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1037 S. State Road 7 Suite 215
Wellington, FL 33414
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Posts for: May, 2018
3 Common Causes
Has your child ever come to you with bleeding gums? If so, there are a number causes that could be the culprit, but the one to watch out for is gum disease. Below, we discuss some common causes of bleeding gums:
New Toothbrush
A new toothbrush with firm bristles can sometimes cause gums bleed. If you just bought your child a new toothbrush, check the bristles to see how firm they are, or look on the package to see what types of bristles it has. You should always buy toothbrushes with soft bristles, which clean as well as firm bristles, and are much easier on gums and teeth. Additionally, make sure your child isn’t brushing their teeth with too much pressure, which can also cause bleeding and damage sensitive gums.
New Flossing Routine
If your child has just started flossing, then they will most likely experience some minor bleeding. This is because deep crevices in the gums are incredibly sensitive and are easily agitated when someone begins a new flossing routine. Bleeding gums caused by flossing usually subsides in about a week. Visit our office if your child is experiencing bleeding gums for more than one week after beginning flossing, since this may indicate a more serious problem that requires treatment.
Gum Disease
If your child has gums that bleed easily, or that are red, swollen and tender, then they may have gum disease. Gum disease can be caused by a number of factors, but it is most commonly associated with poor oral hygiene. Also called periodontal disease, gum disease is also caused by excessive plaque buildup. The best way to keep gum disease away from your child is a good oral health routine. Make sure that they are brushing twice daily for two minutes at a time and that they floss once per day.
If your child has bleeding gums that last more than one week then visit our kid friendly office so that we can prescribe a proper treatment plan. Gums that bleed for more than a week often indicate some form of gum disease that needs to be treated by a pediatric dentist near me. Visit our pediatric dentist in West Palm Beach office today to help your child get healthier gums, and a smile that they’re proud to share.
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Why Are Baby Teeth Important?
A baby’s 20 primary teeth are already present in the jaws at birth and typically begin to appear when a baby is between 6 months and 1 year. It is important as a parent to ensure that you are taking proper care of your baby’s teeth because if not it can hurt your child’s oral and overall health.
Here are just a few reasons why baby teeth are important:
- Baby teeth save space for permanent teeth. Without a guide, permanent teeth could grow in all sorts of directions. Baby teeth serve as a pathway for permanent teeth to grow and allow for proper jaw development. Crowded or crooked teeth might require orthodontic treatment later in life.
- They allow a child to speak clearly. Teeth help the mouth pronounce words correctly so your child can communicate clearly and effectively. Communication skills help your child develop socially, cognitively, and emotionally.
- Baby teeth help children chew their food. Missing or decayed teeth can cause problems when trying to chew food properly, a skill they will need for the rest of their lives.
- Baby teeth promote good nutrition. Along with proper chewing habits, baby teeth allow children to easily chew different kinds of food, allowing for more fruits, vegetables, and grains in their diet. Being exposed to a variety of foods helps encourage healthy eating habits and proper growth in children.
- They help give a healthy start for permanent teeth. Several studies have found children who experienced tooth decay in their primary teeth had a greater risk of developing tooth decay in their permanent teeth than children who maintained healthy primary teeth.
Please visit your Pediatric Dentist near me to schedule your Baby’s First Appointment at 561-333-4568.
Oral hygiene isn’t always the first thing on a parents mind, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t important! Setting up an effective teeth routine at a young age can help your child have a beautiful smile for their entire lifetime. Here are 4 ways which can help your child stay cavity free:
Brush twice per day and floss daily
You can help your child establish a mouth-healthy routine right now by having them brush their teeth twice per day for two minutes at a time, and floss once per day, making sure to floss the tough-to-reach areas of their teeth.Drink more water
Water helps keep the whole mouth clean by washing away food debris that can harm enamel, and by stimulating saliva production. In fact, saliva is 99% water, so drinking water is crucial for keeping teeth clean.
Another benefit of water is that it contains zero calories and no sugar – a common culprit in sodas and sports drinks which causes cavities. One way to ensure your child to oral health happiness is by eliminating sugary drinks all together in favor of water.Eat a balanced diet
The food that your child eats absolutely effects their overall oral health. It’s important as a parent that you help your children achieve oral health success by providing them with mouth-healthy meal options. Try adding foods that clean as they are consumed such as carrots, apples, and celery. The fibrous content of these foods actually help scrub away plaque buildup, and strengthens tooth enamel, which is the first line of defense against cavities.Schedule an appointment with Pediatric Dentist near me
An oral health checkup it the best way to get a clear understanding of the specific issues (or non-issues) present in your child’s oral health. We will evaluate the state of your child’s oral health, and provide actionable advice that will improve their oral health. Call us today a kid friendly office to set up an appointment 561-333-4568 or visit our website to request an appointment www.mytoothtown.com
This rule applies to people of all ages. By brushing twice per day for two minutes, and flossing once per day, you can go a long way in preventing cavities and keep tooth enamel
The Silent Impactful Effect Of Mouth Breathing
Many parents may not even think to wonder if their child will be or become a mouth breather but it should be taken into consideration. The impacts of mouth breathing can cause detrimental damage to a child’s teeth. Facial decompression is one of the effects doctors are paying more closely to and also the shifting of jaws and teeth.
When children begin to breathe through their mouth, their tongue drops and the upper arch of the teeth gets pushed in, when this happens the movement narrows their upper arch (maxillary) which leads to an effect on the lower jaw pushing it further back and down. We can see the open bite of their teeth, which means the upper front teeth do not cover the lower front teeth. In mouth breathers there is the increased incidence of caries as the mouth remains open and there is dryness. The front upper teeth are most affected.
When children continue to breathe through their mouth, the gingiva is inflamed. This condition is referenced as the Mouth Breathing Gingivitis. The area most affected is the gingival tissue of upper front teeth; the gums then become inflamed and hyper plastic because the mouth remains open and they are constantly having the effect of air drying. The salvation flow is also decreased causing the heavy deposit as the self-cleansing effect of the saliva is reduced, the gingiva displays the classic rolled up appearance. There is bone loss and the pocket formation in the interproximal area if proper oral hygiene is not maintained. Nasal breathing is healthiest and most efficient; mouth-breathing is a last resort
Being a new mom is a great challenge, but an amazing responsibility! It’s important to do your research in order to set up your child for success. Here at ToothTown Pediatric Dentistry we can make sure to educate you and help you with this new journey. Here are a few tips to start:
Don’t Ignore Cleaning Your Baby’s Mouth
Unfortunately, many people think that oral care begins when the first tooth emerges, but that’s far from the case. Don’t ignore cleaning your child’s mouth, or they could develop oral health issues, and dental problems. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry advises that parents begin cleaning their baby’s mouth from day one. New moms can use an infant toothbrush or a soft cloth soaked in cool, clean water to clean their baby’s gums after nursing. Parents should clean their infant’s gums daily, and after each meal.
Don’t Send Your Baby to Bed with a Bottle
Many parents send their baby to bed with a bottle to calm them down, and help get them to sleep. Unfortunately, this exposes their teeth to sugar for a long period of time, and can lead to early childhood cavities. This is often called “baby bottle tooth decay,” and it is easily preventable: simply don’t send your baby to bed with a bottle of milk or juice. If your child is thirsty, then absolutely give them something to drink before bed, just make sure that its water. If they must have a bottle to go to sleep, fill it up with water so that they still have something to comfort them while they sleep.
Don’t Put Off Seeing a Pediatric Dentist
We understand that the life of a new parent is busy and often chaotic, but don’t put off a kid friendly office visit to the pediatric dentist. Pediatric dentists have 2-3 years of extra schooling, and are specifically trained to care for children’s teeth. After their first visit, the AAPD suggests parents take their children to the pediatric dentist near me every 6 months.
We love serving families, and helping to guide them to oral health success – and we’d be happy to see you! Call a pediatric dentist in Wellington to schedule a stress-free first visit 561-333-4568 and visit our website for tons of other oral health information www.mytoothtown.com
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1037 S. State Road 7 Suite 215
Wellington, FL 33414