The end of February is almost here and you have not made an appointment to visit us at Enchanted Forest Pediatric Dentistry?

Don’t worry, it is not the end of the world!! The goal of National Children’s Dental Health Month is to help kids develop good dental hygiene habits at an early age…. we always do that during your child’s regular dental visits.

If the reason for not coming to visit us (in February or ever) is because your child is scared, that is totally normal. Visiting the dentist, specially one that is not used to children, can be scary.

To keep your children from getting anxious, remember these tips:

• Visit a pediatric dentist (pedodontist)  like Dr. Rojas. These specialists have had extra training to work with children.

• Don’t show your anxiety if you’re scared of the dentist yourself. Children will pick up on it and copy your behavior.

• Take them to the dentist regularly – once every 6 months. Children who only go to the dentist when there’s a problem will quickly start to associate being there with getting bad news about their teeth. Plus, frequent check-ups are the best way to catch problems before they become painful or need further treatment.

• Talk to your children. Once you know where the fears lie,they can be easier to deal with.

• You already know that a tired child can be a difficult child. See if you can schedule an appointment for the morning. 

Sugar has long been identified by oral health experts as a major cause of tooth decay and cavities in children. Parents might be surprised to learn that when it comes to causing cavities, not all candy is created equal.

“Cavities and tooth decay are caused by prolonged exposure to sugar, among other fators” says Dr. Rojas.
“Parents can help their kids fight cavities by decreasing the amount of time sugar comes in contact with their teeth, as well as limiting the amount of candy they consume.”

The way it works is simple, naturally occurring bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar in candy and other foods and turn it into acid. This acid attacks tooth enamel and causes decay.

Sticky or chewy candies result in sugar being in contact with teeth for longer periods of time. When children chew sticky candies such as caramels or taffy, candy gets stuck on the surface and in between crevices. The longer the sugar is stuck to the teeth, the more time the bacteria have to feed on the candy and produce acid.  The more acid is produced and the longer the amount of time the teeth are exposed to it, the more chance your child has of developing cavities.

Valentine’s Day is a great time for parents to think about their children’s teeth, but oral health should be a year-round concern. Regularly encourage good oral health habits with your children, including flossing daily, brushing at least twice a day and visiting the dentist regularly.

Following the following tips by the American Dental Association will help your children grow up to have strong, healthy teeth:

• Begin cleaning your baby’s mouth during the first few days after birth. Wipe the baby’s gums after every feeding with a damp washcloth or gauze pad to remove plaque.
• Never allow an infant to nurse continuously from a bottle of milk, formula, sugar water or fruit juice during naps or at night.
• Allow your child to chew only sugarless gum.  Avoid lollipops and other sticky candy.
• Parents need to brush and floss their child’s teeth as soon as they come in. Children can learn to do this for themselves at about age 7.
• Never dip a child’s pacifier in any sweet liquids.
• If your local water supply does not contain fluoride, ask your dentist how your child should get it.

Dental health is everyone’s job!!   Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure or as Dr. Rojas would say “mas vale prevenir que lamentar”
Dr. Rojas and her awesome staff are always available to answer any questions.