Children Snacks That Cause Tooth Decay

As a parent, it can be difficult to balance your schedule with your child’s, which is why it can be easier to give them junk food rather than a healthier alternative. Foods high in sugar are a common cause of tooth decay which is why our doctors at Kidz Connextion recommend choosing a nutritious snack such as cheese, raw vegetables, or fruit. Meanwhile, we’d like to point out which foods your child should stay away from to keep their teeth cavity-free.

Many different types of food can cause tooth decay, but the three common types that children usually indulge in are starchy snacks, sugary fruit juice, and fruit packed in syrup. Starchy snacks like crackers, chips, and cookies can damage teeth and linger on enamel long after they are consumed. We aren’t saying that you should eliminate these treats from your child’s diet completely, but if they consume a starchy snack, be sure that they wash it down with water. Additionally, limit the number of sugary beverages your child consumes by diluting the juice with water to reduce the sugar concentration. You can help your child keep their tooth enamel strong by giving them dairy products that include calcium and by encouraging them to brush their teeth twice a day and floss at least once a day.

If you have questions about pediatric dentistry, don’t hesitate to give us a call. To learn more about our pediatric services here at the office visit www.kidzconnextion.com for more information. To schedule an appointment in Phoenix AZ, call 623-223-1001.

Drink More Water and Protect Your Teeth

It’s not always easy to stay hydrated as an adult, so how are you supposed to tell your kids to drink more water? Our doctors at Kidz Connextion are here to provide assistance. Drinking juice or soda may help your child wash down his or her dinner, but these beverages can leave unwanted sugar behind on the teeth.  It’s important that they drink water with fluoride, also known as nature’s cavity fighter, to help prevent cavities.

The cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar and produce acid that wears away enamel. Enamel is not replaceable, so it’s important to take care of it from a young age. Water cleans your mouth with every sip by diluting these acids and washing away leftover food and residue that causes cavities. Children should drink at least eight glasses of water in 8oz glasses per day. If you’re worried that your children may not be drinking enough water, we can offer tips that might help them drink more.

If you have questions about pediatric dentistry, don’t hesitate to give us a call. To learn more about our pediatric services here at the office visit www.kidzconnextion.com for more information. To schedule an appointment in Phoenix AZ, call 623-223-1001.

Dental Visit for Children on the Autism Spectrum

Kidz Connextion exists to provide children with comfortable dental care, and that’s especially important for children with autism spectrum disorders. Though every child has unique needs, there are some steps we commonly take in hopes of making their exams more pleasant and productive.

As a clinic, the dental office is brightly lit and full of smells most children aren’t used to. It is helpful for the child to take a tour of the office first and have the examination on a different day. This will give them a chance to become familiar with new sensory input as well as dental vocabulary and our staff.

It is often the case during the exam that children benefit from seeing an older sibling or friend go first, and autistic children are no different. But they may be more curious or anxious about the instruments and benefit from detailed verbal descriptions of what is about to happen and how long it will take.

We maintain evening hours to provide as much flexibility as possible for all our patients, and this is especially helpful for arranging the tours and doing the exam when there won’t be a lot of other people around. When necessary for the child’s safety and with permission from the parents, we can use nitrous oxide sedation. Autistic children are at risk for developing habits such as tooth grinding and tongue thrusting, so it is important that they visit a dental office that anticipates how to get them to respond positively.

Kidz Connextion Dental Care maintains offices around Phoenix. To find out more, visit our website at KidzConnextion.com.

 

Dry Sockets

When we extract teeth at Kidz Connextion, it is very important to us that our patients and their parents understand what to do at home following the operation. Though it is rare, one of the biggest risks following an extraction is a dry socket, so we want families to be able to recognize it as well as prevent it.

It is crucial after a tooth is extracted for a blood clot to be allowed to form over the socket and remain in place. Certain behaviors, such as smoking and taking birth control, are known to prevent blood from clotting properly. We especially emphasize to kids that they should avoid drinking through straws. The suction can pull clots loose, exposing the socket and leaving it vulnerable to drying out and becoming infected. Unfortunately, even if a patient follows all the instructions, there is a chance of a dry socket developing. This is particularly true if the extraction was complicated enough to require sutures.

Dry sockets are painful. If a person is in severe pain a few days after the operation or the bleeding hasn’t stopped, they need an emergency appointment. The socket will be cleaned with a vacuum and a dentist will dress the surgical wound in medicated paste or gauze. The patient may also need painkillers and antibiotics and to come back every few days to have the dressings replaced, but that is usually all the harm a dry socket does.

Kidz Connextion Dental Care maintains offices around Phoenix. To find out more, visit our website at KidzConnextion.com.