Dentist Blog

Tooth decay amongst children remains one of the biggest health epidemics in the industrialized world. Dr. Ling Zhan of UCSF has a sincere interest in this epidemic as a professor and pediatric dentist. She recently set out to study the possibility of using xylitol wipes on babies as a preemptive method of avoiding tooth decay and cavities. Her results were quite significant. Dr. Zhan found that babies who had their gums wiped down with xylitol wipes, twice each day, were far less likely to develop cavities. As a long time proponent for xylitol, I am happy to pass this information on to the parents of my pediatric clients.

Children should start to see a Springfield pediatric dentist soon after their first birthday, if not before. From that point forward they should come in at least two times per year to have a deep cleaning and an oral health evaluation. Though many parents at least try to stick with these ADA recommendations, cavities are still a problem in our country. This is particularly true in rural areas where water may or may not contain natural fluoride deposits. If xylitol were made readily available to these children, we may finally see the dramatic decrease in tooth decay amongst children that we have been working toward for decades.

When your child's first tooth erupts it can be a milestone worthy of celebration. It can also be a very stressful time for you and your baby. When those baby teeth begin to appear around six months it is important to remember that they are as important as adult teeth. Not only will primary teeth help your child learn to chew and speak, but also act as placeholders when permanent teeth begin to erupt. We want to help you get proper dental care for primary teeth in Springfield, PA. As soon as your child's first tooth appears you should schedule an appointment with our dentist.

If you understand the importance of dental care then you also know that children's teeth are just as receptive to plaque as adult teeth. In fact, children's teeth are not as strong and are more prone to decay. To make things easier and to help you take care of your child's mouth here is a timeline for primary dental care in Springfield.

Babies and toddlers enjoy the soothing sensation of suckling. Some get all the comfort they need from a baby bottle, some use their thumbs and fingers, and many others have a pacifier with them everywhere they go. A baby that uses a pacifier will likely not be without it in their mouth for very long. While this is a common habit for babies to develop, it is one that can have an unwanted side effect, one that will hinder the way their teeth come in. The dentist in Springfield says that parents should help their baby kick this habit as early as they can.

 

We have long realize the value of providing adequate dental care for young children. Over 60 years ago, congress together with the American Dental Association created a special time to help raise awareness for this special cause by dubbing February National Children's Dental Health Month. In the more than half-a-century since this holiday was created, we have learned that dental hygiene is more important than we ever realized. With more connections being found between oral hygiene and physical health every year. We celebrate this event every February at my dentist in Springfield practice.

Today, we know that mothers who have poor oral hygiene often pass the bacteria on to their babies through contact. We also know that they are more likely to experience premature births and give birth to babies who exhibit low birth weight for gestation. Additionally, we can connect poor oral hygiene to pneumonia, a relatively common but dangerous condition in children. Still, many parts of the country are still lacking in proper dental care for children. A large percent of adults are unclear on precisely what constitutes good oral hygiene for kids and when kids should begin. As a dentist in Springfield, I make a point of helping to set the record straight.