A Sour Smile Is Not A Happy Smile -- Pediatric Dental Specialists

It’s no secret that sweet, sugary candies and drinks have an adverse effect of the health of your smile, but what about sour or tart candies? We at Pediatric Dental Specialists thought you might want to know what kind of an effect does eating or drinking something sour have on my smile?

Recent research from the Minnesota Dental Association suggests that the amount of acid in sour candies is enough to eat away at tooth enamel and cause cavities. Here are a few souring facts about sour candies, and some helpful tips on how to protect your teeth from Pediatric Dental Specialists(even if you cannot give up sour candies all together).

Facts

-Sour candies can be very acidic, and may actually burn the gums and cheeks, while weakening and wearing down the enamel on your teeth. (Check the acid levels in some of your favorite candies)

-It can take almost 20 minutes for the acid in sour candies to become neutral. Holding the acid in your mouth by sucking on sour hard candies or chewing sour gummies can keep the acid active for more than 20 minutes.

-The acid in sour candies can cause cavities and severe tooth decay.

Protect your teeth

-Limit the amount of sour candies that you eat on a daily basis, and if you do indulge, remember not to suck or chew on sour candies for long periods of time.

-After eating sour candies, rinse your mouth out with water, drink milk, or eat a couple slices of cheese. This will help neutralize the acid in your mouth (wait at least one hour before brushing your teeth with toothpaste, as this can actually increase the effects of acid on your teeth)

-If tooth erosion has already begun, ask your dentist about ways you can help reduce sensitivity and continue to protect your teeth.

Hope this helps! From Pediatric Dental Specialists.

Fun New Quiz From Pediatric Dental Specialists

Pediatric Dental Specialists wants to know, where does all that soda pop go?

On average, the typical person consumes over 50 gallons of soda pop per year! The amount of acid and sugar found in a can of soda can cause serious tooth decay and lead to cavities, gum disease, and even tooth loss!

We at Pediatric Dental Specialists know that you don’t want to lose your teeth, so take the soda pop quiz, presented by the Minnesota Dental Association, and learn more about how to keep your smile healthy.

It’s a fun interactive quiz, so enjoy! From Pediatric Dental Specialists.

Bicycle Safety Tips from Pediatric Dental Specialists

At Pediatric Dental Specialists, we take a special interest in our patients and their development. One ways that they develop socially and physically is through learning to ride a bike.

Learning to ride a bicycle can be challenging. But it is so rewarding. So Dr. Cortez, Dr. Sanchez, and Dr. Planells found these great tips on the American Association of Pediatric web site and wanted to share them.

--Do not push your child to ride a 2-wheeled bike until he or she is ready, at about age 5 or 6. Consider the child's coordination and desire to learn to ride. Stick with coaster (foot) brakes until your child is older and more experienced for hand brakes.

--Take your child with you when you shop for the bike, so that he or she can try it out. The value of a properly fitting bike far outweighs the value of surprising your child with a new one. Click here for more information on finding the proper fit.

--Buy a bike that is the right size, not one your child has to "grow into." Oversized bikes are especially dangerous.

--Your child needs to wear a helmet on every bike ride, no matter how short or how close to home. Many accidents happen in driveways, on sidewalks, and on bike paths, not just on streets. Children learn best by observing you. Whenever you ride, put on your helmet.

--When purchasing a helmet, look for a label or sticker that says the helmet meets the CPSC safety standard.

--A helmet protects your child from serious injury, and should always be worn. And remember, wearing a helmet at all times helps children develop the helmet habit.

--A helmet should be worn so that it is level on the head, not tipped forwards or backwards. The strap should be securely fastened, and you should not be able to move the helmet in any direction. If needed, the helmet's sizing pads can help improve the fit.

Safe bicycle riding to everyone! From Pediatric Dental Specialists!

Pediatric Dental Specialists Share Pool Safety Tips

Summer is coming and with it comes lots of swimming! Here are some helpful tips from Pediatric Dental Specialists that we found on the American Association of Pediatricians' web site.

--Install a fence at least four-feet high around all four sides of the pool. The fence should not have openings or protrusions that a young child could use to get over, under, or through.

--Make sure pool gates open out from the pool, and self-close and self-latch at a height children can't reach.

--Never leave children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment.

--Keep rescue equipment (a shepherd's hook - a long pole with a hook on the end - and life preserver) and a portable telephone near the pool. Choose a shepherd's hook and other rescue equipment made of fiberglass or other materials that do not conduct electricity.

--Avoid inflatable swimming aids such as "floaties." They are not a substitute for approved life vests and can give children a false sense of security.

--Children may not be developmentally ready for swim lessons until after their fourth birthday. Swim programs for children under 4 should not be seen as a way to decrease the risk of drowning.

--Whenever infants or toddlers are in or around water, an adult should be within arm's length, providing "touch supervision."

Have more questions about your children this summer? Give us a call at Pediatric Dental Specialists, we'd love to help!

Pediatric Dental Specialists Want to Know if Your Playground is Safe

Summer is coming and that means your kids will be spending lots of time outside. Playgrounds are everywhere from your backyard to the neighborhood park. It is important to know what safety features to look for before your child runs over to jump on a swing.


At Pediatric Dental Specialists, we found some important regulations on the American Association of Pediatricians' web site. They include what to look for on a public playground and tips on ensuring your home swing set is functioning properly.

Here is to a Happy and Safe Summer from Pediatric Dental Specialist!


--Carefully supervise young children using playground equipment. Keep children from shoving, pushing, or fighting.

--The surface under playground equipment should be energy absorbent. Use safety - tested mats or loose fill materials (shredded rubber, sand, wood chips, or bark) maintained to a depth of at least 9 inches.

--Install the protective surface at least 6 feet (more for swings and slides) in all directions from the equipment.

--Swing seats should be made of something soft, not wood or metal.

--Children should not twist swings, swing empty seats, or walk in front of moving swings.

--Put home playground equipment together correctly. It should sit on a level surface and be anchored firmly to the ground.

--Cap all screws and bolts. Check periodically for loose nuts and bolts and broken, rusty, or sharp parts.

--Install playground equipment at least 6 feet from fences or walls.

--Check for hot metal surfaces on equipment such as those on slides, which could cause burns.

--Never attach ropes, jump ropes, clotheslines, or pet leashes to playground equipment because children can strangle on them.

Source: https://www.aap.org/family/playgrd.htm

How to Keep Your Kids Safe While Exercising in the Heat from Pediatric Dental Specialists

Summer is coming and it is important for your kids to be able to play outside in the sun. Here are some great tips from Pediatric Dental Specialists to make sure everyone stays safe!

--The intensity of activities that last 15 minutes or more should be reduced whenever high heat and humidity reach critical levels.

--At the beginning of a strenuous exercise program or after traveling to a warmer climate, the intensity and duration of exercise should be limited initially and then gradually increased during a period of 10 to 14 days to accomplish acclimatization to the heat.

--Before prolonged physical activity, the child should be well-hydrated. During the activity, periodic drinking should be enforced, for example, each 20 minutes, 5 oz of cold tap water or a flavored sports drink for a child weighing 90 lbs, and 9 oz for an adolescent weighing 130 lbs, even if the child does not feel thirsty.

--Clothing should be light-colored and lightweight and limited to one layer of absorbent material to facilitate evaporation of sweat. Sweat-saturated garments should be replaced by dry garments.

--Practices and games played in the heat should be shortened and more frequent water/hydration breaks should be instituted.

Any more questions, let us know at Pediatric Dental Specialists, we'd love to answer your questions!

How to Have Fun in the Sun and Stay Safe from Pediatric Dental Specialists

At Pediatric Dental Specialists, we want to make sure that you are able to enjoy the sun this summer and keep you and your little ones safe. Here are some great tips broken down by age group.

Babies under 6 months:

--Avoiding sun exposure and dressing infants in lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and brimmed hats that shade the neck are still the top recommendations from the AAP to prevent sunburn. However when adequate clothing and shade are not available, parents can apply a minimal amount of suncreen with at least 15 SPF (sun protection factor) to small areas, such as the infant's face and the back of the hands. If an infant gets a sunburn, apply cold compresses to the affected area.

For Young Children:

---Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside, and use sunscreen even on cloudy days. The SPF should be at least 15 and protect against UVA and UVB rays.

For Older Children:

--The first, and best, line of defense against the sun is covering up. Wear a hat with a three-inch brim or a bill facing forward, sunglasses (look for sunglasses that block 99-100% of ultraviolet rays), and cotton clothing with a tight weave.

--Stay in the shade whenever possible, and limit sun exposure during the peak intensity hours - between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

--Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater. Be sure to apply enough sunscreen - about one ounce per sitting for a young adult.

--Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.

--Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand as they reflect UV rays and may result in sunburn more quickly.

If you have more questions, don't hesitate to contact us at Pediatric Dental Specialists!