Sugar Land Pediatric Dentists Still Encourage Flossing Despite Recent News Reports

Recently the news has been flooded with stories claiming that flossing has no effect on oral hygiene and health due to a lack of scientific evidence. These stories claim that there is no need to floss as it doesn’t make a difference to cavity formation. However, pediatric dentists in Sugar Land,Texas continue to recommend the practice of flossing to prevent build up around the teeth that can lead to decay.

Flossing removes plaque from the tooth’s surfaces that brushing alone can’t. While brushing is a major part of caring for your teeth, it misses 45% of the tooth’s surfaces. Sugar Land pediatric dentists recommend flossing from the time a child has two teeth that touch. Though this is no easy feat, it does help to prevent cavities from forming between the tooth’s surfaces.

Flossing sticks come in all shapes and sizes to make it easier to reach between small teeth. Having a family flossing party is one way to get kids excited and create a good habit. Gather round the mirror, and ready, set...floss! For more information on the importance of flossing and why Sugar Land pediatric dentists continue to encourage patients to get in the habit, visit http://yoursugarlanddentist.com/

Baby Tooth Care Tips from a Pediatric Dentist in Sugar Land, Texas

The best pediatric dentist in town will teach you about the importance of caring for baby teeth from the start. Dr. Nasha Hunter, a pediatric dentist in Sugar Land, Texas, gives these tips for caring for baby’s teeth from the moment they appear above the gums:

●     Bring baby in for his or her first check up by the time they turn one.

●     Skip the juice. Juice is the number one cause of cavities in both children and teens and should be limited to one 8oz glass per day or less.

●     If a cavity is apparent, have it taken care of immediately. If left untreated for too long it can cause further decay and possibly tooth loss. While baby teeth will eventually fall out, they still need to be cared for during the years they are in.

●     Flossing baby’s teeth may not be easy or fun, but it is an important part of oral hygiene care. Floss-sticks come in all shapes and sizes and make flossing easier to get between even the tiniest of teeth.

●     Get your child excited about oral health by giving him or her a toothbrush with a favorite character, plays a favorite song, or has a stop light on it when he or she has brushed for two minutes. The possibilities are endless and will help children be excited about their oral health.

●     Fluoride usage is safe for children of all ages as long as it is used in small doses. Fluoride delivers vitamins and minerals essential to tooth development and aid in the prevention of cavities.

For more information on caring for baby’s teeth, visit http://yoursugarlanddentist.com/

Pediatric Dentists in Sugar Land, Texas Offer Tips for a Happier Visit

Sugar Land dentists for kids do not want your children to be afraid when they come to get an exam or cleaning. By following these simple tips, you can ensure your child has a happier visit to the dentist, both their first time and every time after that:

●     Choose from one of the many pediatric dentists in Sugar Land, Texas. Pediatric dentists specialize in the many issues common to smaller mouths and in helping children feel comfortable at the dentist’s office.

●     Have your child in for a dentist visit by the time they turn one so that the doctor-patient relationship can begin to be established and so that your dentist can educate you on how to care for even the tiniest teeth.

●     Bring your child in for a tour of the office beforehand to discover the tools used in a cleaning and meet the staff. Pediatric dentists find this reduces anxiety.

●     Stay close to your child during the visit, but let the dentist do the talking. He can explain things in a way that children will understand and helps them feel more comfortable while in his chair.

●     Allow your child to bring his or her favorite stuffed animal or toy, or even dress up in their favorite costume.

●     Don’t allow others to share horror stories about the dentist as this will only raise the child’s anxiety levels.

For more tips on helping your child ease into the dentist’s office, visit http://yoursugarlanddentist.com/

Waiting to Brush: Why Your Kids Dental Office May Surprise You

Would you be surprised if your kid’s dental office instructed them to wait before brushing? In a recent study, a group of people who consumed foods and beverages high in acid was observed for three weeks to see how their brushing habits after consumption affected their teeth. The researchers found that those in this group who brushed 20 minutes after consumptions experienced more tooth decay and erosion than those who waited 30-60 minutes after consumption to brush.

Your pediatric dentist in Sugar Land, Texas may now recommend your child wait at least 30 minutes to brush, especially after eating or drinking foods high in acidic content. When a person is brushing sooner than 30 minutes after eating or drinking, it can push the acid deeper into the tooth enamel, and speed up the process of erosion or tooth decay.

Some kids dental offices will recommend rinsing their mouths with one part baking soda to eight parts water before brushing to return the mouth to a neutralized state. Other pediatric dentists in Sugar Land, Texas are recommending their patients eat cheese after acidic foods or beverages due to the salivating effect chewy foods have. The more saliva that is produced, the easier it is to remove plaque, bacteria, and acid from the mouth.

For more information on how you can help keep your mouth free from acid and reduce the amount of erosion happening, visit http://yoursugarlanddentist.com/

Sugar Land Dentists for Kids Educate the Public About Americans with Missing Teeth

Many people are unaware of the population of Americans with one or more missing teeth. Dr. Nasha Hunter, Sugar Land pediatric dentist at Sweetpea Smiles compiled these statistics:

●     33 million Americans have no teeth

●     178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth

●     27% of those over 65 have no natural teeth left

●     Only 9% of Americans without teeth wear dentures

●     The life expectancy of a set of dentures is only 6-10 years

As a Sugar Land pediatric dentist, Hunter believes it is her role to educate patients and their parents about proper cleaning and care of one's teeth. To prevent your children from falling into the growing number of people missing teeth in America, you should begin caring for their teeth at a young age.

Despite recent reports about flossing being an unnecessary part of oral hygiene routines, brushing and flossing twice per day is the best way to keep your teeth. One Sugar Land dentist for kids tells her patients, “You only have to floss the ones you want to keep!” Regular cleanings and exams with your dentist are also an important part of routine care so that cavities and decay are caught early and can be treated.

For more information about how to prevent your child from falling into the missing teeth population, visit http://yoursugarlanddentist.com/