Kids Dental Health Starts With Routines

When it comes to kids dental health, the news is not good. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20 percent of kids aged two to 19 years have cavities that have not been treated. Also, over 50 million school hours are lost every year because of dental problems. So are you teaching your kid the best dental health habits? Parents always want the best for their kids, but they can neglect to teach and enforce the right dental hygiene routines.

The things children learn about brushing and flossing today will stick with them for a lifetime, setting them up for good dental health as adults. Instilling the right habits with your kids early on will stop them from dreading dentist visits later on. If you can make a home environment that includes healthy hygiene examples for your kids, you are almost assured that their future dental visits will be painless and stress-free.

What If My Kid Doesn’t Brush Their Teeth?

Many people are not aware that the health of their teeth and gums has a direct and lasting effect on their overall health. For instance, poor dental hygiene can lead to gum disease, tooth decay and tooth loss. And gum disease can increase a person’s risk for diabetes, heart disease and Alzheimer’s. Apart from these long-term effects, poor dental hygiene can also drain the family budget. Cavities lead to costly procedures just to restore the tooth’s health.

Fortunately, fluoridated toothpastes and modern dental treatments are now available so people can take better care of their teeth. Pediatric dentists now use sealants that serve to protect the new teeth of children, and regular cleanings can help combat cavities. If you have any concerns about teaching dental hygiene to toddlers, ask your hygienist or dentist to teach them the proper techniques of brushing and flossing.

Starting Dental Care Early with Baby Teeth

Parents mostly ask dentists when regular tooth brushing should start. It might be hard, but it is recommended that parents start as soon as the baby’s teeth become visible. Because baby teeth begin erupting through the gums when the child is about four months old. At these early sessions, use a washcloth first before switching to a small toothbrush. Toothpaste is not necessary for babies, but kids should start with a small amount when they reach age two or three.

One of the best ways for you to prevent tooth decay in kids is to get them enthusiastic about taking care of their teeth. Tooth brushing and flossing might not be a favorite thing to do for kids, but you can make it fun by choosing a toothbrush and toothpaste that your child wants to use. As parents, if you continually reinforce good dental hygiene at home, children will more likely practice these habits for a lifetime.

Children who started brushing their teeth since they were babies have a higher chance of understanding the importance of this as they grow up and develop permanent teeth. Keep in mind that smart dental habits established at a young age sets the stage for lifelong healthy habits. If you have any questions about dental hygiene for kids, contact your Pediatric dentist in Ewing Township.

Dental Sealants Protect Your Childs Teeth

Dental sealant are a thin, protective coating that is painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth – mostly on the back teeth – to help prevent tooth decay. Sealants bond quickly into the grooves and depressions of the teeth, forming a defensive shield over the tooth enamel. Even though thorough flossing and brushing often remove the majority of plaque and food particles from the teeth’s smooth surfaces, simple hygiene does not always get into all the nooks and crannies of the back teeth to get rid of plaque and food particles. Sealants can help protect these crucial areas from tooth decay by sealing out food and plaque.

Who Needs to Get Dental Sealants?

Because developing decay in the grooves and depressions of the molars and premolars is more common in children, they are good candidates for sealants. But adults without fillings or decay in their molars can also benefit from sealants. Typically, children need to get sealants on their permanent premolars and molars once these teeth have established themselves in the dental arch. Applying sealants too soon may leave the lower portion of the tooth unprotected.

When the baby teeth of a child have deep grooves and depressions or when the child has poor dental hygiene habits, sealants are often recommended by the pediatric dentist in Newtown. Since baby teeth play a very important role in holding the correct spacing for permanent teeth, it is important that these teeth be kept healthy so they are not lost too soon.

How are Dental Sealants Applied?

Applying dental sealants is a relatively painless and simple process, so it should not be feared by kids or their parents. It will only take a few minutes for the dentist or hygienist to apply the sealant to seal every tooth. The procedure starts by thoroughly cleaning the teeth to be sealed. Every tooth is then dried by an absorbent material.

The dentist will put an acidic solution on the chewing surfaces of the teeth to roughen them up slightly and this helps the sealant bond to the enamel. The sealant is then painted onto the enamel of the tooth, where it will directly bond to the tooth and harden. At times, a special curing light is used to facilitate the hardening process.

How Long Do Dental Sealants Last?

When properly applied and cared for, dental sealants can protect teeth from decay for up to a decade. However, they need to be regularly checked for erosion and chipping during dental check-ups. Your kids dentist in Pennington can replace sealants as necessary. Most insurance companies do cover the cost of dental sealants, so check with your insurance carrier first to determine if sealants are covered under your particular insurance plan.

Dental sealants offer a great way to protect the teeth of your kids, especially during those years when they are highly prone to teeth decay and damage. It is good news that the pediatric dentistry world has come up with options like sealants to help ensure good dental health. Visit your pediatric dental offices in Langhorne or in your area now to get more information about dental sealants.

Why You Should Consider Getting Botox Treatments Now

So, you’re considering getting Botox and are curious about its pros and cons? Then you definitely should read this. It seems that everywhere we look today, people are getting work done on their face? But it is really worth it? Botox has several other uses in addition to wrinkle reduction and smoothing. Below are a few areas that recipients of Botox injections have claimed as a result of getting Botox treatments.

Minimized migraines – Botox helped reduce headaches among adults with chronic migraines. This course of treatment is not how the product is prescribed by the FDA but some doctors have been known for treating patients with Botox.

Correct crossed-eyes – It has been cited to help with with crossed eyes, blurred vision and eyelid spasms. Relaxing the eye muscles will prevent them from working against one another.

Bladder control – Patients with overactive bladder have been able to increase bladder volume and reduce incontinence. The affect can last for several months, depending on the patient.

Fight sweat – It has helped people with hyperhidrosis fight off excess sweating for up to two years. Those with hyperhidrosis experience excessive and unpredictable sweating.

Mood enhancer – Botox injections have helped patients lift their mood. Some facial muscles are paralyzed and frowning requires these muscles. Therefore if smiling more is the result,  better spirits coincide with more smiles.

Joint pain relief – The action of Botox has been known to alleviate shoulder, hip and knee pain. The treatment is known to block the nerve signals around the injection sites, causing the muscles to not send pain signals to the brain.

Sexual healing – We have been told it helps to relieve painful sex. Treating the perineal area can help relax the muscles in the pelvic floor, relieving pain for more pleasurable sex.

Allergy relief – Botox has been said to fight allergies. When injected around the nasal cavity for wrinkle treatments, it results in block nerve endings in the nasal passage and reduces inflammation.

Reduce jaw pain – Botox has been known to reduce jaw pain for people with TMJ. Patients have found great relief from getting Botox injections in their jaw muscles to relax it, relieving pain. 

None of the treatments above are approved by the FDA and therefore we are not recommending any of the above ailments be treated specifically with Botox for these conditions. We are just sharing anecdotal information that we have found interesting. Botox is after all a toxin and should only be administered by a licensed skin care doctor or dermatologist that has been trained to use this product. Indeed, there are so many benefits of using Botox injections for wrinkle reduction, although there are some positive side effects for some people that have other conditions. Botox has recently been approved by the FDA for treating crows feet. Contact a Botox expert in Lancaster or your doctor if you have more questions.