There are two crucial healthy habits to keeping children’s teeth healthy. Nutrition Good oral hygiene routines Tips for Nutrition Choose healthy snack options between meals. Children love snacks between mealtimes, as they are growing and may feel hungry or thirsty. Choose snacks that don’t “stick” to the teeth. Try nutritious snacks like cheese, nuts, crunchy apples, or carrots. Limit snacks like crackers and chips that are comprised of carbohydrates, which have sugars that are a food source for cavity causing...

Baby teeth, also known as primary teeth, allow children to chew their food, assist with speech development, and they are a placeholder for future permanent teeth. If the baby tooth is lost too soon, this can affect the development of the jaw and the remaining teeth will start to shift. This prevents the jaw from having enough space for the permanent teeth to properly erupt into an optimal bite, which could possibly require orthodontic intervention. Regular professional dental visits will...

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. This month-long national health observance was initiated by the American Dental Association (ADA). It is intended to bring together dedicated professionals, healthcare providers, and educators to promote the benefits of good oral health to children, their caregivers, teachers, and many others. Establishing good oral habits at a young age is the first step to healthy teeth, the whole life through. Cavities Cavities are one of the most common chronic diseases affecting children in...

Diet Impacts Tooth Health Your mouth is essential for chewing and swallowing your food. The mouth is the first point of contact with all the nutrients your body needs. What you put in your mouth impacts both your oral and general health. What is a cavity? Cavities form when the bacteria in the mouth eat the available sugars and produce acid, which breaks down the outer layer, the enamel, of the tooth. Cavities often develop between the teeth and in...

As we go back to school, we need to be mindful of our daily routines. Having routines will help establish healthy habits, including good oral health. Did you know that cavities are one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood in the United States, possibly leading to problems with eating, speaking, playing, and learning? Children who have poor oral health often miss more school and receive lower grades than children who don’t (CDC, 2019). The good news is that...

Foods & Drinks to Avoid for a Healthy Mouth While some food may seem harmless, if you eat too many and the constant exposure to sugar can be harmful to your teeth. Here are 6 different foods and drinks that should be cautiously consumed. Hard Candies: Constant exposure to sugar and the hardness of the candy could cause a dental emergency such as a broken or chipped tooth. Alternative is sugarless gum Ice: Chewing on ice can also leave you...

Establishing good oral habits at a young age is the first step to healthy teeth, the whole life through. Here are some suggestions to incorporate into your daily routines with your children.  Tips for parents when brushing children’s teeth Create a positive atmosphere around brushing. Play a song or story during this time. An adult should assist the child with oral hygiene. Most children need help brushing until the age of 10. Both the child and their caregiver should brush...

Energy drinks, shakes, smoothies, and fruit juices – sounds healthy, right? Such beverages are often considered part of a healthy lifestyle, and some of them do contain a lot of nutritious ingredients. But they also tend to have a low pH, meaning that they are acidic, and may cause erosion of the teeth – simply put, it wears them down.    Since these beverages often come in big containers, consuming these types of drinks may include a longer period of...