As parents, we try to keep our children as healthy as possible – from their physical and mental health to their dental health.

In addition to good oral hygiene habits, what kids eat and drink plays a role in their dental health. Foods high in sugars, starches, and carbohydrates can cause tooth decay and cavities. That’s why it’s helpful to know what foods will keep your children’s teeth healthy and strong.

Learn More: Healthy Habits for a Healthy Mouth

Fruits and Vegetables

Crunchy, raw fruits and vegetables are a great snack alternative because they help remove sugars and bacteria that stick to teeth and can turn to plaque.

Not only are apples rich in fiber and vitamins, but they also help keep kids’ teeth clean. The crunch of an apple helps remove bacteria and plaque from the teeth, and chewing promotes saliva production – both work together to keep teeth healthy.

Carrots are high in fiber, which encourages the formation of good bacteria that help strengthen your child’s teeth. Raw carrots are also a healthy source of beta-carotene, known to help heal gum disease.

Green Leafy Vegetables

Foods like spinach, romaine, and kale contain healthy nutrients that help grow strong bodies. Their folic acid is also good for teeth and gums.

Broccoli contains high levels of calcium, which strengthens teeth and prevents tooth decay. It also contains a compound that helps kill bacteria that cause cavities.

Foods with High Water Content

Fruits and veggies with high water content, like cucumbers, celery, melons, and pears, help keep teeth cleaner and lower the amount of sugar in the mouth.

Nuts

Nuts are a quick source of energy for kids and a great healthy snack. Studies show that eating nuts helps reduce the likelihood of cavities and other oral health problems because the high levels of fiber and protein in nuts help keep teeth clean and healthy. Nuts also contain calcium and phosphorus, which strengthen tooth enamel.

Low sugar nut butter is also a healthy snack option.

Lean Meats

Meat is an excellent source of phosphorus, which helps repair tooth enamel, and it’s also high in calcium, an essential component for strong bones and teeth. Meat provides other minerals that prevent cavities and promote healthy teeth as well.

Salmon contains omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce gum inflammation and protect against tooth decay. Chicken, turkey, and white fish are other healthy examples of lean meats.

Dairy

In addition to being an excellent source of nutrition for children, milk has several advantages for oral health. The calcium helps strengthen teeth, and the protein aids in the healing of damaged gums. Milk’s saturated fat content also helps prevent tooth decay.

The high calcium content of cheese strengthens teeth and prevents cavities. Cheese also contains phosphate, which helps remineralize enamel.

Yogurt contains probiotics that help reduce plaque and bacteria levels. Yogurt’s calcium content helps strengthen teeth, while its lactic acid can remove surface stains.

Eggs

Eggs are packed with essential nutrients, including protein, calcium, and phosphorus. Calcium strengthens teeth and bones, and phosphorus helps strengthen tooth enamel.

Atkins & Anderson Family Dentistry in Bryan/College Station Can Help

If you’re looking for foods to keep your children’s teeth healthy this school year, add these options to their lunchbox or after-school snack. Atkins & Anderson Family Dentistry excels in giving people of all ages healthy teeth and beautiful smiles. Your family deserves advanced dental care in a warm, friendly environment where your comfort is the highest priority! Contact us today to learn more about our practice and services.

Learn More: 8 Foods for Healthy Teeth

The Ultimate Guide to Teeth Whitening: Everything You Need to Know

Who doesn’t want a bright, dazzling smile? Despite regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene, teeth tarnish and discolor over time. Teeth whitening is an effective and reliable way to restore your brilliant smile. Here’s everything you need to know about whitening your teeth.

What is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening brightens your smile by removing stains and discoloration. It’s a very effective way of lightening the existing color and enhancing the appearance of your teeth without causing any damage to the tooth’s surface.

Learn More: Is Whitening Safe for My Teeth?

Why do teeth change color?

The most common reasons teeth change color include:

• Food and beverages – Food and drinks cause discoloration and impact the appearance of your teeth. What are the biggest tooth-staining culprits? Red wine, coffee, tea, dark sodas, berries, and tomato-based sauces.
• Tobacco –  All forms of tobacco contain black particles that cause visible stains on the teeth. Smoking causes the inside of the mouth to become dry. This dryness makes it easier for tobacco particles to stick to the enamel, staining the teeth more quickly.
• Wear and tear – Over time, wear and tear on teeth can cause them to look discolored. As your enamel wears down and gets thinner, the yellowish-colored dentin underneath shows through, making your teeth look darker and stained.
• Dental trauma – Falling, chipping, and other dental injuries can damage the enamel and tooth discoloration.
• Medications – Some medications including antihistamines, antidepressants, antihypertensives, and antibiotics such as tetracycline, are known to stain and discolor teeth.

What are the top teeth whitening options?

Many teeth whitening products and treatments are available, so choosing the right option for you can be confusing. Talk to your dentist if you want the best results from teeth whitening. Here are the most commonly used options:

• Whitening toothpaste – Whitening toothpaste doesn’t change the color of your teeth, but it can eliminate surface stains and make them appear whiter. Small, mildly abrasive particles gently remove surface stains that build up over time.
• Over-the-counter whitening strips – Although professional teeth whitening treatment is more effective in achieving whiter teeth, OTC teeth whitening strips help remove surface stains or discoloration on natural teeth.
• Professional take-home whitening kits – A powerful, prescription-strength whitening gel with a special tray customized to fit over your teeth is the best option if you want a brighter smile. The process only takes two to four weeks, and the gel won’t leak onto your gums. Atkins & Anderson DDS trusts the Opalescence™ tooth whitening system.
• In-office whitening treatment – If you want teeth whitening results quickly, an in-office treatment might be a good option. A high-intensity whitening gel brightens teeth in about an hour. The strength of the active chemicals and the added use of lasers or lights require a dental professional to place a protective barrier over the gum tissues and oversee the procedure.

Facts about teeth whitening

There are several misconceptions about teeth whitening, so here are some things you should know:

• Teeth whitening is safe. If you’re using OTC whitening products, follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. The safest way is to use an at-home whitening tray and gel from your dentist or have your teeth whitened in the dentist’s office. Teeth whitening doesn’t damage your teeth because your teeth naturally remineralize and rehydrate after each whitening treatment.
• It’s best not to whiten too often. While safe, you shouldn’t whiten your teeth too often. Whitening products use abrasive chemicals or bleaching agents to remove stains. These ingredients can weaken and erode your enamel, causing sensitivity and tooth decay if used frequently.
• Your teeth have pores. Your teeth have tiny pores that absorb color from highly pigmented items like coffee, tea, soda, and tobacco. Teeth whitening products open your teeth’s pores and deactivate the stains to whiten your teeth.
• The best time to whiten your teeth is before bed. Whitening before bed reduces the opportunity for staining and allows your teeth to remineralize and rehydrate overnight.

Ready to transform your teeth with teeth whitening?

Professional teeth whitening is a safe and effective way to restore your dazzling smile and keep your teeth bright and healthy! Contact us today for more information about Atkins & Anderson Family and Cosmetic Dentistry or to schedule an appointment.

Easter is on its way…which means the Easter Bunny will be hopping through soon, bringing us lots of candy and sweet treats.

So, how do you keep your family’s teeth healthy during a holiday filled with chocolate bunnies and marshmallow chicks?

In this post, Atkins & Anderson DDS shares four ways to enjoy this special holiday – and still protect your family’s teeth this Easter season.

1. Eat sweet treats after meals.

Grazing on sweet treats throughout the day coats teeth in sugar and puts them under constant attack by acid-producing bacteria, increasing the risk of cavities and tooth decay.

When you eat, your mouth produces saliva containing minerals and proteins that protect your tooth enamel and help prevent cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease. We recommend eating sweet treats after meals when your mouth is already producing saliva and is better equipped to fight a sugar-induced acid attack.

2. Drink plenty of water.

We all know water keeps your body hydrated. But did you know it also keeps your mouth healthy? Drinking water after each meal, snack, or sweet treat helps wash away food particles and sugar from your teeth. It also helps prevent bacterial growth that can lead to tooth decay.

3. Brush and floss daily.

Aim to brush your teeth thoroughly for two minutes every morning and night with fluoride toothpaste. Avoid rinsing after brushing your teeth to prevent the protective fluoride from being washed away.

Use dental floss or interdental brushes daily to remove the sticky plaque between your teeth. It’s also important to supervise children’s brushing and ensure that every family member brushes their teeth thoroughly before bed – even during the Easter holidays!

Read More: Daily Dental Do’s – 4 Ways to Keep You and Your Teeth Healthy

4. Replace your toothbrush every three months.

Your toothbrush may look new, but it’s actually full of bacteria. One helpful way to remember is to get a new toothbrush for every family member at the beginning of each season. Adding a new toothbrush to Easter baskets is a fun and healthy tradition!

Read More: How Often Should I Change My Toothbrush?

Happy Easter from Atkins & Anderson Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

Practice these four tips for healthy teeth and gums at Easter and throughout the year. Regular dental check-ups and hygiene appointments will also keep your teeth healthy and your smile bright.

Atkins & Anderson DDS features top dentists in Bryan/College Station who care for patients of all ages. Contact us today to schedule an appointment or learn more about our general, restorative, and cosmetic services.

Daily brushing and flossing your teeth isn’t enough to guarantee oral health. What you eat and drink also matters. So, which drinks are damaging to your teeth? And what are some healthier choices?

What determines whether a drink is good or bad for your teeth?

1. Sugar levels

Sweetened drinks cause cavities because the sugar enhances the harmful bacteria in your mouth to produce acid. This acid attacks and erodes your tooth enamel, leading to tooth sensitivity and decay.

2. Acid levels

Some drinks contain high levels of acids that attack your tooth enamel and cause it to lose essential minerals. Enamel is the hard, thin outer layer of your teeth. Did you know that it’s the strongest material in your body – even stronger than your bones? But enamel isn’t a living cell and can’t naturally repair itself, so it’s essential to protect it. Acidic drinks can weaken enamel and cause long-term, permanent tooth erosion.

3. Drying effects

A good saliva flow protects your teeth against harmful bacteria, sugars, and acids. It cleans your mouth and provides minerals your tooth enamel needs. But some drinks cause your mouth to dehydrate.

4. pH value

Drinks with a low pH value contain a high concentration of acids, which can harm your teeth. Anything that measures 5.5 or less on the pH scale is considered acidic – the lower, the number the worse the drink. The acidity in these drinks softens tooth enamel, making teeth vulnerable to cavities and tooth decay.

Drinks with a pH value above 6.5 help strengthen your teeth.

5. Dyes

The combination of acid and dyes in drinks breaks down your tooth’s enamel and causes stains and discoloration.

Drinks That Damage Your Teeth

1. Sugary drinks

The sugar in these drinks stimulates the harmful bacteria in your mouth to produce acids – which attack and erode your teeth enamel, causing decay and even tooth loss. A lot of sodas have dyes that stain and discolor your teeth.

2. Fruit juice

Fruit juices contain more acids and sugar than the actual fruits. That’s why the juices are more likely to cause tooth decay – especially if they’re made of acidic fruits or contain additives. Studies show that drinking orange juice frequently reduces the hardness of tooth enamel by almost 84%.

3. Coffee and tea

Frequently drinking coffee and black tea can stain your teeth. The dyes in these drinks can latch onto and build up on the enamel, causing stains and discoloration.

4. Alcohol

Saliva helps to water down and wash away the harmful acids produced by plaque. When you drink alcohol, your saliva production slows down – causing dehydration and a dry mouth, which contributes to plaque build-up.

5. Wine

All wines contain strong dyes that stain your teeth if you drink them often. Some people think white wine is a better choice because it doesn’t have dark dyes that stain your teeth, but it’s more acidic than red wine and can cause tooth decay.

Drinks That Don’t Damage Your Teeth

1. Water

Drinking water does more than quench your thirst and keep you hydrated. It’s essential to keeping your body healthy and functioning properly. Water is also good for your teeth and gums because it keeps your mouth clean. It rinses away harmful bacteria and food debris to fight cavities and gum disease. Plaque can’t build up in a clean, hydrated mouth. Water is pH neutral, so it combats acidity in your mouth. And water that contains fluoride helps strengthen your teeth and protects tooth enamel.

2. Milk

Next to water, milk is the healthiest drink for your teeth. Milk contains healthy minerals that are essential to your teeth and gums. Calcium helps strengthen your teeth, prevents gum disease, and can reduce tooth decay. And milk doesn’t stain or discolor your teeth.

3. Green tea

Dark tea stains and discolors your teeth, but green tea is a healthy option. Green tea controls bacteria and lowers the acidity of saliva and dental plaque to prevent cavities and gum disease. It also stimulates saliva, which is essential for your teeth and oral health.

Tips to Protect Your Teeth

The good news is that you don’t have to give up all your favorite drinks! Here are some tips to help protect your teeth from damaging drinks.

1. Use a straw when indulging in a sugary or acidic drink to limit its contact with your teeth.
2. Drink water after other beverages to rinse your mouth.
3. Brush your teeth before drinking dark-colored beverages so there’s less plaque for the staining agents to stick to.
4. Brush and floss regularly.
5. Visit your dentist for routine check-ups to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Reach out to Atkins & Anderson Dentistry for more tips about improving your oral health and for quality dental care in College Station, Texas. Call us to schedule an appointment or fill out the contact form today.

Read More: Tips to Keep Your Teeth Clean Between Dental Cleanings

Did you know your oral health greatly impacts your body’s overall health? Plaque accumulation can lead to serious health conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. That’s why you need to develop an oral hygiene routine beyond just brushing your teeth – a simple routine you can easily follow for the rest of your life.

Dental routines may vary depending on age, diet, occupation, and other factors. But certain aspects of oral hygiene are universal – daily care, a healthy diet, drinking water with fluoride, and routine professional checkups and cleanings.

Here’s a basic daily dental routine to help keep your teeth healthy and your smile bright!

Brush

The first obvious step is brushing your teeth at least twice a day – every morning and before bedtime. Brushing your teeth helps remove the bacterial plaque that can cause tooth decay and other diseases. But for brushing to be effective, you must use the right techniques and tools.

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends using a soft-bristled toothbrush and changing it every 3 months. Also, choose a toothpaste approved by the ADA.

To brush your teeth properly, hold your toothbrush at a 45° angle and aim for your gums. Use gentle circular motions to brush the front, back, and chewing surfaces on top. Brush for at least two minutes, staying in each quadrant of your mouth for 30 seconds. Some electric toothbrushes have two-minute timers and beep every 30 seconds so you know when to move on.

Gently brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth. Plaque can also build up on your tongue, causing bad breath and other oral health problems. Spit the toothpaste out but try not to rinse away the fluoride that helps protect your teeth.

Read More: Are You Using the Right Toothpaste?

Floss

Floss all your teeth at least once a day – preferably at night before bed. Flossing drags out particles of food that hide between teeth and helps loosen plaque, so flossing first and then brushing is more effective.

Use enough floss to have a clean section for each tooth – about 18 inches. Wrap the floss around your index fingers and gently move it up and down between each tooth. Wind off a clean section for the next tooth, and don’t forget your back molars.

If a long piece of floss is too awkward, try a ready-to-use dental flosser. These plastic holders with an inch of floss can make flossing quick and easy.

Read More: Is Flossing Really Necessary?

Use mouthwash

After brushing and flossing, rinse your mouth with mouthwash to destroy more bacteria and prevent plaque from forming. Swoosh a capful of it around in your mouth for 30 seconds, then spit it out. This simple step clears out any remaining tidbits of toothpaste and food – and leaves your mouth feeling fresh and clean!

Rinsing with mouthwash is also helpful for children and older adults who may not follow a thorough oral hygiene routine.

Read More: 5 Benefits of Using Mouthwash

Visit your dentist

Even if you follow a daily dental routine, you still need to see your dentist regularly. Plan a checkup and cleaning every 6 months so your dentist can perform a routine exam, look for cavities and other issues, and clean the plaque and tartar from your teeth.

Looking for a dentist you can trust?

If you’re looking for a caring family dentist in the Bryan/College Station area, call Atkins & Anderson DDS today. Your comfort is our highest priority, and our team excels at giving people of all ages healthy teeth and beautiful smiles!

You may brush your teeth twice a day, floss them every night, and schedule a routine cleaning. These are all habits that protect your oral health. So, give yourself a round of applause or a gold star! But if you want to increase your oral hygiene and further shield your teeth from cavities, you may need to evaluate your other habits. You probably don’t give much thought to your choice of an afternoon snack, weekend beverage, or how you tear into the package on your doorstep. These seemingly harmless habits could cause damage to your teeth.

Harmful Drinks

To prevent dragging yourself to a post-lunch meeting on a Friday afternoon before a long weekend, you go on a hunt for a caffeine boost. You grab a soda and anticipate the burst of energy it will give you. You don’t pause to consider the amounts of sugar in a single serving and the effects it will have on your teeth. But sodas, whether diet or sugar-free, produce an acid in your mouth that eats away at your enamel and leads to tooth decay and cavities. Other beverages such as club soda, fruit juice, sweet tea, and coffee can destroy your tooth enamel over time. Alcoholic drinks, including wine, are high in acidity that can erode your teeth. Alcohol also reduces the amount of saliva your mouth naturally produces. Saliva is a key agent in oral health, removing plaque and decreasing the presence of bacteria. There is a risk to consuming any beverage except water. But if you splurge and drink something other than water, be sure to drink a glass and wash away the sugar and acid found in other beverages.

Damaging Treats

You may be catching on to the fact that sugar is on our “naughty list” and applies to the sugar found in packaged snacks, dried fruit, and desserts. You may need to reconsider your snack habits to take your oral health seriously. Simple changes will go a long way to reducing your risk for tooth decay and cavities. Swap dried fruits for fresh fruit. Avoid hard, sticky candies and gummies—including vitamin gummies. These tend to stick to your teeth, allowing the sugar to sit on your teeth for an extended time. Treat dessert as a treat, not the norm. And commit to rinsing your mouth after you eat something sweet. Choose fresh, whole foods like apples, carrots, celery, and nuts when you want something crunchy. Cheese and yogurt also make delicious, easy-to-grab snacks between meals. Because these foods are rich in phosphorus and calcium, they help repair your tooth enamel and further protect your teeth.

Unnecessary Risks

Are you in the habit of using your teeth to open packages, tear off clothing tags, or pop off bottle caps? These simple actions can cause your teeth to chip. Break this habit immediately to protect your teeth from harm. Smoking or chewing tobacco are dangerous habits for your overall oral health. Nicotine causes your teeth to yellow and can lead to oral cancer. Chewing tobacco comes into direct contact with your gums and stays there for long periods, which can cause gum disease. Habits like grinding or clenching your teeth are harmful to your teeth and gums, so make an appointment with your dentist to discuss remedies for this. Risks such as contact sports and medications that cause dry mouth are also risks that need to be addressed. To give your teeth the best chance to stay healthy, schedule an appointment with Atkins & Anderson, DDS. Our team will go over your daily habits and the risks they play in your oral health. Contact us today if you have any questions or concerns about your teeth or gums.

Saliva is one of those things we don’t really think about very much until it’s lacking. If you’ve ever experienced dry mouth, you know what we mean. When you get stressed or nervous before a big presentation, launching a new product, or asking someone out, many people describe the sensation of dry mouth. You may wonder what is wrong with your mouth and why you can’t swallow or form words. But a dry mouth is not just inconvenient—it’s a threat to our teeth and gums. Saliva is crucial to our mouth functioning correctly so that we can speak, eat, and drink normally. But it serves an even bigger purpose in keeping our mouths healthy.

What is Saliva?

Saliva is made mostly of water, but it also contains substances that help you digest your food and make your teeth strong. Your body makes an average of 2-4 pints of saliva every day. While there are hundreds of small salivary glands in your body, there are six major ones in your mouth where the majority of your saliva is produced. They are located in your cheeks, at the bottom of your mouth, and close to your front teeth near your jawbone. Saliva is made when you chew food and when you suck on hard candies, mints, or cough drops.

What is the Problem with Dry Mouth?

If you are not producing enough saliva and continually suffer from a dry mouth, you may experience discomfort that comes with swollen gums and tissue, or a swollen tongue. Not only is eating and drinking difficult, but a dry mouth is a breeding ground for germs and bacteria. This is what leads to bad breath, and why we often have bad breath in the morning—our bodies produce the smallest amount of saliva at night. No one likes having bad breath. (Or talking to someone with it!) However, the biggest issue with dry mouth is that it leads to a host of other dental problems.

Why is Saliva Important to Oral Health?

Saliva helps rid your mouth of germs and minimizes the opportunity for bacteria growth. After you eat, saliva washes food debris off your teeth which protects your teeth from decay and the formation of cavities. Saliva also slows down the potential for gum (periodontal) disease to develop. This is because saliva contains proteins and minerals that protect your tooth enamel. After you eat or drink, saliva dilutes sugars and neutralizes acid production which controls the formation of plaque. Amazingly, saliva is produced when we eat or drink to protect our teeth and gums from the very things we are eating and drinking!

Saliva is helpful and necessary for a healthy mouth. So, if you’re experiencing dry mouth on a regular basis, it’s time to schedule a dental appointment. We’ll help you determine the cause of your dry mouth and make suggestions to remedy the problem. Our team at Atkins and Anderson Dentistry is here to help you successfully take care of your teeth and gums and work to prevent cavities and gum disease from forming. Scheduling a cleaning regularly is the key to maintaining good oral health and hygiene. So, make your appointment for the whole family today.

We all know the benefits of regular and consistent brushing and flossing. Plaque produces acid that causes cavities, damages tooth enamel, and may even lead to gum disease. Brushing and flossing keep our teeth healthy by removing sugar and food particles that team up with bacteria to cause plaque.

We know the sugary foods we need to limit or avoid because they promote the bacteria growth that produces acid and causes tooth decay. Unrefined sugars like maple syrup, molasses, and honey are as damaging to our teeth as refined sugar. Of course, the worst offenders are sticky, sugary treats like dried fruit and candies that cling to our teeth. Sweetened juice drinks and sodas flood every crevice of our teeth in sugar. Starchy foods like cereals and popcorn leave a residue that is quickly converted to sugar by the bacteria in our mouths.

Now, are you ready for some good news?!

New (and growing) research shows that certain foods are good for your teeth, too. Along with foods that are known to be heart-healthy, we now have a list of foods that actually promote oral health.

Here are eight foods and drinks that are good for your teeth:

1. Crunchy foods

Apples, carrots, cucumbers, and celery take some serious chewing to break down. All that crunching acts as a cleaning tool to help remove plaque. Bacteria gets cleared away instead of staying in your mouth and settling on your teeth.

2. Tea

Black and green teas contain compounds called polyphenols which help slow the growth of bacteria that causes gum disease and cavities. Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago found evidence that people who rinsed their mouths with black tea for one minute, 10 times a day, had less plaque buildup on their teeth than those who rinsed with water.

3. Vitamin-rich foods

According to the American Dental Association, foods high in phosphorus – like eggs, fish, and meat – and foods containing calcium – like leafy greens, almonds, and cheese – help keep tooth enamel healthy and strong.

Acidic foods and drinks can cause tiny cuts on the enamel of your teeth. Phosphate and calcium help redeposit minerals back into those abrasions. Calcium is also good for your jawbone, as well as other bones in your body.

4. Milk

Milk can neutralize some of the acid formed by plaque bacteria. Unfortunately, adding milk to your cereal doesn’t have the same benefit since the milk becomes sweet and syrupy, which is bad for teeth. So, instead of drinking water or juice, drink a glass of milk after you eat a bowl of cereal. Vitamin D also increases the absorption of calcium.

5. Cheese

Research has shown that 12-15-year-olds who ate cheddar cheese had lower levels of acid in their mouths than those who drank a glass of milk or ate sugar-free yogurt.

In the research, the teens rinsed their mouths with water after eating the foods. Then the acid, or pH, levels in their mouths were measured 10, 20, and 30 minutes after they rinsed with water. The cheese eaters showed a rapid drop in pH levels each time they were measured, but those who ate yogurt or drank milk showed no change at all.

6. Cranberries

Just like tea, cranberries contain polyphenols which keep plaque from sticking to your teeth and lower the risk of cavities. Since the fruit is so tart, however, most cranberry products have added sugar which may undo any of the potential benefits for your teeth.

7. Raisins

Raisins are naturally sweet, so they don’t contain table sugar (sucrose). Raisins are also a source of phytochemicals that may kill plaque bacteria that cause cavities. In addition, some compounds in raisins appear to slow the growth of bacteria that have been linked with gum disease.

8. Sugarless gum

Chewing increases saliva production which naturally washes out some of the bacteria in your mouth. So, make it a habit to chew a piece of sugarless gum after you eat…especially when you can’t brush your teeth after a meal. Since bacteria need sucrose (table sugar) to produce plaque, make sure the gum you choose is sugarless.

As we approach the new year and begin to make resolutions to get healthy, now is a good time to start being proactive about the health of your mouth, too. A healthy balanced diet will provide all the nutrients you need to build strong teeth and keep your mouth and gums healthy. The beginning of the year is also a great time to schedule a check-up and routine cleaning, so give us a call today and make an appointment. We look forward to seeing you and helping you achieve oral health!

Are you waiting for the day when your child shouts, “My tooth is loose!”? Most kids look forward to the day they feel a tooth wiggle – it’s a big milestone for them, and you.

When permanent teeth begin to push through the gums, the roots of baby teeth are reabsorbed. The only thing holding them in place, once they’re loose, is a small amount of tissue.

The average age most children begin to lose their baby teeth is 6 years, but some lose their first tooth as young as 4 or as old as 7. Generally, the younger the child was when their teeth came in, the earlier they fall out. Consult your dentist if your child begins to lose their teeth before the age of 4 in case there’s an underlying issue.

First In, First Out

All 20 baby teeth are usually in by the time a child is 3 years old, and they typically fall out in the same order they came in:

• Lower middle teeth in front (center incisors) are the first to go around age 6-7
• Top middle pair are usually next
• Back molars are generally shed between ages 10-12, and they’re replaced with permanent teeth around age 13

A baby tooth doesn’t usually loosen until the permanent tooth below it pushes it up. It is possible, though, for kids to lose a baby tooth before that, especially because of an accident or tooth decay. If this happens, a permanent tooth might drift into the empty space which can crowd permanent teeth and cause them to come in crooked. Your dentist will probably want to put in a plastic placeholder (spacer) until the adult tooth is ready to push through to prevent future spacing problems. According to orthodontists, 30% of their patients lost baby teeth prematurely.

Out with the Old

When your child notices a loose tooth, encourage them to gently wiggle it with their tongue or finger to help it become looser. Remind your child not to yank out a tooth before it’s ready to fall out on its own since this makes the broken root vulnerable to infection. When the tooth is loose enough, and your child wants you to pull it out, hold it tightly with a piece of gauze or tissue and give it a quick twist to remove it. If a primary tooth isn’t loosening enough on its own, your child’s dentist may need to extract it to make room for the incoming permanent tooth.

In with the New

Your child’s adult teeth are bigger, less white than baby teeth, and often have pronounced ridges because they haven’t been used for biting and chewing yet.

When the first permanent molars come in, your 6- or 7-year-old may complain of soreness in the back of her mouth. (There aren’t any baby teeth there to fall out and alert you first). The soreness shouldn’t last long, but acetaminophen or ibuprofen can ease the pain if necessary.

Brushing and Flossing

This is the most important time to brush and floss regularly! You may need to help your child with this until he or she is 8-10 years old. Their intentions may be good, but they may lack the ability to clean their teeth well enough.

Teeth should be brushed every morning and night and, when possible, 5-10 minutes after eating. It’s also important to keep the gums healthy, so your child should also floss regularly, ideally once a day. Doing so will help prevent gum disease in adulthood.

Use a tartar-control toothpaste to keep plaque from sticking to your child’s teeth. Fluoride toothpaste helps prevent cavities and strengthens the enamel of teeth. Fluoride has been added to the water supply in most cities, but you may want to add fluoride to your child’s diet if your tap water has less than the recommended levels. Fluoride treatment is often part of a vitamin supplement that should begin at 6 months and continue until age 16. Ask your dentist or pediatrician if this is a concern for you.

Don’t forget to replace toothbrushes every three to four months or sooner if the bristles are frayed. This will reduce harmful bacteria and ensure the brushes are doing their job.

Prevent Cavities

In addition to fluoride toothpaste and treatments, sealants can reduce cavities by 90%. Sealants are thin plastic coatings that prevent plaque from collecting and becoming trapped in the grooves and pits of the teeth. They’re especially helpful for all back teeth that have deep indentations in them. Sealants are cost-effective because they are highly successful in preventing cavities.

Another way to prevent cavities is to avoid or limit treats that are high-sugar and sticky sweets. Try not to snack on sweets between meals since these foods linger longer in the mouth unless you brush right away.

Dental Checkups

It’s important to make sure your child has dental checkups twice a year for cleaning. These regular preventative appointments will greatly decrease the chances that your child will ever have to undergo major dental treatments. If your child complains of a toothache, contact your dentist since this pain could be a sign of a decayed tooth.

You can help your child’s teeth last a lifetime when you teach them how to care for their oral health properly. Call us today if you have any questions or want to schedule a check-up.