Pediatric Dentistry

Having a child afraid of going to the dentist is very normal, so don’t stress if your child is scared. The best thing you can do as a parent is stay calm and only use positive language when you talk about family dentistry. It’s also important to find a dentist that specializes in pediatric dentistry. Here are some tips to help your child have a positive experience at the dentist:

Start dentist appointments between ages 1 and 2 – Finding an office that specializes in pediatric dentistry while your child is between the ages of 1 and 2 will help you have more success with the dentist later. Children who start going to the dentist at a young age are more likely to be comfortable going to the dentist throughout their childhood because it is a normal part of their routine.

Brush and floss their teeth daily – Pediatric dentistry starts at home because parents should be brushing their children’s teeth as soon as they start coming in. Parents must take care of their children’s teeth because their children won’t magically have good dental hygiene. Proper dental hygiene practices need to be taught to children.

Read books about going to the dentist – You can make your child more comfortable with the dental cleaning process before they even go to the dentist by reading books about going to the dentist. When a child is familiar with the dental process, they are more likely to feel comfortable. Books do a great job at outlining exactly what your child should expect when they go to the dentist. Contact your local pediatric dentist if you are looking for recommendations for pediatric dentistry books.

Be encouraging – Parents should avoid any negative talk when they are explaining going to the dentist to their child. There should be lots of positive talk and encouragement around going to the dentist and it will help if you can get the child excited about the dentist. You can get your child involved by having them pick out the clothes they will wear to the dentist and encouraging them to bring their favorite toy or stuffed animal to show their dentist.

Schedule your child’s dentist appointment first thing in the morning or after naptime – Pediatric dentistry is tough, but it’s even tougher when a child is tired. Do your best to plan your child’s dentist appointment first thing in the morning or right after naptime, so they are well rested and less likely to be triggered by the teeth cleaning process.

Having the best smile and oral health should be a top priority, and there are many ways to achieve this goal, including keeping up on oral hygiene, visiting your dentist, and consuming tooth-healthy foods and drinks. It can be tough to choose the right products best for your the health of your teeth. Below are just a few foods and drinks that can help give you that beautiful healthy smile:

1. Calcium-fortified juices and milk: Being rich in calcium and vitamin D, these drinks are extremely beneficial for your teeth. These vitamins and minerals help promote healthy bones and teeth, which reduces your chances of tooth loss.
2. Cheese: A food that is very rich in calcium, this mineral clings on to your teeth and creates a shield that protects the enamel from the acid that causers decay and other dental problems. This mineral also helps rebuild your tooth enamel
3. Fruits and Vegetables: Foods like apples, carrots, and celery can help your smile by cleaning your teeth from plaque and refreshing your breath. Furthermore, the antioxidant vitamins, like vitamin C, and other nutrients can protect the gums and other oral tissues from infection and cell damage.

Above, are just a few foods and drinks that can help improve the look of your smile and the overall hygiene of your teeth. If you would like more information on how to take good care of your teeth, we invite to give the professionals at Winston Smiles a call. We look forward to providing you and the rest of the Clemmons and Winston Salem, NC area with quality dentistry services!

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Oral Health Tips

What is Teeth Grinding?

Teeth Grinding (Bruxism) is the grinding or clenching of your teeth. Bruxism can occur in both adults and children. The causes of bruxism are not completely known to doctors, but factors such as alcohol, stress, anxiety, cigarette smoking, sleep apnea, snoring and fatigue may be linked to it. This can also occur during sleep (sleep bruxism).

How does Bruxism affect children?

In children teeth grinding is common amongst young children. This can be caused by allergies, misaligned teeth, enlarged tonsils and adenoids or mouth irritations. This generally goes away by the time they hit their teens.

Severe Bruxism

If a person has severe bruxism it could lead to tooth, jaw or crown damage, tension headaches, facial pain and TMJ type disorders that sound like clicking when you open or close your mouth.

Your dentist can make some suggestions based your situation. Some treatment options that they could come up with could be splints, mouth guards or dental correction. They may suggest you see your primary care physician or a sleep specialist if necessary.

This holiday season be kind to your teeth and follow these tips to staying on track with your oral health care.

Avoid Eating Too Many Sweets 

Eating a lot of sugar can increase the risk of tooth decay and cavities to your teeth. When you consume food or drinks with sugars in them the bacteria in plaque produces acids in your mouth that will attack the enamel of your teeth.

Instead of opting for multiple sweets choose one or two to eat and then brush your teeth afterwards. This will decrease the likelihood of developing tooth decay and cavities.

Keep a Routine

Whether it be to brush your teeth first thing in the morning and last thing before you go to bed make a routine of your oral health care.

The ADA recommends you brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes and make sure to floss! This will help you maintain optimal oral health.

Drink Water

Drinking water can help promote tooth density and health with the added fluoride found in toothpaste.

Protect Your Teeth

If you plan on playing games and sports protect your teeth with a mouth guard.

Dental Cleanings and Checkups

The holidays are the busiest time of year but that doesn’t mean you should neglect your oral health. Make sure to make your dental leaning and checkup appointment if it is due this month!

Make sure to make your appointment at Winston Smiles for your teeth cleaning and dental work today!

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