Losing That First Tooth: Is Your Child Afraid?

July 28th, 2010

Most children lose their first tooth naturally around the age of 6 or 7. For many, it’s a big event that’s been long anticipated: especially if they have older siblings or if other kids in their class have already started losing theirs. But for some tender little ones, the prospect of having a loose tooth and then losing it can be downright frightening. Don’t worry! There’s nothing wrong or right about this kind of attitude: it just “is.” As a parent, you can do a lot to help: here are some tips.

Be understanding: There are many reasons why a child might be afraid. Perhaps it’s the idea of having a part of his body “fall out” and not being able to have any control over it. He might be worried that it will hurt. If your child is fearful, snuggle up in a nice cozy chair and have a calm conversation about what exactly he’s worried about, and then address those concerns directly. Be careful not to demean or belittle his feelings: to him, this is very important and a real concern.

Explain what will happen: Every child likes to know the truth and likes to be told things straight. Many times fear is related to the “mystery” of an event, so do as much as you can to reveal that mystery. In most cases, losing a tooth doesn’t hurt; sometimes when a tooth is lost, there is a little blood: but it’s not serious; baby teeth have to come out when a child is growing up in order to make room for big teeth: it’s natural and normal; if you remember, tell your child what it was like for you to lose your first tooth and how you felt. There are plenty of picture books out there on the subject too: a book may be a great conversation starter.

Be wary of the fairy: Not all kids like the idea of a Tooth Fairy coming into their rooms at night! You don’t have to adopt the Tooth Fairy routine if your child is uncomfortable with it: find some other way to celebrate instead. Some kids don’t like the idea of the Tooth Fairy “taking” their teeth: many parents will keep a “tooth box” instead so their child can “visit” those lost teeth whenever he wants to.

Let the dentist help: If your child still struggles with fear, or if that first tooth is not coming out as easily as it should, visit your favorite Utah pediatric dentist like Stevenson Pediatric or a dentist in the state where you live. He and his staff are experts at helping kids relax and making the process go as smoothly and easily as possible.

Children’s reactions to life’s normal milestones like losing a first tooth are as varied as children themselves. So don’t assume that each of your kids will react the same way. Some kids wiggle away excitedly then get scared when the tooth is actually ready to come out, some are matter-of-fact about it, and yet others are just plain fearful. It’s all normal! Do everything you can to assuage any fears: chances are that after losing a few teeth, your child’s fears will be forgotten

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Dr. Nathan Stevenson Quoted in Trib Article

July 20th, 2010

Dr. Nathan Stevenson was quoted in a Salt Lake Tribune Article talking about Utah’s Children’s Health Insurance Program.

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What To Do In Case of a Dental Emergency

June 23rd, 2010

After a cold wet spring, summer temperatures have finally arrived in Utah! Parents all over the state rejoice because they can “kick” their kids outside to play on the jungle gym, boot a soccer ball around or organize a pick-up game of basketball. Unfortunately, all that good healthy outdoor fun can in result in mishaps such as a chipped or knocked out tooth. Losing a permanent tooth is serious indeed, but even the loss of a baby tooth can cause problems. Here are some tips for what to do in case of a summer dental emergency.

If a Baby Tooth is Knocked Out:

  • Contact a good Utah pediatric dentist such as Stevenson right away: we can help to lessen the pain and prevent infection
  • Meanwhile, rinse the mouth with cool water and apply an ice pack to keep the swelling down
  • You can look for the tooth and place it in cold water till you get to the dentist, but it’s not as crucial as a permanent tooth

If a Permanent Tooth is Knocked Out:

  • Pick up the tooth by the crown (never by the roots), rinse, and place it in a baggie with cold water
  • Firmly apply a clean damp washcloth to the affected area to stop the bleeding
  • If possible, reinsert the tooth into the socket then call a Utah pediatric dentist immediately and take your child to the office immediately. If the accident occurs after hours, call the dentist’s emergency line for instructions

If you can find and save the tooth properly, chances are good that the dentist will be able to reinsert it.

If a Tooth is Broken:

Follow the above steps and contact the dentist immediately. Even a chip from a tooth can be replaced if you act fast, so remember that time is of the essence.

Prevention is always the best. If your child is engaged in sports, make sure he or she wears an appropriate mouth guard. If your child is over the age of 8, talk about what she should do if she hurts her mouth; and if you have toddlers at home, make sure your house is well child-proofed. Summer is a great time to be active, but it’s also the time when dental emergencies are likely to arise. Remember: if something happens, stay calm, act fast and contact Stevenson Pediatric right away.

Posted in Why Pediatric Dentist | 1 Comment »

Floss, Floss, Floss: Teaching Your Child To Do It Right

May 24th, 2010

Most children adapt pretty quickly to having their teeth brushed once you get them in the habit. Their mouth feels invigorated afterwards, the toothpaste tastes yummy, and they even like to run their tongue over their teeth to “feel the clean.”

For most kids, however, flossing is quite another matter: especially when they first start. It makes sense if you think about it; most kids don’t like having someone else’s hands that close to their mouths; it might make them feel “funny” having the stringy floss going so tightly between their teeth; and  from a child’s perspective, the health benefits are not as easily apparent with flossing as they are with brushing. So here are some tips for teaching your child to floss correctly and making the experience­­­­ — if not fun — at least more positive.

–Start young: A good time to start flossing your child’s teeth is at around age 2 1/2, when your toddler’s teeth have grown in enough to begin touching one another. You should floss your child’s teeth yourself until she is old enough to get the hang of it and has developed the necessary manual dexterity. Even so, it is wise for parents to supervise their child’s flossing technique until about the age of 10.

–Give her choices: As with most things, kids are likely to take to something more willingly if they’ve been allowed to be part of the decision-making process. Pre-threaded floss, appropriate for young children, comes in all kinds of pretty colors and tasty flavors: let her choose the one SHE wants you to use. When she gets a little bigger, let her choose from the wide selection of child-targeted self-flossers engineered for small hands.

–Be an example: If you want your child to floss, you need to be a regular flosser too. Example is everything! Demonstrate on yourself first then show her how it’s done.  Show her how to hold the floss, then teach her to use a gentle back and forth motion between teeth and an up and down motion on the front of the teeth to clean at the gum line. Let her try it herself, of course, but you need to remain in charge of “cleaning up” after her and making sure the job was done right. Follow up the flossing with a thorough brushing, and you will have taught your child the fundamentals of sound oral hygiene habits.

If you don’t think you can teach your child the proper techniques for flossing, or if you’re still not sure how to go about it, make sure to discuss the topic with your pediatric dentist during your next visit. When you partner with an excellent Utah pediatric dentist like Stevenson Pediatric, you will have plenty of support in teaching your child the right way to floss, floss, floss.

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5 Foods That Actually Help Your Children’s Teeth

April 28th, 2010

Last month’s blog was all about what foods are harmful to your child’s teeth and are likely to contribute to problems with cavities. This month we’ll take a more positive approach and have a look at 5 foods that can actually contribute to better oral health.

  1. Dairy products: this should come as no great surprise since milk and other dairy foods have long been prized as an outstanding source of calcium. Added calcium helps prevent tooth decay in growing children: so bring on the skim milk, yogurt, cheese and other good stuff! Calcium isn’t tied to fat level, so for optimum health choose skim products whenever possible.
  2. Leafy greens: Broccoli has calcium? You bet! So do certain nuts such as almonds and Brazil nuts. If your child struggles with the taste of broccoli, try serving it covered in melted cheese for even more calcium and a much more palatable flavor.
  3. Whole wheat bread: Though whole-wheat bread and other whole grains have the carbohydrates that can lead to tooth decay, they are an important source of B vitamins and iron which are essential to maintaining strong and healthy gums. Choose whole grains whenever possible: just be sure your child is brushing twice a day, every day!
  4. Fiber-rich raw foods: Chomping on raw carrots, celery, and apples is a nutritious way to snack and it is also good for teeth. Eating these foods massages the gums, stimulating circulation; they also have high water content which serve to clean teeth. The increased salivation that comes from eating these types of foods neutralizes harmful acids inside the mouth too.
  5. Lean meat, fish, and poultry: These good old-fashioned staples for protein are also important sources of magnesium and zinc which promote healthy teeth.

Of course, eating beneficial foods is great but it’s never a substitute for sound oral hygiene habits like twice-daily brushing and flossing. For optimum dental health, make sure you take your child to a Utah pediatric dentist like Stevenson Pediatric for twice-yearly checkups and cleanings.

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10 Surprising Foods That May Cause Tooth Decay

March 23rd, 2010

If you are a new parent, your folks’ advice over the years is probably coming back to you now that you have a child of your own: no snacks before dinner, don’t talk with your mouth full, brush and floss your teeth twice a day, and don’t drink too much soda or eat too much candy! All of these admonitions are wise ones from a health as well as an oral hygiene perspective; but here is a little information that your parents might not have known: candy and soda are not the only foods that can cause significant problems with tooth decay.

The bacteria that naturally live in our mouths thrive on carbohydrate-rich foods that get left behind on our teeth after we eat. These sugars are broken down by the bacteria and cavity-causing acids are created as a by-product. Because soda and candy are nothing BUT sugar, they have been designated as Public Enemies Number One and Two: but bacteria don’t differentiate between carbohydrates that contain simple sugars like sweets or complex ones like fruit. They thrive on both; and therefore, all carbohydrates are potentially harmful to your child’s dental health.

Here is a list of 10 surprising foods that may cause tooth decay in your children:

  1. Peanut butter
  2. Raisins
  3. Spaghetti
  4. Fruit
  5. Cereal (even with no sugar added)
  6. Nuts
  7. All-natural juices
  8. Baby formula
  9. Crackers
  10. Chips

    Most of these foods are nutritionally important, and therefore parents should not cut them out entirely: indeed, carbohydrates of all types are an important source of energy.

    What should parents do?

    1. Moderation in all things: make sure you child eats a balanced diet that is not weighed too heavily toward carbohydrates
    2. Make sure your child brushes and flosses at least twice a day, preferably after every meal, and especially after consuming sugary snacks
    3. Make twice-yearly visits to a good Utah pediatric dentist such as Stevenson Pediatric who specializes in caring exclusively for children’s teeth.

    Your parents were right: too much candy and soda is bad; but don’t forget about the other culprits as well!

    Posted in Tooth Decay | 1 Comment »

    Tips For Helping Your Child Get Excited About Going to the Dentist

    February 16th, 2010

    Can a child really get excited about going to the dentist? Oh yes! Age-appropriate and consistent dental care is essential to maintaining excellent oral health throughout childhood; if parents can help their child to see dentistry in a positive light, they will be doing them a service that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. Here are some tips that will really help to get your child excited about going to the dentist.

    Choose a Great Pediatric Dentist

    The first step is to opt for a pediatric dentist over a general family dentist. There really are some key differences between a pediatric dentist and a family dentist; but the one that makes a huge difference in helping your child get excited to go is the atmosphere in the office.  A pediatric dentist’s office is completely kid-centric: after all, treating children is all they do!

    From the decorations on the walls to the child-sized furniture to the games to the kid-savvy staff, it’s a fun place to visit. Before her scheduled visit, take your child to see the pediatric dentist’s office so she won’t have a fear of the unknown: once she sees other kids there her age, she’ll be more excited to go when it’s time. For Beehive State parents, Dr. Nathan Stevenson of Stevenson Pediatric is a Utah pediatric dentist who provides excellent treatment in a fun and safe environment. Choosing pediatric dentistry over family dentistry is a great first step to help your child develop a positive attitude toward going to the dentist.

    Do Some Play-Acting

    Many children are sensitive about having anyone “poke around” in their mouths, and this can make them reticent about going to the dentist no matter how fun the environment may be. Reading children’s books about what happens at dental visits and engaging in a little play-acting beforehand will go a long way toward easing your child’s fears. Open wide and let her “play dentist” by counting your teeth! Then you do the same to her. Let her ask questions and answer them honestly. It is extremely important to maintain a positive attitude toward the dentist even if you happen to have some fears of your own. When it comes to your child, going to the pediatric dentist and having the opportunity of getting her teeth super-clean in a fun atmosphere should always be a reason to get excited!

    Posted in Why Pediatric Dentist | 2 Comments »

    7 Reasons To Use A Pediatric Dentist

    December 18th, 2009
    1. Pediatric dentists know how to work with a child and deal with their fears and behaviors. They are specially Trained to work with your child’s current mood and how to keep them calm in a new and stressful environment
    2. All pediatric dentists are dedicated to the oral health of infants and children. They are qualified and highly experienced with caring for your child’s mouth under any circumstances.
    3. In addition to four years of dental school, pediatric dentists also have two-year residency training for dentistry with infants, children, and teens. They are also taught how to work on children with special needs.
    4. A pediatric dentist provides a kid friendly environment with games, toys, TV’s, and video games. This help the child acclimate to the new surroundings easily and it also helps keep the child occupied during uncomfortable procedures.
    5. Preventative health care and habit counseling for children is provided by a pediatric dentist—they will help to make sure that as your child grows their teeth grow properly as well.
    6. Pediatric dentists use specially designed equipment and tools in their offices that are created, arranged, and decorated with a child in mind. This makes the unique tools less frightening and easier to explain to a child.
    7. A pediatric dentist can provide you and your child with everything that is needed to make a dental visit fun and stress free.

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    How to Ease Dental Fears in Children

    November 18th, 2009

    Some children have fear when it comes to visiting the dentist.    Here is a great article on how to help children overcome dental visit fears.

    Making your child feel comfortable when they visit the dentist is a huge reason to take your child to a Pediatric Dentist instead of a regular dentist.   Stevenson Pediatric Dentist excels at making children feel comfortable visiting the dentist.  In fact, most of our patients look forward to their next visit.

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    Posted in Why Pediatric Dentist | No Comments »