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Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Cleaning Your Child's Tongue

Teaching your child good dental hygiene habits now will follow them into successful adulthood! That’s why our staff here at Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces recommend teaching your child how to brush their tongue at a young age. The tongue is often overlooked in the everyday dental routine. Cleaning it is just as important as your teeth or gums. That’s why our office has provided this informational guide to tongue cleaning.

There’s no need to worry about gum disease or teeth decay when your child cleans their tongue. Doing so dramatically improves their oral health. Before learning how your child should be cleaning their tongue, learn why. The answer is simple: the tongues natural stickiness holds on to unhealthy bacteria and food debris. This causes tooth decay and other dental problems. Brushing and flossing cleans the majority of your child's mouth, but not all of it. That’s where tongue cleaning comes in.

Sure, having your child brush their tongue is better than nothing. But most grocery stores and supermarkets sell small handheld dental devices called tongue scrapers. They are made for children too! The children sizes vary by age. You’ll want to buy a scraper that covers the entire width of the tongue.

Avoid having your child use a tongue scraper before the age of five years old. Model the correct way of cleaning for them. You should always clean your tongue first before brushing and flossing.

Place your child in front of a mirror so they can see themselves. Have them stick their tongue out. While watching themselves in the mirror, help them place the scraper towards the back of their tongue. Walk them through the process of gently stroking the applicator downwards. After reaching the tip, rinse the scraper off. Do this a few times until you’re satisfied that their tongue is clean.

Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces is located in three offices in the Phoenix, AZ, area. Find us on N. 75th Ave., N. 24th St., and E. Baseline Rd. Contact each office to schedule an appointment or visit our website.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies can happen to anyone, even your kids! No matter how you try to protect them, accidents can still happen. That’s why Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces offers pediatric emergency dental services to patients in the Phoenix, AZ, area. Contact your local dentist immediately after an accident. While waiting to be seen, follow this guide for these specific dental problems.

It’s important to distinguish whether an injured tooth is an adult tooth or a baby one. Treatment and care before the appointment will vary depending upon this.

If your child has knocked out a tooth, the first thing to do is determine if they have any other injuries. If you’re worried that may be the case, contact your local pediatrician or emergency room. For an adult tooth, you’ll want to keep the tissue alive as long as possible. Keep it moist by placing it in a container of milk. Don’t worry about doing so for a baby tooth. Just be sure to bring it with to the dentist if possible.

Rinse the mouth thoroughly with warm water for a cracked tooth. Have them apply a cold compress to the face to prevent further swelling. Do this for a toothache as well. For the toothache, try to inspect their mouth to the best of their ability. Use floss to remove any possible irritants. Contact us if the pain continues.

Objects stuck in the mouth or teeth can possibly be removed with floss. Do not attempt to remove any sharp objects. Wait for dental or medical professionals.

Prevention is the key to a healthy and long-lasting life. Invest in a mouthguard for your child if they participate in any sports or recreational activities. Limit children's interactions with sharp objects. Remove trip hazards in your home and block off dangerous areas like stairs.

Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces has three locations in Phoenix, AZ. Stop by our offices on N. 75th St., N. 24th St., and E. Baseline Rd. You can visit our website to schedule an appointment or call.

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Losing The First Tooth

Children first begin to lose their baby teeth between the ages of six and seven. It’s a very exciting and memorable experience for children and parents alike! It can also cause unnecessary anxiety. At Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces, we want your child to have a positive experience. That’s why we’ve provided a small guide for losing the first tooth.

Every child is unique, but we don't have to tell you that! Parents shouldn't be too worried if their child loses teeth earlier or later than usual. It really all depends on how old your child was when their teeth came in. If they came in earlier, they’ll start to lose them earlier. The same goes for children whose teeth came in late.

Most infants receive their first tooth around the age of six months old. From then on they get three to four teeth every few months. By the age of two or so, your child should have all twenty baby teeth. Baby teeth will loosen approximately in the order they came in. Often, it goes bottom two middle teeth, top two middle teeth, canines, first molars, and second molars. All of the baby teeth should be gone by the ages of eleven to thirteen.

Your child may be frightened by the sensation of the loose tooth. For it to fall out, the nerve endings begin to disconnect. It makes the tooth feel wiggly and strange. The gums often become inflamed and painful. If your child complains of pain, apply a cold compress to the corresponding area on their face. Complaints of pain when eating can be met by supplementing their diet with softer, healthier food alternatives.

Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces has three locations in the Phoenix, AZ, area. Contact each individual location to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are always welcome! Visit our website to learn more.

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Dental Visits For Children With Autism

Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces offers pediatric dental services for children with autism. Our staff has experience in making the entire process as comfortable as possible. Although each child has unique needs, there are some common steps and strategies our office engages. If you or a loved one is interested in learning more, contact one of our three offices in the Phoenix, AZ, area.

New locations can be overwhelming for children with autism. Bright lights or new smells can cause a sensory overload. That’s why we let parents bring in their children beforehand to let them acclimate to the office. Children can meet the staff and look around. There are also certain sensory supports we can accommodate. Headphones can reduce overall noise, and sunglasses can soften the brightness.

Many children benefit from watching a sibling or parent get an exam done first. This shows that there’s nothing to be afraid of. We provide them with in-depth descriptions to improve their vocabulary on these new experiences.

Including a dental routine in the home can make the dental examination easier. Many children with autism need repeated exposure to new vocabulary. Introduce and teach your child about different dental devices like toothbrushes. Help them learn how they work and the parts of the body they’re used on. Reinforcing this throughout the day can highly beneficial to your child. There are also education materials like books about dental routines or video clips.

Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces have three locations across the Phoenix, AZ, area. Walk-ins are always welcome! Visit our website to learn more about our services and locations.

Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Choosing Dental Products

At Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces we encourage our patients to change toothbrushes every 3 months or when the bristles are worn down. If your bristles are worn down and hardened, your teeth are not being cleaned effectively even with toothpaste.

When it comes to the best toothbrush for your teeth, it all depends on how well you brush and how effectively. If you brush for a full two minutes using toothpaste, that is the most important thing. For patients whose teeth need to be cleaned more thoroughly, we encourage them to use an electric toothbrush to reach the plaque that is difficult with a normal toothbrush.

While electric toothbrushes can be expensive, studies have shown people to receive better results from cleaning with an electric toothbrush as opposed to a traditional toothbrush. During your next visit with us, we can recommend the best toothbrush for your teeth.

Regardless of the toothbrush you use, remember to brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for the cleanest tooth possible.

To schedule an appointment, please visit one of the Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces offices located around the Phoenix area, or visit our website or call our offices.