preventative-dentistry-for-kids

February Focus: Prevention!

Let’s talk about preventative dentistry for kids. We want to spread the word about how poor oral health and cavities impact our kids’ health and quality of life. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), dental caries/cavities are four times more common than childhood asthma and three times more likely than childhood obesity. That means that the most common condition among children is largely preventable. In their 2021 State of Little Teeth Report, AAPD examined the epidemic of tooth decay among children. Check out the following key stats from the Report:
  • Tooth decay is the NUMBER ONE chronic infectious disease affecting children in the United States and is on the rise, but it is largely preventable.
  • The rate of tooth decay in baby teeth of children aged 2 to 5 years increased nearly 17% from 1988-1994 to 1999-2004.
  • By age 5 about 60% of children will be affected by tooth decay.
  • Children with oral health problems are THREE TIMES more likely to miss school due to dental pain than children with no oral health problems.
  • AAPD recommends taking a child for their first dental visit by the age of 1.
  • Delaying dental care to age 2 or 3 can have a negative impact on a child’s oral health. 40% of parents and caregivers surveyed are delaying their child’s first visit until after age 2.
Each February we celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month! During the entire month of February, we focus on preventative dentistry for kids because we are passionate about children’s healthcare. Take this time to increase awareness about pediatric dental hygiene – and find out how you can best support your child’s dental care.

What is National Children’s Dental Health Month?

The ADA’s Children’s Dental Health Day was first celebrated on February 8, 1949. It became a month-long commemoration in 1981. 40 years later, children’s dental health continues to be promoted throughout February for National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM). Celebrating children’s oral health awareness is incredibly important for our communities. Tooth decay remains the most common chronic childhood disease. We hope that by continuing to educate our patients that Preventative Dentistry for Kids and oral health for all is vitally important. By educating our goal is to increase awareness to help motivate more parents and other adults to recognize the seriousness of children’s dental disease.

Why is Children’s Dental Health Month Important?

NCDHM raises awareness of the importance of teaching children good oral habits early to ensure a lifetime of healthy smiles. Parents or caregivers are essential and can promote preventative dentistry for kids and children’s dental health this month and throughout the year. We strive to support children’s dental health by working with our patients on specific topics such as:
  • Tooth decay
  • Getting your child familiar with their dentist’s office
  • Preventing crowded teeth
  • Healthy gums in later years
Keeping up with daily oral care and visiting the dentist at least twice a year for an oral examination and professional cleanings are steps you can take towards a happier and healthier mouth! Setting the foundation for your child earlier in life will set your child up for success in the future. Check out the Parent’s Guide to Keeping Little Mouths Healthy created by the ADHA.

Understanding Why Baby Teeth Are Important

Baby (primary) teeth are a child’s first set of teeth. A baby’s teeth start to come in at 6 to 10 months, and by the time a child is 2½ to 3 years old, all 20 baby teeth will have come into the mouth. Taking care of a child’s baby teeth is important for the child’s overall health and development.

Baby teeth are important for children to:

  • Chew and eat foods. Children need to eat healthy foods every day to grow and be strong. Children with tooth decay are less likely to eat crunchy foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables. Being able to eat these foods promotes good nutrition and a healthy weight. Learn more about mouth-healthy foods here.
  • Speak clearly. Children who lose baby teeth too early may have trouble making certain sounds. This can make it hard to understand the child. A child may need speech therapy to improve speech problems that may develop because of missing teeth.
  • Have self-confidence. Children with decayed front teeth tend to not smile or may cover their mouth when talking. Sometimes they stop playing with other children. A healthy smile helps give children the self-confidence needed to have good social experiences.
  • Stay healthy. Tooth decay in baby teeth can lead to infections that can cause fever and pain. If not treated, the infection from tooth decay can spread to other parts of the head and neck and lead to severe swelling.
  • Keep space for adult teeth. Baby teeth hold space for adult teeth growing in the jaw. If a baby tooth is lost too early, other teeth that are already in the mouth will move into the space. It can block out the adult tooth trying to come in and cause crowding. The upper and lower jaws may not meet properly because of the crooked teeth.

How Can Cavities be Prevented?

Cavities happen when bacteria and food left on the teeth after eating are not brushed away. Acid collects on a tooth, softening its enamel until a hole — or cavity — forms.

Here’s how to keep cavities away:

  • Oral habits start early. Teach your kids to brush at least twice a day and to floss regularly.
  • Avoid certain foods or limit them. Sugary foods, including juices and candy (especially gummy sticky candy, fruit “roll-ups” or gummy vitamins). They can erode enamel and cause cavities. If your kiddos eat these foods, have them brush their teeth or rinse their mouth after eating to wash away the sugar and bacteria. Remember to drink water and stay hydrated, instead of sugary beverages.
  • As your child’s permanent teeth grow in, your dentist can help prevent decay by applying a thin layer of sealant to the back teeth. This is where most chewing is done, and this protective coating keeps bacteria from settling into the crevices of the molars that are difficult to reach.

Why do children’s teeth decay?

Tooth decay is caused by bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria make a sticky substance called plaque that can eat away at a tooth’s enamel. Poor oral hygiene can raise your child’s risk for tooth decay. A dentist can diagnose tooth decay with an exam and X-rays.

What will a Dr. Roberts do for toddler tooth decay?

Dr. Roberts can remove decayed parts of the tooth and perform either a dental filling or a dental crown to fill holes in the tooth. For a filling, he uses a tooth-colored composite resin or an amalgam filling.

Check Their Brushing Technique

If you don’t watch your kids brush their teeth, take time this month to check-in on their brushing habits. Checking in with your kiddos and offering helpful tips and tricks will keep their teeth looking great and staying healthy. National Children’s Dental Health month is a great time to learn about preventative dentistry for kids and promote good oral hygiene habits with your family. Keep up with checkups, treat the family with new toothbrushes, and ensure your child knows how to clean their teeth properly. Putting techniques into practice each day will not only help show the importance for preventative dentistry for kids, but for your whole family. If you have questions, please ask us … we want you to know how important dental health is to your family’s overall health.

Buy New Toothbrushes

Did you know that toothbrushes should be replaced every 3 to 4 months? That’s right … frayed bristles decrease their effectiveness. Get kids excited about their regular hygiene routine by letting them select toothbrushes with their favorite characters and choose toothpaste they like. February is an excellent time to toss out old toothbrushes and replace them with new ones. Related Articles:

Schedule a Dental Appointment

Now that you understand the importance of baby teeth, you understand why making an appointment at the dentist is one of the best ways to celebrate February’s theme. The more time they spend with their dental team, the more comfortable they’ll be when they visit. It is encouraged for children to have regular cleanings every 6 months. If you schedule an appointment in February, your child’s second appointment will fall just-in-time before back-to-school in August.

Tips for Visiting the Dentist:

  • If your child asks what will happen at the dental clinic, give a simple answer. For example, say:
    • “They may count how many teeth you have.”
    • “They may clean your teeth to make them shiny and bright!”
  • If you don’t like visiting the dentist, don’t share that information with your child. That might make your child worry about going, too.
  • Set up a pretend dental chair. Pretend to be the dentist or dental hygienist. Look in your child’s mouth and count her teeth; then talk to her about brushing her teeth.
  • Read books or watch videos with your child about visiting the dentist. Don’t use books or videos that have words like hurt, pain, shot, drill, afraid, or any other words that might scare your child.
  • Let your child bring his favorite toy or blanket to the clinic.
  • If you find out that your child will receive a small toy or new toothbrush at the end of the visit, remind your child of this reward.
  • Plan a fun activity for after their visit to the dentist.
We love our little patients and strive to make their dental visits comfortable and fun! When they enjoy visiting Dr. Roberts and his Team, they will likely brush their teeth regularly and look forward to their next visit! If you have more than one child, we will do our best to schedule your children’s visits together, if that makes it easier for you to bring everyone at the same time! Related Articles:

Adams Dental Group Wants Your Family to Have Healthy Smiles

Children’s Dental Health Month is really about the importance of preventative dentistry for kids. Regular, scheduled dental checkups every 6 months are a great way to stay on top of your child’s oral health. When you come and see us early on for family dentistry, we can assess your child’s gums and you can ask us any questions you’d like. It’s a great way to establish your child’s dental routine, monitor their oral health, and implement any preventative measures. Stress can contribute to poor oral health choices, such as brushing and flossing less, or if we’re stressed, we may clench our jaw more or grind our teeth. If your child is suffering from any signs of oral stress, we can see them during our oral exam and can begin preventative measures, if needed. Local dentist, Travis A. Roberts and his experienced, friendly team at Adams Dental Group offer affordable family dentistry and gentle dental care in the Kansas City, KS area. We have two locations that are conveniently located and offer appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At Adams Dental Group, we provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to specialty procedures, including dental implants, dentures, endodontic or root canal treatment, teeth whitening, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at our West location (913) 296-8030 or our East location (913) 621-3113 to schedule an appointment.

February 7th, 2023

Posted In: Dental Health Tips

dental-cleaning-and-exam

Think of your dental cleanings and exams as a deep cleaning – just like when you clean your home. You inspect the area, decide what needs cleaned and what looks good, and get to work! Your dentist and hygienist will do the same for your mouth.

During a dental exam, we will:

  • Possibly take x-rays, if needed
  • Examine your teeth, gums, and mouth for any potential concerns
  • Remove any plaque and tartar build-up
  • Polish your teeth with a dental-grade toothbrush and specialty toothpaste
  • Floss
  • Apply a fluoride treatment, if needed
  • Oral Cancer Screening

Learn How Cleanings Prevent Further Issues

Overview of Dental Exams

While we may focus on the brushing and flossing part of dental exams, the truth is, there’s a lot more that goes into our dental cleanings and exams. Your dentist is often your first line of defense if something in your body is wrong, and your mouth will tell the tale. That’s why we always take a good look at the health of your teeth, gums, and mouth. If your dentist finds you’re experiencing something like gum disease, then early detection is the key to getting everything under control and fixed for good!

Routine dental cleanings and exams give you the perfect opportunity to speak with us about any concerns you may have. Are you worried about a loose or sore tooth, grinding your teeth, bad breath, dry mouth, etc. Whatever it may be, we’re here to help you have a healthy, great-looking smile. Curious about whitening treatments, corrective aligners, or porcelain veneers? Now is the time to inquire.

Related Articles:

Stress and Anxiety

Recently, two key areas of questions have popped up a lot from our patients that relate to dental exams that we want to share. Dental anxiety has been keeping many patients from visiting the dentist on a regular basis and the additional stress from their everyday lives that they’re experiencing are really making an impact on our patients too, so let’s dig in on both of these subjects to give you some additional resources.

Stress:

Did you know that stress affects oral health? We see stress shine through when our patients complain of grinding, gnashing, or clenching their teeth. This condition is called Bruxism. Not only does this mean you may clench your teeth while you’re awake, but it also means you grind your teeth at night. When you grind at night, it’s also known as Sleep Bruxism. According to The Mayo Clinic, if you do this, you’re also prone to other sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea or snoring. Although mild cases of bruxism may not require treatment, more severe cases of bruxism can cause headaches, jaw problems, damaged teeth, and more.

Dental Anxiety:

Dental phobia is a real thing – so, if going to the dentist makes you uncomfortable or queasy, know that you are certainly not alone. If you’re fearful of visiting the dentist, let us know. We want you to feel comfortable and would love to share some Quick Tips to Ease Dental Anxiety. Not to mention, we offer nitrous oxide, also referred to as “laughing gas” to just take the edge off of your anxiety or fear of your dental appointment.

Below are some resources that we feel may be helpful:

6-Month Dental Cleanings and Exams Help Your Benefits Stay on Track

With the beginning of the year, it’s important to remember that everything has just come full circle with your dental insurance benefits and they have renewed. Talking with your insurance provider early in the year to discover what your dental benefits entail is always a smart idea. You may want to ask: Are my preventative visits free as they often are? If so, then go ahead and schedule your 6-month checkups early on to avoid forgetting. Or better yet – schedule your next visit before you leave your dental exam appointment!

Read More about Dental Benefits.

When you make the most out of your dental benefits, you know your money is going to a great cause – your health! Don’t let your deductible be of no use or let benefits go unused. Take care of your teeth and use your dental benefits to the maximum. The best way to do this is to see your dentist regularly so you know exactly how healthy you are and can plan for your future!

Making a Difference One Dental Exam at a Time

Regular cleanings and dental exams is a wonderful preventative care option whether you work, live, or play in the Kansas City, Kansas area. Remember, even though you may be brushing and flossing really well at home, tartar and plaque is impossible to remove with regular brushing and flossing, and can build-up over time. Dentists are able to use specific tools to remove that plaque and tartar, keeping our mouth cleaner and our chances of other complications much lower.

We believe everyone should love their smile and have access to affordable dental care. Learn more about the services we offer to all ages and contact us to book your appointment or schedule your dental appointment. We are currently accepting new patients and we look forward to meeting you and helping you maintain, improve or enhance your smile!

Adams Dental Care Offers Affordable Dental Care

At Adams Dental Group, we offer affordable dental care that fits the needs of our patients and their family. Whether you’re looking for a new dental home for preventative dental care or are interested in enhancing your smile with one of our many cosmetic dentistry procedures, we’re excited to meet you! Please visit our website for additional details or give us a call at 913-296-8030 to discuss any questions you may have!

Local dentist, Travis A. Roberts and his experienced, friendly team at Adams Dental Group offer affordable family dentistry and gentle dental care in the Kansas City, KS area. We have two locations that are conveniently located and offer appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At Adams Dental Group, we provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to specialty procedures, including dental implants, dentures, endodontic or root canal treatment, teeth whitening, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at our West location (913) 296-8030 or our East location (913) 621-3113 to schedule an appointment.

January 24th, 2023

Posted In: Dental Health Tips

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best-foods-for-healthy-teeth

Your Smile is Beautiful and It Is Meant to Last a Lifetime

Your smile was meant to last a lifetime. That’s why it’s so important to take care of your teeth, so they can function well and last as long as they’re supposed to. Ultimately, the best thing you can do for your teeth’s durability is seeing your dentist for regular dental exams and cleanings; however, we’re also going to talk about the best foods for healthy teeth too!

According to the Oral Health Foundation“Dental appointments shouldn’t just be made when you have a problem that needs to be addressed. Prevention is always better than needing a cure and there are plenty more reasons why it’s important to maintain regular visits to your local dental practice.”

Some of these reasons include:

  • Prevention of plaque, tartar, and decay
  • Helps keep gum disease away
  • Checking for oral cancer and other health issues
  • Getting advice on your specific needs/oral health goals

(more…)

November 8th, 2022

Posted In: Dental Health Tips

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