Category: Children’s Dental Health

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

We are now well into fall and having to say goodbye to summer and all of the sunshine and spontaneity. Fall can be great too though, with crisp mornings, majestic leaf displays and the comfort of that familiar routine. Oftentimes, getting back into the routine means getting our kids back on track with a visit to Eggert Family Dentistry.

The following are some great questions to bring up the next time we see you and your child:

1. Can you give me insight into my child’s overall dental health?
   At your child’s recare visit, we will assess the health of your child’s teeth and gums and the development of their bite One thing we are very keyed into these days is how could your child’s development be linked to the airway we can see and evaluate from the mouth. You will hear Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff really evaluating the arch and palate development, the tonsil size, and the tongue shape, among other things.
2. At what age should thumb-sucking be addressed?
   Thumb-sucking should ideally be stopped as soon as possible as it detrimentally affects the growth and development of the palate and contributes to mouth breathing habits. If your child is a thumb-sucker, it’s good to have this conversation with Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff upfront. They may be able to make recommendations for helping protect your child’s teeth and bone development as well as for broaching the sensitive subject with your child.
3. What should my child’s daily dental care routine consist of?
   In many ways, your child’s daily dental care routine lays the foundation for a lifetime of dental wellness. At your child’s recare appointment, we will review what kind of toothbrush is best, discuss proper brushing and flossing techniques and explain how certain foods negatively impact tooth enamel.
4. Can you tell me about x-rays? What are their benefits? Are they safe?
   Many parents have concerns when it comes to x-rays. X-rays are a safe and effective way for Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff to examine in between the teeth as well as the roots and below the gumline. They are the ONLY true way to spot early signs of tooth decay and thereby enact early prevention.
5. What can you tell me about sealants? Could my child benefit from them?
   You’ve probably heard about sealants but what exactly are they and what is their purpose? This thin coating, when painted onto your child’s molars, can help prevent cavities from forming by sealing in the nooks and crannies that are hard to brush out. Sealants are a great idea for the right patient.
6. Is my child getting enough fluoride?
   Fluoride is a key player when it comes to protecting your child’s teeth. It helps to strengthen enamel and protects against tooth decay. We can help review fluoride sources and any potential need for supplementation.
7. If my child has a wiggly tooth is it ok to pull it out at home?
   Ahh, the bane of a parent’s existence – that persistently wiggly tooth that just dangles there taunting you! But is it really a good idea to go ahead and help nature along? It is unlikely that taking a very loose tooth out at home will cause any concern, but if you have more questions, we are happy to help walk you through the risks.
8. Does my child need a mouth-guard for sports?
   If your child participates in sports, this is certainly a valid question. Contact sports in particular leave teeth susceptible to injury. It is great to have a custom-fit mouth-guard for sports because it is more evenly fabricated for better overall protection. It also is harder for your child to play with during sports because of the great fit.

Being a parent isn’t easy and sometimes it seems impossible to stay on top of it all. It truly takes a village. At Eggert Family Dentistry, you have a partner in family dental health! We are happy to connect with you and get your family rolling with regular dental care for a Lifetime of Smiles. Don’t hesitate to contact us today at 651-482-8412!

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

With the commencement of early-out-the-door mornings, fall sports and school lunches, the ins and outs of the school year routine often make our kids’ teeth more susceptible to damage and decay. At Eggert Family Dentistry, we know that dental vigilance is the biggest precaution against these dangers. Here are some pointers to help your kids protect those sweet smiles all school year long.

• Teach your kids about the damage that highly-processed foods and sugary foods and beverages can wreak on their teeth. Encourage them to make healthy food choices during school lunch by eating moderate servings of fruits and veggies and passing up juice in favor of water or milk (white milk being highly preferred over chocolate, strawberry, or banana flavors).
• Water is the optimal beverage choice when it comes to dental health. City water contains fluoride which helps strengthen enamel and protect teeth against decay. Send your kids to school with a large water bottle each day and encourage them to refill it as needed.
• Between sticks and balls, tackling and checking, fall and winter sports can make teeth more susceptible to damage. At Eggert Family Dentistry, we can help your child be fitted for a custom-fit mouthguard to protect those pearly whites. In addition to a mouthguard, encourage your kids to always wear a helmet for sports that warrant them – practices included! Helmets are also a great layer of protection for your child’s mouth as well as his or her head and face.
• Brushing twice a day might not seem like a big deal in the summer months but when those early school mornings roll around and everyone is feeling pressed for time, morning brushing often goes by the wayside. Encouraging your kids to brush before breakfast is better than nothing, and can be an easy way to ensure pH levels don’t drop to unsafe acidic levels, making teeth more vulnerable to cavities.
• This might go without saying, but regular recare visits are the best prevention against tooth damage and decay. Be sure that the school year doesn’t get the best of you by making your family’s recare appointments 6 months in advance. Call us today at 651-482-8412 and we can help you set up your next recare visit.

From all of us at Eggert Family Dentistry, we wish you and your families an easy transition into the school year routine and time to enjoy all the wonder and beauty fall brings. We hope to see you soon!

By Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Eggert Family Dentistry is celebrating Children’s Dental Health month this February! Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff visited Pike Lake Kindergarten Center and presented to 5 classrooms about teeth, cavities, keeping teeth healthy, and healthy food choices. The children were excited to go home with tooth brushes and floss as well as the favorite item – a 2 minute timer!

Our hygienist Joanna also presented to 2 classrooms at the North Oaks Pre-School where the goodie bags were also well received. Our team loves to do these community outreach events, and we always enjoy our time with the kids. We are happy to come to your school too, just call us at 651-482-8412 to arrange it!

Parents can start building healthy oral health habits in children as soon as they’re born! Wiping down a newborns gums twice a day with a soft moistened wash cloth or a bit of damp gauze is very important to the health of their gums. When your little one’s first tooth appears it’s time to get them a toothbrush! Start a soft-bristled brush with a large handle and some water. You can upgrade to fluoride free toothpaste when they turn 1 and as soon as they are able to spit into the sink it’s important to add in a fluoride-based toothpaste to protect their teeth.

Good oral care in children is important in preventing cavities, decay, and infection that could compromise their overall health. Kids should brush their teeth twice a day for two minutes each time. It’s a great idea to use a timer in the bathroom to ensure your child is brushing thoroughly and to make it more fun! Flossing removes the plaque from between the teeth where a toothbrush can’t reach so it’s vital that kids get into the habit of flossing once per day.

Finally, bringing your children to us at Eggert Family Dentistry for their regular recare visits is an essential step in maintaining their healthy smile for a lifetime!

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Good dental health starts when your child is very young and actually even before birth. The development of cavities in primary teeth increases the risk of developing cavities in permanent teeth. Cavities can then lead to infection of the teeth and can result in tooth loss. So what are some ways you can set your child up for a bright dental future and help create healthy habits in the early years?

Let’s take a look at 10 great tips for taking care of your little one’s teeth because it’s never too early to start!

1. 1. Begin the habit of daily brushing even before the first tooth erupts. For a child age 3 or younger, fluoride-free toothpaste the size of a grain of rice or water is all that’s needed. Once your child is 3 you can increase the amount of toothpaste to a pea-sized amount and switch to a children’s fluoride toothpaste.
   2. As soon as your child’s first tooth appears and before your child’s first birthday it’s time to make their first dental visit. This may seem early but a cavity can start to form as soon as a tooth erupts.
   3. Fluoride is important for protecting enamel and keeping teeth strong. In addition to introducing children’s fluoride toothpaste around age 3 be sure your child is drinking a sufficient amount of fluoridated tap water. The American Dental Association states that drinking water with fluoride can reduce the risk of cavities by 25%! Also, once your child knows how to swish and spit, help them incorporate mouthwash into their daily dental routine.
   4. As soon as your child has two teeth that touch introduce the habit of flossing. Flossing with a plastic flossing tool is likely the easiest way to assist them until they learn how to floss independently.
   5. Don’t share utensils with your child or “clean off” their pacifier by putting it in your mouth. Cavity-causing bacteria called Streptococcus mutans is passed on from parents to children through saliva. Even blowing on food to cool it down can pass this bacteria from parent to child. This bacteria increases your child’s likelihood of developing cavities in their baby and adult teeth.
   6. Baby bottle tooth decay – caused by prolonged exposure of your child’s teeth to sugary beverages –is a very real threat to their dental well being. If you must put your child to bed with a bottle opt for fluoridated tap water over a bottle filled with milk or juice.
   7. Sugar is one of enamel’s biggest enemies. Substitute water with fluoride for juice or other sugary beverage choices. Also, limit your child’s intake of fruit juice to 4oz. a day to minimize exposure to sugar.
   8. A pacifier certainly has its place but try and wean your child off of it before the age of 2. Long-term pacifier use can cause crooked teeth and a misshapen palate. We now know that a narrow or vaulted palate due to thumb sucking or pacifier use will cause airway complications throughout childhood and often into adulthood.
   9. It’s ok to incentivize good dental hygiene! Invest in a toothbrush for your child that flashes or plays music, create a star chart or give your child a sticker each time they brush. Also, many parents find that brushing with their child is motivation enough to ensure compliance.
   10. Head it off at the pass and assist or encourage your child to brush, floss and rinse early in the evening – perhaps right after dinner – to avoid bedtime resistance and meltdown.

If you would like to discuss how to implement good dental habits with your child we would love to help. Don’t hesitate to contact us at Eggert Family Dentistry!

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Cavities are miserable and, as adults, most of us take every precaution to avoid them. It’s important to be aware that kids are just as susceptible to their presence and their fury. In fact, cavities affect more kids than asthma and diabetes. Let’s take a look at ways that kids develop cavities, how cavities in kids are treated and best yet, how to help your children prevent them.

COMMON CAVITY CULPRITS
Paul Casamassimo, D.D.S., professor of pediatric dentistry at Ohio State University College observes, “Children now have much more sugar in their diets at an early age” contributing to their increased propensity to develop cavities. Sugar, when introduced to your mouth, causes bacteria in plaque to produce acids that war against tooth enamel. Plaque is sticky and holds these acids against your teeth causing the enamel to break down over time. This is when cavities form.

Another culprit of cavities in kids is their lack of exposure to fluoride. In our society today, kids and adults alike consume less fluoride-induced tap water in favor of bottled water, which often does not contain fluoride. Fluoride helps to strengthen teeth and wards off enamel erosion.

Probably a lesser-known but equally prevalent cause of cavities in kids is a bacteria called mutans streptococcus. When babies are born, their mouths are free from these harmful mutans. This bacteria is often introduced, however, from mom or dad. When babies put their fingers in mom or dad’s mouth, eat off the same spoon or share a toothbrush, they easily transfer it to their baby. This child then grows up with an increased likelihood of developing cavities in his/her baby and adult teeth. In fact, Dr. Burton Edelstein, D.D.S., founder of Children’s Dental Health Project, states that, “80% of all cavities occur in just 25% of kids,” which speaks to the presence of this hereditary bacteria.

HOW CAN I SPOT A CAVITY IN MY CHILD’S MOUTH?
Cavities or dental caries are essentially holes in teeth that can, with time, grow bigger and deeper. If you notice a dark spot on your child’s tooth you can safely assume a cavity is forming.

HOW ARE CAVITIES TREATED?
In most cases, treatment consists of removing the decaying part of the tooth and replacing it with a filling. Fillings come in a variety of materials. Most often we are using the white composite material with children and adults. Cavities in baby teeth are treated just as seriously as cavities in adult teeth since baby teeth hold space for future adult teeth. When baby teeth fall out prematurely or have to be pulled because of excessive decay, the child is at risk for improper spacing or positioning of adult teeth, making him/her a more likely candidate for braces down the road.

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP PREVENT CAVITIES IN MY CHILD’S MOUTH?
There are numerous precautions you can take as a parent to minimize your child’s risk of cavities.

• Take your child in for regular dental checkups starting at the age of 1. This cannot be emphasized enough and pediatricians still aren’t always reminding parents even though the American Academy of Pediatrics has had this guideline for years.

• As you’re able, wipe your baby’s gums with a damp washcloth after eating. Even breast milk and formula contain acid-inducing sugars. As soon as your baby gets the first tooth begin a daily brushing routine.

• In addition to thorough daily brushing and once your child has two teeth next to each other, introduce flossing. At the age of 2-3, when your children are able to spit, and not swallow their toothpaste, introduce children’s toothpaste with fluoride. Talk to us at Eggert Family Dentistry about protective fluoride varnish or sealants for your child’s teeth. Many insurance companies cover these preventative measures.

• Don’t share utensils or toothbrushes with your children. If you suspect you have decay-causing bacteria in your mouth, which nearly all adults do to some extent, consider an antibiotic mouthwash treatment that can reduce bacteria levels.

If you’re concerned about your child’s smile and want to ensure proper care we would love to help. Please don’t hesitate to contact Eggert Family Dentistry with any questions you may have!