Do baby teeth really matter?

by Doug Vogt | Apr 24, 2015 | World Pediatric Dental

    Infants start getting their first teeth around the 6-12 month mark. You might ask yourself do baby teeth really matter? After all, these teeth’s destiny is to fall out and be replaced by the permanent teeth. Baby teeth, however, do serve a very important function and the proper care of them set your child up for the best oral and overall health.   Encourage Proper Nutrition A baby’s teeth start to come out around the 6-12 month area and at this age is when your child’s eating habits and nutritional needs begin to change. The sixth month mark is when breastfeeding is no longer enough for your child. This is the time in your child’s life when you should begin to bring solid foods into their life.   When your child can start to chew, around 8 months old, is when your child will start eating things like pureed fruits and other vegetables. As your child’s teeth grow and they get more adept at chewing and progress through 12 months of age, you can then add bread, cereal and other adult foots to their diet.   How long are baby teeth there and why should you take care of them? Baby teeth are there longer than you think! A babies teeth begin to erupt around 8 months and believe it or not they are there for up to 5-6 years! Their last baby teeth come in around the 32 month mark and are there until your child turns 10-12 years of age! Its so vital in that they are properly taken care of because baby teeth aid... read more

World Pediatric Dental Walkthrough

by Doug Vogt | Apr 3, 2015 | World Pediatric Dental

So you’ve stumbled upon this blog looking for a Pediatric Dentist for your child and want to know more about World Pediatric Dental. I thought today would be a good day to blog about our office and provide more information about who we are and what makes our office stand out.   What is World Pediatric Dental? We are a new children’s dentist office located here in San Antonio. Our office is the biggest and brightest in all  of children’s dental office in all of Stone Oak  and features many state of the art amenities not found anywhere else in San Antonio.                 Where is World Pediatric Dental? We are located at the corner of E. Sontera and Hardy Oak Blvd inside the beautiful Institute for Women’s Health Building, 3rd floor, Suite 305.   Meet Dr. Oshmi Dutta Dr. Dutta is the Pediatric Dentist here at our office. He specializes in dealing with children and is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist. Fun fact: Only 27% of children’s dentists are board certified by the ABPD.  Dr. Dutta is extremely  passionate about bringing the latest and greatest technology to San Antonio in order to improve the patient and parent experience. If you would like to  know more about our wonderful Doctor you can click here and read more.   What sets your office apart from other children’s dentists? I’m so glad you asked! Let me give you a walk through of our office and by the end I’m sure you will love it as much as we do!   Our Office As soon as you walk in the door to... read more

World Oral Health Day

by Doug Vogt | Mar 20, 2015 | Uncategorized

    Happy World Oral Health Day everyone! WOHD happens every year on March 20th, but perhaps you have never heard of it! Well, this is your lucky day! Let’s take a few minutes and learn all about this great project.   What is World Oral Health Day? World Oral Health Day (WOHD going forward) is an international day where we celebrate and educate on the benefits of having a healthy mouth, as well as spread worldwide awareness on the issues of oral health and the importance of oral health from babies to adults. But most of all it is a day for everyone to have fun and help a good cause!   Why is WOHD important? Over 90% of the world’s population will suffer from some type of oral disease in their lifetime and many of them could be avoided with increased funding for prevention, detection and treatment programs. It is also a day for all the dental and oral health community to let their voices be heard and take action to try and help reduce the global oral disease burden.   What can you do to help? For starters you can help by making sure you and your children floss and brush your teeth two times a day! The best way to stop oral disease is to have good oral hygiene so it never gets to that point. Did you know a recent survey showed that 2/3 people over the age of 55 regret not looking over their teeth while they were younger? So floss and brush now so you won’t regret later! You can also help by... read more

Which toothpaste is right for my child?

by Doug Vogt | Mar 13, 2015 | Tips from your Dentist

So you’re at the store with your child and looking through the huge variety of toothpaste trying to find one that is just right for your child. Well fear not mom or dad World Pediatric Dental is here to help! What is a good toothpaste for a child? Lets look at a few things.   Fluoride First of all, what is fluoride? It is the 13th most abundant element on the earth’s crust. Fluoride is found naturally in the dirt, water and even in some of our foods. What does fluoride actually do? Mainly fluoride protects your teeth from demineralization. When bacteria in your mouth combine with sugar they produce acid and without fluoride on your teeth this acid can erode tooth enamel and damage your child’s teeth. What the fluoride does is act as a a barrier or shield that sits on top of the tooth enamel and stops that acid from getting through to damage the teeth. But what if there is already some damage done to the teeth from this acid? Well fluoride can accumulate in the demineralization areas and begins strengthening the enamel, a process called remineralization.   Bottom Line – Fluoride is extremely useful in preventing cavities and making teeth stronger. However, once a cavity has been formed it is much less effective. For children ages 1-3 we recommend using just a smear of fluoride toothpaste on a soft bristle toothbrush. For ages 3 and up use a small pea sized amount  on a soft bristle toothbrush. Both examples are illustrated below.   Look for the ADA Seal OK, so we know so far when... read more

National Tooth Fairy Day

by Doug Vogt | Feb 28, 2015 | National Tooth Fairy Day

Today is National Tooth Fairy Day and here at World Pediatric Dental (the biggest and brightest Pediatric Dental office in all of San Antonio!) the Tooth Fairy is an A+ celebrity and what better then to dedicate an entire day to our favorite celebrity.   If you’re looking for a good way to celebrate National Tooth Fairy Day here are a few ideas:   Get together with your family on the couch and watch the classic movie the Tooth Fairy. A very fun and family oriented movie that both parents and kids can enjoy.   If you would prefer a good book to read with your kids instead Throw your Tooth on the Roof: Tooth Traditions from Around the World is a very good book that teaches what other kids all around the world do when they lose a tooth. We also talked about other countries tooth traditions in a previous blog post that you can read for yourself here.   If neither of those appeal to you try a DIY project with your kids like this no-sew tooth fairy bag for your little ones to put their teeth into when they lose them. There are many different things you could do; the important thing is taking the time this National Tooth Fairy Day and having fun with your kids, and maybe even learn a thing or two about our favorite celebrity that wasn’t known before.   Speaking of things you might not have known, have you noticed the price of a tooth has gone up, up, up over the years? I remember as a child losing a tooth and... read more

Food for a Healthy Smile

by Doug Vogt | Feb 21, 2015 | Uncategorized

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,... read more

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

by Doug Vogt | Feb 13, 2015 | Tips from your Dentist, Uncategorized

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... read more

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

by Doug Vogt | Feb 13, 2015 | Uncategorized

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... read more

Tips For Handling Dental Emergencies

by Doug Vogt | Feb 6, 2015 | Uncategorized

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,... read more

Oral Health Tips from your Baby Dentist

by Doug Vogt | Jan 30, 2015 | Tips from your 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... read more