Sports Drink Madness

The Sports Drink Madness

Spring sports have begun and the warm weather is fast approaching in the Carolinas.  One thing a lot of our patients that participate in outdoor sports often have in common is the over consumption of sports drinks.

Our dentists and dental staff at Young and Polite Children’s Dentistry try their best to educate our patients’ on the increased risk for tooth decay.  Sports drinks typically have large amounts of sugar.  You can find the ingredient listed almost always after water on the label.  The large amounts of sugar create the perfect environment for the cavity forming process to begin.  When a patient presents with rampant decay, knowing how to stop future tooth decay is a part of the preventative treatment that sets the grounds for a life time of great oral health.

Our pediatric dentists at Young and Polite Children’s Dentistry recommend water to keep our young athletes hydrated. Did you know sports drinks are intended for intense exercise or sporting activities? Your child really doesn’t need a sports drink.  Remember to keep your athlete hydrated, with water.

So fill up your water bottle and hit the sports fields this weekend! Your dental team at Young and Polite Children’s Dentistry can’t wait to see you, cavity free at your next dental appointment.

Tooth Approved Easter Basket Ideas

Spring time is here and that means the Easter fun and events are near. For many this time of year brings another reason for the stores to be packed with the in your face sugar filled Easter basket stuffers. 

While we understand the occasional treat even for us here at Young and Polite Children’s Dentistry we also thought you would enjoy some candy alternatives to fill the baskets with.

Check out Young and Polite’s Top 3 Tooth Approved Easter Basket Ideas:

            It doesn’t get more fun than a great coloring book and some coloring supplies. We know kids these days have all sorts of great renditions of coloring books, but let’s take it back to old school this year with a great coloring book and some Crayola crayons! Does your child love to be outdoors? If so, grab some fun sidewalk chalk to put in the basket.

          Who doesn’t love a special stuffed animal. Stuffed animals are top on the list of things to make any child smile.  Your child can even bring in their special stuffed animal to their dental appointments. Who knows their special friend might need a teeth cleaning too! 

For the reader in your family don't forget a bundle of books. Your basket can be inspired by your child's favorite book or include a bundle of books for your little one to enjoy.  Reading is a great way to spend time with your child.  We always love a great book at Young and Polite Children's Dentistry.  

      Holidays can be tempting to grab a quick sweet treat, but you can be creative this Easter.  Try to think outside the box.  If you need some inspiration for Easter baskets your child will love that are candy free check out this website http://redtri.com/treats-for-your-peeps-eggstraordinary-easter-basket-fillers-that-arent-candy/slide/7. 

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Making going to the dentist fun for everyone!

Going to the dentist can and should be fun for everyone. Did you know children can sense when you are stressed?  Think about when you rocked your child and were so stressed out they cried and cried and you couldn't figure out why? At some point your child could sense that you were stressed.

Our fun and exciting pediatric dental office is fun for everyone.  As soon as you open the doors at any of our 3 locations in Waxhaw, Mint Hill or our South Tryon office we have a kid friendly atmosphere.  See, we believe kids connect with us when we get on their level.  Our chairs in our play area are just the right height.  Our video games are at their eye level and the movie is always kid friendly. Why?  Not just because we are cool but also because a fun environment allows your child to relax and think of the dentist as a fun place to be.

As an adult you may have a dental fear.  That fear doesn't have to be passed on to your children.  Allow your child to have a great time at the dentist by encouraging your child in a positive manner.  We want them to laugh, give us a high five and be proud that they are taking care of their teeth.

If you have dental fears yourself your child doesn't have to know about them.  In fact join in on our video games or relax and watch a fun movie that is  playing in our waiting area, who knows you just might grow into loving the dental office yourself!

February is National Children's Dental Health Month. What are you doing to celebrate?

February is National Children's Dental Health Month. What are you doing to celebrate? Here are a few things that you can do to get the child in your life a healthier smile.

Re-Establish Good Dental Habits.

Are the children in your life brushing their teeth after every meal and flossing at least once a day? There are ways to encourage this behavior! There are mobile floss sticks that you can pack in your child's lunch box right beside the (oatmeal) cookies. Many children have also stated that flossing is much easier with the newer flavored floss that has recently hit the market. Celebrate National Children's Dental Health Month by buying your child a pack of the good stuff!

Find Healthier Snacks.

A huge problem with children is eating sugary snacks and sodas. However, there are better alternatives! Completely organic fruit based snacks give children the same rush of carbohydrates and sweet flavor without all of the processed sugar. You can also encourage your children to drink soda and fruit juice through a straw to keep the sugars from wearing down their back teeth!

Schedule an Appointment with a Dental Professional.

The number one way to celebrate National Children's Dental Health Month is to solidify the relationship between your dentist and your child. Many children have a fear of the dentist for no reason at all, and this is the perfect month to get rid of that fear! We love creating happy smiles for years to come around Charlotte, NC and surrounding areas. Take a look at our website to see why everyone loves Young and Polite Children's Dentistry. 

Use the excitement of this month to establish the lines of communication between your child and your dentist. The result is a healthier mouth for life! Let's celebrate healthy smiles together at Young and Polite Children's Dentistry located in Waxhaw, South Tryon and Mint Hill.

Some tips on what to do should a dental emergency arise.

Dental Emergencies with children and what to do…

Dental Emergencies are something that many of us as parents or caregivers don’t usually think about until they happen. Once a dental emergency does happen we become worried and unsure of where to go, who to see or what to do. Knowledge is comforting and can save a tooth in some situations so, we have come up with a few basic tips in case you should be faced with a dental emergency. Remember these are only a few tips and we always advise our patients to call any of our locations to speak with one of our qualified pediatric dental professionals.

Questions will come up like, should I go the the emergency room or should I call my child’s pediatric dentist? At these times it can be confusing to know what course of action is the best.

Check out our recommendations below to help you better prepare in case you find yourself faced with a dental emergency.

Toothache:        

For toothaches, start with warm salt water rinses, 2-3 times a day and some over the counter medications, like Tylenol or Ibuprofen making sure to follow all guidelines on the medication itself for your child or under the supervision of your pediatric dentist. Make sure the child gets some rest and has somewhere quiet to sit. If the pain is manageable with over the counter medications, call us  and schedule an appointment where we can review the issue and take necessary x-rays to figure out what is going on. When speaking with one of our skilled team members please make sure you let us know if the pain is manageable and all medications the child has received.

If the pain of a toothache cannot be managed with over the counter medications, something stronger may be required or even an antibiotic for infection. This is something the doctors here at Young & Polite will have to determine and prescribe if necessary. If there is swelling of the face associated with the pain we advise that you seek immediate attention with us or at your nearest emergency room.

Cut tongue, check or lip:

Minor cuts and abrasions can be dealt with at home by applying a cold compress to the area until bleeding stops (usually within a few minutes). If the bleeding is continuous and the cut looks deep we advise you to contact us or go to your nearest emergency room.

Chipped tooth:Minor chips in teeth are usually not an emergency. Your child may experience cold sensitivity with the area but it should be manageable with over the counter medication like Ibuprofen. Contact your pediatric dental office as promptly as possible after a chipped tooth occurs as the tooth may require a filling to restore it.

Major fractures of teeth, especially adult teeth, are sometimes more complex. Sometimes the nerve of the tooth will be compromised and the child will experience pain and sensitivity to temperatures. Avoid very hot or cold foods or beverages and contact us. In some cases of severe fractures, immediate Root Canal Treatment may be required.

Baby tooth pushed out of place:

In many circumstances a baby tooth that has been pushed out of place does not require much professional care. If the child can close their mouth and chew comfortably, follow up with us on the next business day. If the child cannot close their mouth or chew comfortably then contact us immediately. 

Adult (permanent) tooth pushed out of place: Contact us immediately for advice.

Permanent tooth knocked out:

Sometimes it is possible to save an adult tooth that has been knocked out. Quickly find the tooth if possible, place it in milk and contact us immediately. We will then try to reinsert the tooth into its correct position. Many times teeth that have been knocked out and reinserted with success will end up requiring Root Canal Treatment as time goes on. Swelling is normal in these situations so don’t be alarmed if this occurs.

Simple Precautions:

Have your child wear a mouth guard if playing contact sports.

Don’t let your child use their teeth to cut or break anything.

Avoid chewing on ice and very hard candy.

Please note when calling and speaking to one of our team members please provide as much information about your child, the area of the mouth involved in the emergency and all medications the child has received.  Although this information helps us to better understand the severity of the dental emergency as dental professionals we can not diagnose nor treat an emergency over the phone. We are happy to provide you with recommendations to put your child at ease and provide comfort,but we always recommend for your child to be seen by one of our skilled pediatric dentists in office for diagnosis and proper treatment.

Here at Young & Polite we have several convenient locations in and around the Charlotte, NC area.

*Please note the information provided is not for diagnosing, only to assist with relief of the dental emergency.  Please contact our office for more information or to speak with a team member if you are ever unsure of a dental emergency.

Fun ways to reward your child for brushing and flossing

Here at Young and Polite Children’s Dentistry we believe in encouraging great dental health along with rewarding our patients. In addition to being a great role model for our children we understand as a pediatric dentist there are things that kids just LOVE!

Often times parents and caregivers want to know what they can do to encourage brushing twice a day, flossing, and saying no to sweets. Well we have some suggestions we know you will love.

It can be as simple as creating a reward chart. Sometimes it’s the smallest reward like stickers that make children happy. We suggest a daily chart with a special place for a sticker or check mark each day your child brushes his or teeth and remembers to floss. At the end of the week if your child has earned enough stickers he or she can have a prize.

How about brushing for 2 minutes? Children have a short attention span so two minutes can seem like forever to your little one. We suggest a timer to help your child keep track of the proper amount of time to brush. If your child brushes his or her teeth for 2 minutes that time can be added for extra movie time or towards an activity they enjoy.

One of the most effective ways to create a positive habit that lasts a lifetime is with positive reinforcement.  Simple words like” great job”, “I’m so proud of you” or “wow you really are getting to be such a big girl or boy” will put a smile on your child’s face.

At Young and Polite Children’s Dentistry we also have a reward system with some pretty cool prizes. We love seeing your child smile, it’s why we love being a pediatric dental office. Ask about ways your child can earn points towards our prizes at each visit. Remember, create a routine for your child and reward them even with the simple words “great job.”

Are you putting your infant to bed with a bottle?

Baby bottle tooth decay also known as early childhood caries can be prevented. At Young and Polite Children’s Dentistry we see many infant patients and preventative dentistry is very important in our role. What is baby bottle tooth decay and what can we do to prevent it?

Baby bottle tooth decay is decay usually found in those in the infant stage who are put to bed with a bottle. The bottle may contain milk, juice or even breast milk. When the infant falls asleep with the bottle in their mouth a pool of the liquid forms in the child’s mouth. This pool surrounds the teeth exposing the mouth to sugar for prolonged amounts of time.

We all know that prolonged exposure of sugar in the mouth increases the chances for decay. So, it is suggested to never put your infant to bed with a bottle filled with anything other than water. If your little one must have a bottle we always recommend to wipe the gums immediately after the bottle to help eliminate the risk for decay.

Here at Young and Polite  Children's Dentistry we strive for all of our patients to find their dental visits fun.  The best way to do this is with a great checkup.  Help your child be on track for great dental health when you eliminate the increased risk for early childhood caries.

 

For more help & advice for great dental health for your little one ask any of our skilled dental professional team members any and all questions at your next routine dental visit.