Is Your Dentist Prepared for a Kids Dental Emergency?

As a leading pediatric dentist in SugarLand, Texas, Sweetpea Smiles handles hundreds of kids dental emergencies every year. To help parents know what to do in these situations, we compiled the following tips for the most common of oral injuries:

Toothaches: Rinse the mouth with warm water for cleaning, and use dental floss around the affected tooth to remove any food particles that may be causing it. Do not use aspirin against the gums as it can burn the tissue. Instead, call your dentist.

Knocked out Tooth: Contrary to popular belief, a tooth that has been knocked out can be saved, but timing is critical. Find the tooth and rinse if needed, being careful not to remove any attached tissue. If the tooth can be reinserted into the socket, have your child hold it there by biting on gauze until you arrive at our office. If you are unable to get it back into your child’s mouth, carry it in a cup of milk until you arrive at the dentist.

Tongue/Lip Bites or Wounds: Reduce bleeding by applying pressure to the area, and a cold compress to reduce swelling. If bleeding is uncontrollable, visit your nearest ER.

Kids dental emergencies are not a fun experience to go through alone, but being prepared in the event of one helps parents be calm and get their child the care they need. If you are still unsure of what needs to be done, contact your pediatric dentist in Sugar Land, Texas.

Let the ‘Sugar Wars’ Begin!

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, and this year’s theme is: Sugar Wars. Our Sugar Land dental practice for children is joining in the fun, and invites all of our pediatric patients and their parents to use their toothbrushes in the battle, and prevent the sweet tooth invaders from invading their mouths. 

A Long Time Ago in a Galaxy Not Far Away…

Dental professionals have been fighting the battle against sugar for decades, and in 1941, local dental professionals in Cleveland, Ohio began a one day event to raise awareness of the importance of early childhood dental health. The event was so successful that when the American Dental Health Association got word of the event in 1949, they declared February 8 as the first nationally observed children’s dental health day.

With continued success each year, the event was extended to one week in 1955, and later, the entire month of February became known as National Children’s Dental Health month. To raise awareness in their communities, dental professionals, teachers, parents and other community officials sponsor coloring contests, office tours, health fairs and more to continue to help children understand the importance of establishing a proper oral hygiene routine.

Sugar Wars Episode I

Though brushing and flossing are important to the overall health of a child’s smile, that alone is not enough. That is why the American Dental Association deemed this years theme as ‘Sugar Wars,’ to emphasize the importance of a healthy diet to give yourself a smile that is ‘out of this world.’

Along with brushing and flossing, the ADA has given these guidelines to reduce your child’s risk of tooth decay:

●        Ditch the bottle at bedtime. Sending your child to bed with a bottle or a sippy cup actually increases their chances for early tooth decay as the prolonged exposure to milk, formula and juices forms additional bacteria. Instead of having your child finish their bottle in bed, have them finish it before lying down, and brush their teeth when they are done.

●        Fight the Snack Attack: Stock your pantry with healthy low sugar options so that when a case of the munchies arises, you are well prepared.

●        Think About Your Child’s Drinks: Juice and milk are fun once in awhile, but the sugar content adds up fast! When reaching to fill your child’s glass, consider the benefits of water-especially if you live in an area where it is treated with fluoride.

●        Live by the 2X2 Rule: Brushing for two minutes, two times a day will help your kids develop a strong oral health routine at an early age.

●        Ask your Pediatric Dentist in Sugar Land, Texas to Help You Win the Sugar Wars. Sticking to a regular cleaning and exam schedule allows your dentist to be on your side in the fight against sugar. 

Our Sugar Land dental practice for children is excited to participate in Sugar Wars and in teaching your kids to swat away the sweets with proper oral hygiene habits. To learn more about how you can fight the sugar wars, schedule an appointment with our office today!

Fluoride: Fighting Tooth Decay the Natural Way

Just like superheroes have powers to protect their cities, every Sugar Land pediatric dentist relies on a special power to help protect their patients smiles. 

Introducing… Super Fluoride

 

While dentists provide many tools for keeping your smile healthy, the one they consider a super power is fluoride. Fluoride offers pain free protection from tooth decay for months at a time by fighting acid producing bacteria from building up on the teeth. These bacteria lead to cavities and other forms of tooth decay, but when fluoride is applied, it can sometimes repair teeth in the early stages of the disease.

In fact, fluoride is so powerful, that it beats bacteria 80% of the time making it an important ingredient in most major brands of toothpaste. 

Every Superhero Needs a Sidekick

Every superhero has a sidekick to help him keep his city safe. Fluoride also has a sidekick: drinking water. Though water may not seem very super for your oral health routine, if you live in an area where the water is treated with fluoride, it can make a big impact on your child’s smile. If your child is too young to be introduced to fluoridated toothpaste, they still may be getting proper fluoride levels from their drinking water. Fluoride’s water sidekick helps your child fight the battles of gingivitis and tooth decay without the risk of overexposure to fluoride. 

Saving Your Child’s Smile… One Tooth at a Time

Our Sugar Land dentist for kids knows the importance of keeping your child’s mouth protected from the evils of tooth decay. That is why we recommend fluoride treatments for our younger patients. The treatments are pain free and only take a matter of minutes. We apply a very small amount of fluoride solution to your child’s teeth which may make your child’s teeth appear yellow for a day or two. This yellow look will go away as they brush. 

The fluoride treatment is then able to fight the tooth decay causing bacteria for up to six months at a time. If your child doesn’t already think they are a superhero, they will after having fluoride treatments! Call our office to schedule your child’s appointment, and don’t forget to ask them about the powers of super fluoride.

Sugar Land Pediatric Dentists Answer Commonly Asked Questions

The best pediatric dentist for your family is the one who can answer all of your questions about your child’s oral health. Sugar Land pediatric dentists pride themselves on helping both children and parents understand the importance of a proper oral health routine. Here are the top five most frequently asked questions in our pediatric dentists office.

At what age should I begin bringing my child to the dentist?

 

While many parents wait until their child is preschool aged before bringing them to the dentist for their first exam, the American Dental Association recommends you bring baby at the eruption of their first tooth. This gives your dentist the opportunity to review oral hygiene for babies and answer questions you may have about the teething process. 

When should I begin brushing baby’s teeth?

 

Most Sugar Land pediatric dentists will recommend you clean inside baby’s mouth even before any teeth have appeared. This sets you and your child up for proper oral health routines and helps eliminate plaque and bacteria build up on the gums. For cleaning those gummy grins, you have a few options:

●        Wiping them with a wet washcloth

●        Using specially formulated dental wipes

●        Brushing with a child’s toothbrush with soft bristles

Cleaning baby’s teeth and gums once a day is ok, and should be done before the child goes to bed to remove any bacteria that has built up throughout the day. 

When do I introduce toothpaste into our oral care routine?

 

When your child’s first tooth arrives, non-fluoridated toothpaste can be used in small amounts. Fluoride toothpaste can be introduced when your child is old enough to know to spit any remaining toothpaste into the sink after brushing. Fluoride is important in helping to prevent tooth decay, but your child may be receiving proper fluoride levels from their drinking water if you live in an area where the water is treated. 

What happens on our first visit?

Sweetpea Smiles goes above and beyond to make each patient and family feel comfortable in our office. We welcome each patient personally, and direct children to our play area that features video games, toys and books for them to enjoy until it is their turn to see the doctor. On the first visit, we take the child’s picture for our records, and take x-rays to help us determine if any special treatment is needed. At the end of the appointment, each child picks a surprise from our treasure tower as a reward for being brave. 

How often do children need to see a dentist?

We recommend all patients-no matter how young or old, visit their dentist for cleanings and exams every six months. During these visits we will discuss your child’s diet, oral health routine at home and major milestones that may happen before their next visit.

When you are looking for the best pediatric dentist in Sugar Land, trust your child’s smile to Sweetpea Smiles!

4 Ways to Ensure You Choose the Best Pediatric Dentist in Sugar Land, Texas

When it comes to searching for pediatric dentists in Sugar Land, Texas, it doesn’t have to be an overwhelming experience. Whether you are new to the area or simply searching for a new doctor, Sweetpea Smiles has made it easy to find the right pediatric dentist in Sugar Land, Texas for your family. Here are our top four tips to aid you in your search:

 

Referral Worthy

 

Referrals from patients is the sincerest form of flattery. If you ask a neighbor, friend, or even your pediatrician, you will gather a list of doctors that patients are happy with. Being referral worthy is a goal of every pediatric dentist in Sugar Land, Texas, but after asking around if you are still in need of suggestions, visit the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry website and search for dentists in your area. 

Important Matters

 

Before finding the right dentist for your family, determine what aspects of service are most important to you by answering the following questions:

●        Does the office need to be in close proximity to your child’s school, your workplace, or your home?

●        Do you expect your pediatric dentist to be well versed in the latest dental treatments for pediatric patients?

●        Is your child more comfortable with a man or a woman?

●        Is dental anxiety something your family suffers from?

●        Does the office accept your particular insurance policy?

Website Research

 

Visiting the doctor’s website is the easiest way to get answers to common questions, and can be done on your own time instead of during regular office hours. While reading up on your choice of dentists, consider the following:

●        How does the office make children feel comfortable? Do they have a play area, toys, books or games?

●        When a dental emergency arises, is there a number to contact the doctor?

●        Will the doctor educate me and my child about proper oral hygiene habits?

●        Is the Dentist a participating member of both the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry?

Office Tours

 

After narrowing down your search to a few pediatric dentists in Sugar Land, Texas, ask if you and your child can take a tour of the office before scheduling a visit. This allows you both to get a feel for the staff and ensure the doctor is a good fit for your family’s dental needs. 

Sweetpea Smiles

 

As the leading pediatric dentist in Sugar Land, Texas, Sweetpea Smiles specializes in your child’s comfort. Our board certified pediatric dentist, Dr. Nasha Hunter offers a full range of children’s dental services with a gentle touch. Our office provides amenities that include flat screen TV’s above our chairs, video games, toys, books and beverages to make your child feel more at home.

While searching for pediatric dentists inSugar Land, Texas, don’t overlook Sweetpea Smiles. Call us today to schedule your child’s appointment!