Did you know that the average American child will consume about three cups of sugar during the Halloween season? That is almost 16 times the maximum daily recommendation of 25 grams! That is A LOT of sugar and treats! At the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, we believe in having fun at Halloween while also being as tooth-friendly as can be! To achieve this, AAPD President Dr. Joe Castellano encourages kids to enjoy trick or treating, but also advises parents to limit consumption to only a little bit at a time. Moderation is key when it comes to treats. After consumption, parents should have children drink fluoridated water followed by brushing and flossing their teeth. He recommends staying away from gummy candies and also suggests donating excess candy to Treats for Troops or taking it to your dentist’s office if they participate in a buy-back program. If you are interested in giving away treats that are more tooth-friendly, we highly suggest the following treats! Happy Halloween to all!

Your teeth are truly amazing! Do you know how many teeth you have? When do teeth start growing? Check out these fun facts and some tips on how to care for little teeth. The enamel on your teeth is the hardest substance in your body. In fact, one of the best ways to keep it healthy is right in your kitchen – fluoridated tap water helps strengthen weak areas of enamel on your teeth. Click here to read more about the benefits of fluoride. Your pearly whites are your own, unique set of teeth. Even identical twins don’t have identical teeth. A baby’s teeth start forming before they are even born. Check out these tips for caring for baby teeth and managing teething once they appear. Like an iceberg, 1/3 of your tooth is below the gum line. In addition to preventing cavities, flossing helps keep gums healthy by reaching food that tooth brushing alone can’t reach. As soon as your child has two teeth touching, start flossing! Kids have 20 baby teeth and adults have 32 permanent teeth. In comparison, cats have 30 teeth, dogs have 42 teeth, pigs have 44 teeth and an armadillo has 104 teeth!

Baby-Teeth Basics Many parents and caregivers wonder when they should take their child to see a dentist for the first time. In the January 2008 issue of Parents magazine, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry explained the importance of baby teeth, flossing and proper sippy cup usage adults should know when it comes to children’s oral health care. AAPD Immediate Past-President Dr. Philip Hunke described how creativity helps children learn the important steps in building a healthy smile and body: "Letting your child play with the brush for a while makes it seem like a game to her, so she's more willing to let you take over," says Philip Hunke, DDS, president of the AAPD. Aim to spend a full minute cleaning the inside and outside surfaces of her teeth and gums.

Use Only Water In Sippy Cups Or Increase Cavity Risk Click here to read this press release in Spanish (PDF, 66 KB) Most parents are well aware of the importance of taking care of their children’s teeth, so it comes as a shock when they learn their toddlers have cavities during a checkup. Tooth decay among young children is on the rise—and many experts believe that sippy cups containing sugary beverages are responsible. The Misuse of Sippy Cups Because sippy cups prevent spills, they’re often used by children for long periods of time over months and years—rather than as a transitional drinking device, a purpose for which they were intended. "Sippy cups were created to help children transition from a bottle to drinking from a regular cup, but they’re too often used for convenience," says American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) President Philip H. Hunke, D.D.S., M.S.D. "When kids sip for extended periods on sugared beverages, they’re exposed to a higher risk of decay. Sippy cups should only contain water unless it’s mealtime." In fact, a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) comparing the dental health of Americans in 1988-1994 and 1999-2002 found that while cavities decreased among older children, cavities in two- to five-year-olds actually increased 15.2 percent. A Child’s First Visit Hunke views the misuse of sippy cups as just the symptom of a larger issue—the fact that many parents wait too long before taking their children to the dentist for the first time. The AAPD recommends that a child’s first dental visit occur shortly after the first tooth erupts and no later than the child’s first birthday. But according to the 2005 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSHC), only 10 percent of 1-yearolds and 23.8 percent of 2-yearolds had been taken for a preventive dental care visit in the past year. At the first visit, the pediatric dentist provides information about proper sippy cup use as part of the presentation of a complete program of preventive home care. The dentist also checks the child’s teeth to make sure they’re developing properly. "Studies show that children with poor oral health perform worse in school and have less success later in life," says Hunke. "Establishing the right oral care habits early helps get kids headed on the path to a lifetime of good oral health." For more information, contact Public Relations Manager Erika H. Skorupskas at (312) 337-2169 (ext. 27) or erika@aapd.org. AAPD Sippy Cup Tips To help parents reduce the risk of cavities in children, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry offers parents the following guidelines on using sippy cups properly: The sippy cup is a training tool to help children transition from a bottle to a cup. It shouldn’t be used for a long period of time - it’s not a bottle and it’s not a pacifier. Unless being used at mealtime, the sippy cup should only be filled with water. Frequent drinking of any other liquid, even if diluted, from a bottle [...]

How to Protect Your Baby's Teeth From Cavities Did you know that cavities are caused by germs that are passed from adult to child? Babies are born without the bacteria that causes caries- the disease that leads to cavities. They get it from spit that is passed from their caregiver’s mouth to their own. Caregivers pass on these germs by sharing saliva- by sharing spoons, by testing foods before feeding it to babies, by cleaning off a pacifier in their mouth instead of with water, and through other activities where saliva is shared. These germs can start the process that causes cavities even before babies have teeth, so it’s important to avoid sharing saliva with your baby right from the start. See below for more tips on how to keep your baby- and your baby’s teeth healthy and happy.

Whitening Toothpastes Whitening toothpastes have polishing agents in addition to the mild abrasives that help remove surface stains from teeth. Teeth that have surface stains are cleaned and whitened by whitening toothpastes; however, deeper stains won’t be touched. If your teeth have deeper, darker stains due to injury or certain medications, a more thorough brightening treatment, such as bleaching or microabrasion, will be required. If you choose to use a whitening toothpaste, make sure the toothpaste contains fluoride as well as whitening agents. Teen Pediatric Dentistry Just because your teenager isn’t a child anymore, doesn’t mean she should stop seeing herpediatric dentist. Dentistry to meet the special needs of teens and adolescents is an important part of the specialized training for pediatric dentists. Growing doesn’t stop at childhood – teens experience important growth in their faces and jaws. Teens are also getting the last of their permanent teeth, and teeth that have just come through the gums are especially vulnerable to decay. Additionally, teenagers start becoming responsible for their own diet and nutrition choices, and it's important that those choices are come from a solid foundation of dental health. Your Child and Cheese Did you know recent research shows cheese is one of the healthiest snacks for your child’s teeth? In addition to providing large amounts of much-needed calcium, cheese also does its part to fight cavities. Cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, and Monterey jack all stimulate the body’s salivary glands to clear the mouth of debris and protect teeth from acids that weaken them. This means cheese disrupts the development of cavities, especially when eaten as a snack or at the end of a meal. Calcium and phosphorous found in cheese reduce or prevent decreases in the plaque’s ph level and work to re-mineralize the enamel of your child’s teeth. Resources in Spanish Did you know the AAPD produces many of its brochures in Spanish as well as English? The AAPD has four Spanish brochures currently online and available to order: Sealants, The Pediatric Dentist, Thumb, Finger and Pacifier Habits, and Dental Care for Your Baby. Please visit our brochure list to view these brochures online. The AAPD also has a "Dental Emergencies" information sheet available in Spanish and English. Click below to download a free copy. Sealants Can Seal the Deal for Healthy Teeth "Sealant" refers to a clear or shaded plastic material placed in the pits and grooves of children’s teeth to prevent decay. The pediatric dentist applies this invisible protector by drying and conditioning the teeth, painting on the sealant and then allowing it to harden. The AAPD recommends sealants as an effective method for cavity prevention, especially for those children with a history of tooth decay. In addition, sealants are one of the most cost-effective means of preventing cavities – they cost less than half of what one filling costs! For further information on dental sealants, please visit AAPD. Brush Up on Tooth-brushing Tooth-brushing is one of the easiest methods of cavity prevention. But which type of [...]

Dental braces. When I was growing up, we wore them in high school. Now it seems that people of all ages ranging from elementary-school age children to senior citizens, are straightening their teeth with braces or clear retainers. As a parent, you may be wondering if your child needs braces, as well as when is the best time to start that process. Well I have great news for you! This Little Teeth Truth will definitely help you with the answer! The first step is to establish a Dental Home for your child. The Dental Home is defined by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) as “the ongoing relationship between the dentist and the patient, inclusive of all aspects of oral health care delivered in a comprehensive, continuously accessible, coordinated, and family-centered way.” By becoming a patient of a pediatric dentist, you will have access not only to a Dental Home, but also a pediatric dentist that will help guide your oral healthcare decisions. Your child will be a good candidate for dental braces if they have healthy teeth, healthy gums and good daily habits of keeping their teeth clean. Your dentist may refer you to a pediatric dentist or orthodontist that has received special training in both evaluating and correcting problems with occlusion. Occlusion refers to the alignment of teeth and the way that the upper and lower teeth fit together (bite). The upper teeth should fit slightly over the lower teeth. The points of the molars should fit the grooves of the opposite molar. There are different types of bites that need braces. The three most common conditions that need dental braces are overbite, underbite, and crowding. Overbite is a condition in which the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth. A large overbite can cause unhealthy teeth wearing, concerns about appearance, and in some instances even jaw pain. An underbite is a condition in which the lower teeth and jaw protrude in front of the upper teeth. An underbite usually needs to be addressed much earlier than an overbite. Finally, crowding is the lack of space for all the teeth to fit normally within the jaws. The teeth may be twisted or displaced and cause difficulty with cleaning the teeth appropriately. There are many other conditions such as excessive space, missing teeth, extra teeth, and cross bites that need correction as well. Clear retainers are an alternative to dental braces that can treat many of the same conditions. Clear retainers are custom-made aligners that are changed roughly every two weeks for a period of six to eighteen months, or longer depending how much treatment is required. Some patients like the flexibility associated with retainers. For instance, patients can take out the retainers when brushing, flossing, eating, or drinking. Because the retainers are transparent (nearly invisible), patients using clear retainers can straighten their teeth without brackets and wires taking away from the natural look of their smile. While clear retainers can correct a large majority of dental [...]

Your BIG AUTHORITY on little teeth just released the second edition of the “State of Little Teeth Report” which draws on the latest scientific research and best available expertise to examine challenges facing the oral health of our children and what we can do about them. Check out the full report here where you will find how tooth decay is affecting our little ones as well as expert advice and solutions on the part of pediatric dentists, parents and our nation’s leaders. The good news: tooth decay has decreased over the past four years.  The bad news: nearly half of children aged 6-11 and more than half of children aged 12-19 in the U.S. are affected by tooth decay which can cause up to $25,000 worth of damage to teeth and is 100 percent preventable. There are small yet important changes you, as a parent and caregiver, can make today to ensure your child is set up for a lifetime of healthy habits and help reverse the tooth decay epidemic among our children: Check out these five tips you can implement right away: Create a Dental Home by Age One  Starting regular oral care at a young age will lead to healthy oral health habits for life, so take your child to a pediatric dentist by age one, or at the sign of his or her first tooth. Brush Together Brushing habits make an impact as kids get older when they choose to implement the habits they learned from mom, dad or their caregiver. Make sure you brush with your child for two minutes, twice a day. It’s How Often, Not how Much: How much sugar your child eats and drinks throughout the day is a big factor in causing tooth decay. Don’t let your child snack or drink apple juice or orange juice all day. Stick to designated meal times with water in between and limit snacking to no more than three times a day. Toothaches Can Talk It is important to not ignore toothaches at any age. This is especially true with young children, as toothaches can be a warning sign for a number of ailments, including cavities or infection, which can be treated and prevented if caught early. Healthy Teeth and Special Needs  Parents and caregivers of special needs children often have concerns about their child’s tolerance of a dental appointment, but postponing the visit is not the answer. Pediatric dentists have unique expertise and extra training to treat children with special needs. Beyond dental school, pediatric dentists have 2-3 years of specialized training in areas such as addressing anxiety related to dental visits. Talk to your pediatric dentist about best-practice recommendations that can help better meet your child’s specific needs. Original Article Found Here... https://mouthmonsters.mychildrensteeth.org/the-state-of-little-teeth-second-edition/

Dr Lisa Ameer is backed up by a professional and caring team of professional girls who have a heart for children.

Taking your child to the dentist at the arrival of their first tooth or first birthday is the best way to begin preventative oral care.