When we typically think about teeth, our focus is generally on how important they are to our appearance. The role of our teeth and other oral structures is greater than you might first assume. While they are involved in our appearance, they’re also central to how we communicate. From friendly smiles to grimaces of pain, our mouth tells others a lot about how we’re feeling. These structures are also central in how we communicate, helping us form words and be understood clearly.
Concerns such as improper bites, tongue-ties, and misaligned teeth can all affect how our children form words. Every part of our mouth is involved in forming the sounds that we use to communicate. Concerns involving the development of our oral structures can have a direct impact on our speech as a result. The teeth, tongue, and lips are all deeply involved in the way we form words. When we talk, we alter the shape of our lips and tongue, we change how we position our teeth, and we move air differently to create these sounds. Not all words require the involvement of teeth to produce, but many do.
Oral Health Concerns That Can Affect Speech Development Include:
During your standard dental visits, your dentist will screen for issues like these. Young children and infants’ primary reason for seeing the dentist is watching for issues with this development. Identifying tongue-thrusting, lip-tie, and tongue-ties early can help you take steps to avoid speech development problems. Instead, your children will benefit from the health of their teeth as they try to learn to share their feelings and thoughts.
If left untreated, concerns like these can have an impact on speech that takes years to overcome. Not just in relearning how the words are formed, but in how they feel about communicating. Children with speech development concerns often have trouble speaking later in life, even when the concerns are corrected. The confidence they have in their ability to speak and be understood, as well as to not be ridiculed for the way they speak, will be impacted. This is why it’s essential that your children see their dentist during their developmental years to get these concerns addressed.
Involving your dentist in your child’s early development is an important way to avoid lasting concerns. It’s common for speech therapists and developmental specialists to work closely with dentists when oral issues are involved. Together this team works to create a positive speech experience for the child, as well as a healthy smile. At the end, your child will be able to be more confident when speaking and making themselves understood. Don’t wait until the psychological impact of speech development issues has set in. Reach out to your dentist to ensure their smile and their speech are equally beautiful and clear.
The holiday time of year is just around the bend, and with it, thoughts of toys for the little ones. Our primary concern is to rest certain that the toys we buy will be enjoyed. While considering this point, it’s also important to ensure that they’re safe. While there are many things that come up when thinking about this point, oral health is often overlooked. This consideration is vital, however, especially for the little ones who still put everything in their mouth. Below we’ll provide a series of tips on what to look for. By following them, you can guarantee the toys you choose will be safe for their teeth.
There’s nothing as beautiful as the smile of a child when they get a gift they love. Their excitement is infectious and can bring joy to an already happy moment. While considering which toy to pick, it’s important to make sure they don’t have small parts. Smaller children, in particular, have a tendency to put anything they can fit into their mouths. Not only are these a hazard for choking, but they also pose a risk to their gums and teeth. This is just the first thing you should consider avoiding. Others include:
There’s more you can do in addition to selecting toys that are safe and undamaged. An important step for younger children is keeping an eye on them while they play. They need room to play and experiment. However, it’s important to make sure that their toys are being used safely.
If you want to be confident that you make the safest choices for your child this holiday, speak to your dentist. They have years of experience with children doing the unimaginable to their teeth. As a result, they’ll have great advice to help keep your children and their smile safe.
The autumnal and winter months are ahead, but there are still important places to go. Dental visits are essential to ensuring your little ones grow up with a healthy smile. Even so, there’s no reason why they should be chilly on the way to their essential doctor visits. Winter is a particularly trying time for infants, who can have difficulty managing their body temperature. This vulnerability makes them prone to getting sick during the winter months. Whether you’re on the go managing chores or are on the way to their next dental visit, these tips will keep them cozy.
Clothing choice is the first essential step to keeping your children warm this winter. Ensuring they’re dressed for the weather helps protect them against disease. Remember that while layering is essential, they should end up looking like a Pillsbury Doughboy. Instead, try choosing thin, warm layers that can be added and removed with ease. A general guideline is to use one more layer for your children than you wear.
These crucial tips will help make sure that your children stay warm on the way to essential visits. Ensuring their warmth will also help to reduce anxiety and boost feelings of comfort and security. This attention to comfort can help ensure they have a smooth and happy visit.
Dentists can often provide creative ways to keep your children warm while out attending important business. They can offer warm drink alternatives, provide appointments later in the day, and other accommodations. Call your pediatric dentist to set up your next dental appointment today!
While the pandemic may have changed how it happens, the school year is about to begin. In addition to getting all their school supplies, we have to remember to take care of their teeth. While you’re helping them pick out their new clothes, why not take some time to see to their dental needs? It’s a great time to ensure they have everything they need to succeed in school and out.
A new school year holds the same magic for most kids that the beginning of the New Year does for adults. It’s a chance to start over, have a better year, and remake themselves. One good way to get them started is to promote their oral health. Below are a series of tips you can use to help them achieve their oral health goals this year:
These steps will help your children make the most of their new school year. It’ll keep them hydrated, promote good oral hygiene, and set foot on the road to academic success.
Your pediatric dentist is a great source for back-to-school tips for your kids. Every year they help families just like yours take the steps necessary to protect their children’s oral health. Reach out to your dental professional today to help them get the most out of the year ahead.
Of all the sports-related injuries that occur each year, 20% involve dental injuries. Out of those dental injuries, the vast majority occur for one simple reason. The athlete, whatever their age, isn’t wearing a mouthguard. Wearing mouthguards is an integral part of keeping your teeth safe while you live an active life. Learning how to pick the right one can be a challenge. There are a few specific types, each with its benefits and drawbacks. We’ll be discussing them below.
Mouthguards are dental appliances that protect the teeth from impact injury. These mouth protectors can reduce the risk of injury from impacts. Blows to the face can cut the cheek or tongue, lacerate a lip, or break a tooth. The information available from the CDC emphasizes the importance of mouthguards. Their records show that over 3 million teeth get knocked out at youth sporting events. Wearing a mouthguard could have prevented this injury.
There are three categories of mouthguards available:
There is a standard list of sports that require mouthguards provided by the ADA. This list includes some of the most physical sports. Among them, falls, impacts and dental injuries are common without mouthguards. They advise that those playing the following sportswear mouthguards:
This list is far from complete. If the sport you’re playing doesn’t appear on this list, seek other guidance. You can speak to your dentist or speak to other participants to get their advice. If nothing else, be sure to wear a mouthguard while playing. If you learn that it isn’t necessary, then you can remove it.
With the onset of summer, many children are getting outside and active again. If you want to make sure yours survives the summer without a dental injury, get them a mouthguard. Wearing them is a good practice, especially when spending a lot of time outdoors.
Summertime has finally arrived, and our kids are excited to be out of school at last. For us parents, this can mean a lot more work on our plates. While we may have been sad to see our little ones leave for school, there were benefits. Among them is a few spare hours to manage our to-do lists and get some time alone. During the summer months, those niceties are a thing of the past. Our kids will constantly be around, and there will be a ton of activities to attend. While the situation can be a little complicated this year after the pandemic, it will still be a bit of a change. One thing that hasn’t changed is the need to protect their teeth.
This summer’s going to be just like every one before it in one crucial way. We’re going to have to keep watch over our children to protect their smiles. While we can’t keep a thumb on them every minute, we can remind them of some essential tips.
These tips will keep your children’s smiles looking great right through the summer months. This fact should give you, and your pocketbook, a bit of relief.
There’s a lot to consider when it comes to protecting children’s teeth in summer. This list isn’t comprehensive, so speak to your dentist for more information. They’ll have seen and experienced things that we may not have considered. With this experience, they’ll be able to provide you with tips from real-world experience. Besides, isn’t it time your kids see their dentist?
For most of us, there’s something uplifting about a delicious treat rich in sugars or starch. From french fries to smooth, delicious ice cream, there’s little that brings a smile to our face. Unfortunately, these treats are packed with things that can have a dramatic impact on the health of our teeth. Both sugars and starches play directly into the growth and development of bacteria that are harmful to our oral health. The starches convert into sugars, and bacteria feed on those sugars to produce acid and biofilms like plaque and tartar. So what can you eat that will ensure that your teeth stay healthy?
Before we start talking about the kinds of food, you can eat to help improve your dental health and that of your whole body, let’s start with one very basic step. Drink plenty of water. Hydration helps every part of our body function better and helps to keep our mouths free of debris and acid. It also helps ensure that we can produce enough saliva, which serves as a primary form of defense against tooth decay.
These foods form the foundation of a great tooth-healthy diet and are good for the rest of you as well. Just remember, in addition to eating right, you want to get plenty of water. It really is that important.
If you’re interested in getting more guidance on building a tooth-healthy diet, give your dental team a call. The experts at your clinic are able to provide valuable information about protecting your teeth, including what foods to choose. Schedule your appointment at your earliest opportunity, and take some time to speak with your hygienist during your exam.
While it can be difficult at any time of year, summer is a particularly difficult time to keep your kids off of sugary drinks. Ensuring that your children stay hydrating during these warmer months is essential, but it can be difficult to get them to drink enough fluids while avoiding unhealthy sugars and acids. To help parents out with this difficult situation, we’ve put together a few healthy drink alternatives that will ensure your children both stay hydrated and keep their smiles looking great.
Obviously, the best drink for kids for staying hydrated and protecting their teeth is water, but it can be something of a struggle to get them to drink enough. Some alternatives include:
Each of these options will provide your child with the hydration they need while providing a little something extra. While fruit can be a little high in sugar, they’re almost universally better for you than any soda or other sugary drink.
In addition to taking these steps to help protect your children’s teeth from the dangers of high sugar drinks, there’s more you can do this summer. Talk to your dentist to learn about special risks from swimming in chlorinated pools and natural water alike. They can also suggest healthy snacks that will provide the nutrients their teeth need and more. Call today to find out what tips and tricks they have to offer you and your family.
Our whole lives, we’ve been hearing about the importance of vitamins and minerals in promoting growth and maintaining good health. Just like every other part of the human body, our teeth and gums require the right nutrients to develop strong and healthy. By knowing the proper nutrients to fit into our child’s diet, we can ensure they grow up with a beautiful smile that will last them a lifetime. We’re going to tell you about some of the most important vitamins and minerals you can include in your child’s diet and how they can help them grow well.
While getting enough of a particular vitamin and mineral is fantastic, a deficiency in any of the ones our body relies on can lead to complications down the line. This is especially true when we’re going through our developmental stages early in life. Below are the five most important nutrients your child needs and what they do for their oral health.
Research continues to explore the ways that vitamins and nutrients contribute to the health of various systems in our body, including those listed above. Vitamin D has recently been found to actively fight the bacteria responsible for periodontal disease, promote the healing of the gums, and even battle bacteria in the bloodstream. As we continue to expand our understanding, we gain more ability to protect ourselves and our children from health concerns.
Dentists, especially pediatric dentists, are used to giving advice about diet and nutrients to their patients. Parents are always seeking additional information to help their children grow up strong and healthy, so be sure to ask them for help. You can either give the office a call, wait for your next appointment, or even schedule a special appointment strictly for the purpose of talking about dental health and food.
Of all the medical problems that almost everyone in the world has in common, dental cavities rank almost first. To one extent or another, almost everyone has experienced tooth decay, whether as simple divoting of the enamel or as deep-set decay that can cost you a tooth. We’re told about the choices we can make to help avoid developing tooth decay without really gaining any understanding about the processes involved. In this article, we’re going to change that by explaining a bit about the ecology of our oral cavity and the role that a specific bacteria plays in decay.
While most people are familiar with the terms plaque, tartar, cavities, and tooth decay, it’s only in a rudimentary way. The majority of us don’t often think about the fact that there’s more than sugar and acid at work in the development of tooth decay; there’s a specific bacteria that has it in for our dental enamel. Our mouths are full of a staggering array of bacteria, around 300 different species overall. The majority of these developed as part of a mutualistic relationship, in which both we and the bacteria benefit. Some merely have a commensal relationship with us, where they feed on the various substances in our mouths but don’t cause us any harm. Some of the bacteria that can be found in our mouths include:
This list demonstrates just a small selection of the hundreds of different bacteria that live in our mouths. With all the names listed above, it’s only the last one that poses an actual threat to the good health of your teeth and gums. Many of the others actually help protect your teeth by making it impossible for this particular bacteria to adhere to them.
Mutans, on the other hand, consume substances found in the mouth and forms a layer of plaque, also known as biofilm, on the surface of your teeth. As part of consuming food found in the mouth, such as sugars, they produce an acid that softens and eventually erodes the enamel. This is the process that begins the process of tooth decay that can lead to lost teeth, gum disease, and eventually the development of periodontitis and bone loss. Regular dental hygiene practices will ensure that the development of biofilm is counteracted and mutans’ ability to damage our teeth limited.
Streptococcus mutans is a dangerous foe, one that can completely alter the shape and appearance of your smile. Once gingivitis sets in and converts to periodontal disease, the risks are even greater. Periodontal disease can result in your gums receding, the roots of your teeth to rot, and your jawbone to begin dissolving. Without proper care, there’s a risk that the bacteria will get into the bloodstream and ultimately put you in a life-threatening situation. Ready to unearth more about the relationship between your oral ecology and your oral health? Speak to your dentist today.
