Stuck Between Two Teeth

Stuck Between Two Teeth

Many adults have experienced the irritation of an object trapped between their teeth. Children can suffer the same discomfort too, especially because of the large gaps between their developing teeth.

Young children like using their mouth to explore the world around them; often, the problem starts when a child uses his or her teeth to break apart an object or remove part of a toy. Most frequently, however, it is food that gets stuck between teeth. For some children, the object will be too large, and your efforts to dislodge it will fail. Then, an emergency trip to KiDDS Dental will be necessary.

In most cases, you can remove an object from between your child’s teeth with dental floss or a dental pick.

• Gently floss your child’s teeth as you normally would.
• Slide the floss up and down a few times until the object is removed.
• Rinse your child’s mouth with warm water.
• Never use a sharp instrument to remove objects.
• If you child has braces, apply the same techniques.

While you can’t always prevent objects from getting stuck between children’s teeth, you can start by limiting certain foods, such as popcorn, corn on the cob and hard candies. Having your child brush or floss after eating these foods can help. Some parents carry portable, individually wrapped flossing sticks for a quick fix when children get food lodged in their teeth.

If several attempts to remove the object fail, bring your child in to see Dr. Jared. Excessive or repeated force to remove an object could damage teeth and gums. Your child may be complaining of pain, which can be a sign the tooth is damaged. When your child has braces, a dental visit can reassure you that the braces are still fitted properly and the mouth isn’t injured.

If you find that your child frequently gets objects stuck between his or her teeth, the problem may be that the teeth have shifted or cavities are present. Usually, objects stuck between teeth will come out with floss, but when they don’t, we can come to the rescue.

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

Sweet Dreams: A Sweetener That Prevents Cavities

Sweet Dreams: A Sweetener That Prevents Cavities

Children love sugar. It’s sweet and present in so many foods they like. But it comes with plenty of negative side effects, from tooth decay to weight gain to increased risk of diabetes. But knowing sugar is bad for children and getting them to stop wanting it are two very different things. Fortunately, sugar substitutes are available. One alternative, xylitol, is not only a sweet solution for a sweet tooth but may help prevent tooth decay.

Unlike the sugars found in molasses, honeys and nectars, xylitol is a “sugar alcohol” found in plants, including many fruits and vegetables. It comes in the form of a crystalline powder and can be purchased in bulk or in small packets, similar to sugar and other sugar substitutes. Xylitol is also found in gum, mints and hard candy.

So why is xylitol preferable to other sugar alternatives? Let’s start with calories. Xylitol actually has 40% fewer calories than traditional table sugar. Because it does not raise blood glucose or insulin levels, xylitol can be useful as a sugar substitute for people with diabetes. (However, they should still consult their physicians before use because some xylitol-based products may contain other chemicals not suitable for a diabetic diet.)

But most surprisingly, xylitol is a sweetener that may help prevent tooth decay.

• Eating xylitol-sweetened foods between meals helps to reduce the number of cavity-causing bacteria in your child’s mouth.
• Chewing xylitol gum inhibits the growth of plaque on teeth.
• Xylitol helps stimulate saliva flow, which helps protect and restore tooth enamel.

One important warning about xylitol, however: It is highly toxic to dogs. If your family owns a dog, make sure your children use and dispose of xylitol products responsibly. Store any products containing xylitol in a place where your dog can’t get to it.

If you have questions or concerns about xylitol and your children’s health, be sure to ask Dr. Jared during their next regularly scheduled checkup at KiDDS Dental.

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

Straight Talk About Crooked Teeth

Straight Talk About Crooked Teeth

As your child’s teeth grow in, there’s a good chance they may not all line up neatly. As your child grows older, misaligned teeth, often the result of genetics, can benefit from orthodontic treatment. Not only can treatment boost his or her confidence and self-esteem as your child grows into adulthood but it can save your child from a variety of health problems.

Misaligned teeth can take many forms—an overbite or an underbite, too much or too little space between teeth. All these conditions can be treated with appliances such as braces, space maintainers and retainers that put gentle pressure on the teeth and the jaws to move the teeth into place. Fortunately for your child, these days many orthodontic appliances are less visible than traditional braces are. In some cases, for example, brackets are bonded to the back of the teeth.

Even if your child does need traditional braces, the long-term benefits are significant. In addition to affecting your child psychologically throughout life, crooked teeth and misaligned bites can

• interfere with proper chewing of food
• make it more difficult to brush and floss, thus increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease
• strain the teeth, jaws and muscles, increasing the risk of breaking a tooth
• cause abnormal wear on tooth surfaces, difficulty speaking and possibly temporomandibular joint disorders

Your child should be screened for orthodontic treatment when he or she is about 7 years old, when permanent teeth start coming in and bones are still growing. While orthodontic treatment is unlikely to start quite that early, future problems can often be spotted even at that young age. If your child has not been evaluated for misaligned teeth, call us to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jared. With proper care, your child will grow into adulthood with a healthy, confident smile.

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

Start Your Child’s Oral Health Routine Early

Start Your Child’s Oral Health Routine Early

The first year of life for your infant is an important one—with rapid development that sets the stage for health later in life. While you might already be thinking about routines such as sleeping, make sure you don’t neglect the importance of establishing an oral health care routine with your child.

Research suggests that the earlier you start the better. In fact, studies show that a large number of 2- and 3-year-olds already have cavities; some of these children will require invasive treatment and hospitalization. However, good dentist-led education during pregnancy and throughout your child’s first year will give your toddler the best chance for a cavity-free mouth.

If you are pregnant, schedule a visit with us. A scientific study conducted in Australia in 2008 and repeated in 2014 found that a mother’s meeting with a pediatric dentist during pregnancy and again when the child reached 6 and 12 months went a long way toward preventing early childhood cavities.

Because the Internet and other sources of information can be unreliable, it is critical that you receive information from a qualified pediatric dentist. Topics we discuss will range from nutrition and oral hygiene to the use of pacifiers.

Dental care has a significant, positive impact on your child’s quality of life. Conversely, a lack of dental care can have a negative impact. Research shows that early childhood cavities can lead to

• physical symptoms, such as pain, that can lead to malnutrition and delayed growth from a reluctance to eat
• functional problems, including poor chewing and limited communication due to  poor speech and a loss of space in the mouth
• psychological effects from the low self-esteem that results when a child’s mouth and teeth don’t look their best
• a higher risk of future cavities

Don’t wait until your child experiences problems before visiting KiDDS Dental. Infancy is a critical time when it comes to laying down a foundation for good oral health. Setting up an effective oral health routine early is easier than changing unhealthy habits later on.

Special-Needs Children Require Special Oral Health Strategies

Special-Needs Children Require Special Oral Health Strategies

While oral health is important to sustain a child’s overall good physical health, children with special needs—and their parents—often find necessary oral-care maintenance routines challenging.

At home, consistent, creative preparation can be very useful to keep toothbrushing time as stress-free as possible. If your child resists brushing in the bathroom, for instance, choose another room or setting. Make sure all objects you might need—everything from toothbrush to fresh water to swabs—are close at hand before beginning.

If a traditional toothbrush poses difficulties, you can buy or make an adaptive toothbrush that your child may be able to maneuver alone. The sense of independence this fosters will create positivity around the oral-health experience—something important for any special-needs child. If your child finds toothpaste difficult to tolerate, try using a very small amount (the size of half a pea) on the toothbrush.

Specific precautions can help prevent cavities that might be caused by taking certain liquid medications that contain sugar. Have your child rinse with water, if possible, after taking these medications, and ask your pharmacist if there are sugar-free variants for your child’s prescriptions. If your child experiences gastroesophageal reflux or another condition that causes frequent vomiting, you, your child and caregivers should understand that to get rid of even small amounts of residue, rinsing the mouth with water after an incident is crucial to preventing tooth decay.

Dr. Jared and his clinical team want to work with you and your child to make his or her dental care experiences as pleasant as possible. When you schedule your child’s appointment at KiDDS Dental, remind us of his or her special needs. If necessary, we can devote the first appointment—or even the first several appointments—to small steps that get your child acclimated to the office, the chair and the activities of a “real” visit. Then he or she will know what to expect during actual cleanings and care, and the chance of successful dental visits for years to come will rise exponentially.

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

Soothing Your Baby’s Teething Blues

Soothing Your Baby’s Teething Blues

Think back to the last time you had a toothache. The soreness, the pain…it probably wasn’t the best day of your life. Now imagine experiencing discomfort like that for months on end. For some babies, this is how teething feels.

Your baby’s teeth begin to emerge when he or she is around 6 months old, and the whole set of 20 primary teeth usually will be in by the age of 3 years. Some babies aren’t bothered by the process, but for others, teething can be miserable—especially when the molars erupt from the gums. Symptoms such as fussiness, drooling, rash, refusing to eat, and gnawing on anything and everything in sight typically begin three to five days before the tooth erupts.

Luckily, there are ways to relieve your child’s discomfort (and yours, because having a fussy, miserable baby isn’t fun for anyone). Try the following to make teething easier for everyone:

• Using a clean finger, gently massage your baby’s gums for a few minutes. Apply pressure to the top of the gum line—this counters the pressure of the teeth coming in from below and helps soften the gum tissues.
• Offer solid silicone teething rings or other appropriate toys for your baby to chew on. You can put these in the refrigerator for a quick chill beforehand—the cold will soothe your baby’s gums. Avoid freezing the teething toy because icy teething rings can stick to the roof of the baby’s mouth and cause even more pain when you pry it off.
• If your baby is over 6 months old and eating solid food, try giving him or her rice rusks. A teething baby may also enjoy cold foods such as yogurt or cold pureed fruit.
• If your baby experiences major discomfort, an over-the-counter pain reliever may be helpful. Check with your pediatrician before you give your child any medication.

Although it may feel like your baby’s teething will last for all eternity, this stage will pass before you know it. In the meantime, bring your child to KiDDS Dental for regular check-ups when we can monitor his or her dental development.

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

Store Your Child’s Toothbrush Safely

Store Your Child’s Toothbrush Safely

Storing a toothbrush may seem simple. Many stores carry a wide array of brush holders in assorted colors and themes. But storing a toothbrush properly involves more than popping it into a case. Here are a few steps to follow when putting your child’s toothbrush away.

1. Rinse the toothbrush—What good is cleaning your child’s mouth with a dirty toothbrush? Rinse the head of the toothbrush to make sure that all the particles cleaned out of your child’s mouth don’t go right back in during the next brushing.

2. Store the toothbrush upright—This allows any water left on the toothbrush after brushing to drip harmlessly away from the brush head.

3. Store the toothbrush in an open space—You might be tempted to put your child’s toothbrush in the medicine cabinet or a closed case. Don’t. Toothbrushes dry faster in the open air. A wet toothbrush is a great environment for bacteria to collect and infect your child’s teeth and gums.

4. Keep the toothbrush away from the toilet or sink—Most children brush their teeth in the bathroom. But not everything in the bathroom belongs in their mouths. When people wash their hands in the sink, soapy water can splash on toothbrushes. And when people flush the toilet, water can launch upwards, too. Make sure your toothbrushes aren’t stored in a splash zone.

5. Keep toothbrushes separated—If toothbrushes are too close, bacteria can hop from one toothbrush to another. Make sure your family keeps their brush heads clean—not just for themselves but for everyone in your home. For the same reason, don’t share toothbrushes. All family members should have their own.

6. Replace the toothbrush regularly—When your child’s toothbrush seems worn or becomes discolored, move it from the bathroom to the trash. A toothbrush or electric brush head that has been used too long will do more harm than good. We give our patients new toothbrushes when they visit us. Consider that an opportunity to get started with a fresh brush.

Having your child brush twice daily goes a long way toward maintaining optimum oral health. Keeping the toothbrush head clean and in good condition enhances those efforts.

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