Tag: kidsdentist

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and we want to ensure your new year begins just as wonderfully. As pediatric dental professionals, kids’ dental health is our top priority, especially during Christmastime.

In this blog, we’ll discuss 12 tips for a healthy mouth during the holidays and beyond! While these may be pointed toward your child, we encourage adults to abide by these guidelines as well.

1.    Brush more often

Although brushing in the morning and evening may be enough, brushing one more time in the afternoon couldn’t hurt! During Christmastime, sweets tend to be more readily available to children at home and at school, so try to encourage your little one to brush after lunch or as soon as he gets home. The longer sugar stays on teeth, the more damage it does!

2.    Brush the right way

Did you know there is a right way to brush your teeth? If you don’t, your child probably doesn’t either! While this probably isn’t something learned in school, a pediatric dentist is always happy to explain the rules. Here’s how you and your little one should be brushing your teeth:

• Place a small, pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste on a soft-bristled toothbrush
• Using small, circular motions to brush the front, back, and chewing surfaces of every tooth
• Do this for two minutes
• Brush your tongue
• Brush the roof of your mouth
• Rinse and spit

3.    Floss every day

We cannot stress the importance of flossing enough. How else will the sides of the teeth get cleaned? Children should begin flossing as soon as they have two teeth that touch. We recommend flossing in the evening, after the last meal.

4.    Drink lots of water

Winter calls for holiday coffee drinks, apple cider, and hot chocolate, but don’t forget to drink water throughout the day as well! Water helps clean food and debris from the teeth and promotes saliva production, which is essential for a healthy, balanced mouth.

5.    Limit sweets

Sugar is one of the main causes of cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss. Check out the next two tips for ideas on how to limit sweets during the holidays!

6.    Offer healthy snacks

When trying to think of healthy snacks for your little one, stick to these four categories: fruit, veggies, protein, and dairy. For specific ideas, check out this blog.

7.    Make healthier treats together!

Cooking together is a Christmas tradition in many families. Why not make healthier treats that you and your little one can enjoy without the guilt? Here are some of our favorite ideas:

• Rudolph celery snacks using celery, peanut butter, pretzels, fresh cranberries, and candy eyes
• Kiwi Christmas trees made from kiwi slices with the skin as the trunk (get creative with the star!)
• Strawberry and banana “candy” canes
• Banana snowmen with sliced bananas, raisins or dark chocolate chips for buttons and eyes, and a sliced strawberry for the hat

The internet is full of healthy Christmas treat ideas that are simple and fun!

8.    Reduce starches

Mashed potatoes, rolls, and pasta dishes often fill the dinner table at Christmas. Unfortunately, these can lead to cavities just as much as sugary foods do. We certainly don’t expect you to keep your little one completely away from these dishes but adding more veggies than starches to her plate is a small thing that could have a big impact.

9.    Upgrade teeth-cleaning tools

Christmas is the perfect time to gift your child with a new toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash! He might not be so excited to unwrap these, but they make great stocking stuffers!

10. Pack all the supplies when traveling

If your family is traveling for Christmas, make sure to pack everything your little one needs to maintain a healthy mouth.

11. Be cautious around ice!

This time of year, ice is everywhere which means there’s more opportunity for a dental emergency. Make sure your little one is being cautious around ice and snow and always have your pediatric dentist’s number on hand!

12. Schedule a dental cleaning and exam

One of the best ways to start the new year is with a clean, beautiful smile. Children should begin visiting the dentist as soon as their first tooth erupts and every six months after that.

To ensure your child maintains a healthy mouth year-round, don’t forget to schedule his or her dental cleaning and exam.

Contact Smiles Dentistry for Kids Today

Our team at Smiles Dentistry for Kids is happy to serve the families of Overland Park, KS. To schedule your child’s dental cleaning and exam with Dr. Matt, call (913) 685-9990.

The coronavirus pandemic has certainly changed our daily lives and will continue to do so. Unfortunately, forgoing dental appointments, or not having access to your dentist, could have negative impacts on oral health, but this doesn’t have to be the case.

While working from home, you may be more tempted to snack all day, eating foods that aren’t so great for your oral or overall health. Although that certainly is okay sometimes, making it a habit could have negative consequences. Some of us may even forget to brush our teeth or to remind our children to brush theirs! Yikes!

To avoid developing cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems during COVID-19, here are five helpful tips:

1. Set a reminder to brush your teeth

We know this may sound silly, but we also know how hard it can be to remember to brush your teeth once the day gets started. This is especially necessary for people who work from home or whose kids are doing school at home. Children may be especially forgetful!

Many of us wake up in the morning and hit the ground running. If you aren’t leaving the house, brushing and flossing your teeth may be forgotten. Add “brush your teeth” to your morning alarm or set a separate reminder for the same time every day. If the whole family is at home, make sure to get your kids involved, too.

2. Drink lots of water

Always have a glass of water within reach while you’re working. The same goes for kids. Even if you’re drinking another beverage like coffee or tea, keep the water close by. Make sure your children are drinking more water than they are juice or other sugar-filled drinks.

Water is one of the best ways to keep our mouths clean throughout the day. It also helps with saliva production, so dry mouth never becomes an issue.

3. Buy mouth-friendly snacks

Snacks that are full of carbs and sugar tend to be our favorites. However, if you want to keep your mouth and body healthy, look for these alternatives at the grocery store:

• Hummus with carrots, celery, and/or peppers
• Cheese cubes
• Apples and natural peanut butter
• Assorted nuts
• Sugar-free yogurt with fruit

Your little one will enjoy these as well!

4. Kick bad habits

Nail biting, chewing ice, and using teeth as tools are a few of the worst things a person can do with their teeth. These habits increase the risk for dental chips and cracks as well as cuts on the gums that can lead to disease and infection.

If you need help with keeping your child from biting his or her fingernails, reach out to your local pediatric dentist for advice.

5. Don’t be afraid to visit the dentist

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, regular dental cleanings and exams are still essential for maintaining good oral health for children and adults. As long as the patient is healthy and wears a mask, he or she should continue to attend their six-month cleanings.

We completely understand being overly cautious during the ongoing pandemic. At Smiles Dentistry for Kids, we’ve taken every precaution to keep our patients and their families safe which is why you shouldn’t be afraid to visit the dentist when it’s necessary.

If your child is experiencing dental pain, needs a teeth cleaning, or something just doesn’t seem right, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment at our dental office. The same goes for you, mom and dad (we can recommend a local dentist, if necessary)!

Call our friendly team today at (913) 685-9990 to schedule an appointment for your little one with Dr. Matt.