Children’s Dental X-rays—Safer than Ever

Children’s Dental X-rays—Safer than Ever

A 2012 study from the Yale University School of Medicine that found an association between dental x-rays in children and an increased risk of a particular type of brain tumor received a great deal of publicity in the media and may well have scared many parents. However, media coverage tended to leave out several important factors suggesting that there was less to worry about than first appeared, including the fact that many of the patients with brain tumors were older people who had undergone dental x-rays decades ago, when the amount of radiation exposure was significantly higher than it is today.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has issued guidelines on dental x-rays for infants, children and adolescents. These guidelines, which were officially reviewed at the time of the 2012 study, note that x-rays are a valuable tool for diagnosing oral diseases, and monitoring dentofacial development and the progress of therapy. Since every patient is unique, we base decisions about the need for dental x-rays on each child’s individual circumstances.

We use x-rays when we expect that the results will have an impact on patient care. We weigh the benefits of obtaining radiographs against any risks to your child from radiation exposure. The use of lead aprons, thyroid collars and high-speed film minimize your child’s exposure to radiation. Our equipment at KiDDS Dental and procedures conform to the As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) standard for radiation exposure.

Children may require x-rays more often than adults because their teeth and jaws are still developing, and their teeth are more likely to be affected by tooth decay than are those of adults. Certain oral conditions cannot be diagnosed except through the use of x-rays. Some of these conditions, if left untreated, can be a much greater health threat than the radiation from dental x-rays. Dental x-rays are a valuable diagnostic tool that can help preserve your child’s health.

If you have further questions regarding dental x-rays, click here to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jared. Or give us a call at (509)-891-7070. 

Floss Madness 2017

Facebook in no way endorses or promotes this contest. It is solely promoted by KiDDS Dental.
 
The Rules:

KiDDS Dental's Floss Madness Bracket Contest begins February 15, 2017 and ends March 14, 2017.  By submitting a bracket, each entrant agrees to the rules and states that they are 18 years or older.


Who may enter: Adults 18 years or older are eligible to complete a bracket. KiDDS Dental will determine the eligibility of each bracket submitted at its sole discretion. Employees of KiDDS Dental and their immediate families (spouse, parents, siblings, children, in-laws) are not eligible to enter. Winner must be available to pick up prize at KiDDS Dental in Liberty Lake, WA by April 7, 2017.

How to enter: Go the the KiDDS Dental Facebook page and click on the Floss Madness tab. Follow the prompts there to complete your bracket. Entrant must complete the entire bracket to be considered a successful entry. 

How to win: Members of the KiDDS Dental team will participate in "Floss Races" according the the bracket assignments posted. Contests will run March 15, 2017 through April 3, 2017. Points will be distributed based on correct predictions at each bracket level.

Judging:  The entrant with the most points will be the winner. In the case of multiple entrants sharing the same high score, those entrants will be entered into a random drawing. Winner will be notified on or before April 7, 2017.

Odds: Actual odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries.

Decisions: By entering into the promotion, entrants agree to abide by and be bound by these official rules, and to accept the decision of KiDDS Dental as final.  Entrants also agree to hold KiDDS Dental harmless from any liability arising from participation in this promotion. KiDDS Dental is not responsible for entries not received because of technical difficulties. KiDDS Dental reserves the right to disqualify any entrant who fails to follow these official rules or uses fraudulent means in participating. If for any reason this promotion is not able to be conducted as planned, KiDDS Dental reserves the right to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend this promotion and randomly draw from the entries received up to the cancellation/suspension date.


Prize:  The entrant deemed the winner will receive a certificate for two to Mica Moon Zip Tours valued at $225. Winner must be available to pick up prize at KiDDS Dental by 4 PM on April 7, 2017 or prize will be forfeited. Winners must sign a media release and will be responsible for paying any taxes they may owe on a prize.

Publicity: Winner agrees to permit KiDDS Dental to use his/her name and likeness in promotional and other KiDDS Dental materials, without additional compensation or permission, except where prohibited by law.


This promotion is void where prohibited.

Children’s Mouth Rinses—Are They Safe?

From breath freshening to cavity prevention, mouth rinses and mouthwashes claim to improve your child’s oral hygiene. But are these products really a good choice for your family?

For children under the age of 6, the answer is usually no. Youngsters can’t really handle the responsibility of properly swishing and spitting.

For older children, however, mouth rinses and mouthwashes specifically for children are a great option. These typically do not contain alcohol. There are even products made from naturally derived ingredients for those who are trying to avoid chemicals. Children’s products also come in child-friendly flavors, making the mouth rinse and mouthwash portion of your child’s dental routine a treat.

These children’s products usually fall into one of three categories: fluoride/anticavity mouthwashes, breath-freshening mouthwashes, and mouth rinses that color the teeth to make brushing more fun and effective. The latter type is usually used before your child brushes, turning the teeth a colored hue so your child can see where he or she needs to brush.

Mouthwashes are made to act as a final, thorough step in the dental routine, rinsing away any leftover debris or bacteria. They also may contain fluoride and other anticavity, antibacterial ingredients that help prevent decay. Children undergoing orthodontic treatment may find mouthwashes especially beneficial, because they can reach spots that brushing alone cannot.

To make sure your children are using mouth rinse and mouthwash safely, stick to products designed for their age group. Show your children how to use mouthwash by demonstrating how to swish and spit, rather than swallow, and let them know why it’s unsafe to ingest the rinse. The major risk of using these rinses is fluoride overdose, which can result in white stains forming on the teeth, or in the worst case, severe illness. By monitoring your children’s mouth rinse and mouthwash use, you can avoid accidental ingestion and make them a positive addition to your children’s oral health routine.

Using mouth rinse and mouthwash is an easy way for your children to achieve and maintain good oral health. Just be sure to choose the right ones. Our clinical staff at KiDDS Dental can help you show your children how to use them and avoid risk.

We'd love to meet you and your family! Give us a call at (509)-891-7070 to schedule today.