At Southridge Dental, we are pleased to provide a full range of dental care services and dental treatments to our patients in Nampa ID and the surrounding communities. Our dental services include: children's, cosmetic, family, general, implant, orthodontic, preventive, restorative and sedation dentistry.
Showing posts with label children's dentistry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label children's dentistry. Show all posts
When working with her young patients, pediatric dentist and ADA spokesperson Dr. Mary Hayes teaches them this simple, but important, saying: “Sugar is fun to eat, but not good for your teeth!” That’s because your child might love sweet treats, but the bacteria in his or her mouth loves them even more. “Sucrose (sugar) is the ‘food’ for the bacteria that cause tooth decay,” Dr. Hayes says. “Those bacteria produce acid that etches away the teeth.” Limiting the amount of sugar your entire family eats is good for your teeth and key to your overall health. Here are some dentist-recommended ways to start saying good-bye to unnecessary sugar throughout the day. Know the Limits When choosing a snack, keep an eye on added sugar (sweeteners like corn syrup or white sugar that are added to prepared foods). Naturally occurring sugars are less worrisome, as they are found in healthy choices like milk and fruit. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that people age 3 and older should consume no more than 12.5 tsp. each day of added sugar. (The same as one can of soda.) The World Health Organization states that adults should consume no more than 6 tsp. of added sugar, and children should have no more than 3 tsp. When reading labels, you’ll see sugar is listed in grams. Since 1 tsp. of sugar equals 4 grams, aim to make sure the foods you are feeding your child fall between 12 to 50 grams a day. The Truth About Juice Because juice is high in sugar and calories, water and milk are always the best options for your little one. In fact, if your child is under 1 years old, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests completely removing juice from his or her diet. Older children can occasionally drink juice, but if they do, there are two things to remember:
Children ages 1-6 should have no more than 4-6 oz. of juice each day, according to pediatric guidelines. Children ages 7 to 18 should drink no more than 8-12 oz. (Many juice boxes are about 6 oz., so younger children should have no more than one per day, and older children no more than two.)
Allowing your child to sip on juice throughout the day puts him or her at higher risk for tooth decay because you’re giving that cavity-causing bacteria more opportunities to eat and produce the acid that eats away at teeth. This can also happen with juice that is watered down. “Even though the volume of sugar has decreased, you’ve added the time that it takes to drink it,” says ADA spokesperson Dr. Jonathan Shenkin.
So what’s a parent to do? Limit the amount of juice your children drink, and always offer water or milk first. If your child does drink juice, serve the recommended, age-appropriate limits at mealtimes only. When your family is done eating, clean up any leftover juice instead of letting your children leave the table with it. To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.
Ask about all the options for calming your child during dental procedures
Dental work can be scary for some kids. Talk with your dentist about ways to help your child stay calm. Tips for a successful dental visit can include making sure your child is not hungry before their dental appointment and scheduling an appointment at the proper time of day. For jaw pain, try conservative treatments first
Jaw pain can be caused by stress, arthritis or an injury. A treatment plan for jaw pain should first consist of actions like exercises and anti-inflammatory drugs. To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.
Use toothpaste with fluoride for infants and children
For children younger than 3 years, you should begin brushing a child’s teeth with fluoride toothpaste in an amount no larger than a grain of rice. For children 3 to 6 years of age, use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Consider sealants to prevent decay or treat beginning cavities on the back teeth
Dental sealants act as a barrier to prevent cavities. They are a plastic material applied by a dentist to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth where decay occurs most often. To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.
Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about the importance of dental sealants as a preventive dental treatment for your children!
The American Dental Association has created informative videos called Ask the Dentist. Here is their video on: 'Should I Pull Out My Childís Loose Tooth?'
Because developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums, the American Dental Association sponsors National Children’s Dental Health Month each February. Now in its 63rd year, this month-long national health observance brings together thousands of dedicated dental professionals, health care providers and others to promote the benefits of good oral health to children and adults, caregivers, teachers and many others. Parents and teachers can help kids celebrate and learn more about the importance of a healthy smile. The ADA offers free downloadable information, kid-friendly oral health worksheets and games on MouthHealthy.org, the ADA’s consumer website. Click on the For Kids tab on the left side of the page for a variety of age-appropriate activities, games and videos and presentations. There are also teaching guides that adults can use at home, in the classroom or in other community-based settings.
It’s never too early to get children in the habit of good oral care. Of course, it’s up to parents to take the “first steps.” Finding new ways to model good dental habits and practice them with your kids is key. The sooner kids begin to take charge of their own teeth, the happier and healthier they (and you) will be. And the payoffs over a lifetime are immeasurable. Don’t Worry-You’re Not Alone If you think it’s a challenge to teach your kids good oral care, you’re in good company. Tooth decay is one of the most common childhood diseases. And studies show that almost 50% of kids between six and eight have had at least one cavity.1 These are just a couple of reasons why it’s so important to help kids understand right from the start that proper dental habits are a smart idea. To read the entire article visit OralB.com.
Having your kids brush their teeth before they go to bed each night helps them learn good oral hygiene practices. And while twice-daily toothbrushing is good for developing teeth, it always enough to stop bad breath from occurring. Bad breath isn't always solely an oral health issue, there can be other causes that need a different solution. Here are five surprising causes of bad breath in children and how to stop them. Sinus Infection Have any of your kids complained about a sore throat or stuffy nose lately? It might be a sinus infection. Sinus issues cause fluid to collect in the nasal passages and throat, making your child's throat the perfect place for bacteria to gather. The result? Stinky breath that can't be cured with toothbrushing and mouthwash alone. If you suspect a sinus infection (potential sore throat, burning nasal passages and post nasal drip), call your doctor for a visit and see if antibiotics will be prescribed. Foreign Objects It may not be your first thought, but your child's bad breath could be the result of something stuck in her nasal passages. Kids are curious, and their nostrils are just the right size for inserting small items such as beads, beans, toy accessories and food. Pediatrician Dr. William Sears explains that when an object gets lodged in a child's nasal passages it can create a nasty smell. If you suspect this is what is causing your child's bad breath, you'll need a doctor to help check your child's nasal passages and remove the object. To read the entire article written by Jae Curtis , please visit Colgate.com
Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about the importance of dental sealants as a preventive dental treatment for your children!
Parents are a child's first teacher in life and play a significant role in maintaining his or her overall health. Providing oral health education to mothers and families is essential to teaching children healthy habits and preventing early childhood tooth decay, according to an article published in the May/June 2010 issue of General Dentistry, the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). With all of the challenges that new parents face, they may not think much about the link between their child's oral health and overall health. In fact, an understanding of oral hygiene can help parents to prevent tooth decayóthe single most common chronic childhood disease in Americaóand to create a lifetime of healthy habits for their child. "Ideally, the oral health education for any family will begin with prenatal education and the establishment of a dental home by the time the child is 12 to 18 months of age," says Tegwyn Brickhouse, DDS, author of the study. "Many people don't realize that the oral health of the mother affects both the infant's future oral health and the child's overall health. In fact, some studies show that periodontal disease has been linked to preterm labor. That's why pregnant women should be evaluated for cavities, poor oral hygiene, gingivitis, loose teeth and diet." After the child is born, families should become familiar with their child's dental and oral health milestones, which will be determined by discussion with the family dentist or a pediatric dentist. Children should have their first dental visit at age 1 or within six months of the eruption of their first tooth. A dentist will be able to discuss when parents can expect to see a child's first tooth and the best technique for brushing his or her new teeth. Diet is another factor that affects a child's oral health. Frequent and long-term exposure to liquids that contain sugars commonly results in tooth decay. In addition to eliminating sugary drinks altogether from a child's diet, parents can adopt other habits to prevent tooth decay due to beverage consumption. "Parents should avoid giving their children milk, formula, juice or soda at naptime or nighttime," says Bruce DeGinder, DDS, MAGD, spokesperson for the AGD. "The sugars will linger on their teeth and gums for a prolonged period of time, promoting decay." Parents are responsible for their child's oral hygiene practices and are advised to meet with a general dentist to determine the best way to establish and maintain their child's oral health. A general dentist also can provide families with oral health literature that is designed to educate both the parent and child. This education has multiple benefits; as Dr. Brickhouse notes, "Healthy teeth in early childhood can provide a positive self-image and improve the child's quality of life." To read the entire article please visit KnowYourTeeth.com
You already trust Dr. Miller to take care of your child's routine dental care, but did you know he has received extensive training in orthodontic treatment, as well? Our team's experience and familiarity with your child mean they are already invested in each of them as patients. We care, and your kids know it! The convenience of having all your child's care in one office is a bonus.
Dr. Miller examines your child's craniofacial growth and development between the crucial ages of 6 and 11. He can identify jaw and dental disharmony at these early stages to begin treatment before extractions become necessary. Early correction can save money and minimize treatment time and the type of correction. Dr. Miller can address problems of crossbites in back teeth, disharmony in lower and upper dental arches and jaws, and overcrowding in front teeth. These issues can often be corrected in 6 to 18 months, before a child reaches adolescent years. Southridge Dental 2811 12 Avenue Road Nampa, ID 83686 (208) 466-2458 Southridge-Dental.com
Children's teeth are prone to cavities during their formative years. We emphasize the importance of proper daily dental hygiene and more nutritious food choices to help them keep their teeth for a lifetime. We ask parents to ensure their children do a good job of brushing and flossing until they are certain they have developed good habits on their own.
Children eat throughout the day, and whenever food and drink are consumed, acid is produced in the mouth. If the teeth are not cleaned properly, additional acid is produced, bacteria forms, and decay sets in. Even the smallest cavity is permanent damage that needs a filling.
When improper cleaning continues, cavities will grow larger faster and also increase in number. We recommend one application of a dental sealant to help minimize this risk, as well as improved dental hygiene and healthier meals and snacks.
We want children to keep their natural teeth for a lifetime, and we can help with a very effective preventive treatment that is safe, quick, and easy. One application of a dental sealant will mineralize their teeth to help guard against the onset of decay. This is the entire, easy treatment: Teeth are first cleaned and then sterilized. An application of the sealant is applied to each tooth's surface. With a curing light, Dr. Miller or Dr. Squires bonds the sealant to the tooth. It is not noticeable, as it is clear or white. And that is the whole procedure. No drilling or shots are necessary. This has been proven to be a very effective treatment both for children and adolescents in preservation of their permanent teeth.
Children enjoy coming to their visits at our practice, as our team puts
them at ease and makes them feel comfortable in our care. Dr. Miller and Dr.
Squires use the latest techniques in children's dentistry and deliver
treatment with thoughtful gentleness. We want them to keep their natural
teeth for a lifetime, and we teach them how to take care of their teeth at
home with proper daily dental hygiene. We enjoy all their visits starting
with the first tooth, and each visit thereafter as they grow and change. We want all generations of children to have no fear of dental visits and
treatment. We strive to make every child feel relaxed and not have any
anxiety at our practice. Parents have told us they are very impressed that
their children enjoy visiting us. If you have a child who is scared or
active, we can help to change his or her mind about visits to the dentist.
