When it comes to the effects of smoking, most people think it mainly causes diseases. But the truth is, the initial damage smoking can cause begins in the mouth. Cigarette or tobacco smoking can affect your oral health in many different ways. This health issue shouldn’t be ignored, particularly when it’s teenagers doing it. Why Do Teen’s Smoke? There are several reasons that influence adolescents to smoke. These include the pressure to show independence or defiance, the belief that smoking is ‘cool’, smoking ads in pop culture and having guardians or parents who also smoke. Teenagers in middle and high school often experience a form of peer pressure. In this stage, they’re trying desperately to fit in, be cool or be liked by their group of friend. Cigarette smoking is one of the many things teenagers will do during this formative phase. It is important that they get all the help they need to steer peer pressure early on in their years. The way they respond to peer pressure will determine whether they only do smoking only to fit into the social group. Effect of Smoking to Their Oral HealthSmoking has a huge effect on the jawbone, gums, mouth tissues and teeth. Since adolescents are still considered young, it can possibly affect their oral health in a more detrimental way. Below are some of the negative effects of smoking to their oral health:
How to Prevent Teen Smoking The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, in order to reduce pain, disability, and death caused by nicotine addiction, recommends routine screening for tobacco use, treating tobacco dependence, preventing tobacco use among children and adolescents, and educating the public on the enormous health and societal costs of tobacco. If you are a parent or guardian and you’re worried about your teen smoking, here are several preventative tips to remember:
If you see your teen’s oral health deteriorating, consult your pediatric dentist. Dental issues have to be diagnosed and treated properly at the earliest possible time to prevent further complications. Are you planning to travel this summer? Travelling can be time-consuming and busy that we often forget our little daily routines, especially when it comes to our oral health. Before packing up and heading out this summer, be sure to check out these travel tips to ensure a healthy mouth while on vacation. Visit Your Dentist Before Leaving Few weeks before leaving for your trip, be sure to schedule an appointment for you and the kids with your dentist. Having a pre-trip checkup ensures that everything in your mouth is OK and ready to hit the road. Nothing’s worse than being away and your child experiencing a terrible toothache that could have been prevented with a check-up. Visit your pediatric dentist and schedule an appointment for your kids. Prepare a Dental Travel Kit When shopping for your trip, don’t forget to look for mouth care items (in travel size) to bring for your family. Your dental travel kit will encourage your kids to continue taking care of their mouth even when they’re away. Buy a small mouthwash, toothpaste and floss for each member of the family. Be sure to place their dental travel kit on top of their clothes so it’s the first thing they’ll see when they get to your destination. Make sure you are following the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) rules so you can get your dental travel kit on the plane. If you are placing in your carry on, place it in a clear bag that is easy to reach. If you are checking your baggage, you can bring a full-sized dental care items. More information on TSA travel rules. Store Your Toothbrush Properly Look for a small case for your toothbrush to protect it from bacteria and germs that you’ll encounter while traveling. Buy a hard case to protect the bristles on your brush and be sure to dry your brush before storing it to prevent growth of bacteria. We suggest looking into an anti-bacterial cover to keep the germs away. Watch What You Eat Nothing’s wrong with eating local foods while out of the country but that does not mean you must overindulge. Try to avoid sticky, starchy foods that can stick to your teeth as well as sugary foods. Look for dairy food products as they are rich in calcium which strengthens your enamel. Be sure to rinse your mouth after each meal to get rid of any excess food debris in between your teeth. Maintain Your Routine Indeed, you may easily get caught up in your vacation, but you have to remember to keep your oral care routine. Be sure to brush your teeth two time a day and floss. Try making it a fun activity with your kids in the morning and before bedtime. Share your experiences on that day and what you look forward to the next day. Having all the member of the family involved with your brushing routine will provide you and the rest more accountability so they are more likely to stick to it. The use of intraoral jewelry and oral piercings have been gaining much popularity among adolescents. Surveys of adolescents and young adults age 13 to 29 report that about 25 to 35 percent have a body piercing at other body parts besides the ear lobe. However, despite the trendiness of this body art, it can cause several serious consequences that both the teenager and parents must understand. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recognizes the significance of educating the public on the health implications of oral jewelry or accessories and perioral/intraoral piercings. Do Oral Piercings Lead to Injury and Disease? Adolescents with oral piercings have higher risk of having oral infection, nerve damage, oral pain and swelling. The injuries linked with oral piercing vary, making such tiny fashion statement worth the risk. In addition to a greater risk of oral injuries, adolescents with intraoral jewelry can face an increased risk of contracting a disease. Numerous studies have found that it can lead to gingivitis or gum inflammation, gum recession, metal allergies and cavities. Tongue and lip piercings are strongly associated to gingival recession, based on a study. Gingival recession was apparent in seven to 50 percent of all patients with lip piercings and 37 to 46 percent of patients with tongue piercings. Furthermore, oral piercings that involve the lips, tongue, uvula and cheeks have been linked with pathological conditions such as scar formation, tooth fractures, pain, infection, speech impediment, periodontal disease, hepatitis and Ludwig’s angina. Life-threatening complications linked with oral piercings have been reported. This include bleeding, endocarditis, edema and airway obstruction. Also, the use of dental jewelry such as grills, has been found to cause periodontal issues and dental caries. Unregulated piercing techniques and parlors have been recognized by the National Institutes of Health as a possible route for disease transmission such as tetanus, tuberculosis and hepatitis, as well as the cause of bacterial endocarditis. How to Deal with Your Child about Oral Piercings The dangers presented by oral jewelry and piercings far outweigh the trendy benefits. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry strongly opposes the use of jewelry on oral tissues and the practice of oral piercings due to the possible pathological condition associated with these practices. Talk to your child about the possible risks involved with piercings before getting one. Also, if he/she already has an oral piercing, be sure that they maintain it disinfected and clean, and that they removed it before joining any sports or activities involving direct contact, so they can avoid getting serious oral injury. No parent wants to see their child in pain. That is why Mint Kids Dentistry want to ensure that you know the signs and symptoms of a dental infection. Dental infection is a serious problem. If left untreated, it could cause damage to other teeth and may spread to other parts of the body, which can cause life-threatening infection on the neck, brain and face in severe cases. What is a Dental Infection? Also known as tooth abscess, it is a pocket of fluid (pus) caused by bacteria present inside a tooth. The pus forms as the body tries to fight back an infection. The infected area seems completely normal, but usually it becomes painful when the pus inside the body cause an increase in pressure. Often, the area will be soft, swollen and tender, and will appear like a pimple surrounding the gum. When this happens, the tooth decay is deep, affecting the pulp, blood vessels and nerves. The gum and its surrounding tissue will eventually be infected, and the infection may spread from the roots all they way to the bones. In children, tooth decay is the primary cause of tooth abscess. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease. Cavities are very common that by the age of 5, nearly 60 percent of children in the US will have cavities at some point. However, the real problem is when the cavities and decay are left untreated, which leads to infection. Signs and Symptoms of Dental Infection As a parent, you must check your child’s mouth regularly. You have to be sure that your child is flossing and brushing his teeth. If you do this regularly, you’ll have to higher chance of catching any dental problem before they become worse. In addition, watch your child for the following signs and symptoms of tooth abscess or infection.
How Your Dentist Treat a Dental Infection During an appointment, your dentist will examine your child’s teeth using a dental instrument. She may also ask for an X-ray to check for erosion of the bone on the infection site. If your child has a tooth abscess, the dentist will drain the pus and prescribe antibiotics. Sometimes, she may have to pull the infected tooth. This will not be a problem for young children as it will be replaced by a permanent tooth. But for those with permanent tooth, a root canal may be needed to clean and get rid of the infection, or the dentist will have to extract the tooth. For almost two years, you have been holding the toothbrush for him. Because he is now a toddler, it’s time to pass the torch and train your little tot to brush his teeth by himself. Ever since he had his baby teeth, you have probably been telling him to open his mouth wide while you brush his increasing number of tiny pearls. And by now, he probably learned the brushing routine. He had seen you how to wet the toothbrush, watched the amount of toothpaste to squeeze out, and even tried his best to spit into the sink. At this point, you may decide to let him be independent, to give your young one the responsibility of scrubbing and cleaning his own teeth. However, even if you are ready to give up control of the morning and bedtime ritual of tooth brushing, your toddler may not be so keen to do it on his own. If he resists, try this tooth brushing training tips to ease him into doing it.
Anything that will improve your child’s interest in tooth brushing is definitely a welcome idea, and this include an electric toothbrush, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). However, there are advantages and disadvantages to this. One things, a manual toothbrush may actually provide a more efficient result since you scrub back and forth and touch several tooth at once. Electrical brushes, particularly the type with the circular heads, hit only one tooth at a time, but on the upside, it may do a more thorough job, especially if your little tot is patient. So, which toothbrush wins in this battle? The answer: both types do fine ways to clean, you only have to find out which suits better with your child. However, there is another thing to consider, though. When choosing a toothbrush for your young one, whether its electric or manual, keep these things in mind:
It is good to allow your little one to weigh in on his dental care purchases. He will be more motivated to use his toothbrush he actually likes, and also the toothpaste in his favourite flavour. However, do not expect him to brush his teeth with a smile after each meal. Sometimes, he will fuss and fidget, particularly when you insist to do the scrubbing (which you should do until they are seven to ensure their teeth are thoroughly cleaned and scrubbed). Be persistent yet gentle and do whatever you can to help make the process faster. Below are some helpful ideas:
Thinking of using charcoal to whiten your child’s teeth or remove tooth stains? More and more people are trying this trend, believing that charcoal could absorb toxins, bacteria and even stains on the teeth. Believers of activated charcoal for teeth whitening brush their teeth using this material for 3 to 5 minutes and then claiming she had seemingly whiter teeth. Warning Against Charcoal Whiteners Your teeth could be stained or discoloured due to a number of factors, from the food you eat to poor dental hygiene. Say for instance, if you eat blueberry, your teeth could be stained blue. Those are the kind of stains that they believe if you brush with charcoal, you can clean off. However, medical professionals warn against the use of do-it-yourself tooth whitening that may lead to deterioration of tooth enamel and tooth erosion. Activated charcoal can cause a potential damage due to its grainy substance. Dentists fear that people will use charcoal often, causing too much erosion on the tooth enamel. What’s worse is that it can eventually lead to deeper erosion as the material works into the deeper layer of the tooth which is the dentin. Unlike skin or hair, dentin does not heal itself or grow back. Due to the abrasiveness of charcoal, it could even leave teeth stained, blotchy and prone to erosion and deterioration later on. Though some users find charcoal as effective for whitening, the long-term effect of teeth whitening is still unknown. In addition, there is no solid evidence that activated charcoal does any benefit to your teeth. Activated charcoal should not replace daily tooth brushing and flossing as well as regular dental visits. These two ways – brushing and flossing – are necessary to remove plaque. The toothpaste you are using provides fluoride for the teeth. From a dentist’s perspective, it is concerning that people use products without fluoride. How About Charcoal Toothpaste? There’s no scientific proof that activated charcoal truly works. In fact, there are far better options that do actually work. If you desire a pearly white smile, dentists recommend using traditional toothpaste to erase surface stain or common treatment procedures for deeper stains. Don’t forget, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Still, any conventional whitening toothpastes or visiting a dentist are advised as they are safer. Take note that there are numerous products that can be very abrasive. Mint Kids Dentistry suggests to ask you dentist and calculate the risk before you try any latest trend. For now, if you are searching for a product to whiten your teeth for an upcoming event or celebration, whitening toothpastes, over-the-counter whitening strips are gentler and won’t cause any harm on your teeth. As parents, you should know that importance of encouraging your children to brush and floss their teeth twice a day. Proper brushing can keep their mouth healthy and clean. However, parents should also have to pay close attention on how toothbrushes are stored. Most parents don’t pay much attention or spend much time thinking about storing toothbrushes. Yet recent studies have found that toothbrushes can be a haven of microorganisms that can cause oral infections. Our mouth harbor a host of microorganism. When you are brushing your teeth, these bacteria can be transferred to your toothbrush. Microorganisms present in the place where you store your brush can also be transferred to your toothbrush. This is the reason why how and where you store your toothbrushes is crucial. Below are some tips on how to properly store your family’s toothbrushes: Consider where to place. If you place your toothbrushes on the counter, make sure they are stored away from the sink and the toilet. Just imagine, every time you’re flushing the toilet, germs can drift and float through the air. You don’t want those germs to be landing on your toothbrush, right? Also, be sure to store your toothbrushes away from the sink to avoid splashing dirty water and soap to your toothbrush. Do not share toothbrushes. Each member of the family must have their own toothbrush. Sharing must be discourage. When you share toothbrush, you introduce microorganisms and bacteria into mouths. Remember that microorganisms from your mouth can be transferred to your toothbrush. Hence, never share and make sure that wherever you store them, there is enough space so the toothbrushes won’t touch. Air it out. Placing your toothbrush in a closed container promotes bacterial and microbial growth. Also, bacteria and germs love dark, damp places. Putting a cover on your brush after using means it will not dry out fast. Putting your toothbrush on a toothbrush holder is ideal as there will be enough airflow for the toothbrush to dry out. Be sure to air it out in an upright position. Change your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months. Your toothbrush must be changed every three to four months. The bristles become worn and frayed and so, effectiveness of cleaning may decrease. Check your kid’s brushes for this type of wear and replace them if necessary. Another benefit of replacing toothbrush is that it reduces the number of bacteria to which your family is exposed. Clean toothbrush before and after use. Be sure to clean it regularly to prevent accumulation of dust, bacteria and other elements that could contaminate it. You can place it in a dishwasher or wash it with an antibacterial cleaner regularly. Rinsing toothbrush using an antibacterial mouthwash before use may prevent or reduce how quickly bacteria accumulate on toothbrushes. You may also soak toothbrush in an antibacterial mouthwash after use to reduce the number of bacteria that grow on toothbrushes. Allowing your child to brush their teeth before they are ready is among the biggest mistake parents make when it comes to their young’s oral health. There are some children who may not be brushing and flossing properly, if at all. It is important to ensure that they are doing it properly, even if it means brushing their teeth for them. When you do, take note of the following pointers:
So when should you allow them to brush on their own? If your kid is in elementary school, you could be off the hook. Below are the 6 signs that your child can clean their teeth on their own.
Teaching your child to brush properly is similar to teaching your child to wear a seat belt, putting sunscreen on your child or looking both sides when crossing the street – it is critical! Do this even as your kid gets older. It is important that your child learns the subliminal message from you so it turns a habit when they grow into adults. Our smile is usually the first thing people notice on you. However, a lot of things such as red wine, coffee and tea can stain your precious pearl, causing them to darken. We received lots of questions from people who are considering whitening their teeth. Here are the answers to some common questions we hear. How does tooth whitening works Whitening products uses peroxide-based bleach that destroys both surface and deep stains in the tooth enamel. The level of whiteness that you can achieve will differ based on how much staining you have, the condition of your teeth and the form of bleaching system you use. Will it work on all teeth? No. It is best to discuss with your pediatric dentist before you decide to whiten your teeth because not all whitening products can correct all types of discoloration. Brown teeth may not respond well as well as teeth with gray tones. Yellow teeth often bleach well. Additionally, whitening won’t work on veneers, caps, fillings or crowns. Also, it will not be effective on discoloration due to tooth injury or medications. Is it safe for kids? The Academy of General Dentistry suggests postponing whitening until your child reaches at least 14 years of age, when the tooth pulp is completely formed. This will help reduce the level of sensitivity. But to be safe, it is still preferable to hold off and wait until he/she is 17 or 18 before giving them the green signal. Parents and teens sometimes worry when the permanent teeth appear yellower than the baby teeth. But this is perfectly normal. Aside from being smaller, baby teeth are also brighter and whiter. It does not mean that your child’s permanent teeth are healthy or stained. Further, kids that have their braces removed may complain of whiter areas where the braces were attached. This is a very common issue as those teeth got long-term protection from food stains. Can a person with highly sensitive teeth get teeth whitening treatment? Yes. There are several ways to address sensitivity issue.
It is important to talk your dentist about sensitivity problem. There are certainly ways you can do to reduce sensitivity. Avoid foods that are too cold or hot. Take pain reliever before the treatment. Use a toothpaste made for sensitive teeth along with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Avoid acidic foods such as citrus fruits. How long does it last? Teeth whitening is not permanent. If your teeth are exposed to beverages or foods that could cause staining, the whitening may begin to fade in as short as a month. But, if you avoid these foods, you may be able to maintain it as long as a year before touch-up or another treatment is necessary. |
AuthorMint Kids Dentistry Archives
July 2021
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