The Mulberry Dental Blog » Children and dentistry

How Parents Should Indulge Their Kids with Candy in Shepperton

admin — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:48:42 +0000

There is a high likelihood that if you are a parent in Shepperton, you will feel like you are banging your head against a brick wall when it comes to stopping your kids from eating too many sweets and candy.

Sadly you may never win the battle, but you can at least try everything you can to educate them. You know the pitfalls and damage that too much sugar can do to your children’s teeth and body- they are bad for their minds and body and most importantly, their teeth, so you must try to impress this upon them as well.

However, the thing you mustn’t do is stop them altogether from indulging in sweets, otherwise they will do exactly the opposite. As they grow up, it is down to you to ensure they have a balanced diet throughout the day, which will help to counter any sugar intake. There are a lot of sweets on the market today that use sugar substitutes and you should try to wean them in this direction, as it will still seem to them they are not being prevented from eating sweets and candies.

Ensuring they grasp the importance of oral hygiene is also imperative and teaching them to keep their teeth and gums clean after the consumption of sweets is very useful. But there is also a certain way to avoiding tooth decay spreading in your kids’ mouths and that is to have them fitted with dental sealants. It won’t stop them pigging out on sweets, but it sure will prevent their teeth from rotting away.

Teething in Surbiton

admin — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 09:00:14 +0000

Teething can be a very delicate time for babies and parents alike in Surbiton and dealing with it is not an exact science. Teeth start to grow as soon as a baby begins to grow in the womb. Some babies can be born with their teeth showing, but normally on average, they start to break through the gums at around 5 months. These are normally the front teeth, but by the time your child reaches the age of two, they should have a full set. It can be a very painful time for some kids and on top of this, the first teeth that come through can be very vulnerable to tooth decay. But as parents, you don’t have to suffer this period on your own, if you enlist the help of a pediatrician. He or she will be able to guide you through these choppy waters and give you the advice you need. There are soothing gels that can be used to help soothe the gums as the teeth start to erupt and giving the baby something hard to bite down on can help this process too. There are specially designed ‘teethers’ that you can use for this; there are also certain pain-killers that can be used, although most parents prefer to steer clear of these. As the teeth break through, they should also be cleaned regularly after feeding to remove bacteria and prevent decay setting in. If you prepare yourself for this time in your child’s life and understand what is involved, you give your kid the best possible start to grow up with a healthy set of teeth.

Sunbury dentists are experts in kids teeth too

admin — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 08:41:36 +0000

Dentists are not only expert in the area of adult teeth. During their rigorous training they also come to know all about the way that children’s teeth work and need to be cared for. This is good because kids teeth need just as much care as adult teeth and any problems that are developed during childhood can lead to life long difficulties that are frankly best avoided.

Essentially the maxims at the heart of looking after the oral health of children are not much different to that of adults. They should be avoiding plaque and looking to strengthen the enamel on their teeth as much as possible. Alongside this, dietary considerations can help with avoiding tooth decay. But the difference is that children have to be taught to take responsibility for the health of their teeth because they are in the care of their parents or guardians.

This is the real challenge of those looking after children: trying to instil in them a sense that they need to take care of their own teeth. Starting early with this idea will do no harm at all. Encourage children to brush their own teeth from a young age but be careful to keep an eye on them. Sometimes children can brush with some aggression and this can damage their gums. Be careful with how much tooth paste they are using and be aware that infants are advised not to use fluoride tooth paste.

Take your children to see their Sunbury dentist so that they feel relaxed and comfortable with being in the dental surgery. This will equip them for the routine of adulthood where they should be going for a check up every six months.

Take care of your children’s oral health with the help of Surrey dentists

admin — Wed, 11 May 2011 12:17:47 +0000

Children can be vulnerable to a number of things and, as a parent, you will probably want to do your very best to look after them as well as you possibly can. Don’t let the oral health of your children be an after thought. Any problems that a child develops in his or mouth might have to be lived with for the rest of their time, right through adulthood as a persistent issue.

Thankfully, looking after your child’s teeth is not a particularly complicated issue if you follow a simple series of guidelines. Just like adults, children need to brush their teeth to keep plaque at bay and guard against dental decay and gum disease. You can help them with this, especially when they are very young but it is just as important to instil in them a real sense of responsibility for the health of their own mouth.

Again, just like adults, children should pursue a balanced diet as part of keeping their mouth healthy. This is more the parent’s responsibility because they control the purse strings and cook the food. Sugary treats are to be kept to a minimum of course and brushing and flossing should occur after consumption.

In conjunction with these measures, establish a relationship with a local, Surrey dentist early on. Many cases of dental phobia result from people not being used to visiting the dentist in childhood and developing a fear of it. This can have damaging consequences as the absence of a professional regularly monitoring the health of your mouth can lead to nasty problems springing up.

With the right care your child can look forward to a life time of excellent oral health allowing them to eat, drink and talk in comfort and with confidence.

A Sunbury dentist advises on children’s oral health

admin — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 04:51:44 +0000

Just because our children will lose their milk teeth and grow adult ones, doesn’t mean they don’t need to be taught oral care. A Sunbury dentist has spoken out about the lack of oral health care in children; it seems that children aren’t being taught about oral hygiene until later in life. The problem may be that we tend to think about our children’s teeth at a much later stage in their development, than we do about talking and walking. A baby can develop teeth problems from the moment they are born, even before our children get their milk teeth they can develop dental disorders. Acid build up in their mouth is a by-product of milk formula which is counteracted by their saliva production, but we tend to feed them just before they are due for a sleep. When sleeping their saliva gland stops producing and acid builds up, this eats at the enamel when they get their first molars. If we start associating cleaning the teeth with a fun attitude, then they will pick up good oral hygiene habits early. We also need to make sure that they have the right tooth brush, use the correct tooth paste and learn to floss as early as possible. It is also important that they get into the habit of regular dentist visits; this is to get them into the habit and also to eliminate any dental phobias they may develop. As we teach them to do simple things like learning to swim, so they don’t develop a fear of water, we would be doing them a big service in our parental duty in teaching them to keep their teeth and have no fear of getting treatment when they need it. A nice smile and a building of confidence will also be a reward of early learning in oral hygiene care.

A Molesey dentist advises on Baby bottle and tooth decay

admin — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 05:50:07 +0000

Baby bottle tooth decay is not a subject that usually gets brought up in Ante- natal classes, but it is an important part of baby care says a Molesey dentist. The problem isn’t just one that is easily solved by breast feeding; it starts almost as soon as the baby is born even though teeth won’t start to grow till much later. All baby formulas contain bacteria; we all have bacteria in our bodies as we need them to break down enzymes, acids and fats into the energy that we need to feed our organs. When a baby salivates the mouth is producing an anti acid agent to dilute the acid in the formula, but when the baby falls asleep this activity stops and acid builds up. That acid is what damages the teeth by destroying or weakening the enamel of baby’s first teeth. This comes at a time when your baby is beginning to develop a personality, and they will pick up on any negative vibes they feel from anyone around them. A baby can tell by the tone of a voice if it is receiving a negative compliment, bad teeth can cause problems that will affect their smile and facial features. The baby will also have constant pain problems with their first teeth from baby bottle tooth decay. The way to counteract this is a simple one, firstly keep your baby awake for at least 15 minutes after a bottle, that way the saliva production will be sufficient enough to dilute the acids. Secondly ask your doctor about safe fluoride levels in the water supply, and then enquire at your water supplier for their level tables. Fluoride is a big friend to our teeth, and your baby needs to have sufficient levels to fight tooth decay in their early years.

A Kingston-upon-Thames dentist explains all about dental sealants for children

admin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 08:16:01 +0000

Dental sealants are usually given to children who are between 6 and 10 years old, it is a measure that protects their teeth from further damage caused by acid production and normal wear and tear. The cavities that cause the problems are usually on the teeth at the back of the mouth, this is normally due to a couple of reasons, firstly these teeth are the most common used to chew food, secondly these teeth are hard for children to clean as most tooth brushes are too big to get into the cavities and eliminate the bacteria deep in the tooth. The solution is a simple one though and it works very well, it lasts for about 10 years and is also easily repairable during that time. Similar to a normal filling the tooth is numbed and the cavity is cleaned with a drill, then the cracks are cleaned out to get rid of any hidden bacteria. Acid is then brushed into the cavity and left for a few minutes; this is to give the next stage a better bonding surface. The acid is rinsed with a water spray, and then the area is air dried to make sure it is completely dry. The plastic solution of the filler is brushed on using a hard, short bristled brush, then that solution is bombarded with an intense light source to set it hard. If it cracks or becomes chipped it can easily be repaired using the same method. This method is a very successful way of protecting the teeth of our children in their most vulnerable years; it doesn’t mean though that we can be lax in their oral hygiene care. They need to floss and brush as usual to prevent other problems, and make their teeth last well into their adulthood.

Valuable advice for parents on eating candy from Shepperton dentist

admin — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 12:06:06 +0000

From a young age we are always told that eating candy or sugary sweets will rot our teeth and make them fall out. Even this level of scaremongering does little to dilute the average child’s voracious appetite for sweets. So what can parents do and what is the real truth behind the link between eating candy and tooth decay?

Sweets and candy contain high levels of refined carbohydrates. These carbohydrates can change the pH balance of the mouth making it more acidic and causing cavities or caries to develop. The stickiness of many of these foods means that a lot of the carbohydrates are stuck to the teeth and not swallowed or diluted by saliva. So it seems pretty straightforward, candy is bad for the teeth. Well, I think we all knew it really, but I don’t think a worldwide candy ban is a realistic alternative.

So what can you do as a parent? Well, research has shown that it may not be the amount of candy that a child eats but the frequency. After eating sweets, the pH balance is altered for up to an hour before returning to normal. So one suggestion would be that if you are going to treat the kids, do it in one go. Don’t let them snack throughout the day on sugary food.

Eating candy with meals is also a good idea because the increased production of saliva during meals will help to wash away some of the sugar from the mouth. Rinsing your mouth with water also helps to preserve the natural pH of the mouth.

In reality, all foods contain elements that are not good for the teeth. Candy is often perceived as worse because it offers no other nutritional benefits. Therefore no matter what the kids eat, it is vital that they brush their teeth properly at least twice a day and get regular check ups at a Shepperton dentist. The dentist will be able to spot any problems early and offer the best advice on how to keep teeth clean.

Bedtime Bottles in Sunbury Could Harm Your Child

admin — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 09:53:48 +0000

Parents will be surprised to learn that most dentist do not recommend giving children a bedtime bottle for this could lead to tooth decay. Keep in mind that tooth decay may go unnoticed until it is too late to save your child’s teeth.

Health experts have always advised parents to wean their child from the bottle after six months, encouraging them to use a feeding cup instead. If ever you have trouble accomplishing this, make sure you follow these rules:

• If your child needs a bottle to give him comfort during the night, it is best to give him water in a feeding bottle instead.
• If you can not avoid giving your child milk at night time, make sure you do not allow your child to fall asleep with the feeding bottle in the mouth
• Give you child water after every bottle feeding in order to remove the sugar on his teeth

Of course, proper oral care hygiene program should be implemented as soon as your child’s teeth appear. This should include:

• Regular visits to the dentist
• Fluoride supplements
• Avoiding sweets and juices
• Brushing teeth regularly

Eating healthy food such as vegetables, meat, cereals and fresh fruits is also recommended to strengthen your child’s teeth. Recommended snacks include:

• Bananas
• Carrot sticks
• Rice cakes
• Plain popcorn
• Crackers
• Cucumber
• Breadsticks
Your child’s dental health will rely on how you take care of his teeth. You can always ask your Sunbury dentist for advice regarding the proper care of your child’s teeth.

Proper Oral Hygiene for Infants and Older Babies in Surrey

admin — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 20:46:51 +0000

New parents should understand that newborn babies are more prone to oral conditions such as infections and oral thrush because of their relatively-weaker immune system. For this reason, you should work with your Surrey dentist to ensure that the correct oral hygiene program is implemented to ensure your child’s oral health.

Newborn Babies
Breastfeeding can actually transmit bacteria and germs to your baby via the skin. It is therefore important that you clean the area around your nipple before feeding your baby. Since most babies are bottle-fed, parents should make sure that the bottles and plastic nipples are sterilised before use. If your baby uses a pacifier or a dummy, this should be sterilised as well.

Although oral thrush is quite common among babies, it might be a good idea to buy a new set of feeding equipment especially if the oral disease is recurring.

Older Babies
Since teeth begin to appear during the sixth month, your baby should be checked regularly by a Surrey dentist in order to monitor signs of dental cavities. If your baby drinks plenty of juices and eat sweets, then they are more prone to cavities. To minimize this, make sure you give juices in a feeding cup and softly brush the baby’s teeth daily. The gums and tongue should also be cleaned using gauze or cotton dipped in sterile water.

During teething, it is best that you consider these tips:

• Remove dribble and saliva gently
• Put Vaseline around mouth if soreness or irritation occurs
• Ask your dentist fro a mild pain reliever

Most dentists prescribe fluoride supplements as soon as the first set of teeth appears to strengthen them. Again, you can ask your dentist regarding this.