Back to School Check-Up

We recommend that children get dental examinations twice a year, and there’s hardly a better time than when kids are going back to school. Tooth decay is very common in children; the Center for Disease Control estimates that 13% of teenagers and 20% of preteens are currently suffering from tooth decay. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research estimates that 21% of preteens have experienced a cavity in a permanent tooth and 42% of preteens have had a cavity in a baby tooth. These statistics tend to be worse for children who don’t get to the dentist regularly.

Dental problems only get worse if left alone. Decay could progress to the point where a crown would need to be replaced, or the child would have to undergo a root canal in order to prevent an abscess from developing. Even if the decay is stopped before necessitating a major procedure during the middle of the school year, the pain from it can cause children to be distracted from their studies and to sleep poorly and be irritable. Dental examinations provide an opportunity to treat children with sealants, further protecting them from decay, and to assess whether the child will need orthodontics soon.

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

 

Flossing

At Kidz Connextion, it is our goal to establish healthy oral hygiene habits and to see them carried out throughout your children’s lives!  Regular flossing is essential to maintaining oral health and you should floss once a day, either before or after brushing. Remember these tips to help your kids floss effectively:

• ·        A strand of dental floss about 18 inches long allows you to wrap the ends of the floss around a finger on each hand. This gives you excellent control over the portion of floss you are using.


• ·        The proper technique to flossing is sliding the floss between the teeth and rubbing the floss back and forth up until you reach your gums.


• ·        Pushing at your gums too hard with floss can damage your gum line and isn’t necessary to floss properly. Think of a small swooping motion as you rub the floss up to one gum, then down and back up towards the other.


• ·        As you move on to the next tooth, adjust the floss to expose an unused portion. Repeat this rubbing motion between each tooth and dispose of the floss once you are finished.

Join your children in their flossing routine to observe if they are flossing correctly and establish the healthy habit. We are committed to setting up children for a lifetime of great oral health. Kidz Connextion Dental Care maintains offices around Phoenix.  To find out more, visit our website at Kidzconnextion.com.

First Dental Visit

Parents are always asking our dentists at Kidz Connextion “When should my child first see a dentist?”  The correct answer is a child should have their first dental visit by their first birthday.  Usually, the first dental visit is short and involves very little treatment, but it is important to get your child on track for a lifetime of great oral health!

On your child’s first dental visit, we want to assess the child’s oral health and observe any unique needs they may have.  We encourage you to ask questions and voice any concerns about your child’s tooth development, teething, or thumb sucking.  We also want your child’s first dental visit to be as smooth and comfortable as possible, and make sure a dental visit is seen as a positive thing.  Many dental problems can be prevented or more easily treated in the early stages, and we hope to establish a relationship that will help keep mouths healthy from childhood into adulthood!

If you have a child due for their first dental appointment, don’t wait any longer and give us a call.  Kidz Connextion Dental Care maintains offices around Phoenix.  To find out more, visit our website at Kidzconnextion.com.

Toothbrush Abrasion

At Kidz Connextion, our doctors make it a goal to get your child excited about his or her oral hygiene routine, after all, brushing on a daily basis is critical for pediatric pearly whites. It’s important to observe how your child brushes his or her teeth because you don’t want them to brush too hard. Brushing too hard can not only cause damage to their toothbrush but their teeth and gums as well.

It’s important to understand that your child doesn’t need to brush with all of their might to maintain a healthy smile. What’s vital is brushing your teeth, period. Brushing too hard will lead to tooth sensitivity and will cause the gums to recede resulting in damage that isn’t reversible. Our doctors recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush when practicing proper oral hygiene. Aim for brushing for two minutes at least twice a day and floss at least once a day.

If you have questions or concerns about pediatric oral care, please 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.