If it is your child’s first visit to the dentist or a visit to a new dental office, you will want your child to feel comfortable and have a great experience. It is helpful to inform your child where they are going and always be positive. Please avoid using negative words (such as hurt, needle, shots, or anything unpleasant.) which may plant fear into their mind that would not have been there otherwise. Let your child’s dentist go over what they are going to do. Dentists will tell your child what will happen in a very non-threatening way. For children under six, scheduling their appointment as early as possible when they are fresh and alert is often recommended.

Infants have a natural reflex to suck on their thumbs and fingers. Babies use fingers or pacifiers to help them feel secure and or content. Thumb and finger sucking is also a relaxing habit for babies and toddlers that can help induce sleep. Thumb and finger sucking start to become a problem when it continues after the eruption of the permanent teeth. That’s because it can affect the growth of the mouth and the proper placement of the new teeth coming in. Pacifiers are no different; they affect the mouth in the same way; however, they can be easier to control than finger habits. A child should stop sucking their thumb between the ages of 2-4.

Having a good dental health regimen will help save on Dental Care. 

Having good dental health means making sure you have proper dental care habits. Preventive dental care starts with you. Appropriately preventive dental care takes a few minutes a day, yet it often goes undone. Make sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day for three minutes for healthy teeth and gums. Flossing is a required preventive dental care habit, so floss daily. Try using mouthwash that kills germs and helps fight gum disease. Remember that good dental habits will help you prevent decay, thus helping you save money on more significant dental care issues.

Saving on your Dental Health Care in 2023. 

Times are still hard for many people; for some, putting off their scheduled dental visits is a way to cut costs. Although there are dental insurance plans that help with the cost of dental care, some people do not get dental insurance because they feel they are not struggling with significant dental issues. Therefore, going to the dentist when needed and having proper benefits available are deferred due to cutting costs.

However, if you want to avoid large, expensive dental care bills, you should have some dental insurance coverage. By delaying your needed dental care, your dental care issue will get even more complicated, and you will have to pay more to fix your teeth. Yet even most low-cost dental insurance plans offer preventive dental care services for free, helping you keep your dental appointments and help to prevent more significant dental issues.

Is seeing your dentist twice a year for checkups necessary? 

The rule of thumb has been that one needs to see a dentist at least twice a year for dental checkups. Is that necessary for everyone, or is it possible that a person should see a dentist more than twice a year? Professionals from the medical field agree that this dental rule would mean that everybody is exposed to the same risk of developing diseases, which is invalid. Dental statistics relating to the health status of the middle-class US population have revealed that most of them are not even struggling with decay or gum disease. Yet other people with different health issues may need to see a dentist more than twice a year. Such as a person who has diabetes has a higher risk of tooth loss, so seeing a dentist more often would be necessary in maintaining dental health. Seeing a dentist twice a year when it is not necessary will not hurt, but not going to the dentist when needed can cause both dental and overall health issues. In short, speak to your dentist and see how frequently you should go and what is best for you.

Don’t let your smile be more important than your dental health care. 

In today’s looks is everything attitude, we tend to forget what may be more critical. Having nice white teeth is essential to many people. However, white teeth do not always mean healthy teeth. You can have white teeth but also have gum disease or tooth decay problems that go unfixed. So before spending $100.00 plus on teeth whitening, talk to a dentist first and make sure you are addressing your dental health needs first. White teeth mean nothing if they fall out due to untreated gum disease.

Amalgam fillings may be poisonous to your health. 

Mercury leaks from amalgam filling can be a health risk. Many studies have pointed out that mercury vapors from amalgam fillings can end up readily in the bloodstream. Over time it could cause damage to your health. Talk to your dentist about alternatives to any old amalgam fillings you may have.

How to Choose the Right Cosmetic Dentist? 

Once you choose to see a cosmetic dentist finding the right one for your dental needs is the first step. You want to ensure that the cosmetic dentist is highly skilled and professional and has good communication and interpersonal skills. Here are some valuable tips to help you find a cosmetic dentist. 

When looking for a cosmetic dentist, do your homework. A little research goes a long way in choosing a cosmetic dentist. Make sure the dentist is properly licensed and accredited. 

First impressions: Before a cosmetic dentist starts dental work, you will have a dental exam or consultation. This first impression will tell you much about the dentist and the dental office. (Note many cosmetic dentists will offer free consultations throughout the year.)

Make sure you ask any questions you feel are necessary to understand the suggested dental services. A professional will go over everything until you have a complete understanding. Choose a cosmetic dentist that has good communication skills. In short, if the dentist you are seeing can not explain everything so that it is clear to you or seems bothered by your questions, look for a different dentist. 

Cost: Cost is always a factor. Cosmetic dentistry can be costly, especially when most dental insurance does not offer benefits for cosmetic dental services. When seeing a cosmetic dentist, beware that there may be a cost factor to consider. Before starting any dental services, make sure you know your cost and find out how the dental office handles payment, such as if they offer any payment plan options. Cost is only a real issue when it is unclear from the start, and you are left to pay more than you may have thought.

Dreaming of Bright White Teeth for the Summer. 

Many people’s teeth are not as white as they would like them to be. Over-the-counter products sometimes fail to work, or they do not get the result one is hoping for. Only a dentist can get your teeth the whitest. With summer coming, many dentists offer discounts on whitening treatment, so talk to your local dental provider and see what they can offer.

Getting a Smile Makeover.

If you are a person that is dealing with Chipped, stained, misshapen, and missing teeth seeing a cosmetic dentist may help you get back the smile you want. Did you know that many cosmetic dental offices offer free consultations? These consultations can typically run $100 or more and are the first step in finding out the dental care treatment that would be best for you.

Why is it Importance to Maintain Healthy Gums?

Preventive dental care is essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Most people know brushing and flossing at least twice daily helps support dental health. Regularly seeing a dentist is essential for preventive dental care and preventing more significant dental issues. However, gum health is also vital for your overall health care. Having poor gum not only increases your risk of tooth loss and major dental care needs, but it can also affect other health issues such as heart disease, respiratory illness, and diabetes.

Dental Implants help to provide more options for people. 

No one wants to lose their natural teeth, but it can happen. Dentures, partials, and bridges were the only options in the past. Dental implants bring another opportunity for people that a healthy smile without having dentures. Talk to your cosmetic dentist and find the best choice for your dental needs.

Poor Oral and Dental Health is Tied To Chronic Disease and Worse Health. Even though studies are coming out that suggest that Poor oral health can contribute to much more severe medical conditions as well as affect a person’s ability to chew and digest food properly, 45% of Ontarians ages 65 and up have not seen a dentist within the last year.

Medicaid and SCHIP are good sources for low-income children to receive dental care. 

Dental decay is one of the most common chronic illnesses among children. However, it has been established that poor dental and oral health care is also an integral component of children’s overall health and well-being. Still, many children do not receive the dental care recommended. Difficulties in obtaining dental care disproportionately affect low-income and minority children. Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) are significant sources of dental coverage, reaching millions of low-income children, but inadequate access to dental care among these children remains a critical health policy challenge

Good Oral and Dental Health Care -Tips for you and your children.

Dental habits from home are the first important step for your child to have good oral health care. Here are some tips you will want to teach to show your child good oral and dental health care at home. 

• Ensure your child is brushing their teeth at least twice a day, once in the morning and one more time in the evening. 
• Your child should brush their teeth for at least three minutes. If your child likes music, that is about one song worth. 
• When your child is old enough to spit, you will want to use fluoride toothpaste. Never overuse toothpaste. From child to adult, you need no more than a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. 
• Teach your child to floss. You may have to floss your child’s teeth until they are old enough to do so correctly, but showing them how each time is essential. Daily flossing helps their teeth and is vital for their gum health. 
• When your child is brushing their teeth, you want to make sure they have a soft toothbrush and make sure they are not brushing too hard, as this can damage their gums. 
• Good food habits are crucial for their teeth and overall health care. 
• Finally, make sure you and your child visit the dentist regularly. (Normally twice a year but more if advised by your dentist.)

Dental Health Care a Forgotten New Year Resolution. 

At the start of each year, many people make new resolutions hoping to change or do something for the better in the following year. Whether it is to lose a few unwanted pounds, eat better, exercise, and get into a healthier shape, many people focus on healthcare issues for the up upcoming. However, one resolution that is often forgotten is dental care. Even though many studies have shown that better care of your oral and dental health positively impacts your overall health care, give dental and oral health care a thought when planning out your new year’s resolutions and how you want to help improve your general health care for the following year.

Homeopathic Teething Remedies Are They Safe?

While some parents may swear by homeopathic teething drops and tablets, many pediatricians claim that the risks of homeopathic treatments far outweigh any potential benefits. While the US FDA requires homeopathic remedies to meet specific standards for strength, purity, and packaging, they’re not rigorously tested for safety and effectiveness the way prescription and over-the-counter medications are. Therefore before using a homeopathic remedy, one should check with your child’s doctor or the FDA, which has recalled certain homeopathic products due to safety concerns.

Teething remedies that help to treat teething pain. 

Teething is something all babies generally go through within their first year. For some, the teething process is not too difficult, but for other babies, teething can be a painful experience. Here are some teething remedies that may help your baby through its teething process. For teething use, cold things such as a wet washcloth in a plastic bag and chill it in the freezer for an hour or so. You can also soak the washcloth in chamomile tea before freezing, which will help calm fussy babies as well as help them sleep. You can also refrigerate pacifiers or teething rings. However, you do not want to freeze these things since they are too hard when frozen and can damage baby gums. Chewing on a room-temperature teething ring may work if your baby does not like cold items. There are also teething rings that vibrate, and many babies like the feel of the vibration on their gums.

Baby Teeth and Keeping your child’s Teeth Healthy. 

By the time your child is one year old, they should have had their first dental appointment. Even babies can have dental decay when parents do not practice good oral health habits with their children. Baby teeth are no different from adult teeth. Brushing and flossing is a daily habit that needs to be maintained for good oral health care. Talk to your pediatric dentist for instructions if you need help with how to brush or floss your child’s teeth.

Parents can spread cavities to their babies. 

Studies have been done regarding the transmission of cavity-causing bacteria from parent to baby and have been published for over 20 years. The main culprit is Streptococcus mutans, a bacteria that can pass from person to person through the transfer of saliva, such as sharing utensils, blowing on food, and, yes, even kissing your baby.