West Maitland Dentistry Blog

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and we’re starting off the month by answering some common questions patients have about their child’s oral health.

When do my baby’s first teeth come in?

Every child is different and the timing of when teeth erupt vary from child to child. Most of the time we’re not as worried about timing but more importantly which tooth comes out first. Babies typically get their first tooth at 6 months but some can get them as early as 3 or 4 months while some as late as 18 months. What we look for is that the bottom front two teeth come out first. The teeth often come out in pairs with their matching counterpart. Use this handy chart to see when your babies next tooth should be coming in!

Why is it important to keep baby teeth healthy and fix cavities on them if they’re coming out?

We get this question all the time, parents want to know if the tooth is going to fall out anyway why should cavities be fixed. We discussed in an early blog that cavities are bacteria that invade the tooth. It is the same for a baby tooth.  The only exception is that the bacteria moves faster since the teeth have less enamel and are smaller.  We want to stop the spread of the cavity before it reaches the nerve.  This will prevent your child from having any pain, swelling or spread of the infection.

It is important for the teeth to stay in place until they are ready to come out on their own. Premature removal of baby teeth can cause other teeth to shift.  Shifting of teeth can make it harder for the permanent tooth underneath to come in straight. Since baby teeth act as place holders for the permanent tooth, keeping them in as long as possible will help decrease the chance your child will need braces!

When should I start brushing their teeth?

It’s never too early to start cleaning your child’s mouth! Even before your baby gets his or her first tooth it is a good idea to start the habit of cleaning their mouth.

For a baby with no teeth, you can use a wet washcloth and clean off the plaque from their gums and tongue. This will get them used to having something in their mouth and will help you establish the habit.

Once they get their first tooth you can use a wet, small, soft toothbrush and gently clean their teeth. When the teeth start touching you can start introducing floss.  Continue flossing for them until they learn it for themselves.  Try to brush their teeth twice a day for two minutes each time.  Most children will need help in making sure all the plaque is brushed off.  Don’t be afraid to get in there and get your hands dirty!

When should kids start using toothpaste?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that you start using a very tiny smear of toothpaste twice a day once your child’s baby teeth are present. Once your child can spit after they brush, typically ages 3-6, you can use a pea-sized amount. Remember to get them to spit out the extra fluoride-containing toothpaste!

When should I take my child to the dentist?

Some experts say two but the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends as soon as their first tooth comes in and no later than 1 year old. When deciding to bring in your child to have a discussion first with your dentist. He or she can determine their risks for cavities and can steer you in the right direction of how early to bring them.

Is it a problem my child sucks on a pacifier or their thumb?

A pacifier is a great soother for infants but used for an extended time can affect your child’s bite. We recommend having your child stop by age 3 and usually most children will do this on their own. If your child continues to suck their thumb or a pacifier for long lengths of times (think hours) than they can force their front teeth apart to where they don’t even touch! If your child has a hard time giving up this habit after the age of 3 then there are appliances that can be put in their mouth to force them to stop sucking.

For more information about your child’s health make an appointment for them to come to visit Dr. Dhaliwal or check out http://www.aapd.org and get the latest updates and recommendations!

For this week’s blog, Dr. Dhaliwal is taking it back to the fundamentals. She’s answering the basic question of what are cavities and how can we prevent them.

What is a Cavity?

Found in everyone’s mouth there can be millions to billions of bacteria with 10,000 to 100 million living on just one tooth alone! Certain types of these bacteria love to feed off sugars you eat, they then convert those sugars to acid. The acid softens the enamel and can eventually cause the tooth to decay and become a pit or hole, this is when we use the term a cavity. When the decay reaches the second layer of the tooth, the dentin, that is when it needs to be repaired.

Are There Any Early Signs of a Cavity?

Yes!  Sometimes, but not always, you can tell a cavity is starting.  Here are some signs and symptoms to be on the watch out for:

• Sensitivity to cold, hot or sweet foods and drinks
• Sensitivity to flossing or brushing
• Visible holes or pits in your teeth
• Change in the appearance of your tooth from a normal color to chalky white to brown or black

Can Cavities Heal Themselves?

To put it simply, yes and no.

Yes if…

The cavity is still in the enamel layer, the outer most layer of your tooth. Use floss and blast the demineralized area with fluoride to stop the spread of the cavity. Use fluoridated toothpastes, fluoridated mouth rinses and avoid sugary, acidic foods and drinks to help slow or stop the progression of the bacteria.

No if…

The cavity has reached the dentin layer of the tooth, the second layer of the tooth.  The dentin layer is much softer than the enamel and also has small tubes that cause the cavity to grow much faster than if it was in the enamel alone.  Once it reaches the dentin there is no stopping it without intervention by a dentist.

What Happens if I Leave the Cavity Alone?

The bacteria in your mouth love being nestled in your tooth. They feed off sugars, reproduce and burrow deeper into the tooth if untouched. Eventually, the bacteria reach the last layer of the tooth, the pulp. The pulp layer has the nerves of the tooth resting in it, so when the bacteria reaches it, that is typically when you will experience pain. At this point, a simple filling won’t be enough to remove the cavity since the bacteria is now living in the pulp’s canals.

To remove bacteria in the pulp, the pulp is removed by either having a root canal performed or having the entire tooth extracted from your mouth. If the bacteria still isn’t removed after it has reached the pulp it will keep spreading down the root’s canals until it reaches the bone. This can become extremely dangerous. Eventually, the bacteria can cause extreme pain, swelling and even become life-threatening.  The bacteria can travel into the bloodstream or other important regions in your body.

How Can I Prevent a Cavity?

• Decreasing Sugar and Acid in your Diet: Remember we told you that the bacteria in your mouth feed off sugar? Decreasing sugary drinks and foods give the bacteria in your mouth less energy to feed off of and therefore decreases the acid produced. Also, bacteria love acidic environments, hello they produce it! So by decreasing the consumption of acidic foods and drinks, such as citrus, red wine, and sodas, it will make a more hostile environment for the bacteria. This also helps prevents the enamel of the tooth from softening as well.  Check out our blog about healthy foods to get an idea of some substitutions to replace your sweet cravings.
• Disturbing Where the Bacteria Grows: Earlier we discussed how the bacteria rests on your teeth. When you brush and floss you disturb the bacteria and force them out of their comfy home. Brushing and flossing also help to remove food debris which decreases their snack time! The more you brush and floss, the more you disturb the bacteria, the less of a chance the bacteria has to rest on your tooth!
• Introducing Fluoride to Your Diet: Introducing fluoride into your diet can decrease the chances of getting a cavity. Fluoride is a mineral that helps strengthen your tooth. By using fluoridated toothpaste and mouth rinses you can strengthen your tooth, making it harder for the acid to penetrate your tooth and soften it.
• Sealants: Our back permanent molars can often have very tiny grooves and pits, which can be near to impossible for a toothbrush to reach. Flowing a material onto these teeth can seal off the grooves and cracks, preventing bacteria and food from entering. Sealing off these teeth will also make it easier for you to brush back there.
• Changing Out Your Toothbrush: Making sure your toothbrush isn’t worn out will help when disturbing the bacteria in your mouth. A good rule of thumb is every three months or if you see any splaying with the bristles. If you really want to give those bacteria the boot, Dr. D recommends an electric toothbrush. But make sure the electric toothbrush has a sensor to tell you if you’re brushing too hard so you don’t damage your teeth and gums!

Remember to visit us twice a year so we can spot those cavities early on and prevent them from growing. Follow these tips and make your visits with Dr. D a breeze!

Dr. Avni Dhaliwal and our West Maitland Dentistry team are pleased to welcome you to our family-friendly practice! Here, we focus on establishing meaningful relationships with our patients as we deliver high-quality dental care. If you’re searching for a new dental home in Maitland, FL, we’d love to help you have a healthy, beautiful smile!

About West Maitland Dentistry

Services to Keep Every Patient Smiling

We know that finding a dentist to care for every family member’s dental needs is important. We offer a broad range of preventive, restorative, and cosmetic treatments in order to care for patients of all ages. Whether you need a routine dental exam, root canal therapy, or a full set of porcelain veneers, we have a solution for you.

Relaxing Atmosphere

When designing our practice, we kept patient comfort at the forefront of our minds. Our office is equipped with massaging dental chairs, complimentary refreshments, and a warm, welcoming team. We never want you to feel that visiting our office is a chore. Instead, we hope you look forward to your biannual checkup and cleaning as a time to sit back, relax, and let us care for you.

Convenient Scheduling

We’re open every weekday and reserve space in our schedule for emergency appointments. Not only do we provide services for your entire family, but we also make it as simple as possible to get everyone in at the same time. When scheduling, ask us about our family blocks so you can get everyone cared for in one trip.

Flexible Financing

Determining the best way to pay for dental treatment commonly worries patients, but we try to make your visit as stress-free as possible. We’re an insurance-friendly dental office and are happy to check your coverage before your scheduled visit. If you’re uninsured, we also offer our Smile Savings Club. For one annual fee, this covers your preventive care and gives you access to discounted treatments. Moreover, to make covering out-of-pocket costs more manageable, we also accept financing through CareCredit®.

Join Our Dental Family!

At West Maitland Dentistry, we’re committed to providing our patients with an enjoyable dental experience from beginning to end. If you’d like to see for yourself, come in for a tour before scheduling your appointment. Or, if you’re ready to schedule, request an appointment today. We look forward to meeting you!

So we all know that brushing and flossing are good for your teeth but did you know there are ways to improve your oral health just by what you eat? Sugary and acidic foods can cause long term damage to your teeth.  These foods can strip away the enamel or causing cavities.  Fortunately there are foods that can help strengthen your teeth and prevent cavities. Our favorite dentist, Dr. Avni Dhaliwal, shares some of her favorite mouth healthy foods and easy ways to incorporate them into your diet. Check out the list below!

Green Vegetables

Vegetables like broccoli, spinach and kale contain high amounts of calcium. Calcium helps your teeth remineralize and become stronger.  Leafy greens like spinach and kale also contain folic acid, which during pregnancy can help decrease the chances of pregnancy gingivitis. An easy way to incorporate these veggies into your diet is by throwing a handful of them in either a salad or a smoothie.

Hard Fruits and Vegetables

Hard fruits and vegetables are a great snack option to promote a healthy mouth.

Hard fruits such as apples and pears have a high water content, which helps dilute the sugars that they contain.

Crunchy vegetables, like carrots and celery, can help stimulate saliva production and can also act as a natural scraper to scrape away food particles. Dr. Dhaliwal likes to add peanut butter or cream cheese to these crunchy treats for some extra taste!

Nuts

Nuts, such as almonds, are a great source of calcium for your teeth. Nuts are also low in sugar and high in protein. Pack a handful of almonds as a great anytime go to snack or crush them and top your favorite salads with them for a little added crunch.

Dairy

Cheese lovers can rejoice in the fact that most cheeses are high in calcium and can even increase the pH of the mouth, which helps reduce the chances of cavities. Another dairy item that can be healthy for your mouth are yogurts. Yogurt is not only another great source of calcium but also contains probiotics. Probiotics can help increase the good bacteria found in your mouth, making less room available for the bad bacteria that can cause cavities. Remember with yogurts to buy the plain kind without any added sugars. Dr. Dhaliwal recommends putting plain yogurt into your smoothies for a silkier and delicious tasting smoothie.  She also likes to replace  sour cream  with plain yogurt when it comes to topping a baked potato or making her favorite creamy dip recipes.

Remember that every time you consume foods the pH in your mouth will tend to go down. Anytime the pH goes down, the acidic environment can cause your enamel to wear away and become weaker. When indulging in acidic foods and drinks such as tomatoes, citrus, sodas and red wine, try to pair them with a meal instead of snacking or sipping on them to decrease their negative effects. So the next time you go for that glass of wine try snacking on some cheese with it!

After snacking or eating a meal the best option would be to brush and floss of course but we know that it isn’t always an option. Dr. Dhaliwal recommends sipping on water or chewing sugar free gum after a snack or meal to increase saliva flow, wash away food particles and to raise the pH in the mouth back to normal.

Foods to Avoid

Finally, Dr. Dhaliwal does not recommend foods that are high in sugar, sticky and hard. Sugary foods and drinks, like sodas, will promote bad bacteria growth in your mouth which can eventually lead to a cavity. Sugary foods that are also sticky, such as caramels and raisins can get stuck in the crevices of your teeth and stay for long periods of time. Sugary hard foods, such as hard candies and cough drops can damage your teeth if you bite down on them and can even crack your tooth. These foods also can be sucked on for long periods of times, such as lollipops, which can keep that pH down for extended periods of time.

The next time you reach for a sugary treat, think twice and try to swap it out for one of these healthier options and always remember to brush and floss afterwards!

New Year, New Smile!

As the new year begins so do the resolutions.  While for some it might be to lose those extra pounds for others it is to improve their smile.  One of the best, efficient and cheapest ways to improve your smile is with teeth whitening.  Here are some options to help you welcome 2019 with a new smile!

Over the Counter Whitening

Over the counter whitening is a cheap alternative to in-office bleaching systems.  These whitening systems start as low as $5 and up.  There are several types of whitening products available now, such as toothpastes, powders, mouth rinses, and whitening strips.

Toothpastes and Mouth Rinses

Toothpastes and mouth rinses are great ways to keep your smile bright before and after bleaching your teeth.  These products aid in preventing and removing light stains on the outer surface of the tooth.  When choosing a toothpaste or mouth rinse to make sure the brand is accepted by the ADA and the toothpaste has fluoride in it to help prevent cavities.  For deeper stain removals, whitening systems may be a better alternative.

Whitening Powders

A new trend with whitening is charcoal powders.  Charcoal powders sound exactly like what they are, activated charcoal that can contain other ingredients such as oils, clay, sweeteners, and sodium bicarbonate.

The main way the powder whitens is by using its abrasive nature to strip the stain from the enamel.  This is a problem because the charcoal often strips not only the stain but the enamel as well.  Enamel is the whiter layer of the tooth, so once stripped the more yellow layer dentin will be exposed making it much more difficult to whiten and will increase sensitivity.

Charcoal products are not regulated by the FDA.  This means there can be other products in them that could be unsafe if you accidentally ingest.

Whitening Systems

Another over the counter product to consider are whitening systems.  Most of these systems have a plastic strip that goes over your teeth.  You wear the strip for 15-30 minutes, once or twice a day for seven to fourteen days, or as directed.  Whitening strips contain a gel that consists of different ratios of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.  The most common and well known are Crest Whitestrips.

Crest Whitestrips are the only whitening strips out there that are currently accepted by the ADA (American Dental Association).  This means that they have been evaluated by the ADA and have been found to not only be effective but more importantly safe to use.  When using whitening strips make sure to familiarize yourself with the instruction guide and follow directions as indicated.

In-Office Treatments

In-office treatments usually have the same concept as at-home kits but consist of a higher concentrated gel, which leads to faster and often better results.

Light Activated Systems

A common type of whitening that you may have heard of is Zoom whitening.  First, the gums and lips are covered up for protection.  After this step, the hydrogen peroxide whitening gel is placed on the teeth.  A UV light is then placed for 15 minutes to activate the gel.  Immediately afterward another gel is placed on the teeth but this time to reduce sensitivity.  Zoom may not be the best option if you have sensitive teeth or if you are sensitive to the mild heat produced by the UV light.  The treatment takes less than an hour and you will be sent home with custom bleaching trays for touch-ups.

Custom Bleaching Trays

This procedure has a similar concept of over the counter bleaching systems but usually offers better results.  Your dentist takes molds of your teeth and then fabricates custom trays out of a thermoplastic material.  The patient places a hydrogen peroxide gel in the trays in the comfort of their homes.  Since the trays are molded around your teeth, the gel can flow into and around all those nooks and crannies that may be harder for strips to reach.  Custom trays lessen the chances of gum irritation because the trays are fit to the exact shape of your teeth.  Another benefit is being able to reuse the trays by just having to buy the gel refill.

Common Complaints

The most common complaint we usually hear is sensitivity.  We recommend you use a sensitivity toothpaste two weeks before, during and after the whitening process.  If teeth are still sensitive while whitening ask about custom desensitizing treatments that are offered at your dentist’s office.  After the whitening treatment is finished the sensitivity should subside in a few days.

Another common complaint is the irritation of the gums.  It is important with these over the counter whitening systems to wipe off excessive gel to ensure this doesn’t occur.   While using custom trays make sure to place only the amount of gel as recommended by your dentist.

Finally, the last complaint that we often hear is the teeth not getting as white as the patient wants.  It’s important when using any type of whitening to remember duration isn’t as important as frequency.  Make sure to be consistent in wearing them every day and not to skip any days.  If you start feeling sensitivity, decrease the amount of time you wear them for but make sure you don’t skip any days to get the full effect!

Take-Home Points

After you whiten maintain results with these tips:

• Avoid dark foods and drinks such as coffee, tea, red wine, blueberries, etc.
• Brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily
• Avoid smoking and chewing tobacco
• Visit your dentist twice a year for a cleaning

Always remember to consult your dentist before starting any treatments.  Contact our office for any questions or to book an appointment to go over your options and happy whitening!