An important part of providing dental care services for children is taking part in their healthcare education. Kids 360 Pediatric Dentistry is dedicated to ensuring that our patients and their families get the support and information they need to make informed choices about their oral health. One way we do this is by helping our patients understand the risks of participating in habits such as tobacco smoking and vaping. While vaping has a reputation as being safer than tobacco use, the science on this topic is still out. What is known is that there are oral health consequences to both of these practices, which we’ll help you understand in the article below.
With the introduction of vaping, studies have shown that US Middle and High School students have embraced this new habit, despite it not being legal for them to do so. Nearly 2.5 million students, or one out of every 10, use vaping products at least once a month. Nearly 14% of all high school students reported using e-cigarettes, while 3% of middle school students reportedly have done so. This is strikingly higher than the number that use tobacco products, which includes only 4 out of every 100 students, or 1 in 6. This means that both tobacco and vaping pose a significant threat to the oral and overall health of millions of children.
Some of the most common oral health problems that occur with tobacco and vape use include:
Our children are always going to make their own choices, either when they’re in our home or after they move out. We cannot control them every moment of every day, and that’s why education is the most important contributor to prevention and abstaining from unhealthy behaviors.
If you’re concerned your child may be considering engaging in either of these unhealthy behaviors, it’s time to get together with our team to help educate them on the risks. You can reach out to us at
Kids 360 Pediatric Dentistry is dedicated to delivering exceptional quality dental care for our patients and their families. We work to ensure that we can provide our patients with the support they need to get the care they deserve. We understand that every child is unique, and our care experience must be tailored to their specific needs. This is especially true with children with special needs, who often have special challenges to overcome when receiving care. We’re here to provide the level of support the child and their caregiver need to make their treatment experience a positive one.
We take special care to approach each of our patients as the unique and special individuals they are. We know that each of them has a different comfort level with dental visits, and some may even be afraid or uncertain of what to expect. Special needs children need to be approached with an understanding of their condition and the associated needs. We want them to know that they’re a valued member of our patient family and that they’ll be accommodated without judgment. This is all part of our dedication to providing a dental environment that is accommodating to all our patients. To provide this environment, we’ve provided the following options and accommodations:
Along with ensuring that your child’s oral health care needs are met, our primary concern is ensuring that each patient’s experience is comfortable and positive. By making our dental office and the care we provide universally accessible, we ensure that your child’s preventative and restorative care needs are met. We can provide care for children with cognitive, sensory, physical, developmental, behavioral, and emotional concerns.
Our team believes that there’s nothing more important than ensuring that our patients have a positive experience during their care. You can learn more about how we can accommodate your special needs child by calling (832) 271-6114 or visiting our clinic in Richmond, TX.
Dietary habits are an important part of our health as they impact every aspect of how our body functions. Our oral health is one key area where our dietary choices can make a major difference. Establishing healthy food choices early in life can help ensure we experience limited oral health concerns as we age. The first step to establishing a healthy diet starts with building good habits in our childhood. As a parent, the responsibility falls on you to not only set your child’s oral health habits but to ensure their diet supports overall dental health as they grow. To guide you toward this goal, Kids 360 Pediatric Dentistry has outlined how oral health impacts pediatric oral health.
Within our oral cavity lives and thrives a type of bacteria known as streptococcus mutans. This bacteria builds up plaque, lays the foundation for tartar, and attacks our dental and gingival health if allowed to thrive. We help these bacteria damage our teeth by making poor dietary choices. Foods and beverages high in sugar and acid pose a significant risk to oral health due to two factors. The first is that acids soften our enamel, making it more vulnerable to erosion and decay. In addition, the sugars in these choices provide streptococcus mutans with the food it needs to multiply rapidly. As this bacteria grows and thrives, there are numerous potential risks to the health of our smile.
Some problems caused by this bacteria include:
Thankfully, simple dietary changes can help limit our children’s risk of developing these and other oral health conditions. Some simple ones include not giving your child juice or a bottle at bedtime and ensuring their teeth are brushed at least twice daily. Some additional tips for helping protect your child’s teeth through dietary changes include:
These changes represent important first steps toward protecting your child’s oral health from the ravages of tooth decay and gum disease. Experiencing oral health issues early in life can establish a tendency for them later. Further, protecting the health of our baby or primary teeth is important to ensure that adult teeth have the best chance of growing straight and healthy.
The best time to start protecting your children’s oral health is now. If you’re looking for a new family doctor or want to learn more about protecting your child’s smile as they age, contact us today. You can start with a call at (832) 271-6114 or stop by our clinic in Richmond, TX. Our team will help you schedule an appointment and answer any questions you may have about protecting your child’s oral health. Don’t wait until they’re an adult to start making healthy dietary choices for your children!
There has been a steady rise in the number of adolescents who use tobacco. This epidemic has become a concern on a local level. Education is one of the most effective approaches to helping our young people understand the lasting consequences of engaging in these vices. Here at Kids 360 Pediatric Dentistry, we’re committed to guiding our patients and their families to having beautiful smiles that remain healthy for years to come. In addition to the other health concerns related to these habits, oral health implications cannot be ignored. Our team is here to answer your questions and explain the concerns your oral health faces when you smoke or vape.
Both vaping and tobacco use have significant consequences for our oral health. While vaping has been promoted as a notably safer alternative to traditional smoking, there are still potential risks. Each of these habits has been tied to the development of a range of oral health issues ranging from cosmetic to potentially life-threatening. Some of these conditions are permanent, while others can be reversed with cosmetic or restorative treatments.
Adolescents who engage in smoking or vaping may experience the following consequences:
Halitosis and tooth discoloration are minor concerns that are typically reversible or can be addressed through cosmetic or restorative treatments. While the increased build-up of tartar and plaque isn’t immediately harmful, it does provide a greater opportunity for tooth decay. Further, these biofilms are involved in developing gum diseases such as gingivitis or periodontal disease. Delayed healing times create a greater risk of complications, including the development of infections or the need for retreatment. While oral cancer is one of the more treatable forms of cancer, it is still a potentially life-threatening condition when caught early. This is increasingly true the longer it goes undiagnosed.
As with any health condition, early recognition of these signs is essential to preventing the further deterioration of your oral health. The most effective method of preventing these concerns is by minimizing activities or habits that endanger your oral health. Regular oral health visits are more important than ever for patients engaging in these vices. However, even professional cleanings aren’t necessarily going to be able to ensure that all of the risks mentioned above are avoided.
If you or one of your children are participating in vaping or tobacco use, come in to see our team today. We’ll explain the potential consequences and provide examples of those who have ignored the risks. Further, we can help you learn how to mitigate the risk to your oral health if you continue to engage in these vices. You can start by contacting our offices at (832) 271-6114 and scheduling your first appointment. Alternatively, you can stop by our clinic in Richmond, TX, and meet the team. We’ll give you a tour of the office and help you start making smart oral health choices today!
We all have the potential to experience a dental injury at some point in our lives. These injuries can vary in severity from mild to traumatic. A dental concussion is one type of dental injury often experienced by toddlers, though patients of any age can experience this kind of injury. Dental concussions occur in the same way that cranial concussions do. A severe impact to the tooth that doesn’t cause it to be knocked out but still causes injury to the tooth. Emergency dental care isn’t generally necessary for a dental concussion. However, this kind of injury can cause the tooth to become discolored on a temporary or permanent basis. Kids 360 Pediatric Dentistry put together this guide to help parents know what steps to take if their child experiences a dental concussion.
Dental concussions are a form of dental injury that often occurs as part of accidents, sports, or simple mishaps. When a concussion happens, it’s not uncommon for the tooth to be tender to the touch or to feel tender when tapped. However, the tooth will typically not show any signs of being loose, nor with they be moved out of position. Some dental concussions can be severe enough that they cause the tooth to change color as a result of bruising to the dental pulp. Others will lack any visible signs to indicate their presence. If you’re concerned about a dental concussion, you can see our team to receive a pulp sensibility test. A positive result from such a test indicates a vital pulp, while a negative test indicates that the pulp is not healing properly. Recognizing the presence of a dental concussion can help protect your teeth and maintain lasting oral health.
While physical impact is the most common cause of dental concussion, other potential causes exist. Among them are chewing hard candies or ice.
Learn how to protect your children from dental concussions and how to respond if you notice that one may have occurred. Start with a call at (832) 271-6114 or stop by our offices in Richmond, TX, today!
Maintaining a beautiful, healthy smile requires good dental hygiene and an ongoing series of visits to your dentist. However, this is just the beginning of the options available for improving your child’s chances of living a life with good oral health. It’s common for a pediatric dentist to begin discussing good dental habits before your child has presented with their first tooth. On the tooth’s arrival, we’ll often suggest that you start taking advantage of a treatment known as fluoride varnish. With this preventative measure, you can set the stage for a lifetime of good dental health for your child and family.
This dental treatment has been shown to be effective in preventing tooth decay, especially in pediatric patients. As the name suggests, this varnish contains the essential mineral fluoride. This mineral has been demonstrated to be so effective at protecting our oral health that it’s a common additive to many cities’ drinking water. It’s a safe method of prevention that’s used by dentists all over the world to give children an edge against the development of tooth decay. Only a small amount of the varnish is applied, and it isn’t possible to swallow enough during a professional application to put your child at risk. It will have hardened four to 12 hours after the varnishing is complete. Any excess will be removed when your child brushes again.
It’s essential to understand that fluoride varnish is only an added layer of protection. It cannot prevent your child from developing cavities on its own. They must maintain a consistent dental hygiene routine to avoid tooth decay. If they aren’t old enough to complete their oral hygiene care independently, you must do so for them.
Our team is dedicated to providing the latest and most effective means of protecting your child’s teeth. With our expert care and ongoing education, we can provide care that increases the chance of your child developing a healthy smile. Contact us at (832) 271-6114 or come see our team in Richmond, TX, today!
While most dental patients undergoing root canal therapy are adults, there are times when it’s appropriate for children as well. Children are susceptible to tooth infections, and retaining the primary (baby) teeth is as important as protecting their adult teeth. Even if it were not, there are inherent risks to not addressing a tooth infection when they occur. They can damage bone tissue in the jaw, impact the health of existing adult teeth, and ultimately become a systemic infection if left untreated. Kids 360 Pediatric Dentistry provides pediatric root canal therapy for our patients to ensure the healthy development of their adult smile.
No matter your age, tooth infections can be excruciatingly painful. However, they may also be asymptomatic while still presenting a threat to your child’s remaining teeth. Therefore you must be able to determine if your child is currently experiencing symptoms that indicate the presence of a tooth infection.
Some common signs of tooth infection include:
These symptoms are a clear indicator that it’s time to get your child into our office to be seen for a dental infection. Even if we can rule out a tooth infection, we’ll take steps to rule out any dental cause.
Don’t ignore the potential signs of a dental infection. Your child’s oral health can be negatively impacted by failing to take action, both now and in the future. Acting quickly is the surest way of eliminating the infection and helping your child’s oral health get back on track. Start by calling our offices at (832) 271-6114 today! We’ll bring your child in for an exam and consultation and help them get relief from dental infection pain with pediatric root canal treatments.
Baby teeth have always held significance to many people and cultures. The most well-known tradition is placing lost baby teeth under your pillow in return for money from the “Tooth Fairy.” Some families keep them; others will even create a craft project or some form of a keepsake. Modern uses are more scientific, with baby teeth being preserved to provide the ability to use their mesenchymal stem cells later in life. This is used as a safeguard against various illnesses, including certain forms of cancer. Below we’ll discuss some of the baby tooth traditions that have developed worldwide.
Almost every human culture ever encountered has had rituals that developed around the disposal of our baby teeth. Researchers poured over the records available to produce the following summarized list:
This last was among the most common ritual performed. All over the world, there were instances of a baby tooth being offered to a rodent, most commonly a rat or mouse. This was done in the hope that the child’s teeth would be blessed with the strength of the rodents. This offering was usually paired with the singing of a song or a prayer. In other areas, the spirit of the ritual was kept by offering the tooth to a beaver, cat, squirrel, or dog. Far and away, however, it was the mouse that received the tooth in most cultures.
Many areas of the world still celebrate the Tooth Mouse. Whether in a slipper, under their pillow, or somewhere else, the tooth mouse receives an offering of the baby tooth. The mouse responsible goes by many names, including El Ratoncito Perez, La Petit Souris, and many others. The tooth fairy was an evolution of the tooth mouse and the idea of the good fairy and remains a popular option in the West to this day.
All of this emphasis placed on baby teeth isn’t without merit, however. Our baby teeth are an important part of helping our oral cavity develop properly and ensure that there’s plenty of room for our adult teeth to come in. Further, they ensure that when our adult teeth arrive, they are straight and properly aligned. If you want to learn more about the importance of baby teeth, call us for an appointment at (832) 271-6114 today!
For many, the loss of a child’s first tooth is a wonderful and special occasion. This is when some parents introduce the concept of the tooth fairy and celebrate their child’s growth and development. This is also an indication that the child’s adult teeth will start to come in. However, it’s possible for permanent teeth to start to erupt before a child loses the “baby tooth,” and that can be cause for concern. Thankfully, the Kids 360 Pediatric Dentistry team is here for you and knows what to do to help protect your child’s oral health.
Every child is different, but the typical ages for baby tooth development include the following:
What you need to do when this occurs varies from case to case. In most cases, an adult tooth coming in before the baby tooth is lost isn’t a major cause for concern. Usually, the baby tooth will become loose as the adult tooth comes in. You can check and see if this is the case by having your child wiggle the tooth with their tongue. This will usually help the tooth loosen further and ultimately fall out.
However, in some cases, the tooth will not be loose and won’t show any signs of naturally falling out. This is when you need to schedule an appointment with our team. When this begins to happen with one tooth, it’s likely that neighboring teeth are going to be impacted as well. We’ll perform a full exam and determine what steps are necessary to address your child’s oral health. Some signs you may need to come to see our team include the following:
If the erupting teeth aren’t addressed quickly, there is a risk of orthodontics and other oral health concerns when it occurs. This means that expensive and uncomfortable treatments may have been required to address the consequences.
Baby teeth are a temporary part of our childhood development, but they play an essential role. Throughout our childhood, they encourage the growth of the jaw in a way that will accommodate our adult teeth. This includes both ensuring there’s sufficient space and that they can come in properly aligned. If you’re concerned about the health of your child’s teeth, call for an appointment today at (832) 271-6114!
On the skin and throat, group A streptococcus bacteria are often seen. Group A streptococcal infections generally result in sore throats, typically strep throat. Additionally, this bacterium can cause cellulitis, impetigo, and a rash, usually called scarlet fever.
Group A streptococcus infections can have significant side effects on the heart and kidneys, including rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis. Although everyone can get group A streptococcal disease, the following individuals are especially at risk:
Children are more prone to illness due to their lack of understanding of hygiene rules than adults. They also engage in close physical contact during play and spend more time in crowded settings like schools. On rare occasions, Group A streptococcus can penetrate the body and cause severe infections that are even deadly. These conditions are called invasive group A streptococcal infections (IGAS). Most people who get the iGAS sickness require hospital treatment.
But people with group A streptococcus can spread the infection to others by contacting their contaminated skin or by exhaling droplets of coughing or sneezing that carry the bacteria. For instance, you might get the sickness if you come into contact with someone who has group A streptococcal bacteria if you:
The most common group of Streptococcal infections is treated with antibiotics recommended by a doctor. Your doctor will use antibiotics to treat you if the illness is severe enough. For serious conditions, inpatient care is typically necessary. Good hygiene is The best defense against a group A streptococcal infection. To reduce the spreading of Strep A, wash your hands often after coughing, sneezing, and before handling food.
Keep surfaces like bathroom sinks, faucets, doorknobs, clothing, and linen clean to protect everyone in your home. Think about having strep throat or another type A streptococcal illness yourself or a family member. In that situation, you should wait at least 24 hours after starting antibiotic therapy before returning to preschool, school, or your job. Parents must also ensure their children have had all the immunizations advised, including those for chickenpox and the flu. Vaccinations help to lower the risk of viral infections, which can increase the risk of invasive group A streptococcal infection and strep A.
Often, streptococcal A does not go away on its own. Your doctor has to treat the infection before it worsens and affects other organs. If you exhibit symptoms of Strep A, call Kids 360 Pediatric Dentistry immediately at (832) 271-6114. A sore tonsil and throat, difficulty swallowing, a fever, aches, and exhaustion are all potential symptoms of strep throat.
