Baby Teeth Wipes

Your child’s health is one of the most important things. This includes their dental health! Young children are incredibly vulnerable to cavities. This is because baby teeth are much weaker than adult teeth. It’s why the staff at Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces in Phoenix, AZ, have been asked about baby teeth wipes. What exactly are they and should you use them on your child? We have the answers you’re looking for!

Baby teeth wipes are exactly what they sound like! These are small gauze pads that help clean your baby’s mouth. They remove any dangerous bacteria while supplying antimicrobial agents. They are a great way to reduce the likelihood of developing a cavity.

There are a few different types of baby teeth wipes available. It’s up to you to determine what is best for your child. Your Phoenix, AZ, dentist can also supply you with the information you need. The majority of these products contain a product called xylitol. In children between the ages of 19-35 months old, using baby teeth wipes containing xylitol reduced a large amount of cavity-causing bacteria. Just make sure you follow the instructions on the wipes packaging. Most recommend cleaning your infant’s teeth with the wipes twice a day.

Don’t forget that there are other ways to secure your child’s dental health. Following these at-home steps is essential. First, make sure you take your child to their first dental check-up. Do this after their first tooth comes in or they turn one. Even if you don’t use tooth wipes, start cleaning your baby’s gums out with a clean cloth a few days after they are born. Lastly, start brushing their teeth once they emerge. Talk to your dentist about the right-sized toothbrush and toothpaste amount.

Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces are located in three offices in the Phoenix, AZ, area. For N. 75th Avenue, call 623-232-0749. For N. 24th Street, call 480-666-5984. Lastly, for E. Baseline Road, dial 480-405-4714. You can also visit our website at https://www.kidzconnextion.com/.

Healthy Snacks For Children

If you want to minimize your child’s exposure to cavities, provide them with a healthy diet! Sugary foods attract bacteria to the teeth. This then results in higher degrees of tooth decay. That’s why your Phoenix, AZ, pediatric dental practice, Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces, have put together this small guide of healthy snacks. When you eat healthily, you’ll feel healthy!

Everyone knows how had it is to get kids to eat healthily, even part of the time! There are other healthy snacks available if your child won’t go for broccoli or celery. Variety is the key. Your child needs a healthy balance of nutritional goodies. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy, whole grains, and healthier protein sources like nuts and lean meats. Here are a few examples of tasty yet nutritional snacks:

-Sliced watermelon
-Veggies with dip
-Apples and cheddar cheese
-Berries mixed with low-fat yogurt
-Coconut flakes and unsalted almonds
-Toasted whole-grain pita triangles with hummus

Pay attention to how much your child is snacking. Try to limit it, sticking to main meals only. A few snacks here and there won’t hurt, as long as you don’t go overboard! Your mouth needs time in between meals to wash away any debris and germs.

Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces are located in three offices in the Phoenix, AZ, area. For N. 75th Avenue, call 623-232-0749. For N. 24th Street, call 480-666-5984. Lastly, for E. Baseline Road, dial 480-405-4714. Visit our website at https://www.kidzconnextion.com/ to learn more.

Braces & Cavities

Braces often come with a load of different complications. Not only are they uncomfortable, but it can make it difficult to keep your mouth clean. Maintaining your dental routine prevents problems like tooth decay. It might not seem fair, but you can still get cavities when you have braces. Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces have put together these helpful tips for avoiding such pitfalls. If you ever suspect you have a cavity or have any orthodontic questions, reach out to our dental experts at our Phoenix, AZ, offices.

First, what exactly is tooth decay? Residue from your food and drinks produce acid. These wear away your enamel, whose function is to protect your teeth. Bacteria are attracted to these acidy areas. They make their way through your enamel and attack the dentin. Cavities are the end result. Maneuvering your toothbrush is difficult with braces. You can’t reach all the necessary areas. That’s why patients with braces experience such an increased likelihood of tooth decay.

Following these specific steps decreases your risk of tooth decay. Start off by rinsing your mouth with water. This knocks loose any trapped debris. Begin brushing your gumline at a 45-degree angle. Then angle it down towards the brackets. Do this to the bottom of the brackets as well. Be very thorough and gentle throughout the process. Make sure you brush every single tooth. Flossing is the next step. It’s recommended that you get a floss threader. It moves the floss underneath the wire, letting you floss normally. Finally, use mouthwash to clean any leftover areas.

Your Phoenix dentists recommend flossing after every meal when you have braces. Food can easily get trapped in the tighter spaces that braces create. Ask your dental staff about which foods are safe to eat. It’s best to avoid any foods that are sticky or sugary.

Come to Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces for all your orthodontic needs. We are located in three different locations in the Phoenix, AZ, area. If you’re interested in learning more or scheduling an appointment, visit our website.

Sugar & Children's Teeth

Children and adults alike love sugary foods. Children are especially keen on anything sweet. The result is that many children develop a cavity before the age of ten years old. By having your child eat a low-sugar diet, you’re not only showing them good eating habits but great oral hygiene habits as well.

Cavities are caused by tooth decay wearing down the enamel, exposing the dentin and softer tissue of the tooth. It takes about twenty seconds for your child’s mouth bacteria to convert sugary substances on the teeth into acid. This heightens the decay process, making cavities inevitable.

There are many healthy alternatives to sugary foods. Try to give your children foods like fresh fruit, vegetables, popcorn, and nuts. These do not have that much sugar in them, unlike processed foods and sweets.

Be cautious of what your child is drinking too. Read the labels on types of juices and drinks you give your child. Juice may seem like a healthy choice but many times it is full of sugar. Water is the best choice for your children to drink. It contains a safe level of fluoride that naturally fights off bacteria.

Prevention is the key to your child’s dental health. Ensure that they are brushing twice a day for at least two minutes. Both brushing and drinking water can wash away sugary substances left behind on the teeth.

Kidz Connextion Dental & Braces is located in Phoenix, AZ. To schedule an appointment, visit one of our locations or website.

Why Should We Floss?

Our doctors at Kidz Connextion have heard every excuse in the book for why a patient chooses not to floss. You can brush your teeth five times a day, but this won’t do you any good if you don’t floss. This is because plaque starts to harden within hours of eating, and within minutes begins to stick to the teeth. Food that is left behind can cause gingivitis to develop which can eventually lead to more serious dental health complications.

Dental floss has the capability to reach where the toothbrush can’t. If you begin to floss and notice a bit of blood in the sink, this may be a sign of gingivitis. Fortunately, if you keep up with flossing at least twice a day, you can eliminate gingivitis and your gums will thank you. In addition to preventing gum disease, flossing can prevent cavities that cause tooth decay. By maintaining your oral health with flossing, you are protecting your smile and your overall health.  

If you have questions or concerns about oral hygiene, 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.

Prevent Cavities

No one wants to hear that they have a cavity when they go to the dentist’s office. This is because cavities are a sign of tooth decay, and are holes in the teeth that can grow deeper over time. Cavities don’t always cause pain, but once they develop, they will need to be filled. Our doctors at Kidz Connextion are here to offer different ways to prevent cavities.  

Cavities are caused by plaque that sticks to the teeth and isn’t adequately removed. To prevent them, all you need to do is simply keep your mouth as clean as possible. We recommend carrying a portable toothbrush with you so that you can brush your teeth anywhere and anytime. Additionally, use American Dental Association (ADA) approved mouthwash to keep plaque from sticking. It’s important to know that cavities aren’t just prevented by proper oral hygiene; you’ll need to reduce your sugar intake because sugar attacks enamel and causes cavities.  

If you have questions 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.

Fluoride Facts

Known as nature’s natural cavity fighter, fluoride is beneficial for children and adults. Fluoride is an element that is naturally found in most water sources such as rivers, lakes, and oceans. The best way to absorb fluoride is by drinking tap water. It can also be delivered through fluoride toothpaste that has been approved by the American Dental Association. Allow our doctors at Kidz Connextion to educate you on some fluoride facts.

Children and adults who are at low risk of dental decay can help themselves stay cavity-free by frequently exposing themselves to small amounts of fluoride. An easy way to do this is by brushing with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day. Fluoride works by putting an end to the tooth decay process and keeps enamel strong and solid.  

If you have questions or concerns about fluoride, 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.

Sugar and Teeth

Our doctors at Kidz Connextion know that kids love sugar. In fact, they love it so much, that they often develop cavities before the age of 10. As much as we love to see our pediatric patients, we want them to keep their smile as healthy as possible. Sugar is the leading cause of tooth decay, and we want to take the time to explain the effect is has on teeth.

Vending machines and grocery stores are filled with sugar-laden foods, but our doctors encourage you to take frequent strolls down the water aisle instead. Sugary beverages create acids that destroy tooth enamel and these can lead to cavities if a patient isn’t careful. According to the USDA, sugar should make up no more than 10% of your daily calories. If the sugar habit is hard to break, try diluting apple juice or soda with water.

If you have questions or concerns about nutrition and oral health, 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.

Fluoride and Tooth Decay

Fluoride is a natural mineral found throughout the earth’s crust and widely distributed in nature and is often added to water to help reduce tooth decay. Research has shown that fluoride not only reduces cavities in children and adults, but it also helps repair the early stages of tooth decay, even before the decay is visible. Here at Kidz Connextion, our doctors can discuss professional fluoride treatments with you to see if your child is an eligible candidate.

When fluoride reaches the teeth, it is absorbed into the enamel. Fluoride helps to repair the enamel by replenishing the lost calcium and phosphorus to keep your teeth hard through a process called remineralization. When fluoride is present during this process, the minerals deposited into the tooth enamel help strengthen teeth and prevent dissolution during the next demineralization phase. The results are stronger tooth enamel and a cavity-free grin.

If you have questions about fluoride treatment, 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.

Avoid Cavities

At Kidz Connextion we want your child to have the healthiest mouth achievably possible. This includes avoiding cavities at all cost. When he or she eats foods or drinks containing sugars; the bacteria in the plaque produce acids that attack tooth enamel. The stickiness of the plaque keeps these acids in contact with your teeth and over time the enamel can break down, causing cavities to form.

Tooth decay – also called cavities or dental caries – can happen to anyone but are a particularly common problem for children and young adults. Left untreated, dental cavities can become infected and eventually, tooth decay can eventually result in tooth loss. The best way to prevent dental problems associated with tooth decay is to practice good oral hygiene. Be sure to always brush and floss your teeth regularly and visit our doctors at Kidz Connextion twice a year for a dental cleaning and checkup.

If you suspect your child may be cavity prone, please give us a call to discuss treatment options. 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.

Tooth Colored Fillings

To treat a cavity, our dentists at Kidz Connextion will remove the decayed portion of the tooth and then “fill” the area on the tooth where the decayed material was removed. Fillings are also used to repair cracked or broken teeth that have been worn down from misuse (tooth grinding). Here at the office. we utilize white fillings, also known as tooth colored fillings because they exude the most natural looking appearance.

Composite resins (tooth colored fillings) provide solid durability and resistance to fracture in small to mid-size fillings that need to survive the moderate pressure from the constant pressure of chewing. Composite fillings require the tooth to be kept clean and dry while the cavity is being filled, which is why they may take longer to apply than any other type of filling. Although no filling lasts forever, tooth colored fillings have been known to last for over 10 years. It is a safe, affordable and attractive solution for many dental drawbacks.

If you have questions regarding fillings, 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.

Dental Sealant Details

Nearly half of all children and adolescents in the United States have had cavities in their permanent teeth. To prevent these from forming, our staff at Kidz Connextion offer dental sealants to eligible candidates. Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings that are applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to prevent decay. Most tooth decay in children and teenagers occurs on the chewing surfaces where pits and groves tend to trap food and bacteria. Sealants fill in these pits and grooves so that bacteria cannot multiply and cause decay.

Sealants are easy for your dentist to apply. The sealant is painted onto the tooth enamel, where it bonds directly to the tooth and hardens. This plastic resin bonds into the depressions and grooves (pits and fissures) of the chewing surfaces of back teeth. The sealant acts as a barrier, protecting enamel from plaques and acids. As long as the sealant remains intact, the tooth surface will be protected from decay.

If you think your child may benefit from dental sealants, 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 602-956-1111.