Local Dental Care - Dentistry For Kids

How Your Family Dentist Can Boost Your Child's Grades

That's right - you read that headline correctly. Regular trips to the family dentist may improve children's grades. He won't tutor them in history or teach them their times tables. In fact, he probably won't teach much of anything beyond how to brush and floss, and chances are he won't quiz them on that any time soon. Still, regular trips to the pediatric dentist could improve your child's academic experience. Do we have your attention?

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, children miss more than 51 million hours of school per year as a result of pediatric dental problems and related conditions. What's more, dental pain can distract students, cause their school work to suffer and lead to absences. In general, those with healthy teeth are more attentive in class, participate more in school-related activities and have better attendance. All of this spells better grades and a better all around education, thanks to regular child dental care, exams and education.

One of the most important exams your child can pass is the one performed by his or her family dentist, but you still have to do your part. Teach your child to floss once a day and brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, assuming he or she is old enough to use one. Also, a healthy diet will not only boost concentration, but result in healthier teeth and gums. Beware of frequent snacking and repeated exposure to sugary or acidic treats. Most importantly, be sure children attend their dental appointments at least twice a year. Pediatric dentists provide ongoing oral health assessments that will prevent dental conditions - not to mention school absences.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.

Dental Care: Toothbrush Tips For Kids

There are so many designs for toothbrushes. How does anyone know what to select? Here are some tips from a pediatric dentist to make the right decision and get the most out of your purchase.

Let's begin with preschoolers. Toothbrushes should have extra soft bristles with small, rounded heads. The handles should be larger for a good grip. Some toothbrushes have rubber on the handle to make them slip-proof. A colored area on the bristles indicating the correct amount of toothpaste to dispense can be helpful. Do not permit your preschooler to chew on his or her toothbrush or run with a toothbrush in his or her mouth. You should do the brushing until six years of age. No toothpaste should be used until after age two.

The six-year molars erupt (come in) behind the primary (baby) molars in the back of the mouth. When they begin to erupt, it is time for another toothbrush design. This brush should have a larger head to accommodate the larger permanent teeth and a longer tuft of bristles on the end of the head. As the six-year molars erupt, they are lower than the teeth that are beside them. A toothbrush with a longer set of bristles at the end, an end tuft, is better for cleaning erupting molars.

Around age twelve, when the twelve-year molars are erupting, use the same style brush with an end tuft, but the head should be larger.

During orthodontic treatment, a toothbrush that can clean around the braces is necessary. These brushes will have a short row of bristles in the center and two longer rows on the outside. They will clean around the brackets more effectively. A tiny brush, called an interdental brush, is used for cleaning areas that are hard to reach. Your orthodontist will instruct you regarding the extras needed for good dental care during orthodontic treatment.

All brushes, for all ages, should have soft bristles. Hard bristles are hard on gums. As soon as the bristles look frayed, the toothbrush should be replaced. It is impossible to clean teeth properly with a tattered toothbrush. Replacement may be once a month for some heavy-duty brushers and less often for those with a healthier gentle technique.

All toothbrushes should be rinsed thoroughly with hot water before and after brushing. Rinsing toothbrushes has been shown to reduce the growth of bacteria on the bristles between brushing.

Toothbrushes should be replaced after any illness. If a strep infection is being treated, the toothbrush should be replaced. The strep grows on the toothbrush and can re-infect your child. When you pick up your prescription, also pick up two new toothbrushes. Begin a new toothbrush 24 hours after the antibiotic is started and begin the second toothbrush upon completion of the antibiotic. The same holds true for acrylic orthodontic appliances. They must be disinfected during a strep infection because strep grows on appliances too.

Because viruses and bacteria are growing on the toothbrush bristles during an illness, do not touch the toothpaste tube with the bristles of the toothbrush. Place the toothpaste on a clean finger for transfer, or if the child has herpes, place the toothpaste on a cotton swab for transfer to the toothbrush.

What about the power or electric toothbrushes? Do they do a better job of cleaning? Yes, yes, yes! The first electric brush can be used at age six when children begin to do their own brushing. They must be kept clean and the heads should be changed when the bristles become frayed. The head can be soaked in mouthwash containing alcohol for disinfecting if an illness occurs just after starting to use a new brush. Keep all mouthwash out of the reach of children!

Bedtime brushing is the most important time of day. Morning brushing may be done before breakfast, but after breakfast is more important. After you have purchased the appropriate toothbrush for your child, the only thing left is for you to say, at least twice each day, USE IT!!!

By Jane A. Soxman, DDS

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.