Safety is always every parent’s top concern when it comes to their child receiving dental sedation.

 

This practice is becoming popular in the world of dentistry since it helps to take away the anxiety of the patient.

Dentists also say that sedation makes some of the routine procedures safer and easier to carry out. Sometimes, the kid is allowed to swallow a liquid sedative or inhale the laughing gas which keeps them calmer. However, in rare cases, children may fall into deeper than anticipated level of sedation, and if they aren’t saved swiftly, they start having difficulties breathing or even lose their lives.

Is Sedation Safe for Your Child

The overall answer to this question is “yes.” Sedating a child is typically a very safe procedure, and as a parent, you can play a critical role in reducing the stress level of your kid before, during and after the treatment.

It’s good to know that some children are particularly vulnerable during this process because of their anatomy and other factors. For instance, children who have enlarged tonsils have a higher risk of suffering airway obstruction. Kids who are also below the age of six years have a higher risk of the adverse effects of sedation since they have a smaller airway.

Know Your Alternatives

Sedation is always beyond routine dentistry, so the first thing that you should ask the dentist is whether it’s necessary. It’s not recommendable for sedation to be the first line of dental treatment. Ask the dentist whether its possible other invasive options such as placing a temporary filing to push time until the kid relaxes for the operation.

You should also inquire about the experience of the expert when it comes to sedation. The dentist should be able to choose the right drug and know how to rescue your child in case he/she is oversedated. Sometimes, you encounter a dentist who only undertook a weekend course on sedation. Contact us today for more information.

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM), a campaign sponsored by ADA.

This year’s, dental health month will take place courtesy of both Crest + Oral-B and ADA.

It’s a month-long dental campaign that will see thousands of healthcare providers, dental professionals, and qualified educators join hands to educate on the importance of children’s proper oral health to the kids, their caregivers, teachers among others.

In 2018, the campaign theme is different from the last year’s that sought to encourage the kids to drink tap water instead of the sugary and acidic beverages that cause tooth decay. Tap water is healthy and has been enhanced with community water fluoridation, which provides additional oral benefits.

The year 2018 NCDHM Campaign Slogan

The National Children’s Dental Health Month February 2018 slogan is straightforward. ‘Brush with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth for a healthy smile,’ goes the slogan.   It emphasizes the need to embrace the kinds of toothpaste with fluoride as an ingredient and how kids should brush their teeth.

Promotional efforts

The 2018 NCDHM program planning guide provides the program stakeholders such coordinators, teachers, parents and healthcare providers the resources for promoting the campaign.

Great ideas for the publicity of the message include newspapers, TV and radio stations. Scrape the local phone directories for news outlets. Take advantage of the ‘free’ papers and or the community news that report the upcoming local events.

Campaign Fun Activities for Kids

To keep the campaign enjoyable for the children, ADA recommends some fun activities you can get them to participate in. They have provided activities such as crossword activity, calendar activity, coloring sheet, and connect the dots activity, all in a downloadable pdf format.

Red Apple Pediatric Dentistry Team Supports the NCDHM Campaign

Good oral habits should start at an early age. At Red Apple Dentistry, we provide comprehensive healthcare from infancy through the teen years. Book an appointment for a dental check-up to ensure lifetime healthy teeth and gums.

Here is a guide addressing the most common questions we receive about the safety of fluoride.

As a caring parent, you would like to know all you can about what your child is eating and drinking. It’s only natural that you want to keep your child safe and protected. That’s why we’ve prepared this guide addressing the most common questions we receive about the safety of fluoride.

What is fluoride?

Fluoride is a mineral that is found in natural environments. It is part of phosphate rock. In many areas, fluoride naturally dissolves into groundwater. In other areas, however, it is added to the water supply to promote healthy teeth.

Why do we need fluoride?

Fluoride is essential for healthy teeth. It helps protect teeth from bacteria that can lead to decay, cavities, and infection. It can even reverse some tooth decay that has already started.

Is fluoride safe for babies?

The amount of fluoride in drinking water is highly regulated. Over 70 years of research have concluded that it is perfectly safe for everyone, including babies. Children who don’t have adult teeth yet are at a slight risk for fluorosis, but it is generally mild with no symptoms except white streaks on the teeth.  Once the adult teeth come in, the risk of fluorosis is over.

What if our drinking water doesn’t have fluoride?

You can ask your local water authority about the levels of fluoride in your drinking water. If your water doesn’t have fluoride added, then you can ask your dentist for alternatives such as fluoride tablets.

Find a Dentist

If you have more questions about the safety of fluoride or its benefits, please contact Red Apple Pediatric Dental Team to make an appointment. You can also find out more about our pediatric services, such as fluoride treatments, on our website.

With the holidays finally, here, kids will have candies, sweets and all manners of treats to enjoy. Here are some healthy holiday snacks for the kids!

Unfortunately, the store-bought treats come packed with excess sugars and fats. If you have kids, they can still enjoy candies but now home-made to maintain good oral health. Plus, you can make them together with the kids to keep them engaged and enhance the holiday cheer. Here are seven healthy holiday snacks for your kids these holidays!

Frozen Banana Penguins

A simple yet healthy cookie that your kids will be excited to make and eat. Dip the bananas in chocolate, use dried apricots for the feet and beaks. The chocolate chips become eyes, and you almost have a real bird.

O Christmas Treat Pizza

This holiday, you can take a slight break from the sweets to have a Christmas tree for dinner. Surprising enough, those tots will be distracted by the magnificent presentation that they may end up eating the spinach.

Popcorns

The holidays shouldn’t end without flavoring your popcorns. Simple to make and healthy for you and the kids. Ingredients include canola oil, maple kettle corn and cinnamon sugar for flavor.

Gingerbread House

Such a healthy snack that contains wholesome ingredients such as cereals, dried fruits, and nuts. With the help of your kids, use peanut butter to attach the ingredients to a beautiful edible home.

White Peppermint Snowballs

Buy your favorite package cookie sugar dough or better, prepare your own. Add some crushed peppermint to give that excellent taste and minty smell.

Snowflake Quesadillas

The snacks resemble snowflakes and are simple to make and very healthy for your kids. Get some flour, fold the tortilla in half then in thirds. After that, cut the shapes then use it for topping quesadilla.

Chocolate Cherry Clusters

This is a healthy cookie to prepare and serve together with your little ones these holidays? It’s a remarkable swap for the store-bought snacks.

If your child has dental problems or needs a check-up, contact us to schedule an appointment or call us on (540) 318-5577.

Is mouthwash safe for kids? When should they start using it? We can help with all these questions!

Most older teens make using mouthwash a part of their dental regimen. When should younger kids start using oral rinses? How do you select the most effective product? This month’s blog helps to answer these questions.

Getting Your Kids to Use Mouthwash

Children under 6 should only take mouthwash with a dentist’s recommendation and parental supervision. Preteens between the ages of 6 and 12 may use oral rinses while supervised to make sure that they do not swallow the mouthwash by mistake.

Young children should avoid mouthwashes with fluoride. Although fluoride prevents tooth decay in older children, it can cause fluorosis–a disorder that damages the enamel and discolors younger teeth.

If you are unsure of best time or technique to get your child to start using mouthwash, please contact us.

Not All Rinses Are Identical

Before selecting a mouthwash for younger family members, you should know the difference between cosmetic and therapeutic rinses, as well as the purpose of pre-brush versus post-brush rinses.

Cosmetic rinses give teeth a “clean” feeling and curb bad breath. Therapeutic rinses treat plaque, kill bacteria, and help to prevent gingivitis.

Pre-brush rinses have gentle formulas and leave colorful marks on the teeth to show kids where they should focus on brushing. After brushing on those spots, the colors go away. Post-brush rinses have stronger formulas that fight plaque and cavities and also work against bad breath.

Rinses for younger children come in flavors that kids enjoy, such as berry or bubble gum. They usually do not contain alcohol.

Things I Should Consider When Selecting a Mouthwash

Select a mouthwash that carries the ADA Seal of Approval and a child-resistant cap. Also, remember that using mouthwash is not a substitute for brushing or flossing. If you have questions, let us know!