From the arrival of a child’s first tooth, pediatric dentistry assumes a key role in shaping your child’s journey toward overall wellness. Regular dental care isn’t just about maintaining a beautiful smile or preventing cavities, it’s a bridge to balanced health during all stages of childhood.

The relationship between your child’s oral health and overall health is known as the oral-systemic connection. This connection refers to the concept that oral health directly influences systemic health and vice versa. This connection is particularly critical during childhood, as it’s a time of rapid growth and development. 

Poor oral health has been linked to health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and hypertension. This is because the harmful bacteria that cause gum disease can travel throughout the body and cause inflammation, leading to serious heart conditions. Similarly, a person’s immune system function is significantly influenced by oral health. By prioritizing oral health through regular visits to a pediatric dentist, parents can play a vital role in supporting their children’s overall wellness and reducing risks of illness now and in the future.

Let’s take a look at 5 other substantial ways regular visits to a skilled pediatric dentist can supercharge your child’s journey toward optimal health and wellness.

1. Pediatric Dentistry Provides Early Intervention and Prevention

Pediatric dentistry’s role extends beyond treatment. It plays a pivotal part in early intervention and preventive care. By introducing children to dental care routines early, pediatric dentists create a foundation for a lifetime of healthy oral hygiene habits.

Regular check-ups allow for early detection of potential issues, from cavities to incorrect bite alignments, enabling timely intervention before they escalate into more significant problems, such as early orthodontic care. Furthermore, preventive measures, such as fluoride treatments and sealants, can effectively mitigate the risk of tooth decay. 

Pediatric dentistry is not just about treating active dental problems, it’s also about proactively preventing them, contributing significantly to long-term childhood wellness.

2. Nutritional Guidance

Proper nutrition plays an essential role in maintaining oral health and overall wellness in children, and pediatric dentists are instrumental in guiding parents and kids on balanced diets and their impact on health.

A varied diet, including essential vitamins and minerals, bolsters enamel strength, prevents gum disease, and supports the development of healthy teeth and bones. Conversely, frequent consumption of sugary foods and drinks can lead to cavities and tooth decay.

Pediatric dentists provide comprehensive advice on food choices, demonstrating the interplay between nutrition, oral health, and general well-being. They educate families about the importance of limiting sugar intake; promoting tooth-friendly foods; and incorporating a healthy mix of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and lean proteins into daily meals.

By emphasizing proper nutrition, pediatric dentistry significantly contributes to childhood wellness by fostering healthy oral habits, preventing dental diseases, and enhancing overall health.

3. Speech and Language Development

A child’s oral health is directly linked to their speech and language development, including factors like the alignment and condition of their teeth, the health of oral tissues, and the oral motor skills necessary for speech production. 

Dental issues, such as malocclusion, tooth loss or decay, and oral infections, can hinder normal speech, making it difficult for children to enunciate certain sounds or words. Pediatric dentists can help in identifying and sometimes treating such conditions early on.

Through regular dental check-ups and by following early intervention treatment as necessary, pediatric dentists can detect malformations or abnormalities and intervene promptly with dental procedures or by referring patients to speech-language pathologists when needed. By addressing potential dental concerns, your dentist is helping to safeguard your child’s speech and language skills, further underlining the contribution of pediatric dentistry to childhood wellness.

4. Sleep and Breathing Disorders

Oral health significantly affects sleep-related breathing disorders among children, including problems such as snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. These disorders can hinder a child’s quality of sleep, leading to daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and behavioral issues.

Anatomical aspects, such as enlarged tonsils, adenoids, or certain dental or oral conditions like malocclusion, can contribute to the development of these sleep disorders. Pediatric dentists are proficient in recognizing the tell-tale signs of such disorders during routine dental examinations. For instance, signs like tooth grinding, dry lips, and enlarged tonsils raise red flags for potential sleep-related breathing issues.

If necessary, pediatric dentists can refer your child to a sleep specialist for further evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment. Some treatment options, such as customized night guards, can be provided directly by a pediatric dentist after a diagnosis has been made.

5. Emotional Well-Being and Dental Anxiety

The emotional aspect of dental care is also integral to childhood wellness, as it can significantly influence a child’s perception of oral hygiene and willingness to engage in dental care practices. 

Armed with a deep understanding of the nervousness and anxiety that children might associate with dentistry, pediatric dentists employ a child-friendly approach to put their little patients at ease. Techniques such as “tell-show-do” (where the dentist explains a procedure in an age-appropriate manner, shows the child the instruments, and then performs the procedure) or using positive reinforcement and distraction techniques, are just two examples of techniques dentists use to alleviate dental anxiety in children. 

These early positive dental experiences support mental health and overall childhood wellness by reducing the anxiety and stress associated with dental care. Many children will carry these positive associations well into their adult years by continuing to prioritize their oral health and seeing a dentist twice a year.

Book your child’s next appointment at Must Love Kids in Vancouver.  

Pediatric dentistry is your ally in promoting childhood wellness. It extends beyond the realm of oral health, playing an instrumental role in preventing common systemic health issues, boosting mental well-being, and fostering a lifelong relationship with healthy dental care habits. Dedicated pediatric dental care practices, like Must Love Kids, provide this and much more. If you’re ready to set your child on the path for a lifetime of oral health, schedule an appointment anytime by calling our office or using our online request form.

In our previous post, we explored the essential dental concepts from A to M. Now, it’s time to complete the journey by diving teeth-first into the second half of the alphabet, from N to Z. By teaching kids about oral care using the ABCs, we aim to empower them with the knowledge and habits necessary for maintaining healthy smiles throughout their lives. Join us as we explore the exciting world of oral care from N to Z!

Let’s continue learning the ABCs of oral health from N to Z.

As children journey through the alphabet, let’s remember the important connection between oral health and the ABCs. While learning their letters and numbers, kids can also explore the second half of the alphabet and discover the crucial ABCs of oral care. Join us as we dive into the N to Z of oral health, guiding children toward bright and healthy smiles every day!

Nutritious Foods

N is for nutritious foods! Eating yummy and nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, and cheese helps keep your teeth strong and healthy. They give your teeth the power to fight against sugar bugs and keep your smile shining! So be sure to eat plenty of calcium-rich foods and fresh veggies, each and every day.

Orthodontic Care

Orthodontic care is like a superhero cape for your teeth. Dentists and orthodontists use braces or aligners to straighten your teeth to give you a super duper smile!

Plaque 

Plaque is like a sticky monster that sticks to your teeth and makes them dirty. Brushing and flossing daily helps you defeat the plaque monster and keep your teeth shiny and clean. So make sure you brush your teeth for two minutes at a time twice a day, and floss before you go to bed.

Quick Fix

Need a quick fix? If you have a cavity or a broken tooth, don’t worry! Restorative dentistry is here to save the day. Dentists can use special materials to fix your tooth and make it strong again, so you can keep smiling and eating your favorite foods without any worries!

Restorative Dentistry 

If your tooth gets a boo-boo such as a cavity, restorative dentistry helps fix it. Dentists use special tools and materials to make your tooth feel better and look as good as new.

Sealants 

Sealants are like shields for your teeth. Dentists paint a special coating on your back teeth to protect them from pesky cavities and to keep your smile strong. Most kids get sealants for their front molars around age six and for their back molars around age 12.

Toothbrushes

Did you know that you should change out your toothbrush every three or four months, and that you should always get a new one after you have been sick? Though toothbrushes are so essential to help remove plaque from our teeth and to help us avoid cavities, they can hold onto germs. So ask mom and dad to take you shopping for a new toothbrush (or toothbrush head for your electric toothbrush) every few months.

Understanding Tooth Decay 

Tooth decay is another monster, and this one wants to make holes in your teeth. But don’t worry! By brushing, flossing, eating healthy foods, and visiting Must Love Kids every six months so we can clean your teeth, you can keep tooth decay away.

Varnish

Did you know there is a special kind of paint for your teeth? It’s called fluoride varnish, and it’s safe for babies and young children. Dentists use a tiny brush to put a small amount of varnish on your teeth. The varnish immediately sticks to your teeth, so you don’t have to worry about swallowing it. This special varnish helps keep your teeth strong and healthy, giving you a big, bright smile.

Water Fluoridation

We know that fluoridation is a big word, but it’s important for kids to know that drinking water with fluoride is like sipping a superhero potion for your teeth. It makes them super strong and fights against cavities. Bottoms up!

Xylitol

Here is another big word for you, kids—xylitol! Xylitol is a special sugar substitute that makes the sugar bugs go away. Chewing xylitol gum or eating xylitol snacks helps keep your teeth happy and healthy. So, ask your parents to buy some Zollipops so you can try it. Don’t forget to say please and thank you.

Your First Visit to the Dentist 

You might not know this, but you probably had your first visit to the dentist around your first birthday. And, your mom and dad have been brushing your teeth since before you even had teeth. That’s because taking care of our teeth and gums starts as soon as we are born. And if you haven’t had your first visit to the dentist yet, don’t worry. The team at Must Love Kids will make it safe and fun. We can’t wait to see you.

Zinc

Did you know that zinc is an essential mineral that helps keep your teeth and gums healthy? It’s like a superhero for your smile! You can find zinc in foods like meat, poultry, beans, and nuts. Zinc plays a special role in fighting harmful bacteria that can cause cavities and gum problems. So, eat foods rich in zinc to keep your teeth strong and your smile bright!

Now you know your M through Z—next time you’re at the dentist, you can sing it with me!

Congratulations on learning the ABCs of oral health from N to Z! You and your little ones are now equipped with valuable knowledge to keep those smiles healthy and bright. Remember to schedule regular appointments with our Must Love Kids dental team to maintain optimal oral health.
Stay tuned for more helpful tips and information on how to keep those teeth strong and beautiful because, at Must Love Kids, we’re here to support your child’s healthy smile journey every step of the way with pediatric dentistry for kids!

As a child is learning their letters and numbers, they can also learn about the ABCs of oral health! You can teach your child these ABCs as they are brushing their teeth every day!

American Dental Association Seal

The American Dental Association, or ADA, is the governing body that many dentists belong to. The ADA Seal is a small icon that can be found on all dental products recommended by the ADA. Look for the ADA seal on toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, and any other oral health product.

Brushing Technique

Believe it or not, how you brush your teeth is just as important as how frequently you brush them. To properly brush your teeth, put a pea size amount of toothpaste on the toothbrush, hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your teeth, and brush in small, circular motions, making sure to brush every surface of your tooth, including the top, back, and sides. This video gives a great demonstration on how children should brush their teeth.

Cavity Prevention

A cavity, or tooth decay, happens when you don’t brush your teeth properly. Bacteria builds up and eats away at the enamel of the tooth. That can lead to pits or holes in your teeth that then have to be filled with a filling. How do you prevent cavities? Brush your teeth at least twice a day, use mouthwash, and remember to floss daily!

Dental Check-ups

Part of a healthy oral health routine is making sure you visit your dentist at least twice a year for a dental evaluation. Regular dental check-ups allow your dentist to catch any issues with your teeth, like cavities, and also helps check the alignment of teeth as the primary teeth fall out to make room for the adult, or permanent, teeth.

Enamel Protection

Enamel is the hard, outer layer of your teeth that helps keep them strong. You want to protect your enamel, so look for toothpaste and mouthwash that contains fluoride, a mineral that helps keep enamel strong. You can also eat a balanced diet, including items high in calcium, like cheese, to help build up the enamel on your teeth.

Flossing Habits

Flossing your teeth every day is just as important as brushing them. Flossing allows you to clean the space between your teeth and remove any stuck food particles. If traditional dental floss doesn’t work for you, there are alternatives, like Waterpiks and dental picks.

Gum Health

Gum health is another important part of a good oral health routine. Your gums are where your teeth are anchored, so you want to keep your gums strong and healthy so your teeth have a place to call home.  Make sure you are brushing your teeth gently along the gumline, and when flossing, make sure you floss under the gums to remove any leftover food particles.

Halitosis Prevention

Halitosis is the technical term for bad breath. Bad breath can happen because you aren’t brushing your teeth properly, which includes brushing your tongue! Make sure all surfaces of your mouth are brushed and clean at least twice a day so plaque and bacteria don’t form.

Interdental Brushes

An interdental brush is a small toothbrush designed to clean between your teeth. It’s important to clean between your teeth to remove any leftover food particles and so plaque and bacteria don’t build up and cause cavities.

Juice Consumption and Its Impact on Teeth

Did you know that many juices contain added sugar? Prolonged exposure to sugar can cause damage to teeth, wearing down the enamel. While it is okay to have juice with a meal, dentists recommend that your child not sip on juice all throughout the day. Instead, have water available to drink throughout the day to help limit the sugar exposure to teeth.

Keeping Teeth Clean

Keep your teeth clean and healthy by brushing them at least twice a day. Dentists recommend brushing teeth about 30 minutes after a meal for the best results.

Lip Protection

Keeping your lips protected is just as important as keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Be sure to use lip balm with SPF to protect your lips from damage from the sun. Lip balm can also keep your lips moist, so they won’t crack when they dry out.

Mouthguards for Sports

If you or your child plays any sort of contact sport, or a sport where there could be a mouth injury, wearing a mouthguard is very important. Make sure you get a custom made mouthguard that fits your mouth snugly so your teeth will be protected from any hits.

Now you know your A through M—next time learn your N through Z!

Now that you and your children know the first half of the ABCs of oral health, it’s time to make sure that you schedule an appointment to see the team at Must Love Kids if you haven’t seen us in the last six months! And, be sure to check out what we have to say for N through Z because at Must Love Kids, we’re all about building healthy smiles for kids.

As a parent, you have a lot to worry about when it comes to your kids. If you are looking for a little more piece of mind to help keep their teeth protected from cavities, ask the staff at Must Love Kids about dental sealants.

What are dental sealants?

Many parents may not have heard about dental sealants. A dental sealant is a thin, protective coating painted on the chewing surface of teeth to help prevent cavities and tooth decay. A dental sealant is normally painted on molars, or the back teeth, which are often harder for children to brush properly. A dental sealant acts as an extra layer of protection for teeth and helps to keep out plaque and bacteria. 

Dental sealants are usually clear in color, or tinted white, and cannot be seen when smiling. Children will sometimes report that a tooth with a dental sealant feels different when they run their tongue across it at first, but over time, there is no way for you, or your child, to tell that a dental sealant was applied to their teeth.

What are the benefits of dental sealants?

Since tooth brushing can be difficult for some children, especially to reach to the back of their mouth and clean their molars properly, your dentist may recommend using dental sealants to help protect your child’s molars. The dental sealant is applied to all of the chewing surfaces of the molars, protecting the tooth’s surface from tooth decay, which causes cavities. The sealant forms a barrier over the tooth, essentially making it stronger and more durable.

How old does my child have to be to get dental sealants?

Since dental sealants are placed on the molars, your child’s molars must have come in completely. A child’s first set of molars comes in around the age of six, while the second set of molars comes in around age twelve.

Do dentists recommend dental sealants?

The short answer is yes, many dentists recommend dental sealants for children because, according to the CDC, dental sealants can protect up to 80% of cavities for up to two years after the sealant is applied and up to 50% of cavities for up to four years after applied, as long as a thorough routine dental care routine is followed. 

For children who have a hard time brushing their teeth, or those who are prone to cavities, dental sealants are recommended to help prevent cavities. It is better to have a dental sealant provide an extra layer of protection than to have to fill a cavity on your child’s tooth, as cavities weaken the tooth’s natural structure. And we all know that teeth without cavities are better for your child’s overall health.

A dentist will often recommend dental sealants on top of a fluoride treatment for children. This is because the dental sealant helps protect the back teeth, while a fluoride treatment can help with boosting the effectiveness of the enamel, or outside layer, of the tooth.

But what about BPA exposure?

While the material that makes up a dental sealant contains bisphenol A, or BPA, parents shouldn’t worry about your child getting a sealant. The amount of BPA a child is exposed to when they get a dental sealant is less than a child would encounter during a day at the park or just walking down the street and breathing in air.

How are dental sealants applied?

Once you and your dentist have decided that dental sealants are right for your child, you might be wondering how the dental sealants are applied. First, your dentist will give the tooth a thorough cleaning. The tooth is then rinsed off and dried. After that, the dental sealant is painted on the tooth’s surface. A UV light may be used to cure, or set, the dental sealant, allowing it to form a tight protective bond on the tooth. That’s all there is to it! The procedure is simple, painless, and doesn’t take much time at all, so your little one should be able to sit through it without any issues.

I’m interested in dental sealants for my child. What should I do?

The first step is to make an appointment at Must Love Kids dental and talk with our staff. After our team gives your child a full evaluation, you can discuss the best course of treatment for your child.

However, technology can come to the rescue! With the advent of various tech products, oral care for children has become much easier and more fun. And the Must Love Kids team has made it a bit easier for you by providing insights into some of the latest technologies and tricks that can help make oral care a breeze for kids of all ages, from toddlers to teens.

Technology for oral care? There’s an app for that!

According to Zippia, over 5.7 million apps are available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store sites combined. There are over 2.6 million apps available for Android on Google Play too. The average American has 80 or more apps downloaded on their mobile devices. Suffice it to say, it stands to reason there are apps out there dedicated to oral care. And if you put an app and a mobile device in front of a child, the chances are that they’re more likely to pay attention.

The biggest challenge we see when it comes to oral care is remembering to brush and brushing long enough each time. Teenagers always have something better to do, making it easy to forget to brush their teeth, especially before bed. And for toddlers and preschoolers, two minutes (the recommended amount of time dentists suggest you spend brushing your teeth), can seem like an eternity.

Thankfully, technology makes things easier, both in terms of mobile apps and in toothbrushes themselves. So let’s start with some apps that can make tooth brushing more fun and not something that gets put to the bottom of the to-do list each day (or forgotten altogether).

• Our favorite app for teens and adults is the Disney Magic Timer by Oral-B. Now, don’t get dissuaded because we said Disney. Trust us, this one is fun. With an array of beloved Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars characters, this app allows you to motivate yourself and your kids effortlessly, to brush for a longer period. 
• If Disney isn’t your piece of cake, then you might like the Brush DJ app. This app adds an element of fun and entertainment to an otherwise mundane task. The app’s features, such as music playlists, reminders, and oral hygiene tips, make brushing a more engaging and interactive experience.
• Have younger kids? Chomper Chums is designed to teach children between the ages of 3 to 11 proper brushing techniques interactively and engagingly, with a vibrant and colorful interface. Children can choose and personalize their animated characters from three options: an alligator, horse, or lion. As a reward for brushing correctly, children earn coins they can use to purchase food for their chosen character. To keep the animal healthy, kids must brush regularly and feed them nutritious snacks, thereby understanding the link between oral hygiene and healthy eating habits. This innovative approach makes brushing fun and educational for kids.

Toothbrushing songs that will leave the songs in your head forever. 

You know how those certain songs, once you hear a line or two, just stick in your head all day? They’re the songs we all love to hate. But when it comes to getting your little one to brush their teeth, the repetition and familiarity that comes from one or two toothbrushing songs that are played each time your kid brushes can come in handy.

These songs are timed for approximately two minutes each to help ensure your child brushes long enough. But to make it even better, the lyrics include helpful hints to ensure your child knows how to brush properly. Here are three of our favorites:

• Brush Your Teeth by Super Simple Songs
• Brush Your Teeth by OwlyBird Songs & Stories for Kids 
• Kids Just Love to Brush from Sesame Street 

Each song can easily be downloaded or played via your Wi-Fi connection on your mobile device. And they are accompanied by fun and engaging videos to keep your little ones entertained throughout the process.

Powered toothbrushes for the win.

Another great way to help your child take more control over their at-home dental care is to invest in a powered toothbrush for kids or let your child pick out their own toothbrush at the local store. Just like the toothbrushes adults enjoy that keep them from scrubbing too hard or for not long enough, kids have great options. We personally like the Sonic Brush for Kids, Philips Sonicare for Kids, and the Oral-B Advanced Cavity Protection Kids Bundle.

But just as a powered toothbrush can help your child improve their oral health, so too will games that teach great habits about how to brush properly. Check out the Toothsavers Brushing Game which is a free app created by the 2min2x initiative, aimed at motivating children to brush twice daily for two minutes.

Through interactive games, kids can observe how brushing removes food particles and eliminates bacteria, unlocking new characters as they progress along a map of a kingdom that can only be unlocked through regular brushing. The app also features a two-minute video demonstration that guides kids on brushing their teeth and each area of their mouth. Parents can establish brushing schedules and receive push notifications, reminding them of their kids’ brushing time.

The Baby Panda: Dental Care game is another great option available for download. This game lets your child immerse themself in the role of a dentist, responsible for maintaining the oral health of adorable little animals. Your child can manage the dental salon, clean and care for their teeth, and hone their skills to become an excellent dentist.

Need more help getting toddlers and teens to brush their teeth? We can help!

If you have tried everything you can to get your kids to brush their teeth and it still isn’t going well, then you should know that Must Love Kids Pediatric Dentistry can help. Contact us and request an appointment for your child today. We’ll do a professional dental cleaning and oral evaluation. And we’ll talk to your child about the importance of good oral health and dental care. Often, a gentle nudge by a kid’s dentist and some fun mobile apps for at-home oral health is all it takes.

As a teenager, you have a busy life filled with more responsibility than ever before. We’ve all had that morning: We’re rushing out the door as fast as possible to get to class on time, half-starved, teeth feeling fuzzy, and our breath—well, let’s just not talk about that! The chaotic morning makes for a very long day. Sometimes, it’s just a flat-out bad day.

Often, some prep the night before can solve all of our early morning issues. Other times, we just have to get a bit crafty. But that’s okay. Life isn’t perfect, and it’s important to be kind to yourself, no matter how far your morning goes off the rails.

To try and help you navigate a more successful school morning, below are five ideas to try and help you remember what to check off that list each morning!

1. Build a morning routine.

Be sure to set your alarm clock early enough so you have enough time to get ready. But what time would that be? Work backward from the time you need to be out the door. How long will it take to eat breakfast? What about packing your bag? Or putting on your shoes?

To save time in the morning, pack your lunch the night before. It is so much easier to get out the door when you can just grab the lunchbox and go. It’s usually easier to make smarter meal choices this way too. If you’re grabbing lunch on the way out the door, you might not get enough to actually keep yourself full.

Another idea would be to lay out your clothes before you go to bed. Let’s face it, we’ve all stared at the mirror a little too long, debating on what to wear. It’s stressful, and it’s not a great way to start the day.

If you have trouble remembering to brush your teeth, try to do it at the same time as something else. If you wear contacts, put those eyes in and brush your teeth at the same time. Or rather, one right after the other. You could do the same thing with brushing your hair, or taking daily medication.

When building your routine, you can fit in the toothbrushing first thing. It’s actually recommended to brush before a meal. But more on that later.

2. Can’t I just skip my teeth?

With a busy schedule, taking the time to brush two times a day isn’t always a priority. You’ve got homework, a social schedule, chores, sleep, and the list goes on and on! But to protect our teeth from the bacteria that lives in plaque, (eww!) we’ve got to make it happen. Set that timer for two minutes and polish each of those pearly whites until it goes off. 

The same goes for flossing. A toothbrush doesn’t get all those little places between the teeth, so remember to use the floss to get all of the hidden food into the open. Your teeth will thank you!

3. Brushing before breakfast is okay.

Did you know that brushing your teeth before eating a meal is actually recommended? A lot of meals include sugary or acidic foods, which just gets rubbed deeper into the tooth with immediate brushing. If your mouth feels icky after a meal, use mouthwash to freshen it up, or wait 20-30 minutes before you brush.

If you’re like me—running late 90% of the time—this hack will ensure you have time to get food in your stomach before school. I’ve eaten one too many waffles in the car.

4. A relaxing bathroom?

It might sound overly simple, but why not paint a ceramic dish to hold your toothbrush? Give yourself a bathroom you want to spend time in. If you have your own bathroom, ask your parents if you can decorate it how you like. If you share with a sibling, see if you can do it together. If decorating isn’t an option, don’t underestimate the power of a deep clean. Though, let’s face it, that’s not nearly as fun.

5. Checklist!

I know, I know, you’re probably sick of lists. But you know that good feeling you get whenever you check off everything on a list? Why not make a small version for the mornings? You can just use a notebook and keep it on your bedside table, write down all your “must-do” things, and check them off one by one. Time yourself, make it a game! Challenge your siblings to a race. See who can get fully dressed first. Now, this isn’t an excuse to cut corners. Everything has to be done and done correctly.

Getting everything done and ready in time to get to school is stressful. You’ve got so much on your mind, and it can be hard to keep everything straight. Remember that it’s okay if it’s hard to get it all done. Let yourself adjust your daily plan as needed. You’re going through a lot. Remember to take a moment and be kind to yourself.

The Importance of Preventing Cavities 

An untrained person may not be able to identify tooth decay in its beginning stages. Symptoms may include sensitivity, pain, tooth discoloration, or bad breath. When these signs are unrecognized or ignored, it can lead to a long list of difficulties for any child or adult. 

Untreated cavities can lead to:    

• Pain that interrupts everyday routines. 
• Swollen gum tissue. 
• Abscessed teeth.
• Toothache.
• Tooth loss. 

Sometimes, a cavity will cause issues with chewing, leading to changes in diet. These changes may cause weight loss or poor nutritional intake. Teaching your child to care for their teeth will help them avoid these complications.   

How To Prevent Cavities 

Protecting a child’s teeth from decay starts with the parents and is as simple as following a few recommendations.  

1. Serve your child healthy, tasty snacks. 

It’s a well-known fact that sugar is the main culprit in causing cavities. However, starchy snacks are guilty too. Crackers and pretzels are favorite snacks for many kids, but they are also examples of starchy snacks that should be limited. Remnants of these foods remain on the teeth for hours, feeding bacteria. 

Give your child snacks that easily dissolve when mixed with water and saliva, like yogurt. Other snacks less likely to stick to teeth include cheese, nuts, and apple slices. 

It’s important to give your child a well-balanced diet of freshly prepared meals, including plenty of fruits and veggies.    

2. Establish an oral hygiene routine.

Once your baby’s first tooth appears, establish a brushing routine. You can use a cleaning method that small children tolerate well, like a washcloth or teething toothbrush for babies and infants. 

For kids ages three to six, use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and brush their teeth twice daily. Once their teeth start to touch, you should also introduce regular flossing. 

3. Help with brushing as long as they need it. 

Brushing your teeth takes a lot of coordination. The brush must be held at the correct angle, you must use the right amount of pressure, and clean each side of the tooth. Most little kids aren’t coordinated enough to handle this task on their own for an entire two minutes. 

One good way to figure out your child’s level of coordination is to see how well they can write their name. Other signs you can watch for include taking the initiative to complete chores and prioritizing hygiene. If they can wash and brush their hair, there’s a good chance that they can handle a toothbrush as well.  

4. Make sure your child gets fluoride. 

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that can help protect (and even repair!) tooth enamel, which is especially important for children whose baby teeth already have a thinner layer of enamel. Fluoride is available in many forms, including bottled water and city water sources. The level of fluoride present varies, so children shouldn’t rely on water as their primary source of fluoride. 

They should use a fluoridated toothpaste and get fluoride treatments during their routine dental visits. Some dentists will recommend supplements if your water is not fluoridated. 

5. Understand your child’s risk factors for decay. 

All kids are at risk for developing tooth decay when the proper precautions aren’t taken. Those who practice good oral hygiene habits decrease their chances of struggling with cavities. 

Children with the following risk factors are more likely to battle tooth decay: 

• Sleeping with a bottle.
• Having deep grooves in the teeth.
• Lacking fluoride in the water supply.
• Harboring a lot of bacteria in the mouth. 
• Having a dry mouth or limited saliva flow. 

Children who eat too many carbohydrates or sugary foods and don’t brush their teeth properly are also at high risk of developing tooth decay.

6. Schedule routine visits with a pediatric dentist. 

Pediatric dentistry focuses on treating children’s teeth at every stage. A pediatric dentist has undergone training to handle young patients who may be at high risk for developing cavities. 

You should schedule routine checkups to ensure that your child is headed down the right path. The dentist will identify any early signs of decay and make recommendations accordingly.   

7. Ask about sealants.  

Some teeth, like molars, can develop deep grooves that a standard toothbrush can’t effectively clean. Your dentist can fill these grooves with sealants to provide an extra layer of protection against cavities. This is a straightforward, painless procedure that can help prevent up to 80% of cavities in the first two years.  

Help your child develop good oral hygiene habits. 

It’s never too early to emphasize the importance of good oral hygiene habits. These habits will help prevent cavities from forming in your child’s teeth. If you have questions about preventing cavities for your child, schedule an appointment at Must Love Kids Pediatric Dentistry. Call us today. 

Growing up is full of milestones and rites of passage, and it’s a joy to watch your child reach each of them. When it comes to dentistry, undergoing an orthodontic evaluation and receiving treatment if your child needs it is a major rite of passage—and it’s one with a very real purpose! By resolving malocclusions (misaligned teeth) and straightening your child’s teeth, orthodontic treatments like braces are famous for their ability to improve patients’ self-confidence and self-image. These are incredibly valuable benefits that will follow your child for a lifetime, but they’re not the only lifelong benefits that orthodontic treatment provides.

Malocclusion can contribute to or cause many oral health issues, including several that can cause your child to lose teeth if they aren’t identified and treated in time. As a result, resolving malocclusion helps prevent these issues, playing a role in helping to protect your child’s oral health for a lifetime. If this is your first time guiding any of your children through orthodontic treatment, however, you might not know much about malocclusions. To help you understand them and why treating them is so important, we’ve put together a guide on malocclusion and the oral health issues it can cause!

What is malocclusion?  

Malocclusion is the official term for an uneven bite and misaligned or poorly spaced teeth. This can include a range of issues, including:

• Overbite.
• Underbite.
• Crossbite.
• Open bite.
• Crooked teeth.
• Overcrowding.
• Too much space between teeth.

Our teeth and jaws are designed to work together to perform a range of daily tasks like eating and speaking, so when they don’t line up properly, it can lead to a range of oral health issues. Even crooked or poorly spaced teeth can lead to oral health issues if they aren’t addressed.

What can happen if malocclusion is ignored? 

1. Tooth Decay

Issues like crowded teeth, teeth that are too spaced out, and crooked teeth all create extra nooks and crannies between your child’s teeth that make it harder for them to brush and floss their teeth properly even when they’re trying their best. Having a thorough oral hygiene routine is an incredibly important part of preventing oral health issues like cavities, but when your child can’t clean their teeth properly, it allows bacteria to thrive in certain areas. Plaque, tartar, and food debris can build up in hard-to-reach places, leading to an increased risk of dental caries.

2. Gum Disease

If your child is having trouble brushing and flossing their teeth thoroughly due to their malocclusion, they’re not just at an increased risk of cavities—they’re also at an increased risk of developing gum disease. Gum disease is an infection of the gums caused by oral bacteria and it’s incredibly easy to miss at home, especially during its earliest phase, called gingivitis. There are, however, several symptoms you can look out for, including gums that bleed easily, are swollen, puffy, or have darkened in color, as well as persistently bad breath.

When it’s left untreated, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis, which is a much more severe form of gum disease where bacteria make their way beneath the gum line and begin attacking the tooth roots and supporting structures of your child’s teeth. Even periodontitis is easy to miss at home because it’s often painless until it is very severe, but it can lead to permanent damage to your child’s teeth and gums, potentially leading to tooth loss.

3. Bruxism

When your child’s jaw is misaligned, the resulting uneven bite can cause instability that prevents their jaw from functioning at its best. This can put more strain on the joints and muscles of their jaw and increases the likelihood that your child will develop bruxism, which is when they begin habitually clenching and grinding their teeth. Teeth clenching and grinding is often an unconscious habit that can affect your child when they’re awake or when they’re asleep, so they may not even realize that they’re doing it.

Despite this, bruxism can have a very real impact on your child’s oral health. It can lead to dental injuries, including chipped, cracked, or broken teeth. Over time, it can also cause issues like gum recession and worn-down teeth.

4. Loose Teeth

Severe cavities, gum disease, and bruxism can all potentially cause severe enough damage to your child’s teeth to cause one or more to begin feeling loose over time. A loose adult tooth might feel final, but it’s not always! If you catch it early, Dr. Mo or Dr. G might still be able to save your child’s tooth. This is why it’s so important to schedule an appointment with your pediatric dentist as soon as you notice an issue with your child’s oral health, including a loose tooth that you don’t think should be loose.

5. Jaw Pain

Even if your child doesn’t have bruxism, the extra strain that an uneven bite often places on your child’s jaw can cause jaw pain. When chewing is difficult or painful, they’re more likely to be pickier about what or how much they’re willing to eat. This can affect your child’s nutrition, which is especially important when they’re still growing. Additionally, jaw pain can trigger a butterfly effect of other symptoms, including frequent headaches or earaches, lockjaw, and stiff or sore muscles in your child’s jaw, face, neck, shoulders, and back.

How do braces treat malocclusion?  

Thankfully, none of these issues are inevitable or untreatable! Treating malocclusion straightens your child’s teeth and aligns their bite, making their teeth easier to clean thoroughly and making their bite comfortable and natural. This helps them prevent future oral health issues, like cavities and gum disease, and can help improve or eliminate existing issues, like jaw pain or bruxism. 

Braces are a phase 2 orthodontic treatment that consists of brackets that are placed on each of your child’s teeth and connected by wires and bands, all of which work together to treat malocclusion by applying gentle pressure to your child’s teeth. Your child will visit their dentist regularly to have their braces adjusted, which gradually increases the pressure on their teeth. Over time, this slowly shifts their teeth into a carefully planned position that’s ideal for your child’s jaw, allowing it to function at its best!

Must Love Kids Pediatric Dentistry can set your child on a lifelong path of oral health. 

Once you understand all of the oral health issues that malocclusion can cause, it’s easy to see why braces for kids are so vital! They set your child up for success by helping to protect their teeth for a lifetime. If you’d like to learn more about braces for kids, the different phases of orthodontic treatments, or pediatric dentistry in Vancouver, WA, we can help! Feel free to schedule a consultation for you and your little one with Dr. Mo at any time!

Maintaining good oral health is a commitment that lasts a lifetime, so starting your children out with the right foundation is vital. There are some simple tips you can follow to make tooth-brushing and flossing come as naturally as possible to your kids:

Teach Your Children Oral Hygiene While They’re Young.

Teaching proper oral hygiene techniques to your child is a process that you should start as early as possible. Following recommendations for infant oral hygiene and walking through those steps with your child provides a strong foundation for them when it’s time to handle it on their own.

It’s important to wash your baby’s gums even before teeth emerge, and you can find special washcloths or brushes designed for this specific purpose. As the teeth do come in, you can start using a soft-bristled toddler toothbrush and a very small dab of toothpaste.

Around the age of three, it’s safe to transition to using a pea-sized dab of toothpaste. Your child will still need help brushing teeth, but they’ll likely start to show an interest in doing it themselves. While you’ll likely need to brush their teeth to ensure it’s done correctly, you can let them finish up by themselves to start familiarizing themselves with brushing on their own.

At about age five or six, kids should be brushing their teeth on their own. Of course, you’ll still need to supervise to ensure they’re maintaining proper brushing techniques, but defining brushing as their own responsibility at this point sets them up for a lifetime of proper oral hygiene.

Model Proper Oral Hygiene Behavior.

Children model their behavior from the people around them. As a parent, much of that falls on you. If you want your children to adopt proper oral hygiene habits, one of the best ways to do so is to make sure you’re keeping up with them yourself.

Ensure that you’re consistently brushing your teeth twice each day, even if you think your children aren’t taking notice. They likely are and won’t be happy about having to stick to a routine that you aren’t willing to follow. Brushing for the recommended two minutes during each brushing is also an important habit to model.

Don’t forget to floss at least once each day as well and make sure you’re doing so thoroughly. Even if your child might still need help with this, they’ll be more likely to adopt the habit themselves if they see that you’re doing it.

Develop Consistent Routines for Your Children.

Routines are incredibly important to children. They rely on a steady routine to remain confident in their daily lives, and oral hygiene needs to be a part of that routine. Try to make brushing and flossing take place at the same time each day to ensure a very well-grounded routine.

In most cases, brushing in the morning and at night is the easiest way to nail down a solid routine. You can incorporate flossing teeth at one of those times. It doesn’t really matter which. Nighttime is often the preferred choice as school age approaches due to time constraints in the morning.

These routines should be maintained consistently. Simply dropping in from time to time with intermittent reminders isn’t enough to build a strong routine. When starting out, the best way to make sure that the routine sticks is to enforce it very strictly, making sure that your child doesn’t miss any brushing times at all.

Focus on the Positives of Tooth-Brushing and flossing.

It’s easy to default to horror stories about tooth extractions and root canals to frighten children into brushing. However, this may not be the best approach. Instead, education about brushing can focus on the positives instead.

While discussing the potential consequences of not brushing is important, parents should emphasize the protection and health benefits of tooth-brushing and flossing. Excessive negative imagery can frighten children about oral health in general. Explain that brushing keeps teeth healthy and strong, rather than focusing on how not brushing leads to issues.

Using positive language can help. Reinforce brushing habits after your child has brushed by noting how clean and shiny their teeth look. Tell them they did a great job and that sticking with their routine will help them stay healthy and happy.

Keep Up with All Areas of Oral Hygiene.

A proper brushing technique is an important part of maintaining your child’s oral health, but so is ensuring they get the preventative dentistry treatments they need. Must Love Kids Pediatric Dentistry can provide for all of your child’s routine exam and teeth cleaning needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

What are the other causes of cavities?

Being proactive about your child’s oral health can often make all the difference. So first, we should probably share one of the most obvious ways to prevent childhood cavities. It all starts at home through the use of proper oral hygiene and a solid oral care routine. This means having your child brush twice a day for two minutes at a time using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. After brushing, have your child floss between all teeth and gums, at least once per day and preferably before bedtime. Finally, please have your child rinse their mouth with a fluoride mouthwash after flossing to ensure all of those loosened food particles get washed away.

Aside from good oral care at home and visiting the dentist twice a year for preventative dentistry, including an oral examination and dental cleaning, it is essential to know some of the hidden causes of childhood cavities. Awareness is half the battle.

1. Chewable vitamins

It always surprises parents to find out that chewable vitamins—supplements that are supposed to be good for their child—can be just as bad for them too. Chewable vitamins, however, especially the gummy kind, stick to teeth. The longer those vitamins stick to teeth and gums, the more likely it is that sugar will cause oral bacteria to spread. And, like we said before, bacteria can cause cavities.

2. Tooth grinding 

Many children grind their teeth when they sleep. And when this is not addressed, it can lead to a dental problem. In fact, ongoing teeth grinding wears down the dental enamel and reinforces improper bite patterns. In turn, this leaves your child’s teeth more susceptible to tooth decay and cavities. If your child grinds their teeth during the night, ask their pediatric dentist in Vancouver, Washington about a mouth guard.

3. Inadequate water intake 

Consuming enough water during the day is vital for your overall health. Water helps regulate your body temperature, lubricates and cushions the joints, and helps rid the body of waste. But water also aids in saliva production. When your child doesn’t drink enough water, it can lead to dry mouth, which is a prime breeding ground for oral bacteria. And we already know what this means: excess bacteria can lead to cavities. Ensure your child consumes enough water each day to nourish their body, keep breath fresh, and wash bacteria away from the teeth, tongue, and gums.

4. Repeated consumption of sugars and starches

We all know that sugar and starch can contribute to the development of cavities, but we might think that just a little bit at a time won’t cause any harm. While consuming just a little bit of sugar or starch is certainly better than consuming a lot, the frequency of the consumption plays a role, too. So if your child is indulging in a bowl of chocolate ice cream with chocolate syrup each night followed by a few Oreos or sugary cookies, chances are they are far more likely to develop childhood cavities than a child who has a few carrots and some ranch dressing before bed.

5. Malocclusion (misaligned teeth)

It’s relatively common for children to experience misaligned teeth, and this is one of many reasons children should see their dentist for an early orthodontic evaluation around age seven. Aside from crooked teeth’s impact on your child’s smile and self-confidence, it can also put them at greater risk for developing cavities. Malocclusion can make it harder to get between the teeth when brushing and flossing. This means that pesky plaque accumulates on teeth surfaces, increasing the chances of a cavity.

Are you worried about the hidden causes of cavities for your child? Request an appointment with Must Love Kids Pediatric Dentistry today.

If you are concerned your child will develop tooth decay, or you’re worried that your child may be subject to one of the hidden causes of cavities discussed in this article, it is time to request an appointment with their favorite kids’ dentist. The team at Must Love Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Vancouver, Washington has decades of experience working with children. We provide a caring and comfortable environment and offer a full range of pediatric dental services, including preventive dentistry that helps prevent cavities.