It’s hard to believe Kids Mile High patients are back in school kicking off another year of classes, activities, sports, and, of course, homework. What happened to those relaxing, warm summer days? With the hustle and bustle – okay, sometimes chaos –of getting to the bus stop on time, finding the groove in a jam-packed schedule and taming a flurry of papers, permission slips and books, it’s not surprising oral health routines can take a backseat. Well, we want to make sure kiddos maintain their membership in our Cavity-Free Club, which is why we’re sharing our tips for dental hygiene for kids when going back to school.
At Kids Mile High Pediatric Dentistry, of course, we consider Dr. Paddy to be the coolest, best Englewood kids dentist and the kiddos that come into the office happen to think he’s pretty awesome too. One of the keys to getting children to love sitting in the dentist’s chair is finding a doc who makes things fun, engaging and educational, which describes Dr. Paddy perfectly. But, don’t just take our word for it. Check out his answers to our little game of 20 Questions and get to know your favorite Denver pediatric dentist a little better!
When Dr. Paddy was earning his degree to become a pediatric dentist, he also underwent advanced training to learn the ins and outs of dentistry for special needs patients. The additional education is necessary because there are challenges and considerations for children with certain developmental, emotional, physical, cognitive or medical conditions. While the truth is, all kids are unique, which is why we offer personalized care that takes into account their personalities and preferences, some young patients have dental anxiety, sensory likes and dislikes, medical issues and other factors that make visiting the dentist and even brushing and flossing difficult. We know that every case is different, however, based on our experience at Kids Mile High Pediatric Dentistry, there are some steps parents can take to help boost the dental health of kids with special needs.
At Kids Mile High Pediatric Dentistry, we spend a lot of time advising parents on how to keep their kiddos’ mouths happy and healthy. Much of that advice revolves around how often to brush and floss, how to put the kibosh on things like thumb sucking and pacifier use and which treats to enjoy in moderation to keep the sugar bugs at bay. While these are all important topics and nothing tops brushing and flossing as far as healthy habits to promote strong teeth in kids, nutrition shouldn’t be overlooked either. There are certain foods that are good for children’s teeth, particularly those rich in vitamins and minerals. Combining a balanced diet and excellent oral hygiene could help your child earn their place in the cavity-free club.
When Dr. Paddy isn’t hitting the slopes, making smiles sparkle as an Englewood pediatric dentist or teaching Bubbs, the office mascot, new tricks, he loves to travel. He’s all about encouraging his patients to see the country and the world too. Traveling is an awesome experience for kids. It gets them out of their comfort zone and really expands their horizons. However, with that, comes a break in routine, which often means daily habits like brushing and flossing fall to the wayside. If there’s anything you shouldn’t take a vacation from, it’s keeping your chompers clean. To help, Kids Mile High Pediatric Dentistry has compiled some excellent tips for maintaining good dental care for kids while traveling.
Oral Care Tips for Kids While Traveling
Make a Travel Dental Kit
Put together a bag that includes all of the dental health essentials including a toothbrush, your child’s favorite toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash and any other oral hygiene products you typically use. Though most places will have supplies if you forget them, if you’re going off the grid on a camping trip or opting for international travel with kids, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared. You might also want to pack some sugar-free hard candy or sugarless gum (we’ll get to that in a minute). If you’ll be in a place where the water isn’t safe to drink, invest in some bottled water for brushing too since your kids, and yourself, are bound to swallow some while rinsing.
Get the Saliva Flowing
It might come as a surprise but if we’re talking about keeping good dental habits while traveling, spit is important. Saliva is a superhero for beating off those nasty tooth monsters that cause cavities. The bicarbonate, calcium and phosphate found in saliva actually neutralizes the plaque acids that lead to tooth decay. Plus, spit gives teeth a little bath and washes away food and debris. If you’re stuck in the car, or on a plane, or you’re out and about and your kiddos can’t brush after eating or drinking, have them chew on sugarless gum with xylitol in it, which kills sugar bugs, or suck on a sugar-free hard candy to increase their saliva production. Sipping water throughout the trip and rinsing really well also helps and may be the better option for younger kids who aren’t ready for gum.
We’re not saying our patients should skip all treats while on vacation. However, enjoying everything in moderation, especially when it comes to sugar and foods that get stuck in the teeth easily, is your best bet. When you eat candy, desserts, soda, fruit juice, sports drinks, or even things like chips that get wedged in the teeth, and you don’t brush immediately, plaque forms, which eventually leads to cavities. If the kids do indulge, have them brush and floss after or, if that’s not possible, at least rinse with some water. Pack healthy snacks like fruit and yogurt that wash away easily and hydrate with water instead of juice boxes or soft drinks.
Brush on Potty Breaks
Bring travel toothbrushes for the kids and use your pit stops wisely. Whenever you take a break somewhere with a bathroom, have the kids run in and brush their teeth. Even if they just use water to brush, it will still dislodge food bits and help prevent plaque build-up.
Consider Travel Medical Insurance for International Trips
If you’re traveling internationally, you may want to look into travel medical insurance. It’s temporary insurance that covers medical or dental expenses that your domestic health insurance may not cover while you’re abroad. This is an awesome way to ensure a dental emergency doesn’t break the bank.
Cap the Day off With a Good Brushing and Flossing
We know, we know, you’re tired after a day in the airport or in the car and the kids are getting grumpy. Don’t let the little ones just fall into bed. Make sure when you reach your destination they clean their teeth thoroughly. Supervise to ensure they floss and brush carefully before turning in.
Traveling with kids requires some advanced planning whether you’re going abroad or just heading to grandma’s for the weekend. Make their dental hygiene a priority by adopting some of these tips. Want to start your trip off on the right foot? Contact Kids Mile High Pediatric Dentistry and get your child in for a check-up and cleaning before you depart. We can’t wait to hear all about your adventures!
Considering the amount of energy a lot of kids put into trying to get away with not brushing their teeth and their complete and utter lack of fear when it comes to things like running on hardwood floors with socks or playing catch with unwieldy items, it’s no surprise cavities can rear their ugly heads and baby teeth can get knocked loose before their time. While many dental issues might not seem like a big deal when it comes to kids because they’re going to lose their teeth anyway, the primary teeth serve important functions including saving space for the permanent teeth and helping with speaking and chewing. Staying on top of your little one’s oral care is important. There are some common dental problems in children we see time and time again at our Englewood pediatric dentistry office but thankfully each one has a fairly simple solution. Continue Reading
I can’t tell you how many times a worried parent has come to our Englewood pediatric dentistry office and asked, “Will thumb sucking hurt my baby’s teeth?” or “Will using a pacifier cause permanent damage to my child’s mouth?” Well, babies have an innate sucking reflex and pacifier use is tied with a reduction in the risk of SIDS, so actually in those first months of life, it can be a positive thing. Plus, think about it, if they’re not sucking on a pacifier or their thumb, they’re nursing or sucking on a bottle or sticking everything they can get their hands onto into their mouth. It’s what they do. That being said, if thumb sucking or pacifier use becomes a prolonged habit, problems can crop up.
All the kiddos want to be a part of the prestigious Kids Mile High Cavity-Free Club and to do this they’ll need to practice good oral hygiene from a young age with the help of Mom and Dad. As a pediatric dentist in Englewood, Colorado, I’ve received my fair share of parents who seem surprised that those temporary baby teeth are actually important. Aside from the obvious benefit of looking good, healthy primary teeth are placeholders and reserve space for the permanent teeth and allow your little one to speak clearly and chew correctly. Plus, cavities hurt! It’s essential to keep your child’s baby teeth sparkling clean with a regular brushing routine (bonus rhyme for you). We’ll show you the basics with our guide to how to brush your kid’s teeth.
Dr. Paddy, Dr. Roger, Dr. Meredith and Dr. Scheer are on a mission to give your child the absolute best dental and orthodontic care using the most up-to-date techniques and modern equipment. Read more
