Monday, January 7, 2019

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After a tooth is pulled, especially wisdom teeth, some people experience a condition referred to as “dry socket”, a painful condition that is many times worse than the discomfort following tooth removal. Thankfully it can be treated, but it is best if you can prevent dry socket to begin with.

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Many parents want to help celebrate this milestone using the tooth fairy tradition. There are loads of cute ideas floating around the internet – everything from notes to the tooth fairy, special pillows or boxes, cute picture ideas and more. A long standing part of the tooth fairy tradition is the financial reward for the child! And while this amount varies widely by family, Delta Dental tracks the going rate on their Tooth Fairy Poll – currently $4.13 per tooth in the United States!

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Is there anything cuter than a child who is missing their two front teeth? Embrace that look since the adult teeth will take some time to come in. Teething as a big kid isn’t usually as painful as it was for your baby. Typically the only pain your child may feel when the permanent teeth come in is with the eruption of molars, and is usually that can be resolved with an over the counter pain medicine.
When the adult teeth do come in, you’ll notice they are larger, slightly darker and more ridged than their baby teeth. And while taking good care of their teeth has always been important, this is the last set they get! Make sure to continue to see the dentist twice a year to take care of them.

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It is best to let baby teeth fall out naturally to prevent trauma to the gums around the tooth, which may already be sore. Your child will likely play with the tooth, wiggling it with their tongue or fingers – this is natural and encouraged. Make sure you talk to your child about what will happen when they lose the tooth, especially if they are going to school. Hit these highlights:
  • Loose teeth are totally normal and the wiggly tooth will fall out.
  • Don’t worry about swallowing it, because you will feel it.
  • It’s ok to go to the school nurse if you feel it come out.
  • There will be some blood and you can use a tissue to blot it if you want.
  • Keep your tooth in a tissue or sandwich bag until you get home.
There are lots of fun books to read to kids or check out the American Dental Association’s “Ask the Tooth Fairy” for some help guiding this conversation.

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Teeth usually start getting loose because the adult (or permanent) teeth are pushing on them and are ready to come in. Kids tend to lose teeth in the same order the got them, most commonly the front teeth, followed by the canines and working back to the molars.
Baby teeth (also called deciduous teeth or primary teeth) begin to wiggle as early as age 4 and you will see kids losing teeth between the ages of 5-15, with girls many times losing them before boys.
Baby teeth can also be lost due to injuries or dental issues such as gum disease or cavities. Some parents think that baby teeth don’t require the same care as adult teeth since they will be lost, but this isn’t the case. In a “premature loss”, it is critical to see a dentist to prevent more significant future issues.
If your child hasn’t lost any teeth by age 8, or if adult teeth erupt before the baby teeth have fallen out, talk to your dentist to make sure there are no problems.

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As a parent, every milestone our children go through is both exciting and educational. As a first-time parent, we learn everything we can, either deliberately or by experience. And despite feeling more prepared when number two (or three or four) arrives, we soon discover all children are different and we get to learn something new all over again.
The same is true with baby teething and kids losing teeth. Here’s what you need to know about kids losing teeth.

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We regularly consume many toxins in small doses. For example, cyanide, a known toxin, is found in small quantities in almonds and lima beans, and yet we still eat them both! And while fluoride, in large quantities is indeed toxic, the amount in public water systems is regulated to just one part per million, a perfectly safe and time tested amount. In those public water systems where there is a higher amount of naturally occurring fluoride, it is treated to reduce the levels to that one part per million threshold.
Those concerned with fluoride dangers tend to choose natural toothpaste companies who leave fluoride out of their products. However, these companies only leave it out due to consumer concern over fluoride’s toxicity, not because fluoride is actually a problem. Fluoride in very low doses, such as in drinking water, toothpaste, and other dental products, is beneficial, not harmful.


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Water is a building block that our bodies need, which is why doctors recommend six 8 oz servings per day for most people. We need it for hydration and to keep our bodies functioning at an optimal level. Did you know that drinking fluoridated water results in a lower risk of cavities? It’s true! Low levels of fluoride found in drinking water helps to protect tooth enamel. 75% of US water is fluoridated and, after more than 60 years of public water fluoridation, there are no peer reviewed scientific studies showing that adding fluoride endangers our population because of it. In fact, just the opposite is true – studies show that those without safe, clean drinking water have some level of tooth decay, which can lead to gum disease and tooth loss.
The Center for Disease Control credits water fluoridation as one of the most important health practices in the 20th Century, but they take it even one step further and encourage “daily and frequent exposure to small amounts of fluoride”.
Simply put, the benefits of fluoride should put concerns about fluoride dangers to rest.

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Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral and is proven to prevent cavities by strengthening tooth enamel. Taken internally by drinking fluorinated water, taking supplements, or eating foods with the nutrient, helps prevent tooth decay. Brushing your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste, or using other dental products such as mouthwashes or having your dentist apply it topically, creates stronger, healthier teeth and prevents cavities.


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Fluoride, it’s in the soil, it’s in the water, it’s in your toothpaste, it’s even found naturally in some foods! But the debate continues. Fluoride dangers have long been a topic of conversation among moms and other health conscious consumers worried about the products they use and consume. As a group of dentists, we want to share our perspective. In fact, there is a direct link between the use of fluoride and improved oral health.

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Only your dentist or dental hygienist can tell you for sure. If your visit to the dentist reveals significant pockets- those 4mm or greater, then you are at risk for (or in the stages of), periodontal disease. This makes you a candidate for the therapy (a deep teeth cleaning) and it is highly recommended if you want to stop and prevent the progression of the disease. Without treatment, the bacteria that created the pockets in your gums will continue to create plaque, tartar, and bone loss.
If you are told you need a deep teeth cleaning, you’re not alone! According to the American Academy of Periodontology, nearly half of adult Americans suffer from gum disease. Still not convinced? More and more research has shown a direct link between the progression of gum disease and the development of more serious illnesses including heart disease, diabetes, dementia and more. Bottom line, if your dentist or hygienist says you need a deep teeth cleaning, you owe it to your overall health to take care of it.
September is National Gum Care Month, and to honor that, we encourage you to take action and schedule an appointment with your dentist today. But don’t just stop there- take their advice on the type of cleaning you need and save your teeth, and your health!

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What’s the difference between a deep teeth cleaning and a regular teeth cleaning?


Your mouth is full of bacteria and plaque, which is why a twice daily habit of brushing and flossing is recommended. Routine exams and cleanings help to remove the plaque that builds up on your teeth each and every day. Most of that plaque is found near the gum line, where most of us miss when brushing. Plaque hardens to tartar and that is what dental hygienists clean in a regular cleaning.
If a regular tooth brushing habit isn’t followed, or if you have a genetic predisposition to gum disease, your gums may show signs of gingivitis – red, swollen gums that bleed easily when touched. If left untreated, this can result in periodontal disease, an infection of the gum and bone that support your teeth which can lead to eventual tooth loss.
To determine if the infection exists, x-rays and pocket depth readings are taken into consideration. When there is evidence of this infection, the need for interceptive gum therapy is required with the goal to prevent disease progression. When you hear your hygienist call out 4, 5 or 6, it’s time to take action…yes, the deep teeth cleaning!
To compare a regular teeth cleaning with a deep teeth cleaning is almost like comparing apples and oranges because they are designed to do very different things. The goal of a regular cleaning is preventative maintenance and the goal of a deep teeth cleaning is to stop the progression of periodontal disease.


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A dental deep cleaning, sometimes referred to as gum therapy, is a treatment that cleans between the gums and teeth down to the roots. Like a regular cleaning, the hygienist or dentist will clean the tooth, gum line and sides of the teeth. However in a deep teeth cleaning, they continue to remove tartar buildup down below the gum line to the root of the tooth. This process can also be referred to as a “root planing and scaling” and may require several visits in order to complete the treatment. It is more extensive than a standard cleaning and is designed to treat gum disease and to stop it from becoming worse.

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So, your dentist has recommended a deep teeth cleaning – what the heck is that and do you really need it? The answer is yes, you need a deep teeth cleaning. Let us explain.

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  • Regular Health Care Visits – keeping your baby safe includes keeping them healthy. Make sure you visit your pediatrician regularly to make sure your baby’s development is on track. Check out this schedule for well-child visits. Part of their health care routine should include regular visits to the dentist. Schedule their first dental visit within six months of the eruption of their first tooth or by their first birthday as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
  • Keep Your Utensils Out Of Their Mouths – babies love to explore the world with their mouths, but putting things in their mouths exposes them not just to choking hazards but to all kinds of germs. But most parents don’t think twice about sharing spoons or straws with their baby. Don’t do it!. Cavities are created from bacteria, and the cavity-causing germs in a parent’s mouth can be transferred to baby’s!
Clearly this list isn’t all inclusive, for more baby safety tips visit the American Academy of Pediatrics and WebMD for their guides to baby safety.

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Child proofing your home doesn’t need to be excessive or expensive. Look around from the point of view of your child for things that can be choking hazards, trip, strangle, falling or tipping hazards. Some are obvious like electrical sockets and the cords for blinds, but others aren’t so obvious like long tablecloths, furniture that could tip and laundry pods. Remember, child proofing is an ongoing task as your baby grows and becomes more mobile. For a robust list, check out this resource for all kinds of baby safety tips.