1. Brush, brush, and brush!

This is an important part of everyday life. Pack it into your morning and night routines, and don’t forget even with the holiday bustle. Brushing teeth twice a day from an early age will not only help to instill healthy dental habits but will ensure the holiday doesn’t wreak havoc on their pearly whites. On days when they’ve had a lot of sweets or something really sticky, consider doing an extra brushing after their midday meal or just right after the sweet treat. Ideally, we should all brush our teeth for two minutes at a time. This can be tricky with kids, so consider singing a song (maybe a holiday jingle for the season) while they brush to help them go the distance. When they’ve finished brushing, grab the brush and take a turn also. It can be hard for little hands to get the places in the back or up on top.

2. Floss!

The importance of floss cannot be overstated when it comes to having healthy teeth for the holidays. Those sweet foods and candies love the grooves and tight spaces between your kids’ teeth and will happily stay there despite a good brushing. Get out the floss, and consider doing a little show-and-tell for your kids so they can see what the floss is able to snag even after brushing. Sometimes seeing is believing!

3. Keep your dental appointments.

The crush of the holiday season and the places to go and the things to do can have you going all over town and out of town. You might feel pressure to cancel a holiday dental appointment. Please don’t! Regular dental checkups for your kids are important. When scheduling, consider trying to get it in before things really heat up, or try for early in the new year.

4. Surround yourself and your kids with healthy options.

We aren’t saying to avoid the candies and cookies full stop. However, when your home pantry and fridge are stocked with yummy healthy options making them more accessible; your kids will be eating better in general, at least while they’re at home. Being able to grab healthy snacks for on-the-go will also help you avoid those less healthy choices while you’re out and about that are sometimes made of desperation when you’ve got hungry kids who just can’t wait. Make those moments for the sweet treats even more special because they aren’t part of every moment of every day.

5. Give dental Christmas gifts.

Dental hygiene items will make great stocking stuffers for your kids, and even other people’s kids. Consider some fun toothbrushes of their favorite characters or colors and throw in some minty or cinnamon-flavored floss. A quick google search for floss flavors will yield other crazier flavors of floss such as: bacon, pickle, coconut, cupcake, pumpkin spice and so much more. Older kids might even get a kick out of an electric toothbrush. Promoting dental health can be seasonal too!

6. Drink water with fluoride.

Drink lots of water this holiday season, not only is it important to stay hydrated, but the fluoride in water will help your teeth fight against tooth decay. Try to stay away from sodas and juices when your kids are eating sweets and counteract their harmful effects on teeth by serving water to help wash away the sugars and acids.

7. Look for ways to make favorite holiday treats a bit healthier.

Can those holiday pastries or cookies be made with whole wheat flour instead of white flour? Can that cup of hot cocoa be made with milk, cocoa powder and just a bit of sugar instead of pouring in a pre-made packet or a couple spoon-fulls of chocolate syrup? The internet is your friend when it comes to altering recipes to healthier options or sugar substitutes. Take a look and see if you can find something that you can still feel good about while also pleasing the kids’ holiday expectations.

8. Keep the sweets intake close to mealtime.

According to the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) in Saliva-Your Mouth’s Most Powerful Natural Defense Against Decay, your saliva is a serious powerhouse against plaque and tooth decay. They state:

“Saliva contains important elements such as bicarbonate, calcium, and phosphate. They not only neutralize plaque acids, but also help repair early tooth damage and decay.” That is a pretty great natural defense your body has. Eating those sweet treats during or right after mealtime when your saliva production is at its highest will ensure your body’s best defender is in the game when it counts the most.

9. Get off the non-stop sweet train.

Grazing on sweet treats all day long may be a savory delicious habit during the holidays, but the non-stop assault on your teeth can be incredibly damaging. Try to keep the sweet intake to one sitting, and then wash it down with water if brushing isn’t a practical option at that point in the day.

Giving your kids information about why it’s important to take care of their teeth instead of just telling them to do it can help them get on board with their oral hygiene. Also, lead by example! If you aren’t brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once, and drinking lots of water, get started now! Help it be a happy dental Christmas and keep these nice teeth dental habits up throughout the year! On behalf of all of us here at Redwood Pediatric Dentistry, we wish you and your loved ones happy holidays!

The post 9 Teeth Tips for Healthy Dental Holidays appeared first on Looking for an incredible Pediatric Dentist.

According to the ADA (American Dental Association), “the mouth is a window into the health of the body.” They further inform readers that the gum disease of periodontitis has been linked to major health problems including cardiovascular disease, stroke, pneumonia, and even early birth and low birth weight for infants born to women with periodontitis. Taking care of your kids’ teeth will help promote their overall health. Start early to nurture healthy food appreciation by focusing on healthy snacks and drinks for your kids. We at Redwood Pediatric Dentistry have made you a list of Do-Eats and Don’t-Eats to make it easier for you.

Here is the “Do’s” list:

1. Do – Eat crunchy fruits like apples or pears.

If you’ve ever wondered “are apples good for your teeth,” breathe easy because we can tell you “yes they are”. Apples and pears are a sweet treat that are a good source of vitamins. Their high-water content helps lessen the effects of their (natural) sugars and the crunchiness also helps to scrub away tooth plaque.

2. Do – Eat crunchy veggies like celery, carrots.

Celery and carrots contain stellar amounts of vitamin A which is good for maintaining tooth enamel.  Also, they’ll be scrubbing that plaque with all the chewing they will do!

3. Do – Eat leafy greens.

Spinach, kale, and broccoli are additional vegetables that are good for oral health. They contain folic acid which helps to maintain teeth and gum health.

4. Do – Eat Dairy.

Dairy snacks such as cheese and yogurt will help protect the tooth’s enamel because they are packed with calcium, casein, and phosphorous. Look for yogurts that are low in sugar, and cheeses that are low-fat.

5. Do – Eat Eggs.

Eating eggs promises more calcium, protein, and vitamin D for dental health. Vitamin D is a necessary component of oral health because it helps the body absorb the ever-important calcium.

6. Do – Eat Nuts.

Let your kid go nuts at snack time. Peanuts, almonds, and cashews are loaded with minerals such as calcium and phosphorous which protect their pearly whites by replenishing those minerals that can be eaten away by acids in other foods.

7. Do – Drink Water with Fluoride.

This is one of the best drinks for children’s teeth. According to the ADA, fluoride is a major defense player in fighting tooth decay, helping to prevent it by at least 25 percent in adults and children. Water will help to wash away sugars and acids left on teeth from foods, and the fluoride absorbed into tooth enamel through water and toothpaste will fight the good fight. Please beware that not all bottled water contains fluoride, if you have safe drinking water from the faucet in your home, use it to refill your kids favorite water bottle and know that you’re getting them the fluoride their teeth need. We also recommend doing fluoride treatments, read more about why we recommend them and what not to eat after a fluoride treatment in our post, ‘Why is Fluoride Important to My Child’s Dental Health?‘.

8. Do – Drink Milk.

Is milk good for your teeth? If your kid likes to drink milk, no problem. Milk has nutrients that help to counteract the harmful acids produced by plaque bacterias. If you feel the need to give a sweet drink, consider adding your own mix of cocoa powder and a small amount of sugar. This gives you control over the amount of sugar going into the drink, as opposed to already sweetened cocoa which may be loaded with sugar and/or high fructose corn syrup.

9. Do – Drink Homemade Juices.

Pre-made juices, or juices made from concentrate contain large amounts of sugars. If you want to give your kids juice, consider making your own at home to have control over how much sugar is added. Tip, try to stick with fruits that are not acidic.

Now for the Don’ts list:

1. Don’t – Eat chewy candies.

It’s no secret that candy contains loads of sugars and is generally considered bad for your teeth. The chewy candies are more likely to get stuck in teeth nooks and crannies and cause enamel erosion. Sour candies are generally considered even worse for teeth because their high acidity in combination with the stickiness is a double whammy on teeth. If your kids do eat candies, be sure to brush well afterward and rinse with water!

2. Don’t – Eat chips, pasta, or white bread.

While these foods are admittedly delicious and often favorites of kids, beware! These starchy foods are simple carbohydrates and when broken down, transform into simple sugars that contribute to tooth decay. Try to convert your kids to whole wheat versions of these foods.

3. Don’t – Eat sugary cereals.

Sugary cereals appeal to kids because of their bright-colored boxes and fun mascots but know that those sugars and corn syrups can do a number on teeth. Look for unfrosted cereals, or even try making your own granola at home.

4. Don’t – Eat dried fruits.

You might think that dried fruits for a snack are a healthy option. The problem with dried fruits, unfortunately, is their stickiness and the reality that they often contain sugars.

5. Don’t – Drink sodas or other sugary drinks.

Soda is a bad one for teeth, not only does it contain zero nutritional value, but it’s sugar content combined with the acidic content from the carbonation are tough on tooth enamel. Bottled juices or sports drinks should also be avoided because of their high sugar content and acidity.

6. Don’t – Eat lemons.

Are lemons bad for your teeth? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Citrus fruits are a good source of vitamin C and other nutrients, but highly acidic fruits can wreak havoc on tooth enamel. Avoid grapefruits and lemons especially for this reason.

We know it can be tough monitoring these things, especially because some of the foods and drinks on the Don’t list are so prevalent and easy to grab when you’re on the go. Just do your best, and work on instilling the habit of brushing teeth twice a day, and flossing daily for healthy gums.

Here at Redwood Pediatric Dentistry, we are dedicated to helping you get your children started with healthy dental habits early in life. Give us a call today and schedule an appointment for your child, it’s never too early to start!

The post Do-Eats and Don’t-Eats for Kids to Promote Healthy Teeth appeared first on Looking for an incredible Pediatric Dentist.

Teeth discoloration is a really common condition. There is good news. At Redwood Pediatric Dentistry, we provide solutions for discolored and stained teeth. The type of teeth whitening service that is most appropriate for your child is going to depend on the type and color of discoloration that they are dealing with. Keep reading to learn more about pediatric teeth whitening from Redwood Pediatric Dentistry.

Tooth Discoloration in Children: Culprits and Treatments

As a parent, it’s completely normal to feel a sense of dismay when you realize that your child is dealing with a smile that is not full of pearly whites. Whether they are stained completely or have streaks of various colors ranging from grey to orange, it’s disheartening to see your child go through this.

Tooth discoloration can be caused by many different things, and some of these are more serious and others are simply cosmetic problems. We’re going to review the different types of tooth discolorations and what treatment options are appropriate for each one.

Grey Tooth Discoloration in Children

There are a number of different causes of grey tooth discoloration. When one tooth is grey (usually dark in color), but the other teeth are white, this is usually a sign of trauma. When a child experiences blunt force trauma to the mouth, a tooth can slowly die, which leads to the grey discoloration.

Besides blunt force trauma, when a tooth is injured and subsequently receives an increase in blood flow, it can also create a greyish discoloration. When dealing with grey discoloration, it’s important that your pediatric dentist conducts a thorough examination and takes X-rays. Sometimes injured teeth can abscess and may need to be removed. However, depending on the type of injury, sometimes teeth can heal and return to their original color.

When the child presents with grey discoloration on many teeth, the culprit is usually antibiotic use. Tetracycline is a common antibiotic that has been used for many years, staining teeth all the while. In fact, this side effect is so powerful that if a woman takes this antibiotic while she is pregnant, her child may present with teeth that appear gray in color. Primary teeth and secondary teeth can both be affected by the use of this antibiotic, although it’s more commonly seen on baby teeth. Treatments to resolve this type of discoloration usually involve intense bleaching, veneers, or crowns. However, when it comes to pediatric treatments – usually bleaching and whitening services take care of it.

There is another antibiotic that is often prescribed that can cause temporary grey discoloration of teeth, and that is amoxicillin. These types of stains will go away with fastidious oral hygiene and vigorous brushing.

Yellow or Orange Discoloration of Teeth in Children

Poor dental hygiene can cause children to develop yellow or orange discoloration of teeth. In order to prevent these types of stains, parents need to encourage frequent brushing and ensure that their child is paying particular attention to the gum line, where the orange build-up is most common. Bringing your child in for regular six-month professional cleanings along with keeping up with daily brushings can help prevent these stains from getting worse.

Black Tooth Discoloration in Children

Black lines or patches on the teeth are usually a side effect from iron-containing medications. Iron overdose is quite dangerous for children, so it’s not often that parents will see these types of stains unless they have a child with severe anemia that requires iron medications.

White Patches on Children’s Teeth

Another type of tooth stain commonly seen in children is white patches. Naturally, teeth are ivory, or creamy in color, and any type of bright white patch is noticeably out of place. By far the most common cause of white patches on teeth is a condition called fluorosis. Too much exposure to fluoride during childhood can lead to fluorosis.

These types of stains are very difficult to remove because they are intrinsic to the tooth itself. If the white patches are very noticeable, caps, veneers, and bleaching can help to reduce this visibility. White patches may also be the first sign of tooth decay. If this is the case, you need to ensure your child is frequently brushing their teeth in order to prevent cavities.

Great Advancements Have Been Made in Aesthetic Dentistry

Aesthetic dentistry has come a long way in the past decade. New innovation makes tooth restoration possible, even for patients who were told there was nothing they could do for their teeth in the past. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recognizes the increased demand for pediatric dental whitening services. In their official policy on the use of dental bleaching for child and adolescent patients, the following is stated:

“The desire for improved dental esthetics has fueled innovations in dental materials. Patients, parents, and the news media request information on dental whitening for children and adolescents with increasing frequency. In addition, increased demand for bleaching materials and services has affected both the variety and availability of dental bleaching products on the market.”

Make Your Pediatric Dentist Appointment Today!

Are you concerned with tooth discoloration in your child? We can help determine the cause of the discoloration and provide appropriate treatment. Parents and physicians throughout Salt Lake, Taylorsville, South Salt Lake, and West Valley trust the professionals at Redwood Pediatric Dentistry for children’s dental health needs, and you can too. Call us today at (801) 281-8881 to set up an appointment.

The post Teeth Whitening for Children: What You Need to Know appeared first on Looking for an incredible Pediatric Dentist.

As a parent of a child who might need them, you probably have your own set of concerns and questions about braces. Join us as we cover everything you need to know about kids and braces.

Why Do Some Kids Need Braces?

There are several different reasons why kids might need braces, including:

• Crooked teeth
• Overlapping teeth
• Overcrowded teeth
• A “bad bite”, which is also known as malocclusion

When there is a difference in the sizes of the top and bottom jaws, it is known as a malocclusion. In cases where the upper jaw is bigger than the lower jaw, this is known as an overbite. In cases where the lower jaw is bigger than the upper jaw, this is known as an underbite.

Losing baby teeth too soon can sometimes cause tooth and jaw problems that warrant braces for correction. Oral fixation habits, such as thumb sucking, can also lead to dental issues in kids. However, for the majority of cases, issues with the teeth and jaws are simply inherited and if you needed braces, it’s likely that your child will also need braces.

Identifying the Need for Braces for Kids

Your pediatric dentist will most likely be the first one to notice any alignment or bite issues during a routine examination, and they will recommend that your child sees an orthodontist. An orthodontist is a dentist who specializes in jaw/teeth alignment problems. The decision as to whether your child definitely needs braces and what devices would work are made by the orthodontist.

Some kids will see the orthodontist when they are six years old, others might not see one until they are 10, and even some won’t see one until their teen years. There is no concrete age at which your child should see an orthodontist. Sometimes even adults go to get orthodontic treatment done. However, many orthodontists recommend that your child has their first visit around age seven because by then issues like overcrowding or uneven bite should be obvious.

It’s important to keep in mind that even if you start the process early, that does not mean that the child will get braces right away. The orthodontist will assess the problems and decide when is the best time to start treatment. Sometimes they need to do things to prepare the teeth for braces, such as having an appliance installed that widens the jaw or removing teeth to create more space in the mouth.

What to Expect at First Orthodontist Visit

During the first orthodontist visit, your child will receive a thorough full mouth examination. They will have your child bite down to look for alignment issues, and ask you if your child has difficulty chewing, swallowing, and if you’ve ever heard clicking or popping sounds coming from the jaw.

At this first visit, there may be X-rays of the mouth and teeth taken in order to see how they are positioned and if there are permanent teeth that still need to come in. The orthodontist may also make a mold (impression) of your child’s teeth. This mold is created by pressing a tray of gooey material into the top and bottom teeth. Once that mold hardens, the result is an exact replica of your child’s teeth which will then be used to determine the best treatment options.

What are the Different Types of Braces?

Through the steady application of pressure on the teeth, braces eventually move the teeth into a straighter position. In most cases, the child will only require braces that consist of brackets, wires, and rubber bands. Brackets attach to the teeth and are connected by a wire and rubber bands. Over time, the wire is tightened in order to slowly line the teeth up properly. Kids enjoy picking out what color to use for the rubber bands. Metal brackets are still commonly used, but there are now options for clear or white ceramic brackets, which is nice because they are a lot less noticeable. There are also braces that go behind the teeth, and those are called lingual braces.

In some cases where only minor alterations are needed, clear removable braces might be used and they are called aligners. As the alignment treatment progresses, new aligners are used to progress the straitening.

Additional devices might also be needed, such as headgear. Headgear is a horseshoe-shaped wire that attaches to the back of the teeth and it provides a greater force to move the teeth. Thankfully, headgear is usually only worn at night.

Frequent visits to the orthodontist spaced out by a few weeks each will be required once the braces are on in order to monitor progress and make any adjustments that are needed. The length of time a child wears braces will depend on how much needs to be fixed, but on average they are worn for about two years. Once the braces are removed, your child will probably need to wear a specially molded retainer. A retainer is either a small hard piece of plastic that has metal wires on it or a thin piece of plastic that is shaped like a mouthguard. Retainers are important because they help prevent the teeth from wandering back to their previous positions.

Should My Child See an Orthodontist?

It’s important that you find a good, reliable orthodontist that you can trust. After all, braces do more than just straighten teeth to make them attractive, they also help to keep your child’s mouth healthy for the rest of their life.

Are you wondering whether or not your child should see an orthodontist? There’s only one way to find out. When your child sees a highly experienced dentist for an examination, not only can they recommend whether orthodontist treatment is advised for your child, but they can also lead you to highly skilled and reputable orthodontists in your local area.

Call us today at (801) 281-8881 to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced pediatric dentists.

The post Braces for Kids: What Do They Do and When Are They Needed appeared first on Looking for an incredible Pediatric Dentist.

Why do kids grind their teeth? What are the effects of teeth grinding? How can I stop my child from grinding their teeth? Today we are going to provide you with answers to these very common questions parents ask at Redwood Pediatric Dentistry regularly. First, watch this short video with Dr. Jason Horgesheimer and Dr. Chuck that explains more about teeth grinding and how it’s handled.

What is Bruxism?

The medical term used to describe the grinding of teeth and clenching of jaws is referred to as “bruxism”. According to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, three out of every ten kids will clench their jaws or grind their teeth. While tooth grinding usually occurs at night time when your child sleeps, you may notice the bruxism randomly throughout the day as well. Most children will eventually outgrow this habit.

What are the Causes of Bruxism?

Dentists don’t always know the exact reason why a particular child grinds their teeth, but there are a few different known causes for bruxism. It’s important to note that misalignment issues and pain are causes for bruxism that children typically outgrow. However, if your child grinds their teeth as a response to stress or as a symptom of hyperactivity, the habit may be harder to break.

Misalignment Issues

“Teeth are meant to snap together like Legos. If a lego is off you slide it around until it snaps together – and that’s subconsciously what they’re doing at night.” – Dr. Chuck

As Dr. Chuck explained, sometimes when a child has misaligned teeth where the top and bottom aren’t connecting, they may grind them.

Pain

Some kids might exhibit bruxism as a coping mechanism while they are dealing with pain of some sort that might be from an earache or teething. Just like you would rub a muscle that is sore, they grind their teeth to help ease the pain and discomfort.

“Teeth grinding is often associated with the eruption or coming in of new molars.” –  Dr. Jason

Stress

Stress can be a reason why a child might grind their teeth or clench their jaws. Typically a child experiences stress in the form of either tension or anger. If your child is worried about something coming up at school or a new change in their life they must adjust to (like a new teacher or sibling) – they might grind their teeth. Arguments with parents or other household members can also cause the child enough stress that they either clench their jaws or grind their teeth.

Hyperactivity

It is not uncommon to find a child who has hyperactivity and bruxism, as the two often run hand in hand. Because the child is often “sped up” they may grind their teeth as a response to that increased energy running through their body.

Medical

There are some medical conditions that can cause a child to grind their teeth, such as cerebral palsy. There are also several different types of medications (especially those used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD), that indicate bruxism is a common side effect.

What are the Effects of Bruxism?

Some children may experience headaches or earaches that are caused by the grinding of teeth. In most cases, the parents are the ones most greatly affected because the grinding sound can be quite bothersome and cause anxiety.

The vast majority of bruxism cases go undetected and the child experiences no ill effects from the habit. Dr. Jason explains that most kids “require no treatment at all.” He then goes on to explain that “only if they have severe wear patterns occurring would we ever recommend a mouthguard.”

As Dr. Jason touched upon, there are some children who can experience ill effects of bruxism, such as:

• Chipped teeth
• Wearing down of tooth enamel
• Increased sensitivity to temperature
• Facial pain
• Jaw problems including temporomandibular joint disease (TMJ)

Keep in mind that in children, the cases of TMJ are rare and this would only occur if the child is doing a lot of clenching and grinding.

What are the Signs of Bruxism?

Things you should watch out for regarding bruxism include:

• Grinding and gnashing noises while your child is sleeping
• Complaints of a sore face or jaw when the child wakes up in the morning
• Pain with chewing

If you are concerned that your child is grinding their teeth and you are worried about the health and integrity of their teeth, you can bring them to our experienced pediatric dentists. One of our dentists will perform an examination in which they look for any type of unusual wear and tear and spray water on the teeth to watch for signs of increased sensitivity to temperature.

What is the Recommended Treatment for Bruxism?

As Dr. Jason explained, typically there is no treatment needed. Most kids will grow out of this phase without any ill effects on the integrity of their adult teeth that start to come in as the grinding usually only occurs on the baby teeth which will fall out.

If the child is experiencing unusual patterns of wear and tear or complaining of facial or jaw pain, our pediatric dentists may recommend a special mouth guard to be worn at night. This type of protective mouthguard is similar to the ones worn by athletes and our dentists will create the appliance to perfectly mold to your child’s teeth.

How can I Help My Child with Bruxism?

Depending on the cause for your child to grind their teeth, there are a few different approaches that can be taken to help the child reduce the bruxism.

• Helping the child relax before bed by reading them a book, giving them a bath, or putting on some soothing music can help decrease bruxism.
• If you feel your child is grinding their teeth as a response to stress, open communication can help you find a way to help them. Talk to your child and ask them what’s on their mind and if anything has been bothering them.
• When a child is taking a medication that can cause teeth grinding, be sure that you bring this issue up with your pediatrician and seek alternative medications or therapies when possible.

Have you noticed your child exhibiting signs of bruxism? Are you concerned that there may be severe damage happening to their teeth as a result? If so, you should make an appointment at Redwood Pediatric Dentistry. Call us today at (801) 281-8881.

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The pain is like no other and plagues even the toughest kid when a canker sore decides to erupt. One of the most frustrating things about canker sores is that even though we know some contributing factors, it remains largely unclear how they are caused. A lot of people don’t know where to turn for relief of the pain associated with the canker sore and treatment of the sore itself.

At Redwood Pediatric Dentistry, parents ask us all the time how to treat a child’s canker sore. There are many different types of over-the-counter treatments you can buy at any local pharmacy that do a pretty good job of healing up the canker sore and reducing some of the pain. However, it’s truly a hit or miss, as many people do not respond to these remedies.

Modern technology has changed the dental care industry from the way that dental professionals find local work to the equipment you find at the dentist’s office. We pride ourselves in staying on top of the latest, which is why we have invested in CO² laser technology which allows us to go above and beyond and even heal a cold sore if needed. Dr. Jason Horgesheimer talks about this laser treatment of canker sores and mouth ulcers in more detail in the following video…

We are going to review the possible causes of canker sores and how they can be treated using pediatric laser dentistry.

What are Canker Sores?

Canker sores are commonly known as mouth ulcers but their technical term is aphthous ulcers. These small lesions erupt inside of the mouth or around the gum tissue and they can cause pain during the most insignificant actions, such as:

• Talking
• Smiling
• Eating
• Drinking

It’s important to make the distinction that canker sores are not the same as cold sores. Thus, do not respond to the same types of treatments as do cold sores. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. The causes are not exactly known for canker sores, but we do know some of the contributing factors which we will list below. Canker sores occur inside of the mouth and on top of the gum tissue, where cold sores occur on the outside surface of your lips. Cold sores are contagious. Canker sores are not contagious. However, similar to the length of a cold sore, a canker sore also is known to last somewhere between seven and 14 days. Any child or adult can get a canker sore.

What Factors Contribute to the Development of a Canker Sore?

While it’s impossible to pinpoint the exact cause of your child’s canker sore, there are some factors that may contribute to the development of these pesky buggers, including:

• Stress
• Acidic foods
• Trauma to the mouth tissues caused by biting, over-intensive brushing, eating, or dental work
• Allergies to specific ingredients in certain foods and drinks
• Toothpastes that contain sodium lauryl sulfate

However, there are some instances in which a person is particularly prone to the development of mouth ulcers or they last for extended periods of time, which may be indicative of an underlying health issue, such as:

• Celiac disease
• Crohn’s disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Other gastrointestinal disorders
• Impaired immune system
• A diet lacking in vitamins B12, folic acid, iron, or zinc

What are Common Treatments for Canker Sores?

Typically, a canker sore will resolve by itself within about seven to 14 days. However, they can still be very painful and annoying, especially in young children. Most people will seek out treatment to either shorten the duration or to help ease the pain associated with mouth ulcers.

As mentioned above, our dentists will often recommend parents pick up an over-the-counter treatment to help reduce the pain and duration of the canker sore. However, these pharmacy treatments are not a one-size-fits-all approach, and there are varying degrees of success reported to us by patients using such remedies. Many patients complain that the options work for only a couple of minutes, or not at all.

How Laser Treatment for Canker Sores Clears Them Instantly

At Redwood Pediatric Dentistry, we’ve found that our modern CO2 laser dentistry tools allow us to basically close off a canker sore or mouth ulcer through cauterization. Parents rely on their dentists to help treat their children’s oral health needs. When a child has a canker sore, the pain experienced is intense. These laser treatments have been proven to reduce or eliminate the pain associated with a canker sore.

Parents love coming to us for the pediatric laser treatments we provide that can treat canker sores and give the child instant relief from the pain and sensitivity caused by mouth ulcers. Our trusted pediatric dentists use a CO2 laser to close off the sore. This method is proven effective at treating the sore and providing fast healing times and causing a huge reduction in pain. Unlike other laser treatments, the CO2 laser tool vaporizes the tissue surrounding the sore, which also serves as a method of sterilization to the affected area. Contact us to learn more about our CO2 laser treatment for lip ties and tongue ties.

During the process, cells are stimulated to turnover, which speeds up the wound healing time and decreases the overall length of time the ulcer lasts. For best results, bring your child in for laser treatment of canker sores when the mouth ulcer first begins or within the first few days of its presentation.

Parents and pediatricians throughout Salt Lake, Taylorsville, South Salt Lake, and West Valley trust us to handle their children’s and patients’ pediatric dental needs. You can trust us too. We are proud to bring together only the most experienced pediatric dentists, Dr. Jason Horgesheimer, Dr. Chuck Odion, and Dr. Clark Walker. They all have extensive experience working exclusively with children and using advanced CO2 laser tools to treat pediatric dental issues.

If your child is suffering from annoying and painful canker sores, please call our office at (801) 281-8881 to see if we can provide instant relief and promote a faster healing period.

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Once your child’s very first tooth comes in, it is recommended by pediatricians and pediatric dentists that they started getting fluoride varnish treatments in order to help prevent tooth decay. Watch the video below to hear Dr. Jason Horgesheimer talk about the benefits of fluoride varnishes at Redwood Pediatric Dentistry.

Why are Fluoride Varnishes Important?

Fluoride varnishes are used to protect the teeth and to help prevent tooth decay. These fluoride treatments can be done two or four times per year. How often you get the treatments for your child is directly related to how likely it would be for your child to get a cavity.

“One of the benefits of coming to the dentist on a regular six-month basis is a fluoride treatment. Fluoride varnishes are simply smeared on the teeth and it’s very beneficial to intercept small little cavities. One or two applications of these fluoride varnishes can actually remineralize or strengthen these cavities so that we don’t need to actually restore them with a filling.” – Dr. Jason

While there are some pediatricians who will apply fluoride varnishes at their office, it is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) that the fluoride varnishes are applied at a dental office instead. Keep reading to learn more valuable information from the AAP regarding the use of fluoride varnish.

What is a Fluoride Varnish?

This is a type of dental treatment that can help prevent cavities and tooth decay, slow down the progression of tooth decay, or stop it altogether. Fluoride varnish is made with the mineral fluoride that’s known to strengthen the outer coating on the teeth, which is known as enamel.

It is important to realize that fluoride varnish treatments alone cannot completely prevent the formation of cavities. However, fluoride varnish treatments can help to prevent tooth decay and cavities when a child is also brushing their teeth with the right amount of fluoridated toothpaste, flossing regularly, eating a healthy diet, and visiting their pediatric dentist on a regular basis.

Are Fluoride Varnish Treatments Safe?

Fluoride varnish is safe. They are used by dentists and doctors around the entire world to help prevent cavities and prevent tooth decay from getting worse. The treatment alone contains a very small amount of fluoride and hardly any of it is swallowed. It hardens quickly immediately after it is applied. Then after four to twelve hours, it is brushed off.

Most children enjoy the taste of fluoride treatments as they are quite palatable. Some of the brands could make your child’s teeth appear yellow or dull, but this goes away once the treatment is brushed off.

How is Fluoride Varnish Applied to My Child’s Teeth?

The tincture which is known as the fluoride varnish is simply painted on the tops and the sides of each tooth with a little brush. At first, the substance may feel a bit sticky but as soon as it comes into contact with saliva it hardens. While your child might be able to feel the hardened varnish, they are not able to lick the varnish off of their teeth.

No pain is involved during the application process. However, some small children may still cry because they are fearful of the procedure. Brushing the varnish onto the teeth only takes a couple of minutes, and if the child is crying it can actually be applied at that time as their mouth will be slightly opened. In the case of small children, you may be asked to hold your child in your lap while you sit knee-to-knee with the person who is applying the varnish.

How Should I Care for My Child’s Teeth After the Fluoride Varnish is Applied?

Once the varnish has been applied to your child’s teeth, there are some general guidelines that you should pay attention to regarding the proper care for their teeth. Your doctor or pediatric dentist may offer other special instructions, so be sure to review with them as well.

• Your child can start eating right after the varnish has been applied, but needs to avoid hot foods and drinks. Only cold and warm foods or liquids should be consumed right after the treatment.
• Wait at least four to six hours before the child brushes or flosses their teeth. Many dentists will advise you to wait until the next morning to do so. Be sure that you instruct your child to spit everything out during the brushing of the fluoride varnish.

Other Reminders to Maintain Your Child’s Dental Health

1. Be sure your child is receiving care by a dentist who is specially trained to work with pediatric patients.
2. Ensure that your child receives enough – but not too much – fluoride.
3. Fluoride and fluoride varnishes are never meant to be swallowed. Be sure your child understands this.
4. Remind your child and check on them to be sure they are performing tooth brushing and flossing regularly.
5. Provide a healthy, balanced diet for your child full of fruits and vegetables.

It’s advised by the American Academy of Pediatrics to take your infant in for an oral health risk assessment by age six months or when their first tooth comes in (whichever comes first). This is especially true if the parents or other members of the family are especially prone to caries and tooth decay. Regardless, it’s important to have the child’s dental “home” established by their first birthday.

Do you have a baby that needs to be scheduled for their first check-up? Do you have children that are in need of fluoride varnish? Whatever the case may be, call the Redwood Pediatric Dentistry at (801) 281-8881 to get an appointment set up today. Physicians and parents throughout Salt Lake, Taylorsville, South Salt Lake, and West Valley trust us for their child’s dental health needs, and so can you.

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In this blog post, we are going to look at what cold sores are and how to treat them. Watch this video to hear Dr. Jason Horgesheimer talk about treating cold sores for children at Redwood Pediatric Dentistry.

What are Cold Sores?

Also known as fever blisters or oral herpes, cold sores are small blisters that appear around the mouth and lips. While you will typically find cold sores around the corners of the mouth or lips, they can also appear inside of the mouth, on the chin, cheeks, and nose, too. The blisters begin to ooze a clear type of fluid after a couple of days, and then they crust over. It takes about one to two weeks for them to heal completely.

Even though they are known as “cold sores”, they actually have nothing to do with having a cold. These mouth sores are usually caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). This is a separate type of herpes than the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), which is responsible for genital herpes. However, both of the strains are capable of causing sores in any part of the body.

For most people, their first exposure to HSV occurs between the ages of one and five years old. More than 50 percent of all people are infected with HSV by the time they reach adulthood. Aside from the uncomfortable sores caused by the virus, HSV is typically harmless (with the exception of infection in babies less than six months old).

How are Cold Sores Spread?

Cold sores are very contagious and can be passed on through skin-to-skin contact, saliva, or even by touching an object that has been handled by someone who is infected with the virus.

Concerns Associated with Primary HSV Infection

When a child gets a cold sore for the very first time, it is called primary HSV infection. During this primary infection, the blisters often spread to the interior of the mouth affecting the lips and gums, as well as the surrounding lips and mouth. During this primary infection, a child may also develop the following symptoms:

• Swollen and tender lymph nodes
• Sore throat
• Irritability
• Drooling

Every case varies, but sometimes these symptoms are so mild, that the parents do not even notice them. However, there are times when these symptoms can be so severe, it can affect the child’s ability to eat and drink and may require the administration of pain medication for comfort.

What are the Potential Complications of Cold Sores?

• If the virus from cold sores spreads to the eye, a child can develop HSV keratitis, which is an infection of the cornea. Typically this type of infection will heal without damaging the eye, but other times, it can lead or blindness or corneal scarring. In fact, HSV is a major cause of blindness worldwide.
• Babies under six months of age can be severely disabled by HSV infection. In fact, if a newborn baby catches HSV, the results can be deadly. Relatives or parents with cold sores should never kiss a baby because their immune systems are underdeveloped.

What You Need to Know About Cold Sore Recurrence

After a child has been exposed to HSV, the virus settles into bundles of nerve cells in the body. It will not cause any symptoms unless it’s activated. If activated, it will travel back up to the surface of the skin. Recurrence of cold sores is highly variable from person to person, although it remains in the body for life. Some children never get another one and others will have outbreaks a few times every year. When they return, it’s often in the same spot – but usually not inside of the mouth after the primary HSV infection.

What are the Signs of a Cold Sore Flare-Up?

When a child is about to develop a cold sore, parents might notice the child touching or scratching the area. It may become red and swollen before the sore erupts. The child may experience tingling, burning, or itching as the sore is coming on.

What are Common Triggers for Cold Sores?

If the child’s immune system is already down or if the skin is irritated for other reasons, this may cause a cold sore to develop. Typical triggers for children who have already been exposed to the HSV virus include:

• Fatigue and stress
• Exposure to intense sunlight, heat, cold, or dryness
• Injuries to or breaks in the skin
• Illness (i.e., cold or flu)
• Dehydration and poor diet
• Fluctuating hormones (i.e., during a teen’s menstrual periods, etc.)

Try to Prevent the Spread of HSV

Some things you can do as a parent to keep your child from spreading HSV include:

• Instruct your child not to scratch or pick at cold sores
• Have your child wash their hands frequently
• Clean and disinfect toys
• Don’t allow your child to share drinks, utensils, towels or other items
• Wash towels and linen in hot water after use

How to Help Ease the Symptoms of Cold Sores in Children

• Apply ice or a warm washcloth to cold sores to ease the pain
• Give chilled or icy treats for tender lips and to avoid dehydration
• Avoid acidic foods, such as citrus fruit and tomatoes, that may irritate the cold sores
• Consider the use of a pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen

How We Can Help Treat Pediatric Cold Sores

If your child is developing a cold sore, we encourage you to contact us for an appointment right away. When given early on, anti-viral medications are very effective at reducing the length of a cold sore and reducing the pain and other symptoms. If your child is experiencing a cold sore, contact our pediatric dental office in Redwood to set up an appointment. You can reach us at (801) 281-8881.

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A lot of misconceptions abound when it comes to the right timing to take your child to the dentist’s office for the first time. The American Dental Association (ADA), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) all recommend you take your child to the dentist by age one. The AAPD specifically advises you to bring your child to the dentist when their first tooth appears or by their first birthday (whichever comes first). In fact, the AAPD coined the slogan “Get It Done By Year One”, and they’ve even created a handy checklist to help you review the importance of proper dental care in early childhood.

Dr. Jason Horgesheimer recommends that parents bring their child in for their first dental check-up between 12 and 18 months. Either way you look at it, it’s apparent that the sooner you start bringing your child in for regular dental checkups, the better. Here are five reasons why you should start bringing your child to the dentist as early as possible.

1. Get Your Child Used to the Dentist

Dr. Chuck Odion explains that there’s a lot of misconceptions surrounding when you should bring your child to the dentist. Many people falsely think it’s best to wait until the child’s teeth have all come in or that you should wait until the child is older so that they are not scared of the dentist. As he explains, “you’ve got to break that ice and the more you do it, the more often something becomes a habit.”

By introducing your child to the dentist office experience at a young age, you are helping them get used to the setting and the procedures common to a dental practice visit. These younger children will become more accustomed to their dentist and the staff and they will grow to trust their pediatric dental professionals more.

2. Preventative Pediatric Dental Care Saves Money and Teeth

It’s important that you start bringing your child in for regular dental checkups every six months at an early age in order to prevent future tooth decay and cavities. In fact, if you bring your child in for one dental visit while they have only one tooth, this means you can ensure they have and maintain zero cavities, as suggested by the AAPD.

In addition to taking your child in for regular dental checkups every six months starting as soon as possible, this also includes taking care of your child’s teeth until they are able to do so independently. When you make it a habit to bring your child in for regular dental checkups at a young age, your dentist can determine fluoride needs and you will receive instructions on how to perform proper dental care on young teeth, and receive information on proper oral and facial development.

3. Intercept Small Problems to Avoid More Serious Dental Issues

At Redwood Davis Pediatric Dentistry, we aim to intercept little problems before they become big problems. If you want to decrease dental treatments and prevent extensive needs down the road, it’s important that you begin appropriate preventative dental care as early as possible. Dr. Chuck talks about the importance of early identification of oral health problems:

“For the child’s oral health, we are able to identify things younger. We can only prevent cavities through instruction and good oral habits, and those habits start at seeing your dentist every six months. It’s a battle that we can win and it’s structured around early intervention with the dentist.”

4. Kids Enjoy Their Visit at Redwood Pediatric Dentistry

Your child will enjoy their experience at Redwood Pediatric Dentistry. Our pediatric dentists and professional staff members have specialized working only with kids and know how to treat them in order to make your child feel comfortable and to decrease their fears and anxieties about seeing a dentist. Dr. Chuck explains in the video:

“They actually like to come. They like to see the fish tank. They like the prizes. They like to laugh. They like to talk about princesses and superheroes, and that makes them comfortable and familiar.”

4. Babies’ Teeth are More Susceptible to Cavities

Baby teeth are highly sensitive to tooth decay. This is because, in comparison to adult teeth, baby teeth have a very thin layer of enamel (the hard outer surface of the teeth) covering them. Cavities can be infectious and spread, even causing infection in the adult teeth growing beneath them in certain cases.

First teeth usually make their appearance sometime between six months and one year of age, and they are vulnerable to tooth decay from the very moment they erupt in your baby’s mouth. Many problems can result from the associative pain that comes from tooth decay, including:

• The child may experience difficulty eating correctly
• The child’s overall health and development may be impacted
• Untreated tooth decay can lead to infection, loss of teeth, and expensive restorative interventions

Early identification of pediatric dental problems and proper preventative treatment can prevent tooth decay and its associated issues.

5. You Can Save Money When You Take Your Child to the Dentist By Age One

A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics showed that children who first saw their dentist before age one had dental costs that were 40 percent lower in their first five years of life, than children who did not. The reason is most likely because the cost of dental and medical procedures that may be necessary due to poor oral health can be quite costly. A scientific paper published in the journal Pediatric Dentistry revealed that children who wait to have their first dental visit until age two or three are more likely to require restorative and emergency visits than those who started seeing the dentist by age one.

Set Up an Appointment for Your Child at South Davis Pediatric Dentistry

Ready to “Get it Done in Year One?” Call us today at (801) 281-8881 to set up an appointment. We can’t wait to hear from you!

The post At What Age Should You Take Your Child to the Dentist? appeared first on Looking for an incredible Pediatric Dentist.

At Redwood Pediatric Dentistry, every day, we have parents who come to us with questions about lip and tongue tie treatment. We’ve put together this detailed information to help you better understand lip ties and tongue ties and whether a CO2 laser frenectomy may be right for your child.

How Can an Untreated Lip or Tongue Tie Affect My Child?

It doesn’t matter if your child is a newborn, toddler, or adolescent, research shows that a restricted upper lip and/or tongue tie that inhibits the full mobility of upper lip or the proper resting position of the tongue on the roof of the mouth can lead to several different health and dental issues. Some of the problems that may be caused by a tongue or lip tie include, but are not limited to:

• Narrow plate
• Dental malocclusion
• Restricted mid-face/maxillary growth
• Sleep-disordered breathing or sleep apnea
• Difficulty eating or breastfeeding
• Digestive troubles such as reflux
• Speech difficulties

As a parent, it’s important that you become educated and know what to look for in order to identify the presence of lip and tongue ties, and the potential impact such conditions may have on your child’s health and growth if left untreated or undiagnosed. When indicated, a frenectomy procedure may serve as a simple and straightforward solution to promote optimal sleep, health, growth, and development for your child.

What is a Frenectomy?

Removal of the connective tissue (which is known as the frenum) from either under the tongue or the upper gums is called a frenectomy. At Redwood Pediatric Dentistry, there are two types of routine laser frenectomies we perform:

• Lingual Frenectomy. Also known as a tongue tie release, the removal of connective tissue from the underside of the tongue that connects to the floor of the mouth is called a lingual frenectomy. This procedure is used in the correction of a condition known as Ankyloglossia, or tongue tie, which refers to a tight, short, and thick frenum under the tongue which limits its mobility. In an infant, a tongue tie makes it difficult to breastfeed and latch properly. In children and adults, it can impact speech and eating habits. Furthermore, other orthodontic issues can result from a tongue tie as patients try to compensate for their lack of full tongue mobility by changing their jaw position.
• Labial Frenectomy. Also known as a lip tie release, the removal of the connective tissue that goes from the upper gums above the front two teeth to the lip is called a labial frenectomy. Everyone has this piece of connective tissue, but when it’s short, tight, or large, it can create what’s known as a lip tie and can affect a newborn’s ability to flare out or curl their lips which can create problems latching on during breastfeeding. As a child grows, an untreated lip tie can push apart the front two teeth which can cause a gap and require orthodontic treatment when the child is older and permanent teeth come in.

When is a Frenectomy Needed?

Patients and parents choose frenectomies for a variety of reasons and at different ages.

When it comes to the treatment of an infant lip tie or tongue tie, the decision for the child to have a laser frenectomy is often made due to problems with breastfeeding and bottle-feeding. Tongue or lip tie symptoms in an infant include:

• Prolonged breastfeeding
• Difficulty latching onto the breast which results in sore nipples for the mother
• Excessive gassiness
• Frequent spit up or reflux

In toddlers and young children who have a lip tie or tongue tie, they may present with the following:

• A gap between the front teeth
• Speech impediments and difficulties with annunciation
• Jaw pain
• Eating problems

While some parents may not be concerned about a gap in the teeth from a purely aesthetic perspective and they feel it just means that the child will need braces, braces are advised only when the child’s permanent teeth have developed. If the gap remains even after the course of braces, a labial frenectomy may be advised. On the other hand, sometimes the emergence of permanent teeth will effectively close the gap that was caused by the labial frenum’s length. Another consideration is that a long or short frenum can also cause tooth or jaw misalignment, and therefore the patient may benefit from a frenectomy.

With a patient who has a short lingual frenum, they may push out their lower jaw to compensate for the lack of movement and to help with the problems they experience with eating or speaking. This overcompensation can result in constant jaw pain and lead to the development of an underbite. When a patient has an elongated frenum, they may not be able to extend their tongue normally, and they may have discomfort and difficulty swallowing.

The Importance of Identifying a Tongue or Lip Tie in Your Child

Pediatricians and general dentists do not always notice a tongue or lip tie during their routine checkups. For some children, the condition may not be identified until they reach pre-kindergarten or elementary school. This is unfortunate because a laser frenectomy can be performed with minimal pain during the first few weeks after birth.

For this reason, it is so important that parents are aware of these abnormal conditions of the frenum inside the mouth and the effect they can have on a child’s general health and growth and development.

Frenectomies can have a huge impact on the patient’s quality of life, whether it’s by promoting the bonding that occurs between a mother and an infant during breastfeeding or bottle-feeding or ensuring that a patient’s newly straightened teeth stay that way.

What Does a CO2 Laser Frenectomy Involve?

At Redwood Pediatric Dentistry, we offer a holistic approach to pediatric dental treatment. If it’s discovered that your child is tongue-tied or lip-tied and can benefit from a laser frenectomy, we can perform the procedure in a simple and straightforward manner, usually in a one-day office visit.

Traditionally, frenectomies were performed with either scissors or a scalpel and sedation was used and sutures were needed. Not anymore.

We are leading the way into the future of pediatric dentistry by using a state-of-art CO2 laser tool known as the LightScalpel. By using this advanced laser frenectomy equipment, there is little to no bleeding involved, and the recovery time is usually a very short couple of weeks. Learn more about our laser frenectomies on our services page, or give us a call today at (801) 281-8881.

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