Give Kids A Smile

Hey friends!
Welcome back from your tryptophan infused coma, aka, Thanksgiving. I hope you had a lovely time with friends and family.
If you saw my post a few weeks back you know that this Friday, Dr. Alex and I will be heading to CVIM to volunteer with Give Kids A Smile. We are looking forward to this event and want you there with us! We will be posting about our time there on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Be sure to follow us.

Check out my last blog HERE if you missed it so you know exactly what this event is all about! 

Also, if you have any events coming up or would like us to come to your children's school let us know! We really enjoy reaching out to the children in our community to educate and treat!

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Volunteering with Give Kids A Smile

By Ashley Valco

One thing I love to do is give back to the community. I do not have as many opportunities as I would like, especially with chasing a toddler around and currently housing another that will be here in April. So, when an opportunity comes along, I take it. 

I am excited to tell you that, on December 5th, Dr. Alex and I will be heading to Community Volunteers in Medicine for a Give Kids A Smile Event. 

I want to know about both of these amazing organizations. It is important to raise awareness for a need that is so pressing right in our very own area, and how these organizations help that need. 

In many areas, even those with mid to high income, there are underserved children going without dental treatment. Give Kids a Smile (GKAS) was launched over 11 years ago for this specific need. GKAS’s mission statement:

“The American Dental Association launched the Give Kids A Smile program nationally in 2003 as a way for dentists across the country to join with others in their community to provide dental services to underserved children. The program initially began as a one-day event in February, but has since grown to local and national events year-round. Dentists and other team members volunteer their time, and services, to provide screenings, treatments and education to children throughout the United States. Each year, approximately 350,000 children benefit from more than 1,500 events, all because of the efforts of 40,000 or more annual volunteers. The ADA's Give Kids A Smile® program enhances the oral health of large numbers of needy children. Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) activities also highlight for policy

makers the ongoing challenges that disadvantaged families face in finding dental care.”

Community Volunteers In Medicine (CVIM) is a wonderful facility that I had the pleasure of volunteering my time during and after hygiene school. They are located in West Chester and provide dental care to low income families. CVIM’s mission statement:

“CVIM is a community-based, volunteer nonprofit organization providing primary medical and dental care to low income, working people in Chester County without insurance, enabling them to continue to be contributing members of the community.

The program is designed to provide services for those individuals whose income is at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty guidelines and are not eligible for Medical Assistance, Medicare, VA benefits or the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

CVIM welcomes clients without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, handicap, or ability to pay for health care services.”

We are looking forward to December 5th to give back to the community and we hope you will cheer us on! Like us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date and see some pictures from the event.

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X-rays: Read Before You Decide

By Ashley Valco

It seems like the moment you hear your baby’s first cry you are going to do everything in your power to keep them safe. So many things, big and small, are out of your control and you do what you can to protect them. 

The first time they cry and you can’t figure out what is wrong. The first time they fall and bump their head. The first time they cut their knee. Of course the second, third, fourth and so many other times these happen...they are out of your control but it doesn’t hurt your heart any less. 

You bring them to all of their physical and dental appointments to keep them healthy and follow all the instructions given by their doctors. Then one day the hygienist comes into the waiting room to bring back your child and mentions that it may be time for X-rays and you think,

 “No radiation! It will hurt them!” 

When this happens, it might be a good idea to consider the following before turning them down. 

We are all exposed...

Every day, all of us are exposed to small amounts of radiation from our environment. The radiation comes from several different sources, air, water, materials in buildings, outer space, and even the ground. The term for this is natural background radiation. Natural background radiation exposure varies from person to person depending on where the live. People living in higher elevations are closer to outer space, therefor are exposed to more radiation than those living near the sea. 

Should you allow x-rays?

With many things in the health care world, medication, procedures, treatment, etc...the benefit should always outweigh the risk. The benefits of what can be determined by the X-rays (ie: disease, decay, or delayed development) outweigh any risk of exposure to radiation. 

Why are x-rays necessary?

X-rays help us determine dental issues and the proper course of treatment. They also allow us to give information on a specific area that may have the beginning stages of decay and tell you what to do to prevent it from developing into something that will need treatment.

When are x-rays necessary?

X-rays become necessary when information needed is not directly visible, when a visual examination cannot provide adequate answers. Generally speaking, around age 5 children’s teeth begin to move closer together. This is usually a time when bite-wing x-rays are necessary so that the dentist is able to view the areas between the teeth since this area is no longer viewable to the eye. Areas between the teeth are more susceptible to decay, especially if flossing is not taking place during the home care routine. 

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s recommendation on X-rays is every 6 months for children who are at a high risk for tooth decay. Our office takes X-rays less frequently unless there is something of more concern. 

My child has never had a cavity, why should they get x-rays?

While x-rays are an important tool to determine cavities that are not visible during a visual examination, they provide much more information. X-rays are necessary to plan orthodontic treatment, to diagnose and treat conditions no directly visible, evaluate injuries that may have occurred, diagnose any disease present in the bone, as well as to evaluate teeth that have not yet erupted. 

Many of these things observed with regular X-rays are found during early detection and can prevent costly, time consuming procedures down the line. 

How safe are x-rays?

As with everything else, our office takes the protection and safety of your child very seriously. We minimize the exposure of radiation by using safeguards like led aprons and thyroid collars. However, using digital X-rays significantly reduces the amount of radiation exposure. According to the American Dental Association, digital X-rays are 80-90% less radiation then those of the traditional x-rays which were already low.  

Please consider the chart below provided by the American College of Radiology:

mSv is the measurement of radiation. I realize this chart may be confusing, but consider that the natural background radiation is a 3 (the highest) and the 4 bitewings is a .005 (the lowest). Also, keep in mind that most of the time, children are only receiving 2 bitewings as opposed to 4. 

Always express any concerns you have with dental X-rays and feel free to call our office with any questions. Just remember, all of us here at Rose Tree Kids has your childs best interest and safety in mind. 

As always, if you have any questions, feel free to comment. If you have specific concerns about dental treatments for your children's teeth, you can call my office, Rose Tree  Kids, at 610-892-3825.

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It's Time For Braces

If you have been reading my blog for any length of time, you are well aware that I am a dental hygienist at a kids dental office. People often ask me how I can come up with a topic every single week. It is actually pretty easy because I am asked the same round of questions day after day from parents. One very common question from parents is about braces. 

"Will my child need braces?"
I started to answer this question myself, but decided to pull in reinforcements. Dr. Lee (<--- click there) is an Orthodontist who has a practice, L&M Orthodontics, in Glenside and Doylestown. We are happy to say that he also practices in our office a few times a week. It is very convenient for our patients to come to the same office for great Orthodontic treatment from a talented Orthodontist. So, without further ado, Dr. Lee will bring you the answers to your orthodontic questions…

A few weeks back, I had the pleasure of hosting a Tiger Scout troop at our office as part of their healthy living education. I have to admit, I was initially a little nervous about keeping a large group of 7 year olds entertained for 45 minutes. However, it turned out to be a great experience, and I thoroughly enjoyed the office tour filled with the dens enthusiasm, participation, and our game of Tooth Trivia!

Now to segue onto an orthodontic subject, after my meeting with this group of soon-to-be-8-year-olds, I was reminded of a question I am very commonly asked in and out of the office: When do I bring in my child to the orthodontist? This is an important question, and there are multiple, albeit sometimes contradicting, opinions as to the answer. For many, your dentist will refer you to the orthodontist if he/she has any concerns about jaw relationships or tooth position. As orthodontists, our rule of thumb is the guideline set forth by the American Association of Orthodontists, which recommends that all children be evaluated by an orthodontist between the ages of 7-8 years old. Although this may seem early, orthodontists are trained to identify subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth while some baby teeth remain present. The first permanent molars and incisors usually have come in by the age of seven and cross bites, crowding, and other problems often can be identified at this time. The correction of some problems could be more difficult if we wait until all the permanent teeth have come in or until facial growth is nearly complete, while other problems are best treated in the permanent dentition with minimal growth remaining. For each patient who needs treatment, there is an ideal time to begin so that the best results can be achieved. If early treatment, also known as phase I orthodontic treatment, is indicated, a short period of treatment (usually 8-12 months) is undertaken. At the completion of phase I, the patient is given a retainer, and observed for any future orthodontic needs. The aim of phase I is not to treat all the teeth, since many teeth havent even erupted into the mouth. Even with a phase I treatment, most patients still need full braces, or phase II treatment. However, with phase I treatment, phase II treatment is easier and often shorter in duration.
Now luckily, many times a phase I treatment isnt even necessary. If you dont need early treatment, you will just return to the office, periodically, until you are ready for the full braces. However, this cannot be determined without the cursory examination at 7-8 years old. And if you need a phase I, dont worry. I can tell you from personal experience that it can work wonders (it saved me a jaw surgery). Ask me (Dr. Meyrowitz) about it if youd like. Im always willing to share the tale .

Finally, here are some signs or habits that may indicate the need for an orthodontic examination:
Early or late loss of baby teeth
Difficulty in chewing or biting
Mouth breathing
Thumb/finger sucking
Tongue thrust or posture problem
Crowding, misplaced or blocked out teeth
Jaws that shift or make sounds
Biting the cheek or roof of the mouth
Teeth that meet abnormally or not at all
Jaws and teeth that are out of proportion to the rest of face

As always, if you have any questions, feel free to comment. If you have specific concerns about dental treatments for your children's teeth, you can call my office Rose Tree  Kids at 610-892-3825

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Prevention Is Key!

By Ashley Valco

Right now, I have a very active toddler. He is 15 months old and such a joy. Just like every other toddler, he gets into everything, tests our limits, and sees if we will respond the same way every time he does something. 

It’s just so much fun. Exhausting, but fun...

While this behavior I understand to be completely normal, exploratory behavior for a toddler, I still strive to make sure I am responding in the best ways I can. 

Nicolas- Cutie, right? :)

When Nicolas was an infant he was very colicky. I thought I was going to lose my mind. My husband would stand for hours next to a running dryer to try and ease his crying, (my sons crying that is, not my husbands) just so I could get a little rest. I came across a book “On Becoming Baby Wise,” by Gary Ezzo, that talked about a schedule for babies and how it helps. The book was very strict to its scheduling and I followed it for a week. Nicolas became a normal baby. Who knew that babies needed consistency to be comforted. I sure didn’t. I went from there using the schedule as more of a routine and stuck with it. 

Since “Baby Wise” worked for me, I of course bought “On Becoming Toddler Wise” in hopes that I could somehow, magically, skip those crazy toddler temper tantrums and all that comes with it. 

So, last night, I was reading a chapter about biting. Thankfully, my little guy has not bitten any children. Something jumped out at me. Gary Ezzo said, “Biting is as normal as tooth decay. Well, as normal as something can be without prevention.” 

Of course, since I am in the dental field, everything dentally related jumps out at me. But this made me think. How often is it said that cavities are normal? To an extent, yes we can say they are normal. According to the CDC, it is the most common childhood disease. Yes, childhood disease. So, cancer is not normal, but children seem to be getting it an awful lot these days. 

If something is considered normal simply because of its common nature, should it still be considered normal if it is preventable? I am not sure. However, I am not here to argue that. I am simply here in hopes to be the preventive aspect of this “normal childhood disease.” That is my job. A dental hygienist, if you were wondering, is on the preventive side of dentistry. “Dental hygienists are licensed oral health professionals specializing in prevention and treatment of oral diseases, as well as protection of patients' total health.”

Wether it be to take xrays, clean the teeth (remove biofilms that cause disease), or apply sealants to prevent decay, we are trying to prevent. We are also educators. Educating our patients is the best step toward prevention. And let’s face it, learning at a young age is the best time to learn anything that will benefit you for the rest of your life. 

Baby teeth will fall out. If not cared for properly before they fall out, they can effect the gums, bone structure that supports the teeth, and the adult tooth that emerges beneath. So, a lifetime of healthy teeth begins with that first baby tooth. 

Healthy teeth for a lifetime?

I started brushing my sons teeth the moment they came in. From a young age he became accustomed to the tooth brush in his mouth. He would open once I started singing the tooth brush song. Then, after some time, the song didn’t work. He started responding to “ahhhh!” Then that stopped working. Now, he just wants to hold the toothbrush himself. Boy does he put up a fight. It is a battle to brush his teeth most of the time. Choose your battles. Good advice for marriage and parenting. However, oral health is a battle I am not passing on. Too often I see young children with cavities and I will do everything I can to prevent it. Prevention is the first step. Yeah, sure, genetics has its role. But trust me, it doesn’t play as big of a role as you would think. Most of the time the problems that are passed down from generation to generation are not genetic so much as shared habits. As a child, you share your parents diet and hygiene. Diet and Hygiene are the first keys of prevention. 

So how can you prevent this “normal” childhood disease?

• Diet/Nutrition - Avoid a high sugar/carb diet. This includes not eating sugary snacks often, as well as consonant snacking through the day. Check out this post about nutrition. 
• Hygiene - Brushing 2 times a day for 2 minutes each time. Begin flossing at a young age to establish the good habit. Around age 5 the back teeth begin to move closer together, trapping bacteria and food between the teeth. This is when X-rays become necessary as well as flossing. Check out this post about tips for brushing! 
• Consistency - Consistency is the best for every child. When they learn a routine at a young age is it easier for them to come to expect it. Which also makes it easier for you. 
• Lead by example - Often times parents brush their own teeth much earlier or later than their children's. Letting your child see you brush your own teeth will help reinforce the habit. Children usually like to imitate their parents as well. 
• Regular Check ups - Keeping your 6 month check up is important. Their dental hygienist/dentist will make sure they are staying healthy and if any small areas are beginning to show signs of cavitation, they can point it out to you and give you extra care tips to hopefully prevent it from turning into a cavity that is big enough to be treated. 
• Being proactive when a cavity is present - When a cavity is found, it is important to not delay treatment. Catching it early will prevent more serious treatment like a crown or root canals. Not only are these procedures more involved, missing more time from school, but they are also more expensive. Avoiding them all together makes things easier for both you and your child.  Check out this post about why it's important!

Remember, prevention is key for everything. 

As always, if you have any questions, feel free to comment. If you have specific concerns about dental treatments for your childrens teeth, you can call my office Rose Tree  Kids at 610-892-3825

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Anxiety Free Dental Treatment

By Ashley Valco

Nothing makes me happier than to tell a patient of mine that they are in this months “No Cavity Club!” They are either getting great guidance at home, eating a healthy low-sugar diet, listening to the education I provide, or hopefully, all of the above! 

However, there are times that cavities or other dental issues are found and need to be treated. Most children are comfortable and calm in the office and during procedures. Children’s offices are designed to make them feel that way - bright colors, toys, their favorite music of movie for entertainment. Also, we chose to work specifically with children and want to cater to their special needs. 

There are times, however, that children are anxious before treatment. When the anxiety could prevent adequate treatment, Nitrous oxide/oxygen can be used to help relax the child and ease their anxieties or fears. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is also a great option for children that have a severe gag reflex that interferes with treatment. 

What is Nitrous oxide/oxygen?

Nitrous oxide/oxygen, also known as “laughing gas”, is a blend of oxygen and nitrous oxide that is used as a safe sedative. A mask is placed over the nose for the child to inhale the gentle gases by breathing normally. It is used for the duration of the treatment and then eliminated after a short period of breathing oxygen. There are no lingering effect of this treatment and children are able to go to school after. 

What does Nitrous oxide/oxygen feel like?

It has a faint, sweet aroma. It gives a sense of relaxation and well-being. Our bodies have a threshold of pain that they can tolerate and nitrous oxide/oxygen raises this threshold. Many people know this mixture of gases as “laughing gas” due to it sometimes causing giddiness. At the end of the procedure, when the oxygen is being breathed in and removing the effects of the nitrous oxide, these sensations dissipate and the child will being to feel “normal” again. 

Is it safe?

Our goal while treating your children is to give them the best treatment we can. That includes keeping them safe, comfortable, and happy. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is very safe. It is perhaps the safest form of sedation in dentistry. 

• Children tolerate it well. 
• It takes just minutes to become effective. 
• Completely reversible. 
• Non-allergenic.
• Child remains fully conscious and is able to respond to questions or requests. 

If your office recommends Nitrous oxide/oxygen for your child’s dental treatment there are a few things to keep in mind. Give them only a light meal in the hours leading up to an appointment. Sometimes children can feel nauseous or experience vomiting if they have a full stomach. Also, make sure that their medical history is up-to-date and you have disclosed and respiratory conditions or anything else that could make nasal breathing difficult. This could limit the effectiveness of nitrous oxide/oxygen. Keeping their medical history up-to-date includes letting the dentist know if there are any new medications or any medications that were taken the day of treatment. 

At Rose Tree Kids we always provide one-on-one treatment that is specially designed for your child's needs. Every service should be fitting to your child as an individual. Always speak with the dentist/hygienist about your child’s special needs so we can treat them to the best of our ability. This includes Nitrous oxide/oxygen. There may be times when it isn’t the best option for your child. Their dentist will review the medical history, their level of anxiety, and any other issues to determine if this is the best treatment for them. 

Any Questions? 

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And remember the Candy Buy Back <--- Click to learn more!! What to do with all the candy after Halloween, bless the troops! 

Candy Buy Back with Operation Gratitude!

By Ashley Valco

I love candy. 

Love it. 

In fact, I specifically love the candy that I tell all of your children to stay away from most. That colorful, fruity, chewy, sticky, sweetness. Mike&Ikes, Starburst, jelly beans, Skittles, Swedish Fish. Sure, I like chocolate, but that sugary goo gets me every time. 

When I was a kid I didn’t even like chocolate. I know, I know... 

I didn’t like it until after I was married. So when it came to Halloween night, I had the best for bartering candy. All of my chocolate for whatever fruity candy you got. Like most families, I am sure, we dumped our goods at the end of the night and started trading right away. 

Who got the most?

Who got what?

Mom is gonna steal your Mallow Cups! 

And we always got double the sweets. After a round in our neighborhood we would head home, dump those pillowcases, change costumes, and head back out for round two. I am not saying it was right, but it was fun! I am pretty certain our neighbors new what was up. They just loved my dad so we got away with it. :)

Oh, Halloween, how I loved you. That might have been one of the most exciting nights of the year. I remember many Halloweens vividly. However, I don’t remember the days after Halloween. I remember bringing some candy to school, but I don’t remember going crazy eating tons of candy in the days to follow. Maybe I did and its the sugar comas that cloud my memory. Or maybe my parents hid most of it from us so we wouldn’t go insane. Or they ate it themselves....

Fast forward to many years later where I am a dental hygienist working with children, telling dozens of them a day to watch the sugar they eat. Candy is a “bad treat” and apples and blueberries are “good treats.” Given the choice between chocolate or candy as a healthier alternative, choose chocolate every time (except chocolate milk!) They start telling me what they love and I am mentally drooling. I couldn’t deprive them of their happiness. So, little Jimmy, save those sweets for the special occasions - birthday parties, holidays, and Halloween! 

What’s a parent to do? How can you simply take all of their candy away? 

There are certain things you can do to encourage them to give their candy away. 

One way is to bring the candy to our office the week following Halloween. We are teaming up with a nonprofit organization called Operation Gratitude. We will collect all the candy you wish to donate and Operation Gratitude will help us send it overseas to our soldiers. 

How it works:

Your child brings in a Ziploc Gallon sized bag filled with candy and they get $2. A half gallon bag gets $1. Then we weigh it. After the week is over, whoever brought the most will win a prize! 

We encourage children to write, color, or draw thank you cards. The troops really love this! 

There are many ways to give your candy to a cause that teaches your children kindness, gratitude, and appreciation. What could be harder for a child than to give away all that candy they worked for to a good cause?

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to get the following:

• Keep up with our candy collection
• See when we are collecting
• See how much we end up sending overseas
• Read some of the awesome Thank You cards we receive 
• Find out who our winner is!

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Rose Tree Kids Dental office hours are 

Monday 9-6

Wednesday 8-5

Friday 8-12

Saturday 10-12 We are not open on Saturdays, however, we will be there November 8th to finish collecting the candy.

Let's Talk Nutrition!

Ashley Valco

Did you know that the bacteria in your mouth loves to eat carbs and sugar just as much as you? It absolutely does. 

And after it eats, the bacteria and its waste product stick to your teeth in a very filmy substance known as plaque. 

Since children aren’t familiar with the term “waste product” and I always try to speak in a way that resonates with them, I tell them that plaque is bacteria poo. This is usually followed by a creeped out face and a loud “Ewww!” Which makes me happy. 

Telling some children why will sometimes help motivate them to do an action since they now have understanding. Our goal is to get your kids brushing. 

What can you do for that child who refuses to brush properly?

Apart from being consistent and leading by example, there is something else you can do. Help cut back on the amount of plaque that accumulates in their mouth. 

While all foods have at least small amounts of sugar in them, there are certain things that can create a worse environment. 

For instance, have you ever noticed that at the end of a day spent eating sugary foods (think of a birthday party) you seem to have “fuzzier” teeth than normal and a strong desire to brush. Ok, maybe the strong desire to brush just effects a crazy dental hygienist like me, but you see where I am going with this. 
So, let’s discuss the foods that make your oral health worse.  

Foods and Beverages that Contribute to Poor Oral Health

The more often you eat, and the longer foods are in your mouth, the more potential damage to your teeth can occur. You can actually cause more damage by eating from a large bag of M&M’s throughout the day than eating the entire bag in one sitting. That doesn't mean eat the whole bag! But your mouth needs some time to recover and return to the original, healthy pH that prevents decay. Some foods, in particular, are more likely to cause oral health problems than others. Therefore, practice moderation if and when you or your child consume the following foods:

Carbohydrates: Refined carbohydrate-laden foods (chips, bread, pasta, crackers, etc.) can be as harsh on your teeth as candy. Bacteria feed on leftover food particles in the mouth and produce an acidic waste product, which causes decay.

Chewy, sticky foods: Raisins, granola bars, jellybeans, caramel, honey and syrup stick to teeth, making it hard for saliva to wash away their sugar, which can cause tooth decay.

Sugary snacks: Snacks like cookies, cakes or other sweet treats contain a high amount of cavity-causing sugar.

Candy and gum: Eating candy and chewing regular sugar sweetened gum are harmful to your teeth. As you eat, sugar coats your teeth, which can lead to cavities. There are many types of gums now that have Xylitol as a sweetener which helps prevent decay. 

Carbonated soft drinks: Regular soda contains a high amount of sugar. Both regular and diet sodas also contain phosphorous and carbonation that wear away tooth enamel.

Fruit and vegetable juices: Fruit and vegetable juices tend to be high in sugar and very acidic and can damage tooth enamel and lead to decay.

Sports drinks: Sports drinks, which I discussed in a previous post HERE, can be high in sugar and highly acidc, causing decay. 

Acidic foods and beverages: Acids, which can cause dental erosion, are found in numerous foods and drinks. These acids include:

• Phosphoric acid, which is found in soft drinks
• Citric and malic acids, which are found in fruits such as lemons and fruit products
• Lactic acid, which can be found in fermented products, such as yogurt
• Tartaric acid, which is found in grapes and wines

So, it is unlikely that you will just cut all of these right out of you and your families diet. Making sure that they are consumed in moderation will help cut back. Also, increasing water intake and specifically while eating these food items will help cut back on plaque build up. 

Remember to always honestly discuss diet with your childs dental hygienist/dentist. Knowing what they are consuming can help us treat them properly! 

Are you now thinking "What the heck are we going to do about all of that Halloween candy that we will be getting soon?!" Don't fret friends, I'll be posting about that soon! 

Keep those teeth healthy and keep smiling!

As always, feel free to ask questions. 

I would love to hear from my readers! 

How old are your children? 

What dental or nutritional concerns do you have?

Any questions you forgot to ask at your last dental visit?

Let me know and I'll answer them. 

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"I Want To Be Cavity Free!"

                            

By Ashley Valco

I wish all my kids walked into my office yelling this! 

Last week I posted about your little one’s teeth wiggling out. -------->

Check it out HERE if you missed it. 

While those first baby teeth are movin’ on out to make room for the adult front teeth, your child could already have their first adult molars. Between the ages of 6 and 7 years old the first adult molars begin to make their appearance. These molars, just like every other adult tooth, should hang around for the rest of their life. So that is where sealants come into play. 

Run your tongue along the biting surface of all your molars. If you do not have crowns or fillings on them you will feel many grooves and pits. They come in all shapes and sizes and are difficult to keep clean. Your tooth brush bristles aren’t able to get into those grooves as well as we would like. Food and bacteria build up in these crevices, which puts your child in danger of tooth decay. This specific area is the most common area for children to get cavities.

So what exactly is a sealant?

Sealant material is made of a tooth colored plastic that is applied to the biting surface of molars. It is a noninvasive treatment that helps keep teeth cavity-free. 

What is treatment like?

The process of having sealants applied is completed in one visit and is comfortable and quick. The tooth is cleaned of any food debris and bacteria, then conditioned and dried. The sealant material is squeezed out of a tube into the grooves of the tooth. It flows right in and fills all the grooves smoothly. A little light shined on the tooth will harden it. Your child will be able to eat right after the appointment. 

You can see those tiny grooves are now nice and smooth and can be easily cleaned. 

Which teeth should be sealed?

The teeth that have the highest risk of decay and can benefit from sealants are the first and second molars (aka 6 year molars and 12 year molars). There may be other teeth, such as permanent premolars or other teeth with deep grooves, that could benefit as well. This is why it is best to go to a dental practice that treats your child as an individual with one-on-one treatment so you know that you are getting the best for your child. 

What will it cost?

Sealant treatment is very affordable when you consider how much cavities will cost; time in the office, your child’s experience, and financial burden. Many insurance companies will cover sealants. Check with your insurance company and your dental office to see what is covered and if there are any restrictions. 

Contact us if you have any questions! 

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"Mom! My Tooth Fell Out!"

By Ashley Valco

  

This weekend my friends son lost his first tooth! 

I personally love when kids come into my office thrilled that they have lost or have a wiggly tooth. Maybe it is just my passion for teeth, or my weird obsession with the tooth fairy. I guess it is really both! Either way, it is milestone for your little one. 

The first teeth to become loose are generally the front bottom two (lower central incisors). They begin to wiggle once the adult tooth beneath it starts to apply pressure to make its way into that spot. This can happen as early as age 4 or as late as age 7, however, it generally happens around age 5 to 6. 

When the teeth become mobile it is a good idea to encourage them to wiggle it. Most children are excited for this process to begin, and even more for the visit from the tooth fairy! If your child is a worrier, they may be apprehensive and think it could be painful. You can reassure them that they are likely to not feel a thing. 

It is important to remind your kids to continue brushing the tooth that is loose. Many times children avoid that wiggly tooth because it may feel strange to brush. By avoiding it, plaque builds up around it and beneath it and can effect the adult tooth below.

When the new teeth emerge there are two things every parent always asks: 

“Why are they so big?” and

“Why are they so yellow?”

Baby teeth are much smaller and whiter than adult teeth. Therefore, when adult teeth come in, they look very yellow and large in comparison. As the rest of the baby teeth fall out over the next 6 years, you will see the teeth begin to look a “normal” shade and size.  

Around the time of the loss of those front teeth, your child’s first adult molars (6 year molars) will begin to appear. They are all the way in the back of the mouth, behind the baby molars. Once they are fully erupted, their dental hygienist/dentist will recommend Sealants. Check out my coming post that will cover everything you need to know about Sealants! 

Finally, the other question that comes up most when children lose their first tooth, 

“What is the going rate these days from the tooth fairy?”

I have heard everything from $1 to $20 to a new toy! It seems to me that $5 is the most common. 

What have you given or plan to give? What are your tooth fairy traditions? I would love to hear from you! 

Rose Tree Kids

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Tiny Teeth with Ashley, R.D.H.