Enter the KiDDS Summertime Picture Contest!

Three ways to win . . .

1. Color our color page and bring to our office.
2. Draw your own summer picture and bring to our office.
3. Post a picture of you having summertime fun on our Facebook page.

We'll draw one lucky winner for a $25 gift card on August 31st.

 Remember . . . we're still running our "Where Did you Brush your Teeth This Summer?" Photo Contest on Facebook, too!  Click here to enter to win a Triple Play Fun Pack for your family!

All About Sealants

Brush On Long-lasting Cavity Protection

Among the items in the Dr. Evan’s toolkit for which we’re the most grateful is a cavity-prevention technique called “sealing.” It is one of the simplest and most effective ways to help keep tooth decay from ever forming—making life easier on child, parent and dentist alike.

Here’s how it works: The sealant is actually a safe liquid form of plastic that can be brushed onto the tooth surface. The chewing surfaces of back teeth need sealants most, because they have the deepest crevices in which food and cavity-causing bacteria can accumulate and may be untouched even by conscientious toothbrushing.

The sealant—which quickly hardens after application—acts as a colorless physical barrier so that food and bacteria cannot take up residence in the nooks and crannies in the first place. That is why it’s important for us to apply sealant to the chewing surface of each back tooth as soon as it erupts in your child’s mouth—and that can include primary as well as the later-emerging adult teeth.

One application of sealant can last for up to a decade. But sealants need to be checked during your child’s dental checkups to ascertain whether additional sealing material is needed and to apply it if appropriate.

The only downside to applying dental sealant is that it can give children—and their caregivers—a false sense of security. Sealants are very helpful deterrents against cavity formation in the crevices of back teeth, but they don’t protect all tooth surfaces. The best cavity protection for the smooth surfaces of all teeth is exposure to fluoride, via fluoride toothpaste, fluoridated water and, sometimes, a fluoride-containing mouth rinse.

So, even with sealants in place, your child needs to follow the rules of good dental hygiene just as strictly as before:

• Brush twice a day. For children over 2 years of age, use a pea-sized bit of fluoride toothpaste on the brush, and clean each tooth thoroughly.
• Floss once a day. Have your child use whatever type of floss is most comfortable for him or her to manipulate.

Try to have your child avoid the stickiest of candies, as well as chips, pretzels and cookies, which form residues that are among the toughest to brush away. But if your child eats them, have him or her brush as soon as possible after consumption.

If you have more questions about sealants, or cavity prevention in general, please talk to us at your child’s next visit or call KiDDS Dental at 509-891-7070. We can give you the most up-to-date information.

Get the Vitamin D Needed for Healthy Teeth

Despite the increased intake of food, today’s children still lack many vitamins and minerals necessary for healthy growth. The reason is simple: Children love snacks, and many of the snack foods they eat today are devoid of meaningful nutrition, packed instead with sugar and sugar substitutes, fats, additives and other nutrient-poor substances.

Vitamin deficiency can have a significant effect on a child’s overall health, including playing a major role in the development of strong, healthy teeth. One nutrient that’s critical for strong teeth—vitamin D—is also frequently lacking in children’s diets. In fact, according to a recent study published in the journal Pediatrics, vitamin D deficiency is startlingly common among children of all weight classes, with one in five “healthy weight” children deficient in this critical nutrient. The risk of deficiency increases as children become heavier. According to the study, 29% of children considered overweight and 34% of obese children do not get enough vitamin D.

Here’s what you can do to make sure your child is getting the vitamins and minerals they need for healthy teeth:

•  Make sure your child eats plenty of healthy foods, such as dairy products (some studies have shown cheese is especially good for teeth), lean proteins, leafy vegetables, fresh fruits and whole grains. 
• Get a double-dose of nutrients by including foods that provide both vitamin D and calcium, such as fortified low-fat dairy products, fortified soy and rice beverages, and canned sardines or salmon. 
• Sunlight is important for the production and absorption of vitamin D, so make sure your child gets moderate exposure to sunshine on a regular basis. 
• Avoid fast food and sugary snacks filled with empty calories. 
• Avoid high consumption of carbonated beverages, including soda, that can actually remove vitamins and minerals from your child’s bones and other tissues.
  

One more important caveat: If your child is a vegetarian or has specific health issues, such as diabetes or digestive problems, he or she may need additional nutritional supplements to stay healthy. But instead of trying to decide on your own which supplements your child needs, ask your child’s pediatrician and us for guidance. Together, we can help you select the best supplements to ensure that your child receives all the vitamins and minerals he or she needs to stay healthy.

Dealing with Shark Teeth

Sharks, unlike most other animals, grow their teeth in rows, one behind the other. The rear teeth slowly push forward until they replace the front teeth. Most people know about that only as a fun science fact. Unfortunately, for some children it is an uncomfortable reality.

When most children begin growing their adult teeth, the roots of their baby teeth dissolve, and the new tooth pushes the loose tooth out of their mouths. Sometimes, however, the adult tooth begins to force its way through the gums before the baby tooth comes out. In this case, the adult tooth ends up behind the baby tooth, leaving one tooth in front of the other, like a shark.

Much of the time, this occurrence is harmless. Eventually, the baby tooth comes out before the adult tooth is completely in place. When the new tooth finishes growing, it moves into its final home in line with the other adult teeth. If the baby tooth doesn’t come out on its own, we may have to extract it.

In rare instances, the “shark” tooth grows in between two other adult teeth. In that case, we will have to shave the sides of the two adjacent adult teeth through a procedure called “disking.” Once that’s accomplished, we will move the permanent tooth into place, using orthodontic braces to properly align the teeth.

If you are at all concerned about the growth pattern of your child’s teeth, let us know. If we find that there is no problem, then no harm has been done. But if it turns out there is a more serious issue, it is better to catch it early. We will take dental x-rays to see if there’s any real danger or if the teeth should just be allowed to grow.

Shark teeth do not pose an emergency, but they can lead to problems down the line if not taken seriously. If you notice permanent teeth erupting behind baby teeth, call KiDDS Dental in Liberty Lake at 509-891-7070 to make an appointment so we can assess the situation and take any necessary steps.

Is your child's diet "Teeth-Safe"?

A Diet that Is “Teeth-Safe”

Getting children to eat a healthy, balanced diet can be a challenge. Beyond preventing childhood obesity lies another reason that parents need to pay attention to their families’ eating habits: dental health. Everything your children eat affects their teeth as well as their overall health. Even some healthy foods can be detrimental to their mouths if eaten too frequently or without brushing immediately afterwards.

Timing Is Everything

The longer sticky, carbohydrate-rich foods hang around in the mouth, the more hospitable the mouth becomes to the plaque that can lead to tooth decay. Oatmeal, whole grain cereals and dried fruit are all great choices, but they tend to stick to the teeth. Instead of cutting them out of your children’s diet, have your children brush their teeth right after eating starchy foods. As for sweets, offer them as desserts after a meal rather than on their own; there’s more saliva production happening at mealtime, which can help wash away the sugars and residue. Avoid frequent snacking: The longer your children go between eating, the more time their mouths will have to produce bacteria-fighting saliva.

The Worst Foods for Your Children’s Teeth

Obviously, sugary and sticky foods are the worst offenders—lollipops, sugary gum, candy and dried fruit. But also be aware of highly acidic drinks that can eat away at tooth enamel, such as citrus juices and sodas. Pickles and honey may also lead to decay.

The Best Foods for Your Children’s Teeth

Cheese and apples are a mouth’s best friend—and a great snack option for children. Cheese offers a dose of tooth-strengthening calcium and encourages saliva production to wash away lingering food particles. A crisp apple or carrot is nature’s toothbrush, naturally scrubbing away plaque.

Your best bet for oral health, however, is a balanced diet, including lots of antioxidant-filled fruits and veggies. Not only will this enhance your children’s overall health but it will benefit your children’s mouths by protecting gums from cell damage and infection.

Photo credit: <a href='http://www.123rf.com/profile_sbworld8'>sbworld8 / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

Cheesy Solution to Better Oral Health

A study published in the May/June 2013 of General Dentistry reports that snacking on cheese can actually protect tooth enamel in children, even more than drinking milk or eating yogurt. More good news: The same benefits are offered by no-fat, low-fat and regular varieties.

Cheese works by increasing the pH level of dental plaque, making it less acidic. The bacteria that cause cavities thrive in an acidic environment, so by increasing the pH level, bacteria is prevented from adhering to the tooth surfaces where they can do damage to the protective enamel.

For the study, the researchers enrolled 68 children from 12 to 15 years of age and measured their baseline dental plaque pH levels. Next, the children were divided into three groups: one group was given milk to drink, another was given sugar-free yogurt to eat and the third was given cheddar cheese. After consuming these foods for three minutes, the children rinsed their mouths, and plaque pH measurements were taken at three 10-minute intervals. These measurements showed that the kids who drank milk or ate yogurt had no changes in their plaque pH levels, but those who ate cheese had a rapid and steady increase in pH levels over time.

How does cheese protect enamel? Cheese offers two primary benefits: First, it increases the production of saliva, which in turn protects teeth by helping to keep food particles from sticking to teeth and by keeping pH levels in check. Second, cheese contains substances called pyrophosphates, an organic compound that occurs naturally in the body and is also added to some toothpastes. Pyrophosphates can help teeth that have been surrounded by acid become remineralized, which means the enamel can be restored.

The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) applauded the results.

“It looks like dairy does the mouth good," says AGD spokesperson Seung-Hee Rhee, DDS, FAGD. "Not only are dairy products a healthy alternative to carb- or sugar-filled snacks, they also may be considered as a preventive measure against cavities."

The Power of the Pacifier

I’m regularly questioned by concerned parents about pacifier use.  Some of them approach me with a shamed expression, clearly embarrassed about the situation they are in.  As a dentist, I understand these parents’ concern.   Others openly profess their love for their child’s fixation and assign pet names , such as “bubba,” “ginky,” “jar jar” or “pluggerdoodle,” to the one item they claim protects their sanity.  As a father, I understand this affection.  I often respond to both types of parents with the sentiment  “there is a time for everything . . . even the binky.  But, once that time has passed, move on. ”

I completely support the use of a pacifier by infants.   The action of rhythmic sucking optimizes an infant’s breathing and heart rate.  This explains why pacifiers are recommended to help prevent SIDS.  The use of a pacifier soothes a newborn.  In hospital nurseries, infants cry significantly less if they are given a pacifier between feedings.  Muscular movements of the digestive tract work most efficiently when a baby is sucking.  Sucking on a pacifier helps to re-regulate intestinal rhythms in babies with colic or digestive difficulties. 

 There is a point, though, when too much of a good thing spells trouble.  Children who have continued a sucking habit beyond infancy are regularly affected with crooked teeth, misaligned jaws and even speech impediments.   Problems with prolonged sucking can appear beyond the mouth, too.  One study has shown that children who did not use a pacifier had nearly one third less occurrence of ear infections.  Prolonged sucking habits can also affect a child’s interaction with others.  Children with a pacifier in their mouths can’t talk and for children who are shy, the pacifier creates an excuse to avoid expressing themselves.  This can stunt a child’s emotional and social growth.

So when is the right time to give up the binky?  Not during infancy.  There are both physical and psychological reasons to encourage the use of a pacifier through and beyond a baby’s first year.  Once a child has reached preschool age, however, there is no benefit to sucking.  Parents of children this age who haven’t given up the habit already should take measures to stop the habit before Kindergarten, especially if there are protruding, crooked teeth or their child’s lips are flaring and are difficult to close.  Another sign of an excessive habit is the continuation of sucking vigorously throughout the night.  If a sucking habit continues into a child’s school years, it is unlikely that the effects can be fixed without the help of an orthodontist.

There are steps that a parent can take at all stages of their child’s development.  Introducing the pacifier in the right way, early in life, sets up a child for successful weaning later in life.  Parents of infants should not offer a pacifier unless their baby is fussing.  When a child is fussing, they should first spend a moment to evaluate if something other than a pacifier might solve the problem.   To discover the underlying difficulty and then address it teaches even the youngest infant to deal with distress by problem-solving instead of mouth-filling.  Once a child has reached the status of toddler, a parent can introduce limits to the availability of a pacifier.  Offering a pacifier only at naptimes and at bedtime is one way to start the weaning process.  If a toddler seeks out his pacifier at other times, a parent can present distractions to help him engage in other, healthy activities.  As a toddler matures and starts to hone his reasoning and negotiating skills his parent can reinforce his lack of pacifier use with praise and rewards.   A parent can also foster an excitement about the process by introducing ceremonies to usher the child to a more mature and “grown up” phase of life.

What should you, as a parent, do to help your child move away from the use of a pacifier?  If it is time to say goodbye to your child's pacifier, there's lots of fun ways to do so.  You can call our office at 509-891-7070 and ask about our "Pacifier Fairy Tree" or visit our Pinterest Pacifier Fairy board for some ideas!