It may be challenging to teach dental care to preschoolers. They care more about what their toothbrush looks like and what the tooth paste tastes like than anything else. But, it is possible with a little help from you to get them to focus.

Correct Brushing Techniques for Preschoolers

Preschoolers don’t brush well on their own. They need guidance from you. Your assistance in the forms of demonstrations, modeling, and even singing little songs to remind them how long they should brush will all go a long way in helping them to learn properly.

In the beginning, you will probably be letting your preschooler brush their own teeth for a few minutes, with you repeating the task to ensure their teeth are sparkling clean. This is ok – kids learn by repetition. They will learn that this is their responsibility, and will get better and better at it the more they practice.

One cool things that is on the market these days is a colored tooth rinse that shows the ‘dirt’ on the teeth. When the kids brush, they can see where they missed by where they still see color. This helps them to pay better attention to all areas of their mouth.

Flossing for Preschoolers

Difficult is an understatement when describing what it’s like teaching a preschooler how to floss! It is possible, although this task will take longer than teaching them how to brush. With perseverance it can be done. Start by letting them ‘help’ by placing their hands on yours to get a feel for what must be done. Then as they grow, they’ll progress until they can do it by themselves.

Dental health lessons for preschoolers are valuable life lessons that will stay with your children all their lives. Proper dental care leads to improved health, increased self-confidence, and a better self-image for your children. Dental health lessons should be an important part of every parent’s must-do list for their child.

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Dental Health Lessons For Young Children

The Benefits Of Orthodontic Treatment For Kids And Teens

Orthodontics are the application of treatments designed to correct or prevent irregularities of the teeth. Orthodontics can be sought out to help correct chewing and bite problems, speech problems, eliminate pain, or to correct unsightly misaligned teeth. The restoration of a beautifully aligned, straight smile is often the main reason parents seek out an orthodontic consultation.

Children and teens are benefited by orthodontics by:

1. Correcting underbites or overbites, assisting in better chewing, swallowing, and speech function by widening the palate, and fixing teeth overcrowding issues.

2. Orthodontics can treat painful conditions, like TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder).

3. Enhancements to a child’s self esteem can be achieved by fixing issues like missing or crooked teeth, closing gaps, and more.

4. When teeth are properly aligned through orthodontics, care for them can be achieved much easier.

5. Children who have needed braces learn what it means to take responsibility in their oral care. They learn it is essential to maintain the results achieved through their orthodontic treatments.

Orthodontics for kids and teens have many benefits. If you are considering getting orthodontics for your child, consider scheduling a consultation with an orthodontist to discuss the details of how orthodontics work and the requirements of both parents and children during the treatment.

You and your child will be pleasantly surprised at the advances which have been made in braces. They aren’t the huge metal contraptions they were just 15 years ago. Now you have ample choices: ceramic or smaller brackets, Invisalign clear trays, and more.

So how long do orthodontics treatments last? Generally, and depending on the severity of the problem, they can last from 1 to 3 years. Kids adapt rather well to them to, and are usually good at keeping up with the orthodontist’s instructions. Parents love it too – especially the appreciative smiles at the end of the treatment!

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Kids and Teens Can Benefit From Orthodontic Treatments

These basic types of toothpaste are available:

• non-fluoridated
• fluoridated
• highly fluoridated
• sensitive formula
• tartar control formula
• whitening
• with or without sodium lauryl sulftate soap

All toothpastes have pretty much the same ingredients, but try to make themselves stand out in various ways.  The most common ingredients are:

Abrasives: Abrasives are what do the cleaning in toothpaste.  They take off yellowish plaque and scrub off stains.  The most common abrasives are calcium phosphate, silica, calcium carbonate and alumina.  Toothpaste abrasives should be strong enough to remove plaque and stain, but should not be so abrasive that they damage the tooth enamel.

Coloring Agents: Coloring agents make toothpastes more attractive and more palatable.  White toothpaste has titanium dioxide and other artificial dyes make other toothpaste colors.

Detergents: Detergents cause toothpaste to foam. Foam helps keep toothpaste inside our mouths instead of running out as we brush. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is the detergent used most commonly. Unfortunately, detergents are believed to contribute to formation of  canker sores (ulcers) in some people. Detergents are bad-tasting so strong flavorings are used to hide the bad taste.

Flavoring Agents: Flavors are added to toothpaste so you enjoy using them. Most toothpastes have strong flavors to cover up the bad tasting detergents.

Fluoride: Fluoride is the active ingredient in toothpaste.

Fluoride incorporates itself into tooth enamel making your teeth more resistant to acids produced by plaque bacteria, as well as acids found in fruit juices, soda (both regular and diet) and certain foods.  Fluoride in toothpaste can be in the form of sodium monofluorophosphate, stannous fluoride, or sodium fluoride. Prescription toothpastes (for people that need more cavity fighting help such as those with dry mouth or after cancer radiation treatment, etc.) have a much higher concentration of sodium fluoride than regular over-the-counter toothpastes.

Humectants: Humectants are moisturizers and also provide smooth texture to toothpaste. Glycerin is a common humectant and sorbitol acts as both a sweetener as well as a humectant. Xylitol acts as both a humectant and as a sweetener but it is less common although it seems to be a great cavity-fighter.

Preservatives: Preservatives stop toothpaste from growing germs so you can keep the tube on your sink counter instead of in the refrigerator.  Common preservatives are methylparaben, ethylparaben. and sodium benzoate.

Sweeteners: Sweeteners also improve the taste of toothpaste. Most toothpaste sweeteners are artificial and contribute very little to cavity formation. Saccharin is a common toothpaste sweetener.

Thickeners: Thickeners, of course, determine how ‘thick’ the texture of toothpaste is. Cellulose gum, carrageenan, and xanthan gum are often used for thickening.

So what do I recommend?

• Since most toothpastes have similar ingredients, I recommend prescription 5000 parts per million Fluoride toothpaste for most people over the age of six with the caution that the reason it is prescription is that you must keep it out of reach of children (who may eat it all and get very sick).
• For kids under age two, I recommend non-fluoride toothpaste or regular toothpaste and use very little, a dry grain of rice size.
• Kids between two and six can use regular toothpaste.
• People who frequently get canker sore ulcers in their mouths should try one of the toothpaste brands without SLS such as Rembrandt.
• I recommend avoiding tartar control toothpastes because they are more acidic and can actually soften teeth as well as soften tartar.
• Sensitive teeth can be helped with one of the several sensitive toothpastes, such as Sensodyne, or come to the dentist for application of fluoride varnish on the sensitive areas.
• All toothpastes whiten teeth by removing yellowish plaque and surface stains.  Tooth whitening is best accomplished with bleaching gels rather than with toothpastes.

Just remember that cleaning teeth well has more to do with brushing technique and the use of floss than the brand of toothpaste!

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The Best Toothpaste

Choosing the Best Toothpaste for Kids

As long as your kids are brushing, it doesn’t matter what toothpaste they are using, right? Well, it’s important that your kids like to brush and that they do so often. However, if they are using a sugary toothpaste without fluoride, you might want to rethink your toothpaste policy.

There’s nothing wrong with allowing your kids to participate in shopping for and selecting a toothpaste, but you should still provide some guidance and have the final say in any purchases that are made. Steer your kids toward a toothpaste that contains fluoride if they are old enough to use a fluorinated paste. Otherwise, let them select the brand and flavor they will enjoy.

When helping your child to brush his or her teeth, be sure to encourage them not to use too much toothpaste and be careful not to swallow the paste. If they tend to swallow the toothpaste rather than spit it out, switch to a non-fluorinated paste until they are older.

Choosing the Best Toothbrush for Kids

When selecting a toothbrush for you children, be sure to match the size of the toothbrush with each child’s mouth. If they have a smaller mouth, you may need to purchase toddler-sized toothbrushes for several years.

Always choose a soft-bristled toothbrush for your child to avoid damaging the teeth and gums. Instruct your child to brush up and down, and not to put too much pressure on the teeth while brushing. Toothbrushes with grips on the handle can help kids who are still developing fine motor control. It can also help a smaller child keep hold of a wet, slippery toothbrush.

When selecting a toothbrush, let your child have a say in what colors or themes you select. This will help increase their motivation to brush since they have chosen a brush that they can relate to and enjoy.

Choosing the best dental products for kids involves balancing the quality they need with the features they desire. Fruity flavored toothpastes, cartoon character themed toothbrushes, and wacky light up, gimmicky dental products are okay as long as they help motivate your children to brush and are age appropriate.

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Choosing the Best Dental Products for Kids

Ins and Outs of Instant Orthodontics

Instant orthodontics are a type of cosmetic dentistry that can be used to repair, restore, replace, or transform teeth. They can be used to repair broken teeth, replace a missing tooth, or transform the appearance of an otherwise unsightly tooth.

Porcelain veneers, bridges, crowns, and bonding are all forms of instant orthodontics that are used today. Any single type of instant orthodontics can be selected to restore your smile, or your dentist may opt for a combination of several techniques in order to obtain the ideal results in an individual case.

What Are the Benefits of Instant Orthodontics?

When you were a child did you ever lose your tooth by playing? Or perhaps you had carries? Maybe you were into sports and you lost a tooth in that manner? You were probably worried if it was a permanent tooth that there was no other to replace it. This is an area where instant orthodontics may shine.

Braces can cause a lot of discomfort – there’s dietary and sports restrictions, it can be quite costly, and many times you endure extended appointments. Instant orthodontics on the other hand, can correct problems in a short period of time. Many times in one to three dental visits your smile is as good as new.

Some instant orthodontics can be used simply to cover up discolored teeth or straighten a crooked tooth. Veneers can restore a chipped tooth and bridges can fill in gaps left by missing teeth. These procedures are relatively painless and do not carry the risk of many of the complications that are associated with other dental procedures like pain and tooth sensitivity.

Especially for children and pre-teens, the thought of wearing braces and then retainers for months is simply not conceivable. Instant orthodontics provide the results in a fraction of the time. These procedures can have your little angel smiling again in no time without months of budgeting for the cost of traditional orthodontics.

Many dentists offer special pricing plans and financing for families opting for instant orthodontics, so be sure to ask what is available during your consultation with a pediatric dentist.

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What You Need to Know About Instant Orthodontics

This is a common occurrence in children and generally happens to the front lower or front upper teeth around the age of six in most children. Some kids can begin getting adult teeth earlier, while others wait until eight years of age to lose a first tooth. pediatric shark teeth can also occur in molars and incisors as well.

How Shark Teeth in Children Happen
If an adult tooth is not exerting pressure on the baby tooth it is under, or does not have enough room to emerge, it will take the path of least resistance and grow behind the baby teeth. This makes the baby tooth root take longer to dissolve. When this occurs, the child experiences what exactly is known as shark teeth.

How to Treat Shark Teeth in Children
Have you notice shark teeth emerging in your child? If so make sure to get your child into the dentist as soon as possible.

If the dentist sees that your child’s other teeth are okay, here she will probably just have your child play with the baby tooth to try to get it to come out on its own. If it doesn’t after a period of about three weeks, then you’ll probably have to go back to the dentist to have them take care of it.

The stubborn baby tooth would be removed by the dentist to allow the permanent tooth to position itself correctly. How would position itself correctly? The teeth will be naturally pushed on by the child is here she eats talks and plays with it. This all will help it move into the right place.

Unfortunately sometimes there still is not enough room for the permanent tooth to move into position even after the baby tooth is removed. When this occurs, the dentist performs a procedure known as disking, which makes room by slimming down neighboring teeth.

Pediatric shark teeth really is not a huge issue, and many times they resolve on their own. However, if you’re worried about this, simply schedule a consultation with your pediatric dentist.

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Pediatric Shark Teeth – What Are They

Dental Terminology

Abscess: An infection of a tooth, bone, or tissue.

Amalgam – Silver-colored filling material. Amalgam may also be called a restoration or filling.

Antibiotic- mediation prescribed for the treatment of an infection

Bitewings – X-rays of the top and bottom molars and pre-molars. This process is used to diagnose any decay between teeth or underneath fillings.

Bonding – Bonding is intended to restore the appearance of a tooth by applying a dental adhesive that is colored to match the enamel of the natural tooth. an adhesive dental restoration technique. This process can be used to correct the shape or coloring of a tooth, such as when a tooth becomes chipped or damaged.

Bridge – Apparatus that attaches artificial teeth to health teeth in order to replace missing teeth for cosmetic reasons or to assist in chewing. This device is not removable like dentures

Bruxism- grinding of the teeth during sleep

Calculus- this hard plaque builds up over time and requires removal by scaling. It is often referred to as tartar.

Caries – Cavities, rotted tooth, or tooth decay.

Crown- A crown is a restorative technique that covers all or the majority of your natural tooth. These caps are used to fix damaged teeth.

DDS- Doctor of Dental Surgery, these initials may follow your dentist’s name, indicating his level of schooling and specialty.

DMD- Doctor of Medical Dentistry, these initials mean essentially the same thing as DDS in regards to education and qualifications.

Dentures- complete set of false teeth

Edentulous- “without teeth”

Extraction- removal of a tooth

Gingivitis- inflammation of the gums caused by infection or plaque buildup.

Impacted – a tooth not visible in the mouth, but is apparent on x-rays.

Impression- mold of the teeth made by biting into a soft substance that later hardens to create a replica of the patient’s mouth.

Pediatric Dentistry- special branch of dentistry providing services for children under the age of 16.

Plaque – Soft deposits of bacteria and debris on the teeth that can be removed by brushing or flossing.

Root Canal- removal of damaged or painful nerve inside a tooth.

Veneer- a cosmetic shell that covers the visible portion of a tooth to improve its appearance.

These common dentistry terms provide you with a basic framework of understanding for what goes on during your dental visit. There are many more complex terms to be found at: The American Dental Association website: http://www.ada.org/495.aspx.

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Your Guide to Common Dental Terminology

1. Play dentist. Let your child examine your teeth and play dentist with them by returning the favor. This is also a good way to see how well your child is brushing. You can even take pictures (like x-rays) and create your own lead apron by wearing a cookie sheet during your “x-rays”. Mix up flavored pastes with baking soda and bottled flavoring to let your child try out a tooth cleaning, and use this as an opportunity to floss your children’s teeth if they are too young to perform the procedure themselves. If you have more than one child, they will especially enjoy examining the mouths of siblings, and you can even include the family dog if you like.

2. Visit the library. Your local library has tons of resources for your child about visiting the kids dentist. Videos, books, and even computer games can all help to put your child at ease about seeing the dentist.

3. Always be honest. If your child has to visit the dentist for an uncomfortable procedure, be honest about what will happen. If your child thinks you are untruthful about things related to the dentist, they will be less likely to trust you when you say a regular cleaning and exam are fun.

4. Model positive behavior. One of the best ways to teach your children a positive attitude about visiting the kids dentist, is to model that behavior when you visit the adult’s dentist. If your children see you smiling and eager to visit the dentist (even if you have to fake it a little) they will be more at ease about their own visit.

5. Reward your children. If your kids exhibit a positive attitude about visiting the kids dentist, be sure to reward their behavior afterwards. Kids learn through reinforcing behaviors and this is easily done by stopping for an ice cream cone, an hour at the park, or by purchasing a new toothbrush. Be sure to remind your kids what the reward is for, so they can make a connection and will be more likely to embrace visiting the kids dentist the next time.

Getting your child to look forward to visiting the kids dentist is easy with a little preparation and planning. Being intentional about creating a positive dental experience for your child is the key to generating a positive attitude when seeing the kids dentist.

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How to Teach Your Child to Look Forward to Visiting a Kids Dentist

Determining the value of Dental Insurance

Even the most basic dental insurance policy provides some coverage for routine procedures, exams, and cleanings, but you must read the details of your policy to make sure you are getting your money’s worth out of your policy. Keep in mind that children are likely to visit the dentist every 3-6 months, and adults at least once a year. Add up the savings your policy offers for these services, and subtract the cost of your premiums to get an idea of how much your dental insurance will save you every year. In most cases, dental insurance helps a family save money in the long run.

Inadequate Dental Insurance Options

If you find yourself with an inadequate dental insurance policy, you do have options. When your employer’s dental plan is truly stingy, it may be in your best interest to opt out of your employer-sponsored plan and look for a private dental insurance policy that better suits your needs. Many health or life insurance companies also offer dental policies. Ask your insurance agent about dental policies, and also ask about special discounts for purchasing bundled insurance policies from the same company. You may be able to save money by buying dental insurance from the same company that covers your life, auto, or homeowner’s insurance as well.

Another option is to forgo the dental insurance and set aside what you would pay in monthly premiums in a special account to help pay for dental services when you need them. This plan works best for single persons and can lead to the temptation to skip a dental appointment over the cost. If you are without dental insurance, be sure to let your dentist’s office know. They may offer special pricing brackets or payment plans for individuals and families without dental insurance.

Getting the most out of your dental insurance, like any other insurance policy, requires reading the fine print. Not all dental insurance policies offer good coverage, and a few are simply not worth the bother, but most employers research the plans available before selecting a decent one for employees. If you get the chance to opt into a good dental insurance plan, it can save you hundreds of dollars every year, especially if a member of your family will need any special procedures or orthodontics.

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What You Need to Know About Dental Insurance

Kids consume large quantities of sugary snacks every day like fruit juices, popsicles, jelly, and cereal. These high-sugar foods all pose a threat to your child’s good dental health. Here are a few tips to help you get your child to make dental hygiene a priority.

Dental Hygiene tips for Kids

1. Make brushing fun. One of the best ways to keep your kids brushing is to make the process fun for them. Let them pick out toothbrushes, and buy fun-flavored toothpastes that they enjoy. You can also make brushing an event your kids look forward to by playing brushing games like Simon Says brush this way, or by singing as adapted version of Old MacDonald to include brushing activities.

You can even tell stories about the cow who forgot to floss and the pig who ate too much junk. Taking an interest in brushing and making dental hygiene fun can go a long way toward developing healthy dental care habits that your child will continue as an adult.

2. Model good brushing. Learning experts agree that kids learn by watching the actions of those around them. If you model an interest in good dental hygiene, your kids will take notice. Brush your teeth with your child and model proper brushing techniques for them to follow.

3. Reward your kids. If your child puts forth an admirable effort in caring for his or her own teeth, be sure to reward him or her for their behavior. Rewards can come in the form of a new toothbrush, a special sticker, or even a favorite treat as long as your child remembers to brush again afterwards. Even small rewards can help reinforce your child’s dental hygiene activities, making them more likely to repeat the action day after day.

4. Incorporate dental hygiene into other activities. If you include discussions about caring for your teeth in other activities, such as while grocery shopping, or while playing outside, your children will learn that dental hygiene deserves special attention. Ask your child what foods in the grocery store would be tooth-friendly; help your child to notice similarities and differences between his own teeth and the family dog’s.

Talk about the difference in animal teeth between animals that eat meat and those that eat veggies, and ask your child to compare his finding with his own teeth. If you can get your child thinking about how important his mouth is, he will be more likely to take an added interest in caring for his own dental hygiene.

Dental hygiene is an important part of your child’s good health and good brushing and flossing habits are created early in life. Take the time to make brushing a priority in your house and your children will benefit for the rest of their lives.

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Dental Hygiene Tips for Kids