Show Your Teeth Some Gratitude with A Dental Cleaning!

After Halloween, little mouths could benefit from a good dental cleaning.  How are your child’s teeth? Having strong teeth, and healthy gums are critical for overall health and good oral health. Make sure you’re taking the best possible care of your child’s teeth with the following tips and info. 

The Science Behind Candy-Eating and Decay Risk

When it comes to sugars and carbohydrates, it is helpful to understand what, exactly, is happening in your child’s mouth when they consume sugar. 

“Eating carbohydrates can change the pH balance of the mouth, making it more acidic, which can increase the risk of cavities. Each time candy is eaten, the acid environment in the mouth can take up to an hour to dissipate,” reports Science Daily. 

While it isn’t realistic to ban all candy from your child’s life, timing when, and how often, they have it is key.  “Meals are a good time at which to have treats as dessert because the production of saliva increases, which helps to wash away acidity in the mouth,” said Science Daily. 

Parents, remember to supervise children when they brush their teeth, ensuring that they brush after eating candy.  If brushing is not feasible at that time, have your child rinse his mouth with water three or four times after eating, which will help reduce acidity in the mouth.

Reverse the Damage from Halloween Candy on Little Teeth

A thorough post-Halloween dental cleaning and exam can help reverse the effects of a candy-heavy Halloween and prevent your child from painful, expensive dental work later on.  When it comes to spilling-over candy bins, the fact remains that the majority of children don’t just eat candy on October 31st. Many children–and adults–go on for weeks indulging on the sweets the gathered on Halloween night.  This translates into a sugar onslaught on little teeth and gums. If frequent brushing and flossing doesn’t occur, then comes the real trick of halloween–cavities.  The good news is, you can halt tooth decay in its tracks with a thorough tooth cleaning and exam. A professional office cleaning can rid teeth and gums of plaque before it enters its more destructive form as tartar. 

A Quick Lesson About Tartar

The leftover particles of sugar and food we eat mix with our saliva to create sticky film on teeth called plaque.  Frequent and proper brushing and flossing help to remove plaque from teeth.  But, plaque that isn’t addressed properly accumulates and hardens into a substance called tartar. Tartar is much more difficult to remove and requires the assistance of a dental professional. Plaque and tartar lead to tooth decay and gum disease. 

Cavities in Baby Teeth, Yes, They Matter

A common question parents have is about baby teeth and cavities. If baby teeth have cavities, does it matter since they are going to fall out anyway? Yes.

Baby teeth that decay and fall out too soon can affect the permanent teeth. If a tooth is lost too soon, an adult tooth might shift into the wrong place and come into the mouth where it’s not supposed to. This can trigger major orthodontic and dental issues for a child in the future.

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research reports that up to 42% of children between 2 and 11 years old have cavities in their baby teeth. Studies show that boys tend to have slightly more cavities than girls do. 

Schedule a Visit with Li’l Sunshine Smiles Dentistry

Enjoy the holiday season with the peace of mind that your little ones have good oral health. A visit to our Li’l Sunshine Smiles Dentistry office can ensure that mouths are clean, strong and free of decay. We specialize in care for children.  Call our office at 813-576-0200 today for an appointment.