What to Do About Chipped Baby Teeth?

Children are naturally rambunctious with all their high-energy antics such as running, jumping, diving, or just biting down too hard on something. It goes without saying that a chipped baby tooth is a common experience during these early stages, especially a chipped front tooth.

If your child chips his or her tooth, don’t panic. Unless your child is in pain, a chipped baby tooth is usually nothing serious. Nevertheless, when a chipped tooth does occur, it’s wise to call the dentist and schedule an appointment. Because the sooner you deal with the problem, the better. After all, sometimes your child may not even realize what just happened, and there may be damage that you can’t see.

Chipped Baby Tooth Repair
There are many ways to deal with a chipped tooth and it’s worth reiterating that you should always see a dentist as soon as possible after the event, no matter how severe. A chipped tooth can cause pain and discomfort when chewing or when exposed to very hot or cold temperatures. Below is a list of methods on how best to deal with a chipped tooth.

• Stay calm: Chipping a tooth is a common thing among children. When such an event happens, there’s no need for alarm. Also remember not to make your child feel self-conscious about their chipped tooth, even if it’s noticeable.
• Check your child: You’ll want to check and see if your child is in pain or crying. Also check for blood.
• Call the dentist: Remaining calm, explain what happened and follow any instructions your dentist may give you before scheduling an appointment.
• Rinse / cold compress: Aside from calling the dentist, you’ll want to rinse your child’s mouth with cold water and apply a cold compress to reduce any potential swelling. You’ll also want to collect any teeth fragments from the scene of the accident and bring them to your dentist. In a case where you cannot find any teeth fragments and your child is having difficulty breathing, immediately take them to an emergency room to make sure they didn’t inhale any teeth fragments.
• Pain relief: If your child continues to feel pain after the event, an advised amount of children’s ibuprofen is appropriate. If you are not sure, ask your dentist or doctor what the correct dosage before administering any medication.
• Keep an eye on it: In some cases, the damage from the lost tooth will become visible later, such as a chipped baby tooth turning grey. Also make sure their gums do not become infected.

While it’s never fun when your child gets a chipped tooth, sometimes these things happen, and having a plan is essential in such an event.

The above article is from crest.com

Josh McCormick, DDS   
4455 Cowell Road   
Concord, CA 94518   
(925) 685-3043   
MyEastBayDentist.com

Teaching Teens Proper Oral Hygiene

When your teen is already busy with friends, schoolwork and catching up on sleep, proper oral hygiene can go on the back burner. When running late for school, sometimes there just isn't time for a full two minutes of toothbrushing. But as a parent, it's up to you to make sure that your teen practices good dental care. By making oral hygiene part of a simple daily routine, you can help your teen sneak in regular brushing and flossing along with all the other plans in his or her schedule.

Use Teen-Based Products

One of the reasons teens might be slacking in the dental care department is the fact that most oral hygiene products aren't exactly tailored to adolescent tastes. Strong flavors and boring designs could make teens less than enthused when it comes to daily care. That's where youth-geared products can really come in handy. By appealing to teens' tastes and style, it's easier to coax them into a daily care routine. Check out the Colgate®Fresh Confidence product line, designed with adolescents in mind.

Try Apps and Timers

One of the biggest issues for teens and proper oral hygiene is the fact that when they do brush, it might not be for a long enough period of time. Teens Health by the Nemours Foundation recommends that adolescents brush for two or three minutes; sometimes teens are lucky if they clock a meager 30 seconds. Therefore, using smartphone timer apps or even an egg timer can help teens become more aware of how long they should be brushing. Or, if your teen is never without his or her headphones, use a three-minute song as a guideline for brushing.

Limit Soda and Candy

Teens seem to be able to exist on a steady diet of soda, chips and candy, but those kinds of treats can wreak havoc on teeth. A diet high in sugar promotes bacteria and cavities. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that over 15 percent of children and teens between the ages of 6-19 have untreated cavities. By making healthier treats and drinks readily available, teens might be less likely to nosh on sugary foods. Keep bottled water, cut vegetables, whole-grain crackers and other sugar-free treats at the ready for convenient snacking.

Appeal to Confidence

Teens are notoriously concerned with their looks, so appealing to their image can be one way to encourage teens to brush up on their oral hygiene habits. Gently reminding teens that a slack dental care routine could result in yellow stains and bad breath can help remind them that the importance of toothbrushing is more than just staying cavity-free. If your teen is self-conscious about his or her smile, whitening toothpastes and mouthwashes can help improve confidence and contribute to a regular hygiene habit.

While teens might be perpetually time-crunched, skipping regular oral care to catch a few more minutes of sleep in the morning can have serious consequences. Making oral hygiene simple, quick and personalized may inspire your teen to brush regularly — and maybe even get to school on time.

To read the entire article visit colgate.com

Josh McCormick, DDS   
4455 Cowell Road   
Concord, CA 94518   
(925) 685-3043   
MyEastBayDentist.com

Your Family’s Oral Health

Have you heard that you should only take care of the teeth you want to keep? It's true!

That's why at any stage of life, it's important to practice good oral hygiene at home and to visit your general dentist regularly. Starting early is critical to success in preserving a healthy smile for a lifetime. 

KnowYourTeeth.com has loads of information and resources for families who want to know more about good dental care and oral health.  Whether you are an expectant mom, a teen dealing with braces, a grandparent, or someone in between, we have the answers for you. What's more, kids will find games, quizzes and other ways to make learning about dental care more fun!

Visit www.knowyourteeth.com or more great dental information

Above article from KnowYourTeeth.com

Josh McCormick, DDS   
4455 Cowell Road   
Concord, CA 94518   
(925) 685-3043   
MyEastBayDentist.com

Ask the Dentist by the ADA: 'My Child Has a Toothache. Should I Call the Dentist?'

The American Dental Association has created informative videos called Ask the Dentist. Here is their video on: 'My Child Has a Toothache. Should I Call the Dentist?'

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Josh McCormick, DDS   
4455 Cowell Road   
Concord, CA 94518   
(925) 685-3043   
MyEastBayDentist.com

Ask the Dentist by the ADA: 'How Can I Get My Child to Brush Her Teeth?'

The American Dental Association has created informative videos called Ask the Dentist. Here is their video on: 'How Can I Get My Child to Brush Her Teeth?'

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Josh McCormick, DDS   
4455 Cowell Road   
Concord, CA 94518   
(925) 685-3043   
MyEastBayDentist.com

Brushing Your Kid's Teeth

t’s never too early to get children in the habit of good oral care. Of course, it’s up to parents to take the “first steps.” Finding new ways to model good dental habits and practice them with your kids is key. The sooner kids begin to take charge of their own teeth, the happier and healthier they (and you) will be. And the payoffs over a lifetime are immeasurable.

Don’t Worry-You’re Not Alone 
If you think it’s a challenge to teach your kids good oral care, you’re in good company. Tooth decay is one of the most common childhood diseases. And studies show that almost 50% of kids between six and eight have had at least one cavity.1 These are just a couple of reasons why it’s so important to help kids understand right from the start that proper dental habits are a smart idea.

To read the entire article visit OralB.com.


Josh McCormick, DDS   
4455 Cowell Road   
Concord, CA 94518   
(925) 685-3043   
MyEastBayDentist.com