Author: Kenmore Pediatric Dentistry

Protect Your Child’s Smile with a Mouth Guard

Whether your child loves skateboarding, competing in wrestling, or hitting the soccer field, safeguarding their health with a mouth guard is a simple precaution to take to ensure they keep smiling and enjoying their favorite activities.

Protect Your Child's Smile with a Mouth Guard

No matter the season, sport, or your child’s favorite athletic activity, safety should always be the first concern. Whether your child’s preferred sport involves flying baseballs, hockey pucks, basketballs, or no equipment at all, injury is always possible.
Whether your child loves skateboarding, competes in wrestling, or is getting ready to hit the soccer field, safeguarding their health with a mouth guard is a simple precaution to take to ensure they keep smiling and enjoying their favorite activities.

How Will a Mouth Guard Protect My Child?

Mouth guards fit over the top row of teeth. In addition to protecting a child’s teeth and other oral structures from damage, they can also act as a shock absorber, potentially reducing the risk of traumatic brain injuries.
Mouth guards protect children from the following injuries:
  • Concussions
  • Neck injuries
  • Lip, tongue, and cheek lesions
  • Soft tissue and gum injuries
  • Jawbone fractures
  • Broken or knocked-out teeth

Fabricated Mouth Guards vs. Boil and Bite: Which Type of Mouth Guard Is Best for Your Child?

Boil and Bite Mouth Guards

Boil and bite mouth guards can be found at most pharmacies and sporting goods stores. While they’re more expensive than stock-produced mouth guards, they’re still relatively inexpensive making them a wonderful investment with an invaluable return – your child’s wellbeing.
Boil and bite mouth guards are made to fit most mouths, offer some customization when boiled and bitten, and they provide better comfort and protection than stock mouth guards.

Custom-Made Mouth Guards

If your child has any oral appliances, such as braces or a retainer, then boil and bite options typically won’t be comfortable or offer adequate protection. In these cases, Dr. Stewart usually recommends a custom-designed and fabricated mouth guard. This type of mouth guard is designed to fit perfectly, while protecting oral structures and oral appliances. A custom mouth guard is fabricated based on your child’s unique features and needs. They offer unmatched comfort and the highest level of protection.

Gear Up for Your Child’s Next Kenmore Sports Season

However your child enjoys staying active and fit, safety is our top priority. At Kenmore Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Stewart can provide you and your children with everything they need to stay safe and smiling throughout the sports season. Dr. Stewart will assess your child’s mouth guard needs and make a recommendation. Plus, we’re fully equipped to fabricate a custom-made mouth guard for your child in-house.
To learn more about protecting your child’s teeth with a mouth guard, we welcome you to contact us or to schedule your child’s next dental appointment.

Encouraging Kids to Eat FOR, Not Just WITH, Their Teeth

Teeth are used for chewing, but parents and kids should also know that the types of foods they eat can affect both their chompers and the health of their gum tissue. To safeguard children from tooth decay, it’s essential that parents be mindful of the food choices they make for their children during meals and at snack time.

Encouraging Kids to Eat FOR, Not Just WITH, Their Teeth

Teeth are used for chewing, but parents and kids should also know that the types of foods they eat can affect both their chompers and the health of their gum tissue. To safeguard children from tooth decay, it’s essential that parents be mindful of the food choices they make for their children during meals and at snack time.

Foods to Avoid for Healthy Teeth and Gums

Foods that are high in sugar or highly acidic help harmful bacteria flourish inside the mouth. They are also extra-tough on enamel, the top protective layer of the teeth. To keep your child’s teeth healthy, Dr. Stewart recommends avoiding the following foods and drinks.

1. Sugary Beverages

Sugary beverages like juice and soda are not good choices. Although many parents start their kids on juice quite early, Dr. Stewart recommends avoiding it, as children will then develop a preference for sugary drinks that contribute to tooth decay. In addition, these high-sugar choices are also surprisingly acidic. They can wear down tooth enamel without any additional help from bacteria.

2. Candy and Sticky Foods

Sticky foods like gummies and fruit snacks cling to the surface of teeth, promote bacterial growth, and are difficult to remove when brushing. Suckers are not only sugary and sticky, but they stay in the mouth for a prolonged period of time. It’s ok to have a treat every now and then, so instead elect for a plain piece of dark chocolate that will melt away.

3. Starchy Carbohydrates

Snacks that are high in starchy carbohydrates, like your child’s favorite goldfish-shaped crackers, are not the ideal choice. Starchy crackers stick to the chewing surfaces of molars, leaving a feast for harmful bacteria and the teeth primed for tooth decay.

Foods That Are Good for Teeth

According to the AAPD, parents should balance their child’s meals and incorporate all the food groups — fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, and protein. The following foods will boost your child’s bacteria-fighting immune system and are also chock-full of the vitamins and minerals teeth need.

1. Fruits and Vegetables

Although fruits and veggies contain natural sugars, the crunch of raw produce (like apples and carrots) actually helps remove bacteria from the surface of teeth. Options like melon, cucumber, celery, and pears that are high in water rinse the teeth. These food options are also packed with nutrients.

2. Cheese

Calcium-rich foods such as yogurt and milk contain some of the minerals that bones and teeth need to develop. Cheese is rich in calcium, packs protein, and it helps to balance the pH level in the mouth. Eating cheese stimulates saliva production and lowers the mouth’s acidity levels. Cheese can of course help your teeth anytime you consume it, but research shows that it’s especially beneficial after a meal or a sugary drink.

3. Nuts

Protein from a variety of sources such as fish, chicken, and eggs will help strengthen your child’s tooth enamel. Nuts and no-sugar-added peanut butter are perfect high-protein, kid-friendly options to choose at snack time. For more information about the best diet for your child’s teeth, we welcome you to talk with Dr. Stewart at Kenmore Pediatric Dentistry.

Why a Pediatric Dentist Is the Best Choice for Children

Even though many general dentists will accept pediatric patients, it’s best for children — from infancy into their teens — to see a pediatric dentist. Pediatric dentists are solely dedicated to oral healthcare for children of all ages and tailor their dental practices specifically to the needs of these age groups and their various developmental stages.

Why a Pediatric Dentist Is the Best Choice for Children

Even though many general dentists will accept pediatric patients, it’s best for children — from infancy into their teens — to see a pediatric dentist. Pediatric dentists are solely dedicated to oral healthcare for children of all ages and tailor their dental practices specifically to the needs of these age groups and their various developmental stages. With a pediatric dentist, children receive the best care possible and are able to establish positive associations with the dentist from the very start.

Top Reasons to Choose a Pediatric Dentist for Your Infant, Toddler, Child, or Teen

1. Specialized Education and Qualifications

All dentists receive similar training initially. They have an undergraduate degree and attend dental school. Pediatric dentists are also required to complete an additional two or three-year-long residencies during which they specifically train in pediatric dental care and the treatment of patients in various developmental stages and those with special needs. Some pediatric dentists go beyond the initial residency to receive ‘Board Certification’, which requires rigorous further testing and an oral exam in front of a panel of Pediatric Dental examiners. Dr. Stewart received her Board Certification in September of 2016.

2. Parental Education

Pediatric dentists are experts in answering the questions of parents and guardians. A pediatric dentist will take extra time to help parents understand their children’s dental health, treatment needs, and also what to expect throughout development.

3. Kid-Friendly Environment

A pediatric dental office is designed to be kid-friendly. Rather than looking like a doctor’s office, our pediatric office is designed to put kids at ease. We have fun decorations, a waiting area designed for small patients, and the dental tools and equipment sized for young patients.

4. Patients with Special Needs

Pediatric dentists receive additional training in treating patients with a variety of special needs including patients with physical, emotional, behavioral, or sensory concerns. We offer a variety of services and specialized care to ensure these patients get a positive start to their oral health.

5. Early Orthodontic Assessment and Preventative Care

Pediatric dentists are also able to assess the early development of a child’s teeth to provide early treatment and orthodontic care.

How Often Should Your Child Visit Dr. Stewart?

Infants should see the dentist by the time they are one-year-old or as soon as the first tooth erupts. Then it’s normal for most toddlers, children, and teens to visit the dentist once every six months for a cleaning and exam. Depending on your child’s specific needs, Dr. Stewart might recommend a different schedule. If your child’s due for a checkup or if you’d like to establish your infant’s care with our pediatric dentist in Kenmore, Dr. Stewart, we welcome you to schedule an appointment at Kenmore Pediatric Dentistry today.

Top Tips for Brushing Your Child’s Teeth

The most important part of your child’s dental care is what happens at home in between appointments with Dr. Stewart at Kenmore Pediatric Dentistry. To make sure your child’s teeth are getting brushed properly, take a look at the following tips and techniques for impeccable at-home oral hygiene.

Top Tips for Brushing Your Child's Teeth

The most important part of your child’s dental care is what happens at home in between appointments with Dr. Stewart at Kenmore Pediatric Dentistry. To make sure your child’s teeth are getting brushed properly, take a look at the following tips and techniques for impeccable at-home oral hygiene.

1. Use the Right Toothbrush

The AAPD stresses the importance of using a good toothbrush. While either an electric or manual brush is fine, be sure to choose one with soft bristles in an age-appropriate size. Regular, adult brushes are far too large to clean a toddler or child’s mouth.
Toothbrushes should be replaced every three months or sooner if the bristles begin to fray. We recommend letting your child pick a toothbrush with a seasonal theme or featuring fun characters that will encourage them to use it.

2. Brush the Full Two Minutes

Unsupervised, kids usually won’t brush for the full two minutes recommended by the American Dental Association. Instead, they’ll brush hard for a few seconds, which doesn’t clean teeth and can damage the gums. For spotless teeth, children should brush gently for two minutes.

3. Supervise Brushing

Children shouldn’t be left to brush their teeth on their own until they’re about 7 or 8. Toddlers love to do everything on their own, which creates a great opportunity to teach them how to brush, while you stay involved in the process. Consider brushing together as a family or have an adult model for your child.

4. Teach Flossing

Teach your children to floss, too. During the night time brushing session, stress the importance of why we floss. The bristles of the brush can’t get into all those tight spots or where the teeth are crowded.

5. Use Plaque Disclosing Tablets

Pick up a packet of chewable plaque tablets. These teach kids the importance of brushing and flossing by revealing brightly colored plaque in the spots where they didn’t clean their teeth thoroughly.

6. Make Brushing Fun

Kids will do just about anything as long as it’s fun. Play dentist to teach proper brushing. Use a doll or wind-up chompers with a full set of teeth and help them brush the toy’s teeth. Show your child how to brush the top and bottom teeth on the inside, outside, and chewing surfaces. Then show them how to angle the brush to scrub the backs of the front teeth, too.
There are plenty of modern resources for making sure your kids brush properly. Colgate’s Tooth Fairy app is a great choice or play a two-minute online video created to entertain your child while brushing.
In addition to regular brushing and flossing at home, it’s important for children to see the dentist regularly, too. We welcome you to contact Kenmore Pediatric Dentistry to ask Dr. Stewart how often your child should have a dental appointment.

Avoiding the Consequences of Unhealthy Thumb, Finger, and Pacifier Habits

Infants are born with the instinct to suck, which makes them naturally want to nurse. In fact, babies begin sucking on their fingers before they’re even born. The act of sucking on fingers, thumbs, or a pacifier helps to soothe infants and it’s perfectly natural. If the habit of sucking on fingers or a pacifier goes on for a long period of time, however, it can lead to problems, as your child grows and develops.

Avoiding the Consequences of Unhealthy Thumb, Finger, and Pacifier Habits

Infants are born with the instinct to suck, which makes them naturally want to nurse. In fact, babies begin sucking on their fingers before they’re even born. The act of sucking on fingers, thumbs, or a pacifier helps to soothe infants and it’s perfectly natural. If the habit of sucking on fingers or a pacifier goes on for a long period of time, however, it can lead to problems, as your child grows and develops.

The Best Age to Stop Giving Your Child a Pacifier

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, children should ideally stop using a pacifier and/or sucking on their thumb by the age of three to prevent the habit’s interference with proper development and alignment of your child’s mouth and teeth.

Negative Effects of Prolonged Pacifier Use or Sucking on Fingers

If the habit of sucking on a pacifier or fingers is prolonged, it can result in:
  • Improper development of the mouth and jaw
  • Open bite or otherwise misaligned teeth
  • Altered appearance
  • Difficulty chewing and trouble swallowing
  • Speech impediments
  • Possible introduction of harmful bacteria via pacifier or fingers into the mouth

Tips to Discourage and Eliminate Non-Nutritive Habits

Most children will stop wanting a pacifier or quit sucking on their fingers and thumbs on their own between the ages of two and four. Some children, however, will continue these habits over a longer period of time, which can have adverse effects on their development. In order to help your child break the habit, you can try the following tips:
  • Cut the tip of the pacifier incrementally to eliminate the comfort of the suction
  • Use positive reinforcement to praise your child when they refrain from sucking their thumb, especially in stressful situations.
  • Provide comfort when a child feels insecure in order to eliminate the need to self-soothe by sucking a thumb.
  • Cover your child's hands with socks during the night, when thumb-sucking might occur reflexively.
  • Explain the consequences of sucking on a thumb or finger to older children who can understand why they should consciously try to stop.

Additional Ways to Break Your Child's Habit

If these steps alone do not help your child break the habit of sucking on their fingers, then Dr. Stewart at Kenmore Pediatric Dentistry can provide further assistance. Depending on your child’s age and needs, we might recommend a prescription ointment that is completely safe but tastes bitter, which will discourage thumb-sucking. We can also provide your child with a specially designed orthodontic appliance which can be worn to prevent sucking on a thumb or pacifier.
Although most children will break this habit on their own, many do not and continue to suck on their fingers or thumbs well into childhood. If your child is having trouble breaking this habit, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with Dr. Stewart to prevent further problems from developing.

Your Child’s First Dental Visit Might Happen Earlier Than You Expect

In order to give your child with a solid foundation for healthy development, it’s important to provide them with good oral hygiene and dental care from an early age — earlier than you might expect.

Your Child's First Dental Visit Might Happen Earlier Than You Expect

In order to give your child with a solid foundation for healthy development, it’s important to provide them with good oral hygiene and dental care from an early age — earlier than you might expect.

When Should Your Child's First Dental Appointment Be?

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, a baby should see a pediatric dentist within six months of the first tooth erupting, but no later than the first birthday. For each year of delayed dental appointments, a child’s risk of tooth decay more than doubles. A survey of children’s oral health found that most American children do not see a dentist until they are two years or older. Unfortunately, this puts many children’s oral health at high-risk at a very early age.

One Tooth or One Year Is All Your Child Needs

When parents of older children were asked why their children had not yet seen a dentist, the most common response was that their children didn’t have enough teeth or that they were too young. Primary (baby) teeth usually begin to erupt when an infant is around six months. Even if no teeth have erupted by the time a child turns one, they should see a dentist

It's Important to Take Good Care of Baby Teeth

Although your child will eventually lose his or her baby teeth, it’s important to take good care of them from the time the very tooth emerges because these teeth will be important for your child for many years, before they have all their permanent teeth.
Baby teeth are important because:
  • Your child needs them for proper speech development.
  • They help your child chew properly and maintain a balanced diet.
  • Intact baby teeth encourage the proper growth and development of the jaw bone, creating enough space for permanent teeth to develop and erupt.
  • A healthy smile will help your child feel confident.

What to Expect During Your First Visit

At your first appointment with Dr. Stewart at Kenmore Pediatric Dentistry, you’ll learn the best ways to take care of your child’s tooth or teeth. Dr. Stewart will examine your child’s mouth and teeth to assess his or her development and health. She’ll provide you with information regarding teething, mouth cleaning, infant feeding practices, tooth decay from baby bottles, and pacifier or finger-sucking habits.

Scheduling Your Child's First Appointment

We welcome first-time pediatric visits anytime, but we recommend avoiding nap times. Scheduling your child’s first appointment for when they will be awake and alert will help the visit go smoothly. For more information about establishing your child’s care with Kenmore Pediatric Dentistry, we welcome you to contact our office today.