Guard Your Child’s Teeth Against Injuries and Grinding

Guard Your Child’s Teeth Against Injuries and Grinding

If your child plays sports or grinds his or her teeth, Dr. Jared may recommend a mouth guard, a covering worn over the teeth to protect them from injury. Sports injuries can cause chipped, broken or lost teeth, or other damage to the mouth area. Bruxism, or teeth grinding, may result in fractures, cracks or worn-down teeth. A mouth guard can protect the teeth from injury and offer relief from the painful results of bruxism.

To be effective, a mouth guard should fit well, feel comfortable and stay in place. It should also allow your child to breathe freely and talk without sputtering or spitting. Comfort and ease are essential, since children often do not want to wear a guard and may even remove an uncomfortable one when no one is looking.

Over-the-counter (OTC) mouth guards are inexpensive, but they have several disadvantages. The one-size-fits-all OTC guard does not provide an exact fit, so it may not be comfortable or effective. Teeth grinding could also cause it to loosen or fall out. Most OTC mouth guards require the child to clench his or her teeth to keep it in place—an inconvenience most children cannot manage.

The boil-and-bite mouth guard, another OTC style, is made from thermoplastic material that is placed in hot water to soften. Once it cools, the child bites down on it so that the mouth guard hardens to form around his or her teeth. This may give a better fit than the one-size model but is not recommended for children with braces.

The custom-fit guard is the option recommended by the American Dental Association. Molded according to exact measurements of the child’s mouth, the custom guard provides the best fit and function. Although they are more expensive, custom mouth guards may actually save money in the long run, because they prevent dental injuries and costly repairs more effectively.

If your child plays sports or grinds his or her teeth, make an appointment at KiDDS Dental. We can help you choose the best mouth guard for your child.

Click here to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jared. Or give us a call at (509)-891-7070.

Good Sleep and Good Dental Health Go Together

Good Sleep and Good Dental Health Go Together

Every night, your child brushes and flosses, gives you a kiss and climbs into bed. This is an excellent routine to promote dental health—and not just because of the brushing and flossing. While we sleep, our bodies heal. Our blood sugar levels stabilize, our immune system reboots, and our blood vessels and heart can do their important maintenance work. For children, whose bodies are constantly growing and changing, sleep is critically important.

Considering the connection between general health and dental wellness, it makes sense that adequate sleep is essential to keeping your child’s smile healthy and bright. Given evidence in a Japanese study that suggested a correlation between inadequate sleep and periodontal disease, there may be more to the sleep–dental connection than previously thought.

Not only is poor sleep associated with dental problems, dental problems can cause poor sleep—especially in children, who can’t always express what’s causing them to toss and turn. Two common sleep disorders, sleep-related bruxism and sleep-related gastroesophageal reflux, can wreak havoc on the quality of your child’s sleep.

• Children with sleep-related bruxism grind their teeth at night, which can wear down teeth, alter the child’s bite, and cause pain in the face and jaw.
• Children with sleep-related gastroesophageal reflux regurgitate stomach acid while sleeping, which can chemically erode tooth enamel.

To be sure your child’s sleep isn’t being disturbed by these problems, Dr. Jared can check his or her mouth for signs of both disorders, especially if the child is complaining of a sour taste in the mouth, jaw pain or interrupted sleep. He may also recommend a thorough examination by a pediatrician or specialist to rule out other issues, such as thyroid disorders and ear/nose/throat problems, that can affect sleep.

To help children get a good night’s sleep that boosts dental health, have them wind down an hour or two before bed with a quiet activity, such as reading or relaxing with family; skip caffeine-containing drinks; and make sure they have a comfortable, quiet, cool sleep environment. And, of course, make sure they brush and floss before bed!

Call us to schedule an appointment today!  509-891-7070.

Good Oral Care Habits Last for Life

Good Oral Care Habits Last for Life

Many recent studies have focused on the important role played by healthy teeth and gums to maintain the body’s overall health. Gum disease is, after all, a form of inflammation, and the body’s so-called inflammatory cascade—the series of bodily processes caused or spurred on by inflammation—has been associated with many illnesses and health conditions.

One of the best ways to prevent gum disease as an adult is to establish healthy habits of good oral care during childhood. The earlier good habits are established—and the more frequently they are enforced—the harder they are to break.

As a parent, one of the best things you can do to promote your child’s dental health is to take the time to help them establish good oral care habits now that will help them stay healthy later. So, what does that entail?

1. Keep your baby’s gums clean using a soft cloth.
2. Once baby teeth emerge, use a soft-bristled brush designed for baby’s mouths to keep teeth clean.
3. Bring your child in to see us early—as early as six months of age. By introducing your child to us and familiarizing your child with the procedures involved in a dental appointment, you can significantly reduce the anxiety many people fear when visiting the dentist. Make dental visits a routine part of your child’s life.
4. Ask us for guidance on healthy snacks, the best way to brush and for guidance on when—and how—to begin flossing teeth. Also ask about the use of supplemental oral health products, such as plaque rinse or mouthwash.
5. Perhaps most importantly, practice what you preach: Demonstrate good oral care habits, including brushing and flossing and regular dental visits, in front of your children.
6. Finally, keep your own anxiety about the dentist to yourself—do not voice your fears in front of your children.

By instilling good oral care habits in your children early in life, you encourage your child to maintain them as he or she grows into an adult. And children trained to keep themselves healthy pass on these good habits to their own children. Make regular visits to KiDDS Dental a part of your child’s routine now.

If you have questions about good oral habits, click here to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jared. Or give us a call at (509)-891-7070.