Food for a Healthy Smile

Concerned parents often ask Dr. Dutta about which kinds of snacks are best for a child’s teeth. While most understand that candy isn’t always the best choice, many parents are confused about which kinds of after-school snacks can actually be good for teeth. Left for their own devices, children might find the sugary snack that will come in colorful packaging. You can find, however, choices which are definitely better for the child’s teeth. Below is a list of food for a healthy smile.   Go Natural The foods which are best for the children’s teeth will also be the best due to their overall health. Choosing whole foods, such as for example fruits and vegetables, is obviously the best option for snacks. Try sticks of celery and let your children dip it into all-natural peanut butter, or a juicy and crunchy apple cut into wedges.   Lean Proteins Lean protein, such as for example chicken white meat, fish, turkey, and lean cuts of pork also make good snacking options. To discover the best all around health, avoid giving your youngster lots of lunch meats, because such products in many cases are higher in sodium. However, these proteins will also be low in sugar, which will be always a preferable choice when it comes to teeth.   Avoid Packaged Foods Sugars are unhealthy partly because they stick morereadily to the surface of the teeth. Even foods that seem to be healthy, such as for example many brands of granola bars, can in reality be laden with hidden sugars. Sugar may also be present in higher concentrations in dried fruit, honey,...

Love your teeth on Valentine’s Day with your Pediatric Dentist

Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and just like any other holiday, it is a time when sugary sweets and candies flow generously. Whether it’s your child’s classmates at school passing out sweet Valentines or his favorite auntie giving him a giant chocolate heart to show her love, your child will be surrounded with more sweets than you can control. While chocolate covered strawberries, gummy bears and candy hearts are quite tasty, they aren’t the best choices for his oral health. We understand that you are probably not going to have him skip out on this sugary holiday, so we would like to share with you some information on the sugary treats he may receive this Valentine’s Day. As a pediatric dentist we understand how much kids love candy! A few of the most common treats your children may receive this holiday include: chocolate, chocolate covered fruit, hard candy, and sticky candy. It is important to remember that while all of these sugary treats are delicious, they can do some damage to his overall oral health if not eaten in moderation. Hard and sticky candies are known for coating teeth with sugar and have the tendency to be hard to remove. Also, even though you might think it the best idea and solution after allowing your child to enjoy more sweets today, it very important to know not to brush his teeth immediately after eating candy. By doing so, you can brush away the enamel on the teeth. Instead, rinse his mouth out with water to get the sugary residue off the teeth. Your pediatric dentist recommends brushing after...

Tooth Fairy Traditions from Around the World with your Children’s Dentist

The 28th of February is National Tooth Fairy day, but did you know the Tooth Fairy that American kids grow up with originated in 17th-century France? Or that kids in Mexico and Spain expect the Tooth Mouse to come and take their baby teeth from under their pillows? As a children’s dentist office we have a very close relationship with the tooth fairy! She even visits our office!! So we thought it would be fun to see all the different tooth traditions from around the world. Tooth traditions around the world are pretty diverse: while we have the Tooth Fairy in common with a few other countries (like Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Germany, Norway, and Denmark), most of the world celebrates the loss of a child’s baby tooth differently. The Tooth Mouse is common in Spanish and French-speaking nations, while many countries throw their baby teeth onto the roof, including Botswana, the Dominican Republic, India, the Philippines, Vietnam, Albania, Cyprus, Honduras, and Greece. Here are a few other fascinating tooth traditions from around the world: Afghanistan – the child drop the lost tooth down a mouse hole to receive a strong, new tooth like a mouse’s. Argentina – children put their tooth in a glass of water for the Tooth Mouse. Austria – the tooth is made into a key ring, or thrown under the house. Bhutan – the tooth is thrown on the roof as an offering to the moon goddess. Brazil – the tooth is thrown on the roof, so it can turn into gold. Cambodia – the child throws the tooth into the sky so...

Tips For Handling Dental Emergencies

The weekend is finally here, and your kiddos are ready for two days of fun and play. Running, jumping, or simply being absorbed in the latest video or text while walking to get a snack are all common ways for kids to unwind today. Although these activities are all relatively safe, and you always try to keep a watchful eye on all their surroundings, accidents might happen. Keeping calm and reassuring your child are first on your mind, but it is also good to have a plan of action ready so when one does occur, you will know what to do. This can make a difference between saving and losing a tooth. We at World Pediatric Dental agree with and would like to share some tips recommended by the ADA for properly handling common dental emergencies. When you have a dental emergency, it’s important to visit your dentist or an emergency room as soon as possible. • For a knocked-out permanent or adult tooth, keep it moist at all times. If you can, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If that’s not possible, place it in between your cheek and gums, in milk, or use a tooth preservation product that has the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Then, get to your dentist’s office right away. • For a cracked tooth, immediately rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area. Put cold compresses on the face to keep any swelling down. • If you bite your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water and apply a cold compress. • For toothaches,...

Oral Health Tips from your Baby Dentist

    The lifelong journey of dental prevention and oral health begins from the moment your baby is born. When your little one is less than a year old and you can easily count the number of teeth he has, it’s critical to set the stage for a healthy smile. From soothing teething gums to maintaining baby’s hygiene and even planning for his first visit to see the baby dentist, new parents have a lot to think about. Here are 10 tips to ensure top marks in oral health from year one on: Wipe the inside of baby’s mouth every day, gently massaging the gums with a damp washcloth. Avoid a pattern of putting baby to bed with a bottle or allowing baby to bottle feed at will, as this creates slow and constant exposure to the sugars in milk or formula. Encourage baby to drink from a sippy cup at six months old. Fruit juices should only be served in cups, not bottles, and limited to mealtime once a day. Try to avoid sharing utensils with your baby. Bacteria from your saliva, called streptococcus mutans, are transmittable from your mouth to theirs and may increase the risk for lifelong decay. Keep pacifiers clean with water only. Your baby’s first tooth will erupt when she is around six months of age. Remember to schedule her first visit to see our baby dentist within six months of this important milestone! Soothe teething babies with a chilled teething ring or cold, wet washcloth against the gums. Switch from the washcloth to using a soft-bristled brush and cold water to clean baby’s new...
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