The Mulberry Dental Blog » Children and dentistry

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.

Worcester Park Dentist Speaks Out About the Harmful Effects of Fizzy Drinks For Children

admin — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 10:43:52 +0000

Your Worcester Park dentists will help your children prevent possible dental problems and maintain good oral health. They will also treat any dental problems that may exist in a comfortable atmosphere for your child. Our dental staff is very compassionate and understanding.Drinking fizzy drinks can damage your child’s teeth. These drinks contain a lot of sugar that is harmful to teeth. Even if your child drinks fizzy drinks that do not contain sugar, the balance of vital minerals that are essential for strong teeth are out of wick! Children, along with adults, require two and a half times more calcium in their diets than phosphorus for the proper development of teeth and bones. The high levels of phosphorus in these drinks used for carbonation and other functions, basically robs your child’s body of calcium, thus leading to teeth that are more susceptible to dental caries. Although many dentists suggest drinking fizzy drinks over sticky sugar candy, because the sugar does not adhere as strongly to the teeth, the downfall remains the imbalance of vital minerals in these drinks.

It is essential that your child learn how to clean the bacteria and plaque off of their teeth properly. Your Worcester Park dentist and dental hygienist can help to teach your child how to properly do this. You should watch your child brush to make sure that they do not swallow the toothpaste. So, bring your infant or child to your Worcester Park Dental Clinic to maintain their oral health.

Dental Clinics in Worcester Park Will Help You Take Care of Your Child’s Teeth

admin — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 17:48:23 +0000

During a child’s early years, a lot of activity happens in his mouth as he starts to grow teeth. A child has two sets of teeth: the first set is most commonly called milk teeth or deciduous teeth, and the second set which will stay on the person for the whole lifetime are the permanent teeth. The set of milk or temporary teeth are replaced by the permanent teeth around the child’s sixth year until the twelfth, give or take a couple of years. In Worcester Park, there should be numerous dental clinics to aid you in your child’s dental care but here are a few basic guidelines.

Dos and Don’ts for Early Childhood Dental Care

Here are some helpful facts about milk teeth and dental care for your children that most dentists would give:

o You can start brushing your child’s teeth once they start coming out at 6 months. Milk teeth usually come out in pairs and all twenty of them will most probably be out by your child’s thirtieth month. Once the first set has come out, you can start brushing them to prevent decay.
o Do not deliberately pull out a deciduous tooth. Milk teeth should always be allowed to fall on their own as their opening is where the permanent teeth will also come out. Pulling out a deciduous tooth too early may cause that opening to close, creating some problems for the following permanent tooth to come out. If early removal is necessary, a space-maintainer must be constructed and worn by the child.
o Always remember that milk teeth are smaller in size and are usually more susceptible to decay. Proper care and oral hygiene must be observed at all times. You should be able to easily locate good resources in Worcester Park for your oral hygiene needs.
o Bring your child to the dentist for regular checkups. This is very important if you want to make sure your child’s teeth and oral condition is healthy from the start. There should be no problem in finding the most suitable dentist around Worcester Park for your child and your whole family.

Dental preparation for school children in Sunbury

admin — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:16:18 +0000

It is exciting for kids and also for the parents to enjoy the school opening. Simply put, as part of the rites of getting back to schools, parents, beyond any doubt, purchase their children new uniforms and other supplies. Many parents in Sunbury take their kids to the paediatrician for their annual body check up.
According to chairperson of the department of paediatric dentistry says that it is also good time to undergo dental checkup. So much of dental care is extreme right-winger that parents bring their kids to dental clinics only if there has been some problem. But it is very strange for parents to wait until the child fall sick to take them to the paediatrician.
There was recently a study conducted by some researchers at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stating that tooth decay is the most chronic childhood disease in the United Kingdom. The condition is fivefold more prevalent as compared to asthma and seven fold more dominant as compared to the hay fever. The good part is it is an ailment that can entirely be preventable.
It is therefore advisable that parents should schedule dental health checkups with qualified dentist in Sunbury as they schedule baby visits and health checkups with their paediatricians, it is recommended that kids first to be seen by the dentist within six months of any initial sign of a tooth. The parents should also be warned that without strict preventive care, poor oral health may end up in a number of health problems in adolescence and adulthood.