Protect Those Precious Smiles

Almost any child would say their favorite time of year is summer. Being out of school, hanging out with their friends, swimming and playing outside is what all kids dream of.  While the summer season is almost over, it can still be a great time for children to face some summer hazards, particularly for their teeth. Physical activity, tempting sweets, and lax rules can all combine to leave your child with a tooth problem they would rather avoid.

At Pediatric Dental Specialists we want every child to enjoy what's left of their summer so we offer some tips for parents on how best to protect those precious smiles.

Go Easy on the Sweets
During summer your child will have no shortage of tempting treats. The ice cream truck, picnics, birthday parties and lazy days will all have your child craving a popsicle, soft drink or candy bar. But as we all know, sugar is the number one cause of cavities and the more sugar your children eat the more likely they are to develop cavities. Monitor the amount of sweets your children eat during the summer and put a cap on excessive sugar consumption.

Mouth Guards
If your children are going to be participating in a recreational activity, such as baseball, soccer or water polo it is very important that you protect their teeth with mouth guards. Sports are great for physical exercise but can be dangerous. Foul balls, elbows, and collisions happen all the time and if your child's teeth are not protected with a strong mouth guard he could easily have a tooth knocked out. Even if the sport seems easy on the physical activity, wearing a mouth guard is good practice and will greatly reduce the chance of tooth damage.

Stick to the Rules
Summer can be an easy time for forgetting. Being on vacation and not having to abide by a strict school schedule can make kids forget a lot. During the summer it is important as a parent to reinforce proper oral hygiene including brushing teeth twice a day, using floss and eating healthy. You don't want to ruin your child's summer but with gentle and persistent persuasion you can ensure they take care of their teeth and avoid any complications.

For more information about keeping your child's teeth safe and healthy, click here to visit our website. 

When To Bring A Baby To The Dentist

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend that you take your child to the dentist within six months after the first tooth erupts, or by his or her's first birthday, whichever comes first.

In the meantime, your primary healthcare provider should take a look at your baby's teeth (if he or she has any) and apply fluoride varnish every three to six months. Risk factors include a family history of cavities and poor dental health in the mother during pregnancy.

When you are ready to bring your child to the Pediatric Dental Specialists in Long Beach, be sure to communicate what fluoride treatments your baby has already received at the doctor's office.

If you can't afford dental care for your baby, consider getting in touch with your local health department to ask about resources.