Tips to Prepare Kids for Their First Dental Visit

by Elizabeth Huynh | Feb 18, 2023 | Carmichael CA Dental Office, Children's Oral Hygiene, Dental How To

Tips that help you help your child understand the importance of dental hygiene!

By teaching your kids about the importance of oral health and hygiene from a young age, you’ll set them up for a lifetime of success and good health. Preparing a child for their first dental office visit is critical for setting a good tone. Now Dental is a child-friendly dentist, but a lot of how a visit to the dentist is received by a child depends on parental preparation!

Your Child’s First Dental Appointment
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that your child makes their first trip to the dentist no later than their first birthday. This not only sets up healthy habits for life, but it also ensures that a professional is keeping an eye on your child’s oral health. While it may not seem like those incoming baby teeth are a big deal, there are situations which may call for earlier intervention by a dentist!

Cultivate A Positive Attidue In Your Child Towards Dental Care
One of the biggest factors in whether or not your child has a positive experience with the dentist depends on your own attitude and example. If you act anxious, express negative feelings towards dental visits, or let your child see your own fears about the visit, it may cause your child to feel more afraid of the process. Instead, if you can bring a positive attitude and chat about the dentist in a positive light, you’ll set the tone that a visit to the dentist is a good thing.

For young kids, having too much time to think about a new, unknown experience can lead to stress, so don’t tell your kids about their upcoming dental visits until the day of the appointment. This will prevent unnecessary worrying on their part. The morning of the visit, tell them they’re going to have a fun visit with the nice tooth doctor, and answer their questions without going into too much detail.

Videos, Games, and Books
For many kids, being a little more prepared for the experience can help to set expectations and remove fear of the unknown. Age-appropriate books, YouTube videos, and games can help familiarize them with the dental setting. Playing “dentist” with your child is an excellent way to get started. Have them recline in a chair, count their teeth, brush their teeth, and talk about the importance of taking care of their teeth. Then, switch roles, allowing them to play the dentist.

Smart Scheduling
Scheduling a dentist appointment during naptime or mealtime is setting your child up for failure. Instead, be smart with your scheduling, choosing a time of day when your child is most likely to be content and in a good mood.

Positive Reinforcement
No matter if your dental visit goes off without a hitch or if your child struggles with the process, take some time after the appointment to focus on what went well. The more you reinforce the positive aspects, the more your child will focus on those good parts.

Choose the Right Dentist
Of course, choosing the right dentist for your family makes all the difference in your kids’ experience. Tips to prepare kids for their first dental visit are just guidelines that can help your child tolerate time at the dentist’s office. To set up an appointment for your child for family dental care near Carmichael, CA, reach out to the pros at Now Dental today!

Three Common Causes of Child Tooth Decay

by Elizabeth Huynh | Oct 17, 2022 | Children's Oral Hygiene

Cavities can happen in children of any age!

It is important that you pay attention to the health of even your child’s first set of teeth!
Tooth decay affects people of all ages, from seniors to children. Even toddlers can experience decay in their baby teeth, which is often a shocking discovery for their parents. Though the signs of deterioration should be a cause for concern, they can be prevented if you know what to look for and instill good oral health habits early on.

Keep reading to discover the three factors a parent can control, that can lead to tooth decay in children.

It is important for parents to pay attention to a child’s teeth as soon as they break through the gums! While there are many factors beyond a parent’s control that can affect a child’s teeth, early detection of any issues can prevent pain and other issues.

Sugary Drinks
Sugar (and more specifically, sugary beverages) is one of the biggest leading causes of tooth decay in people of all ages. However, sugary drinks pose an especially troubling problem for toddlers because of bottles and sippy cups. Though these cups may be convenient, many parents leave them with their children nearly all the time. And while this may seem like an excellent method of pacifying an active toddler, it also opens them to harmful sugar for long periods. Mouths dry out while sleeping, which means anything your child ingests before bedtime will be more likely to stick to their teeth, and their chances of developing decay increase. This phenomenon is also known as bottle rot. To avoid overexposing your child’s teeth to sugar, fill their bottles and sippy cups with water or milk. Also, try not to give them a bottle when putting them down to sleep. If you do need to provide them with a bottle before a nap or bedtime, make sure it is full of water, not juice.

Sharing Saliva
Eating and drinking sugar isn’t the only way tooth decay can form. The bacteria that initiates tooth decay can also be passed along through saliva. If you or anyone who comes in contact with your child has these bacteria, they can easily be transmitted to your baby. This can happen by sharing utensils, drinking from the same cup, or using your mouth to clean off a baby’s pacifier. To avoid spreading bacteria, refrain from doing the activities mentioned above or anything else that involves passing saliva from your mouth to theirs. Additionally, try to stop your child from sucking on or putting objects that are not designed for teething purposes in their mouth. You never know where those items have been or if any other children have gotten their saliva on them recently.

Improper Oral Health Care
The best way to avoid tooth decay is by instilling good oral health habits early on in life. Implement a regular cleaning routine starting at a young age. Even before their first tooth grows in, clean the infant’s gums with a washcloth after they eat. Once their first tooth appears, you can begin gently brushing their teeth with a baby toothbrush and water. You should also schedule their first appointment for family dental care in Carmichael, CA, within six months of their first tooth appearing. Once your toddler turns two years old, you can start brushing their teeth twice daily using fluoride toothpaste. By instilling oral health values early, you can create habits that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

If you believe your child is showing the signs of tooth decay or you want to schedule a dental appointment, contact us at Now Dental today!

Cavity Prevention And Care – What You Need To Know about Cavities

by Elizabeth Huynh | Sep 26, 2022 | Dental How To

Cavities can lead to other health issues!

Poor oral hygiene can lead to infections and even cancer

Flossing, brushing after every meal and regular checkups can help prevent cavities!
Cavities are one of the most common health problems around the world. Untreated cavities can lead to other health issues, not typically associated with oral care. From abscesses to oral cancers, the implications of not dealing with dental cavities left untreated can lead to extreme pain and other serious health complications!

Before your appointment, it’s helpful to learn more about cavities, their causes, and how they are treated. Use the guide below to learn everything that you need to know.

What Is a Cavity?
Cavities are holes that develop in your teeth, starting out small and becoming larger over time (if they’re not treated). Cavities are the result of tooth decay. Anyone, including infants, can develop tooth decay, even if they believe they have a good oral hygiene routine. Since they do not usually cause pain when they first appear, many people do not realize that they have a problem until it becomes much worse. Getting regular check-ups at Now Dental, a Carmichael, California family dentistry practice can help to detect and resolve issues early.

Symptoms
There are a few common symptoms that can arise when you have a cavity. These indications may include:

Tooth pain
A noticeable hole in a tooth
Tooth sensitivity
White or black staining on your teeth

Tooth Decay Sources
Plaque causes tooth cavities to form. Plaque is a sticky substance made of saliva, bacteria, acid, and food that sticks to the teeth. Every mouth is home to bacteria. When you eat or drink something with sugar in it, the bacteria turn the sugar into acid, which becomes plaque. Plaque begins to form as soon as your drink or eat sugary foods. It sticks to your teeth and, over time, will cause the tooth enamel to erode. The enamel is the coating on your teeth that guards them against decay. When the enamel erodes and becomes weaker, you are more likely to develop cavities.

Risk Factors
If you have teeth, you are at risk of developing cavities. However, some people have a higher risk than others. This includes those with poor oral health habits, people who consume a lot of sugary or acidic foods and drinks, and those who don’t get enough fluoride. Other risk factors include dry mouth, acid reflux disease, and eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia.

Treatment Options
There are a few different methods that dentists use to treat and repair cavities. During your next appointment, be sure to mention any symptoms you are experiencing like pain or tooth sensitivity. The dentist will then perform an oral exam and X-rays to determine if you are experiencing tooth decay. The recommended treatment option will depend on the severity of the cavity. Treatment options include early-stage fluoride treatment, tooth fillings, crowns, and root canals.

Prevention Tips
When it comes to cavities, prevention is always better than expensive dental treatments. You can work to prevent tooth decay from occurring by brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once a day, and visiting your dentist twice a year for regular cleanings.

When it comes to flossing, your dentist may suggest you floss after each meal, especially if you experience bleeding gums.

You should also limit snacking between meals and cut down your intake of sugary and acidic foods like candy, soda, juice, and refined carbs. Some foods can also combat tooth decay. These include calcium-rich foods, fruits and veggies that are full of fiber, water with fluoride, unsweetened black or green tea, and xylitol sugarless chewing gum.

If you believe you have a cavity or you just want to be schedule a check-up, contact us at Now Dental today!

Why Toothaches Are Worse at Night

by Elizabeth Huynh | Jun 8, 2022 | Dental Emergencies

Toothaches hurt more at night

It is not your imagination, toothaches can be more unbearable at night!

It always seems that if you have a toothache, it hurts worse at night. Even worse, (if there is such a thing), you have few options at relief and even getting much needed rest is more difficult due to jaw, neck, or head discomfort due to a dental issue. This brings up why toothaches are worse at night and why taking care of your teeth is important! It is always seems to be the case that the higher the level of pain, the further away an appointment is. When you experience almost any level of tooth pain or sense something isn’t right, have excessive gun bleeding or feel any kind of pain biting down, it’s best to call Now Dental immediately. We can help you get to the root of the problem and make the pain go away!

Here’s what you should know about night-time toothaches and the reasons why tooth pain is worse in the evening.

Late-Night Treats
It is often the case that tooth pain that worsens at night is linked to your dietary habits. If you like sweet and sugary snacks, particularly right before bed, and you don’t thoroughly brush and floss your teeth afterwards, you are signing up for tooth decay and possibly pain. That’s because plaque, the invisible film of bacteria found on the surface of your teeth and gums, thrives on sugar. When you anything late at night, you need to brush and floss your teeth afterward. Otherwise plaque sits in your mouth until the morning when you brush again. Plaque loves sugar and produces acid that causes cavities. Cavities are a leading cause of dental-related pain and gum disease, which can also contribute to pain. To minimize these bacteria rather than enable its growth, brush and floss well before going to bed!

Those who neglect their oral hygiene, including foregoing brushing teeth until the morning, will be more likely to experience tooth decay, gum disease and pain. Try cutting down on your sugary sweets, or at least brushing your teeth after you eat late in the evening and see how that goes. If your tooth pain subsides, you may have found the reason for that discomfort.

Decrease in Distractions
Another reason why your toothache may feel more painful at night is simply because you have less going on to keep you busy and distracted from the discomfort. As you’re winding down from the day and getting ready for bed, you’ll probably notice an increase in pain because your mind has less things to focus on. Compared to the hustle and bustle of your daily life, nighttime is quieter, and therefore the perfect time for your toothache to take center stage. A highly reputable general dentist in your area can help you determine how to better deal with these pesky toothaches, especially if they don’t go away after a few days.

Blood Circulation
Another likely culprit of toothaches could be your increased blood circulation when you sleep. By laying down in bed, more blood can rush to your brain and put increased pressure on your tooth. This means a toothache that was bearable while standing or sitting up during the day may suddenly feel a whole lot worse when you go to bed. Speaking of sleeping, if you wake up with a toothache, you may be grinding your teeth while you’re fast asleep.

Make Now Dental Part of Your Dental Health Care Planning!

A strong dedication to good habits and preventive dental care can prevent toothaches and help you avoid dental emergencies. If you’re irritated and uncomfortable with a persistent toothache that just won’t go away, particularly at night, then it’s time to call Now Dental, home of the best general dentists in Carmichael, CA! Now Dental specializes in pediatric, family and cosmetic dentistry. At Now Dental, Dr. Elizabeth Huynh and her staff strive to provide a thorough and comfortable dental experience for you and your family. If you are experience dental pain in Carmichael or Sacramento County areas such as Fair Oaks, Citrus Heights, or Orangevale, call (916) 966-2009 to schedule an appointment. We are conveniently located near Mercy San Juan Medical Center, with easy access from both Greenback Lane and Madison Avenue!