Give Your Child a New Toothbrush

Give Your Child a New Toothbrush

Did you ever wonder why we give your child a new toothbrush at every visit? We want to make sure that your child regularly gets a new toothbrush.

While we generally recommend that you schedule your child for two checkups a year, you should actually replace his or her toothbrush, or toothbrush head if you use an electric toothbrush, at least every three months. Here’s why:

• Wear and tear. The more you use your toothbrush, the more the bristles wear down and soften, losing their cleaning power. You may have noticed that some toothbrushes have little peaks and valleys in their shape when viewed from the side. That’s to help get the brush into the curved edges of your teeth and the gaps between them. As the bristles flatten out, they lose that ability.
• Harmful particles. Your toothbrush is designed to get rid of tiny particles of bacteria, plaque and fungi on your teeth. Even if you conscientiously and thoroughly clean your brush, you simply can’t remove all those microorganisms. Over time those particles build up on the bristles, and you end up putting them right back onto your teeth.

Since germs can also breed on toothbrushes, you might want to replace everyone’s toothbrush sooner rather than later if you or your child gets sick.

Some toothbrushes have indicators that let you know when it’s time to get a new one. Pay attention to those indicators (usually specially marked or colored bristles)―some people wear out their toothbrushes faster than others. Bring your child’s three-month-old toothbrush in with you at your next visit to KiDDS Dental, and we’ll be happy to replace it with a brand-new one.

Call us to schedule an appointment today!  (509)-891-7070. We'd love to meet you and your family!

Getting the Most Out of Dental Checkups

Getting the Most Out of Dental Checkups

Dental checkups are essential to keep your child’s mouth healthy and free from disease. To best prepare your child for each trip to KiDDS Dental, you need to be aware of what happens during an oral examination.

Your child’s first dental checkup should come after his or her first tooth comes in or by the child’s first birthday, whichever comes first. Following that first visit, most children will need to visit us twice a year—more if they’re high risk.

Dental examinations for children typically last about 30 minutes and are pain-free. We will clean your child’s teeth, and then assess his or her risk of tooth decay. Dental x-rays might be taken to reveal any existing decay, and we will check to see how your child’s teeth fit together.

During the examination, we will discuss your child’s oral hygiene habits and diet—for instance, we may suggest alternatives to sugary drinks. We can demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques for you and your child. For adolescents, we may discuss health risks associated with oral piercings and tobacco use.

If any problems become apparent, Dr. Jared will let you know whether special care is needed. We may suggest protective sealants to protect and fluoride treatments to help strengthen your child’s teeth.

Schedule an office visit during a time of day when your child is well rested and more likely to be cooperative. It’s important to explain the dental visit to your child in positive terms. Talk about the benefits of a dental visit, and remind your child that you get dental checkups too. Let us know about any fears your child may have about coming in to see us.

Regular dental checkups are important for good oral health and prevention of decay. Make sure you don’t neglect your child’s teeth—call our office to set up an appointment. And should any aspect of your child’s health change, let us know so we can make any necessary dental treatment changes.

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

Getting That Thumb Out of Your Child’s Mouth

Getting That Thumb Out of Your Child’s Mouth

When should you attempt to break your child’s thumb-sucking habit? How should you do it? Should you even worry about it? Most children who suck their thumbs (or fingers) as infants stop on their own by the time they turn 5 years old. Generally, thumb-sucking’s impact on mouth growth and tooth alignment—a child’s bite—arises only if the habit continues after permanent teeth have begun to come in.

If your child’s fifth birthday is approaching—or has passed—and he or she continues thumb-sucking, consider these strategies:

• Ask your child for ideas about how he or she can learn to stop thumb-sucking. If your child is not ready, explain that you’ll be there to help when the time is right.
• “Catch” your child when not sucking, and offer praise. Conversely, if your child seems at times to be unaware of sucking, gently point it out to promote self-awareness of the habit.
• If your child’s anxiety in particular situations fosters sucking, offer alternatives, such as a stuffed animal or blanket to snuggle with (not, of course, to suck).
• Compromise with your child by giving full permission to thumb-suck at bedtime or naptime, but asking him or her to try very hard to stop doing it during the course of the day.

Two products are marketed for breaking the thumb-sucking habit, but some doctors and psychologists have suggested that they may cause more harm than good:

• Nasty-tasting liquids. Sold over-the-counter just for this purpose, these bitter or sour preparations are applied to the favored thumb or finger. This method works in some children, but not in others.
• Plastic thumb guard. Used mostly at night and held in place with a wristband your child can’t remove, the thumb guard can be quite effective, although can create anxiety in the child.

As a last resort, we can fit your child with an intraoral appliance. This device physically prevents the sucking motion. It usually remains in place for three to six months, after which the habit should be broken.

Before you decide on a course of action, come see Dr. Jared and our clinical team. We can explain to your child—as we have to countless other children—why thumb-sucking can cause trouble for his or her future teeth. Then we can work together to develop an individualized plan to break the habit.

Give us a call at (509)-891-7070 to schedule today!

Front Teeth―First In, First Out

Front Teeth―First In, First Out

Children grow up too fast. So many milestones pass: crawling, walking, talking, getting his or her first tooth. Another milestone is losing his or her first tooth. As those baby teeth fall out and their adult counterparts come in, your child graduates to the next level of dental hygiene.

So what actually happens? In simple terms, your child’s permanent teeth slowly start growing below the primary teeth. As they do, the baby teeth’s roots begin to get absorbed into the gums. As the root recedes and the permanent teeth erupt, the primary teeth are pushed out―this is the “loosening” your child will be most preoccupied with. The permanent teeth take the place of the primary teeth, essentially following the same path previously followed by their predecessors.

The first baby teeth to go (absent any unforeseen trauma or deplorable hygiene habits) are usually the lower center incisors—the two bottom teeth in the middle. Why? Simple―these teeth are the first to come in and therefore the first to go. This pattern follows for all twenty of the primary teeth—for the most part, they will leave in the order they arrived.

Although there is no set time for this to happen, the first baby tooth typically will fall out when your child is between the ages of 4 and 7. As a general rule of thumb, the earlier your child gets a first tooth, the sooner he or she will lose the first tooth. If the front center teeth haven’t started loosening by ages 6 to 7, you should come see Dr. Jared, in case the permanent teeth are blocked by extra teeth present in the jaw. Once the front center teeth go, the rest will follow in a process that should last about six years from start to finish.

Be ready for when your child’s teeth start to fall out. Communicate with your child about why his or her tooth is falling out and why it is not something to worry about. You should also explain to your child why it’s not necessary to be overly ambitious and yank out any loose teeth. Don’t hesitate to call us with any concerns.

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

Father's DAY? No way!

We'll be celebrating dads ALL WEEK on Facebook
and one lucky winner will get a Kindle Fire HD 8 just for playing along.

Look for a new way to enter to win each day

June 10th through June 16th.

Contest Rules:

By entering this promotion, participant agrees to a complete release of Facebook from any or all liability in connection with this contest. It is also acknowledgment that the contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. No purchase is necessary to enter or win.

How to enter: Entries consist of following the directions (comment, "like," etc.) given in the official promotion posts on the KiDDS Dental Facebook page between June 10, 2018 at 9:00 AM and June 16, 2018 at 5:00 PM. One entry per promotion post per Facebook user is allowed. Multiple entries per promotion post will be disqualified.

Drawing: One random prize drawing will be held on or about June 19, 2018.  The winner will receive a Kindle Fire HD 8. This prize is valued at $89. Cash cannot be awarded in lieu of prize. Prize is not transferable. The winner is solely responsible for reporting and paying applicable state and federal taxes. If a winner is disqualified or if a prize is unclaimed, KiDDS Dental reserves the right to conduct another drawing to determine an alternate winner or to not award that winner's prize, at its sole discretion.

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

Eligibility: Legal residents of the United States are eligible to participate and win. Any person under the age of 18 must have a parent's or legal guardian's permission to participate and/or win.  Must be 13 years or older to enter. 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 in person at KiDDS Dental in Liberty Lake, WA by June 28, 2018.

Decisions: By entering into the promotion, entrants and their parents or guardians (if the entrant is under the age of 18) agree to abide by and be bound by these official rules, and to accept the decision of KiDDS Dental as final.  Entrants and their parents or guardians (if entrant is under the age of 18) 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 participant to a person 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.

Liability Release: By participating, each participant and winner waives any and all claims against KiDDS Dental their employees and agents for any personal loss of any kind which may occur from the participation in the promotion.

Publicity: Each winner (and such winner's parent or guardian if any winner is under the age of 18) 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.

By entering the contest, entrants grant KiDDS Dental license to display, distribute, reproduce contest entries. Winners must sign a media release and will be responsible for paying any taxes they may owe on a prize.

Formula, Fluoride and Fluorosis

Formula, Fluoride and Fluorosis

Everyone agrees that the best source of nutrition for an infant is breast milk. The next best thing? Infant formula. However, despite its nutritional value, some types of infant formula have the potential to foster a condition known as dental fluorosis that involves changes in the appearance of the tooth’s surface. The tooth enamel is degraded due to an overexposure to fluoride before teeth erupt. Generally, fluorosis is not noticeable; it usually shows up as little white spots that are visible only to dental professionals. In its most severe form, fluorosis can cause brown stains on the permanent teeth.

Formula comes in three formulations: powder, liquid concentrate and ready-to-feed. Major infant formula brands have very little if any fluoride. The problem is not with the formula—it is with the water used to mix the formula. Because fluoride helps prevent tooth decay in the general population, approximately 72% of all public water systems in the United States adjust the fluoride levels in the water to obtain the optimal dose for everyone age eight and older. But that means that if you are mixing powdered or concentrated formula with tap water, you will increase the fluoride in the formula to a level that may be too high for infants. Because formula can be the primary source of an infant’s nutrition, it is easy to see how this can contribute to the onset of fluorosis.

There are two easy ways to remedy this, but they take a concentrated effort by the parent. Use ready-made formula—that’s the best option because you won’t be adding any additional fluoride to your child’s diet. However, if you do use a powdered or concentrated formula, use bottled water labeled demineralized, distilled, purified or de-ionized to reconstitute or dilute the formula. That will reduce the level of fluoride your infant is being exposed to and help secure the development of his or her esthetically pleasing smile.

Call us to schedule an appointment today! (509)-891-7070. We'd love to meet you and your family!

Mother's DAY? No way!

We'll be celebrating mothers ALL WEEK on Facebook
and one lucky winner will get a Kindle Fire HD 8 just for playing along.

Look for a new way to enter to win each day

May 6th through May 12th.

Contest Rules:

By entering this promotion, participant agrees to a complete release of Facebook from any or all liability in connection with this contest. It is also acknowledgment that the contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. No purchase is necessary to enter or win.

How to enter: Entries consist of following the directions (comment, "like," etc.) given in the official promotion posts on the KiDDS Dental Facebook page between May 6, 2018 at 9:00 AM and May 12, 2018 at 5:00 PM. One entry per promotion post per Facebook user is allowed. Multiple entries per promotion post will be disqualified.

Drawing: One random prize drawing will be held on or about May 14, 2018.  The winner will receive a Kindle Fire HD 8. This prize is valued at $89. Cash cannot be awarded in lieu of prize. Prize is not transferable. The winner is solely responsible for reporting and paying applicable state and federal taxes. If a winner is disqualified or if a prize is unclaimed, KiDDS Dental reserves the right to conduct another drawing to determine an alternate winner or to not award that winner's prize, at its sole discretion.

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

Eligibility: Legal residents of the United States are eligible to participate and win. Any person under the age of 18 must have a parent's or legal guardian's permission to participate and/or win.  Must be 13 years or older to enter. 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 May 18, 2018.

Decisions: By entering into the promotion, entrants and their parents or guardians (if the entrant is under the age of 18) agree to abide by and be bound by these official rules, and to accept the decision of KiDDS Dental as final.  Entrants and their parents or guardians (if entrant is under the age of 18) 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 participant to a person 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.

Liability Release: By participating, each participant and winner waives any and all claims against KiDDS Dental their employees and agents for any personal loss of any kind which may occur from the participation in the promotion.

Publicity: Each winner (and such winner's parent or guardian if any winner is under the age of 18) 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.

By entering the contest, entrants grant KiDDS Dental license to display, distribute, reproduce contest entries. Winners must sign a media release and will be responsible for paying any taxes they may owe on a prize.