Childrens Dentistry Archives | Dr. Bruce Silva D.D.S.

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August 15, 2019

The start of a new school year means making a checklist for school supplies and buying new clothes. It also means that you need to talk to your child about the importance of maintaining a healthy dental routine now that they’ll be preoccupied with school and extracurricular activities. A healthy dental routine is easy to practice during the days of summer when things are less busy. It’s easy to forget to brush your teeth and floss at nighttime when there’s so much else going on. In order to prevent your child from forgetting a healthy dental routine, make brushing and flossing fun for the kids with a few exciting and rewarding techniques.

Use a Sticker Calendar: Allow your child to place stickers on each day to represent brushing and flossing.
Play Music While Brushing: Set up your child’s favorite songs to play while they brush their teeth and floss.
Personalize Their Toothbrush: Help your child pick a toothbrush with a theme or in their favorite color.
Purchase a Floss Holder: A floss holder is a kid-friendly device that provides a grip and makes flossing more comfortable.

As the school year begins, time escapes us and we get preoccupied with other priorities so if you haven’t taken your child to see the dentist, the time is now to schedule an appointment. A third of children miss school due to oral health problems so the sooner you take care of their oral health, the better they will thrive in class.

Don’t forget to talk to your child about the importance of healthy eating. Picking the right snacks instead of chips and cookies can have a beneficial effect on your smile. Choose crunchy snacks like celery sticks, carrots, and cubed cheese over candy and granola bars.

To schedule a dental checkup appointment for your child, call Dr. Bruce Silva today.

silvadds2017

April 2, 2018

Halloween isn’t the only holiday where large amounts of candy are purchased and consumed. Along with Valentine’s Day, Easter is one of the biggest holidays where thousands of dollars are spent on candy of all kinds. Although adults eat their fair share, it’s mostly our children consuming all this candy. And instead of stopping them entirely from eating candy, we should learn how to minimize how much candy they’re eating or their next visit to the dentist will find a lot of unhappy surprises for you both. If your kids are like most and will end up eating a lot of candy from that big basket of goodies from the Easter Bunny, here are a few tips to properly protect your child’s teeth and avoid cavities and other dental problems that can ruin your child’s great smile.

Make Sure They Brush

Help your child understand the importance of brushing their teeth twice a day. At a young age, a child may not want to brush their teeth, especially at night. This is a necessity if your children are eating large amounts of candy and sugary treats like cake and dessert. Make sure they brush as much, if not more, than they usually do around holidays. Also, to avoid harming tooth enamel, make sure they wait at least 30 minutes after they eat before brushing their teeth.

Drink Water with Candy

Encourage your kids to drink water as they eat their share of sweets. Water helps flush away food particles and decreases the exposure of decay-causing acids to work. Water is also a healthy alternative to other sugary drinks that they could have and helps your child get fuller faster.

Avoid Sticky and Hard Candies

Two of the worst types of candies are hard candies and sticky candies, so refrain from purchasing these types at the store. Hard candies sit in the mouth longer which helps the sugar of the candy begin the process of decay. The best candy to buy for your child is chocolate. It washes down easier and even has additional health benefits from eating it.

Apply these tips to all times you may be purchasing large amounts of candy, such as on Halloween and St. Valentine’s Day. If you or your children are due for a dental check up, call Dr. Bruce Silva today and schedule an appointment.

silvadds2017

October 12, 2017

October is National Dental Hygiene Month and at the office of Dr. Bruce Silva, we are showcasing our Dental Hygienist pride this month and every day! This is an important campaign for dental professionals all around the nation because each year there is a different goal to attain. This year, the American Dental Association is focusing on four components of good oral health practices and maintenance.

The four components are:

Brush twice a day. Brush for two minutes with a soft-bristled brush for the best results. Be gentle on your teeth and gums as you stroke your teeth and don’t forget to brush the inner surfaces of the teeth. And lastly, brush your tongue to keep your breath fresh and remove plaque.
Floss regularly. We recommend cleaning between your teeth at least once a day if you’re unable to do it after every meal.
Rinse with mouthwash. There are many benefits to rinsing out your mouth. They include eliminating biofilm and bacteria and reducing your chances of tooth decay and infection.
Chew sugar-free gum after meals. If you’re an avid gum chewer, consider switching to a sugar-less brand and chewing for 20 minutes following meals. This will help prevent tooth decay by washing away food and debris with your saliva and reducing acids in the mouth.

Celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month with us all month and every day! Maintaining good oral health begins with a conversation. Visit Dr. Silva today to discuss these oral health practices in detail and then go home and share the information with your children. Keep your mouth and teeth clean year-round and schedule an appointment for a dental checkup today!

October is also National Children’s Dental Health Month. Visit the ADA site HERE to find out additional information on oral health care for your children.

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October 24, 2016

What other holiday is more notorious for excess candy consumption than Halloween? It’s fast approaching and it can create some problems for you, your child, and your healthy smiles. This Halloween, be sure to follow these tips from Dr. Silva and the American Dental Association.

Take with Food: Eat Halloween candy with meals or shortly after mealtime. Saliva production increases during meals and helps cancel out acids produced by bacteria in your mouth and helps rinse away food particles.
Choose Carefully: Avoid hard candy and other sweets that stay in your mouth for a long time. The length of time sugary food is in your mouth increases risk for tooth decay.
Avoid Sticky Situations: Sticky candies cling to your teeth. The stickier candies, like taffy and gummy bears, take longer to get washed away by saliva, increasing the risk for tooth decay.
Drink Water: Drinking fluoridated water can help prevent tooth decay.
Maintain a Healthy Diet: The foods you choose as fuel and how often you take-in affect your general health, as well as your teeth and gums.
Stay Away from Sugary Beverages: Consuming sugary beverages increases your risk of tooth decay. This includes soda, sports drinks and flavored waters.
Chew Gum with the ADA Seal: Chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after meals helps reduce tooth decay, because increased saliva flow helps wash out food and neutralize the acid produced by dental plaque bacteria.
Brush Twice a Day: Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste. Also, replace your toothbrush every three to four months. A worn toothbrush won’t do a good job of cleaning your teeth.
Floss your teeth: Decay-causing bacteria get between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. Flossing helps remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.
Visit your dentist frequently: Regular visits to your dentist can help prevent problems from occurring and catch those that do occur early.

Another great tip: calling Dr. Silva today to schedule a post-Halloween visit to keep your teeth feeling and looking good!

Editor

August 11, 2016

School is about to start up again and your child has some necessities. Along with getting new clothes, new shoes, and school supplies, you need to take a trip to the dentist’s office so your child has a healthy smile before heading back to class. Here’s a brief back-to-school checklist.

Schedule (Another) Check-Up

A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that tooth decay affects U.S. children more than any other chronic infectious disease and 19 percent of children ages 2 to 19 years old have untreated tooth decay. So don’t just visit your child’s dentist during the summer. Schedule regular dental examinations to diagnose or prevent any dental problems. Regular checkups are important because your child may not bring up any tooth pain and teachers are unlikely to notice your child’s dental problems. By scheduling dental checkups often, you’ll prevent your child from losing school time.

Make Sure They Brush and Floss

Have your child brush and floss often. While you’re out scrounging for school supplies, stock up on toothbrushes and dental floss for the school year. You’ll want to change toothbrushes every three months or after encountering a sickness. An easy way to remember when to switch out a toothbrush is to do so when report cards come out. You might also want to ask your dentist the best time to change toothbrushes for your child’s teeth.

Watch What They Eat & How They Play

Make sure your child is eating healthy lunches and snacks. Avoid sugary foods and soft drinks. If you pack a sack lunch, include foods like grains, milk, cheese, vegetables, fruits, and yogurt. If your child eats in the school cafeteria, discuss with your child some healthy options to eat when not under your supervision. Also, if your child is involved in sports, have them wear a properly fitted mouth guard while participating in sports and PE classes.

Your child’s dental problems can lead to difficulty in eating, speaking, and learning. Prevent it by visiting their dentist every four months. For any questions concerning your child’s healthy smile, give Dr. Silva a call at (512) 605-0860.

Editor

February 25, 2016

Gum disease is pervasive in our country, no matter who you ask. Government studies tell us that fifty percent of American adults suffer from some form of gum disease, but many dentists who see patients on a daily basis, say that number is too low, and some claim it’s really up to ninety percent of their patients who suffer from the condition.

If adults are suffering from gum disease, it’s due to the way they take care of their teeth and gums. You can only imagine that they are teaching their children the same poor habits and that many children will begin to experience the same symptoms.

One thing most people don’t realize is that gum disease is a communicable disease. Germs infect our mouths and it’s up to us to fight them. Bugs invade our oral health through what we call “The Three Ps”:

Parents: Parents need to teach their children the right way to take care of their teeth and help them until are able to sufficiently do it themselves. Parents should also watch young children and toddlers as they tend to put their hands in their mouths often. They can easily pick up a germ that can start them on the road to gum disease.

Partners: Kissing will obviously cause the spread of germs from mouth to mouth. Recent studies show that 65% of fifteen year olds have gum disease. Keep an eye on your teenagers and make sure they are practicing good dental health habits.
Pets: It’s a myth that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s! Don’t let pets lick you in or around the mouth, and keep their mouths away from your kids’ mouths. Your pet’s mouth is full of germs!

Good oral health habits start at home. Make sure you are setting a good example for your children, no matter what their age. And be vigilant in getting them in for their regular dental checkup twice a year. We look forward to seeing you and helping you fight the good fight for your entire family!

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October 23, 2015

It’s finally October and that means Halloween is upon us. With the spooky season comes bags, buckets and pillow cases full of candy. Parents may feel torn about this predicament as they remember back to their days of carefree trick-or-treating and now having to be the responsible mom or dad who feels the need to limit their little goblin’s sugar intake. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. With a few little tips, you can instill in your kids the ability to make the right choices when it comes to their Halloween loot.

Easier said than done? Try this approach and mindset: it’s not about the limitation of the candy, but about the longevity of the candy. The deciding factor really should be about how long a piece of candy stays in your child’s mouth.

For probably the first time ever, you don’t need to tell your kids to slow down when it comes to enjoying their treats. The faster they eat them, the less time that sugar is left behind on their teeth. Chocolate sweets are less sticky and easier to consume than hard, sticky candy, especially a lolli-pop that kids may suck on continuously, coating their teeth with sugar.

Cavities are caused by bacteria that produces harmful acid. This bacteria is increased by sugar. So, keep that candy moving and follow it up with good brushing and flossing habits. If you don’t have a toothbrush and toothpaste readily available, have your child rinse their mouth out with water and have them chew some sugarless gum. This will help with saliva production, a natural way to rinse the teeth.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call us. We’re here to answer your questions and to schedule a post-Halloween cleaning. Happy Haunting!

(source: kidsandcavities)

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April 13, 2015

Fluoride is a mineral compound that is naturally found in water and soil. It prevents tooth decay by causing the entire tooth surface to become more resistant to acid made from the bacteria that live in your mouth. Fluoride also aids in repairing decay before a cavity even forms and can also aid in adding calcium back into your teeth.

There are two ways to promote fluoride defense: topical and systemic applications.

Topical fluoride is applied directly to the teeth which absorbs the mineral. It is usually found in products like tooth pastes and rinses. This is a very safe way to utilize fluoride to fight tooth decay as the products are rinsed from your mouth and are not swallowed. Some concentrated fluoride foams or gels are applied by the dentist and left on for a few minutes before rinsed away.

Systemic fluoride is absorbed through drinking fluoridated water, supplements or foods and beverages. The fluoride is absorbed through the stomach and then blood distributes it through the body. This kind of fluoride is absorbed by teeth that have not even erupted yet. It also occurs in saliva which continually rinses teeth providing uninterrupted protection.

If you drink mostly bottled water, you are missing out on the fluoride protection provided by tap water and should speak to Dr. Silva about fluoride supplements.

Children’s developing teeth easily absorb fluoride and this can cause Dental Fluorosis, which is a harmless cosmetic discoloring of the tooth enamel. Parents should monitor the amount of fluoride their children are getting to make sure they don’t ingest too much. Dr. Silva can help you find the right amount for your children.

Keep those teeth sparkling!

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January 30, 2015

NO! There are so many theories out there about teething, parents are up in arms about how to treat their child. The one thing that health care professionals agree on is that teething is a normal part of childhood and be treated without medicine.

Well-meaning parents and other care givers love their children want to soothe them when they are cranky and sore. Nevertheless, some adults unknowingly use potentially harmful drugs to numb the babe’s mouth instead of a safer alternative.

The FDA has warned consumers that prescription drugs such as viscous lidocaine isn’t safe for teething infants and young children. There have been adverse effects reported in some kids that have used the products.

The FDA recommends parents and caregivers do NOT use benzocaine products on children under 2 (prime teething age) unless under the strict supervision of a doctor. Benzocaine, like viscous lidocaine, is a local anesthetic, and can be found in such Over the Counter products as Anbesol, Hurricaine, Orajel, Baby Orajel, and Orabase. The use of these seemingly innocent drugs can lead to a rare, serious and sometimes deadly condition called Methemoglobinemia. It is a disorder that compromises the amount of oxygen carried through the blood stream. Children under two years old are at a high risk for this disorder.

The good news is that there are safer, non-toxic alternatives! Children get about one new tooth per month from age six months to age three. That’s a total of 20 baby teeth. With this development comes symptoms of mild irritability, sometimes a low grade fever, drooling and chewing on anything they can get their hands on. Teething can sometimes be blamed for other issues typical for a small child such a poor sleep habits, decreased appetite, congestion and even diarrhea.

Here’s what you can do when your baby’s gums are swollen and tender:

gently rub/massage their gums with your clean finger
Give your baby a cool teething ring or cool, clean damp wash cloth or burp rag to gnaw on. (ensure these items are cool but not ice cold).

The coolness soothes the gums by dulling the nerves, which transmit pain.

When your child’s teeth begin to come in, brush them gently with a child’s size toothbrush and water. A baby’s front four teeth usually push through the gums at about six months of age, although some children don’t have their first tooth until 12 or 14 months. For children between the ages of 2 and 6, brush their teeth with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Be sure they spit out the toothpaste. (Ask your child’s dentist or physician if you are considering using fluoride toothpaste before age 2.)

(sources: fda.gov and ada.org)

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