All kids want to get loads of Halloween candy when out trick-or-treating but as a parent, you know that eating too much candy is not good for your child.
Allow Your Kids to Enjoy their Treats in Moderation - After trick-or-treating, set a specific treat time with your child for when they can eat a treat. Limit this to 1-2 treats per day.
Avoid Sticky Situations - Sticky candy clings to teeth, as it takes longer for saliva to wash it away, and thus increasing the risk for cavities.
Drink More Water - Drinking fluoridated water can help prevent tooth decay.
Hold onto the bag - If your kid keeps the bag of candy, good luck trying to control how much candy they’ll eat.
Maintain a Healthy Diet - The foods you choose as fuel and how often you "fill up" affect your general health and that of your teeth and gums.
When an accident occurs involving a tooth, blood can leak out of blood vessels. The by products of this blood leakage (mainly iron) can make their way into the small tubules inside the tooth. These by products can cause a tooth to appear grey, brown, or even black. The color change usually does not happen right away. It can take about 2-3 weeks before the color change appears. The other color changes could be from deep tooth decay, or a pink/red looking tooth is usually caused by resorption.
Treatment for an Injured Tooth
The damage done inside the tooth is generally irreversible but sometimes it can be repaired especially if it is from decay only. The general rule of thumb is the darker the tooth the higher the likelihood, that the nerve of the tooth has died.
If your child’s tooth has darkened the prudent thing to do is to have your child’s dentist examine it. If there are other signs that the tooth is dead, has a deep cavity, is resorbing or shows signs of inflammation or an infection. Many of these signs can be seen on the x-ray. The dentist will then diagnose the problem and recommend treatment. Treatments range from a root canal treatment, removing the tooth, or doing a filling or crown. If there is no sign of infection or other symptoms, the dentist may choose to leave the tooth alone. The tooth will eventually fall out on its own and it will maintain space in the meantime for the permanent tooth to erupt. Studies have shown that about 3/4′s of discolored primary teeth normally fall out on their own without any ill effect to the permanent teeth.
Other Color Changes
Other colors can include pink or red. Just like the other colors above, the tooth can turn right away or wait a few weeks. When a tooth turns red after an accident, it generally means a blood vessel has broken. Blood then leaks inside the nerve of the tooth (pulp). This is referred to as pulpal hyperemia. This can be very difficult to diagnose and over time the tooth may darken as well. The possible long term complication of this is that our body’s defenses may begin to resorb some of the internal layers of the tooth (called internal resorption). As the resorption occurs the pink or red color becomes more noticeable as the tooth structure becomes thinner and thinner. If this occurs, the teeth are either left alone until they fully resorb or they can be removed by your dentist.
Tooth Discoloration Conclusion
If you have any concerns about changes in your child’s teeth you should see your kids friendly dentist in Wellington immediately to diagnose the problem. Do not leave a potential infection unchecked, ask your dentist what your options are, and make an informed decision in your child’s dental treatment.
There are different types of Dental Floss. Regular flossing with any of these choices will help the fight against plaque buildup: Waxed/Un-waxed, Flavored/Unflavored, Wide/Regular, Textured/Smooth. There are also flossing tools, Pre-threaded Flosser or Floss Holders, that may be helpful for children that are just starting to floss or who may have limited movement with their hands. Your child Dentist will show you different methods for flossing such as the “Spool Method” or the “Loop Method”. Don’t Worry Your Dentist will be there to Guide You.
Any questions give your local Toothtown Pediatric Dental Office a call at 561-333-4568!
Dental Sealants are thin, plastic coatings painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Sealants are put on in the dental offices, and are very simple and painless. Sealants are in liquid form, are painted on and quickly harden to form a protective shield over the tooth. The most important reason for getting sealants is to avoid tooth decay. Tooth decay is caused because germs in the mouth use the sugar in food and drinks to make acids. Over time, the acids can make a cavity in the tooth. Fluoride in toothpaste and drinking water protects the smooth surfaces of teeth but back teeth need extra protection.
If you would like to learn more about Dental Sealants or if you have any questions or concerns call us, kid’s dentist in West Palm Beach.
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1037 S. State Road 7 Suite 215 Wellington, FL 33414
Treatment for an Injured Tooth
