*U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, 2000.

Resource: http://www.mychildrensteeth.org/education/quicktips/

Toothsavers Brushing Game Trailer - iOS and Android

Sometimes kids forget to brush their teeth during the summer months because they don't have their daily routines.  Everyday is a different day!  Here is a great game you can download to remind your little ones why it is so important to fight those sugar bugs!  You can easily download this app on your smart phone.  If your child hasn't been the greatest at brushing his/her teeth for the past few months, please don't forget to give Safari Children's Dentist a call for their dental cleaning before school starts.  We have different flavor toothpastes for your child to choose from (chocolate, birthday cake, cotton candy, bubble gum and more).  By the way, if you kids are busy with summer camps and family vacations and you can't seem to fit in an appointment before school starts, we are also open on Saturdays!

National Dairy Month

Let's try to stay cavity free!

 

It's almost the end of the school year.  At Safari Children's Dentistry, we understand that habits change once summer begins.  Please don't forget to maintain your dental routine!  Mom and Dad: Please don't forget to book your child's dental appointments.  If you try to time your child's dental cleaning during the summer and winter, your child may not have to miss school for their regular biannual dental checkups!

 

FAQ: "My child grinds his/her teeth"

Here is a great article for WedMD.

Do Children Grind Their Teeth?

The problem of teeth grinding is not limited to adults. Approximately 15% to 33% of children grind their teeth. Children who grind their teeth tend to do so at two peak times -- when their baby teeth emerge and when their permanent teeth come in. Most children lose the teeth grinding habit after these two sets of teeth have come in more fully.

Most commonly, children grind their teeth during sleep rather than during waking hours. No one knows exactly why children grind their teeth but considerations include improperly aligned teeth or irregular contact between upper and lower teeth, illnesses and other medical conditions (such as nutritional deficiencies, pinworm, allergies, endocrine disorders), and psychological factors including anxiety and stress.

Grinding of the baby teeth rarely results in problems. However, teeth grinding can cause jaw pain, headaches, wear on the teeth, and TMD. Consult your dentist if your child's teeth look worn or if your child complains of tooth sensitivity or pain.

Specific tips to help a child stop grinding his or her teeth include:

• Decrease your child's stress, especially just before bed.
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• Try massage and stretching exercises to relax the muscles.
• Make sure your child's diet includes plenty of water. Dehydration may be linked to teeth grinding.
• Ask your dentist to monitor your child's teeth if he or she is a grinder.

No intervention is usually required with preschool-age children. However, older children may need temporary crowns or other methods, such as a night guard, to prevent the grinding.

 

Resource: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/teeth-grinding-bruxism?page=2

Sealants Can Seal the Deal for Healthy Teeth

"Sealant" refers to a clear or shaded plastic material placed in the pits and grooves of children’s teeth to prevent decay.  The pediatric dentist applies this invisible protector by drying and conditioning the teeth, painting on the sealant and then allowing it to harden.

The AAPD recommends sealants as an effective method for cavity prevention, especially for those children with a history of tooth decay.  In addition, sealants are one of the most cost-effective means of preventing cavities – they cost less than half of what one filling costs!

Resource: http://www.mychildrensteeth.org/education/quicktips/

 

Parent Fact Sheet on Caries Bacteria

How to Protect Your Baby's Teeth From Cavities

Did you know that cavities are caused by germs that are passed from adult to child?  Babies are born without the bacteria that causes caries- the disease that leads to cavities. They get it from spit that is passed from their caregiver’s mouth to their own. Caregivers pass on these germs by sharing saliva- by sharing spoons, by testing foods before feeding it to babies, by cleaning off a pacifier in their mouth instead of with water, and through other activities where saliva is shared. These germs can start the process that causes cavities even before babies have teeth, so it’s important to avoid sharing saliva with your baby right from the start. See below for more tips on how to keep your baby- and your baby’s teeth healthy and happy.

Click here to download a fact sheet on things you can do to prevent sharing caries bacteria with your child.

Resource: http://www.mychildrensteeth.org/education/parent_fact_sheet_on_caries_bacteria/

Brush 2 times per day for 2 mins!

Is it a challenge getting your child to brush his/her teeth

Sometimes children need positive reinforcement for encouragement.  Have you tried keeping track of their daily brushing with a calendar and then rewarding them after establishing a one or two week routine?

Remember mom: it takes 23 days to break a habit!

Here is a link to a great chart to help your child: http://2min2x.org/downloads/brush-checklist.pdf

Fun Facts #2

Explore more infographics like this one on the web's largest information design community - Visually.

Toothpaste 101

Toothpaste Basics

Toothpaste is available in paste, gel, or powder form. Despite the many types of toothpaste, there are some ingredients common to most varieties. These include:

• Abrasive agents. Scratchy materials, including calcium carbonate and silicates, help remove food, bacteria, and some stains from your teeth.

• Flavoring. Artificial sweeteners, including saccharin, are often added to toothpaste to make them taste better. While many people equate the flavor of toothpaste with mint, toothpaste is available in a variety of flavors, including cinnamon, lemon-lime, and even bubblegum (for kids -- or kids at heart).

• Humectants for moisture retention. Paste and gel formulations often contain substances like glycerol to prevent the toothpaste from drying out.

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• Thickeners. Agents that add thickness to the toothpaste, including gums and gooey molecules found in some seaweeds, help achieve and maintain proper toothpaste texture.

• Detergents. Those suds you see when you brush your teeth are from detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate.

Fluoride Toothpaste

The most important ingredient to look for when choosing toothpaste is fluoride.

 

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral. Its use has been instrumental in the dramatic drop in tooth decay and cavity occurrence that has taken place over the past 50 years. Bacteria in your mouth feed on sugars and starches that remain on your teeth after eating. Fluoride helps protect your teeth from the acid that is released when this happens. It does this in two ways. First, fluoride makes your tooth enamel stronger and less likely to suffer acid damage. Second, it can reverse the early stages of acid damage by remineralizing areas that have started to decay.

 

Using fluoride toothpaste is an important way to ensure that your teeth are reaping the benefits of this dental-friendly mineral. Don't think you can skip fluoride if you live in an area where the water is fluoridated. Studies have shown that using fluoride toothpaste helps increase the concentration of fluoride in the teeth, even in areas with water supplies containing high levels of the mineral.

 

For the complete article, please visit: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/weighing-your-toothpaste-options

Is the Tooth Fairy a Budget Watcher or a Big Spender?

Do you know what the going rate is for your child's wiggly baby tooth?
If you would like more information regarding the exfoliation of primary teeth and eruption of permanent teeth, please visit our Parent's Corner for more information!  Or, please click this link for more information: http://www.mysafaridentist.com/#!toothfairy/c1hve

 

Sesame Street: Kids Just Love to Brush

Happy New Years!  Sesame Street does it again!  The video does a great job at showing kids that brushing their teeth can be fun!