What
Kinds of Candy Are the Most Damaging to Teeth?

Most children find candy irresistible, which unfortunately increases the risk of damage to their teeth. However, sweets are not equal in terms of the harm they inflict on your child’s oral health. Some pose less of a threat than others, so it’s important to know the types of candy that are most detrimental to your child’s smile and health.

How Do Cavities Develop?

The human mouth is filled with bacteria, most of which are harmless. However, sugary treats provide an abundant food supply for cavity-causing bacteria, which, after feasting, produce acids that erode the tooth enamel, forming holes known as cavities that worsen over time if left untreated.

What Types of Candy Are the Most Damaging to Teeth?

The worst types of candy are the chewy, gummy, or sticky ones, which get stuck between your child’s teeth and in the grooves and crevices of the chewing surfaces of the premolars and molars. However hard your child brushes, the sticky material is almost impossible to remove, leaving the teeth susceptible to bacteria and acid attacks.

Sour candy is not much better for your child’s oral health. It is highly acidic, leaving your tooth enamel weaker and more vulnerable to cavities. Hard candies are also harmful. They contain high levels of sugar that promote bacteria activity in the mouth. Moreover, biting down on a jawbreaker or a lollipop can break or fracture a tooth, allowing bacteria to enter the inner parts, wreaking havoc on your child’s oral health.

What Are Better Candy Choices?

While it’s best to limit any candy, some types pose less of a threat to your child’s oral health. These include chocolate, especially dark chocolate, which melts away quickly and is easy to rinse or brush off. Dark chocolate is rich in calcium and is relatively low in sugar levels. Furthermore, it is made from cocoa beans, which contain compounds that fight bacteria and plaque. So dark chocolate is a go-to choice if your child has the urge to enjoy a sweet treat.

Sugar-free chewing gum sweetened with xylitol is also a good choice for your child’s smile. In fact, the chewing action increases saliva production, which helps rinse bacteria and food debris away. Moreover, xylitol is a natural sweetener that neutralizes acid-producing bacteria.

Tips on Maintaining Your child’s Healthy Smile

If you have to give your child a sweet treat, do so right after a meal instead of snacking throughout the day. That reduces the amount of time the sugar stays in contact with your little one’s teeth, limiting the harm. Moreover, the saliva produced during a meal helps counter the effects of consuming candy.

Make sure your child brushes at least twice a day and flosses daily. However, avoid doing so right after eating candy, which increases the harmful effects of the acid. Instead, have your child rinse thoroughly and wait at least an hour before brushing. Better yet, consider trading candy for healthy treats, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, cheese, or nuts, and make sure to encourage your child to drink plenty of water.

It’s important to schedule your child’s twice-a-year dental visits at Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry. We will clean your child’s teeth and conduct a thorough examination to evaluate your child’s oral health. We may recommend preventive procedures such as fluoride treatment or dental sealants, or restorative procedures such as dental fillings if needed.

Quality Pediatric Dentistry in Phoenix, AZ

Visit Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry to learn more about keeping your child’s smile healthy and free of disease. Our kid-friendly team is proud to offer outstanding preventive and restorative services for long-term healthy smiles. Call us and schedule your appointment today!

What
Causes Spots on Baby Teeth?

Parents eagerly await that special moment when the first tiny pearly white comes in. Even though baby teeth are temporary, they play a significant role in a child’s development, so it’s essential to keep them healthy and sound. So what happens if you notice spots on your little one’s teeth? While you don’t want to panic, a visit to Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry will allow for prompt treatment to safeguard your child’s oral health. We are all about healthy, happy smiles!

Tooth Decay and Cavities

The first warning signs of tooth decay in children are often white spots that appear along the gumline that usually have a dry, chalky appearance. These early decay spots result from mineral loss from the enamel, a process known as demineralization. The good news is that this point the decay is still reversible. If the condition continues to progress, the white spots will eventually turn yellow or brown and may require more extensive treatments.

Once you notice white spots on your child’s teeth, schedule an appointment with Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry. We will clean off any plaque or tartar and may recommend a gentle fluoride treatment, which will help reverse the decay by strengthening the tooth enamel and making it resistant to the acid attacks that wear the teeth over time. Moreover, fluoride replaces the missing minerals restoring your child’s oral health.

Dental Fluorosis

Sometimes white spots on baby teeth can be a sign of too much fluoride, a condition known as fluorosis. Fluoride offers multiple benefits to your child’s teeth, strengthening and protecting the tooth enamel. But, just like most good things, it’s possible to get too much of it. The good news is that your child can only develop the condition while the teeth are still forming below the gum surface, and once the permanent teeth come in, the risk for fluorosis drops. Moreover, the fluorosis spots are not weak spots on your child’s teeth. In fact, they tend to be stronger than the surrounding enamel. So while they pose a cosmetic concern, they are not a problem from an oral health standpoint. A visit to your child’s pediatric dentist will help determine if your child’s fluoride intake is adequate.

Calcium Deposits

White spots on baby teeth could also result from calcification and adhesion of dental plaque to your little one’s teeth. If this is the case, we may recommend a professional cleaning to treat the affected area.

How to Prevent Future Spots on Your Child’s Teeth

Promoting healthy habits early on is the best way to avoid spots forming on your child’s baby teeth. Encourage proper brushing habits, pay attention to fluoride intake, limit the consumption of sugary treats or drinks, and make sure your child consumes a balanced diet. And don’t forget to schedule your child’s routine dental exams and cleanings to allow us to monitor your child’s oral health and treat any issues as they surface. These preventative practices will help safeguard your child’s oral health and keep dental disease at bay.

Quality Pediatric Dentistry in Phoenix, AZ

Visit Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry to learn more about keeping your child’s oral health in tip-top shape. Our highly trained and experienced team is proud to offer quality preventative and restorative services to maintain your child’s healthy smile. We are committed to providing our valued young patients with outstanding, gentle care. Call us and schedule your child’s appointment today!

Why
Choose Dental Sealants?

Encouraging your child to brush and floss daily is the best way to prevent cavities. However, it’s not always possible to reach every groove or crevice, especially on the teeth at the back of the mouth. At Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, we offer quality preventative services, including dental sealants, to protect your child’s pearly whites and to prevent tooth decay. We are all about maintaining beautiful, healthy smiles!

How Do Cavities Form?

The chewing surfaces of the premolars and molars and premolars have grooves on them, known as pits and fissures. These depressions often trap food particles and plaque, allowing bacteria to attack and erode the tooth enamel, which can cause tooth decay and cavities.

What Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are thin, clear plastic resin protective coatings that we place onto the chewing surfaces of your child’s premolars and molars to smooth them out and make them more resistant to decay. When applied, the material bonds to the grooves and crevices, forming a protective shield that prevents plaque and acid from eroding the tooth enamel. Teeth treated with sealants are less likely to develop cavities, which, if left untreated, can cause pain and may require involved dental procedures down the road.

When Should Your Child Have Dental Sealants Applied?

We usually recommend having dental sealants applied around age six when your child’s permanent molars start coming in. Sealing and protecting these teeth right from the start keeps them healthy and helps reduce the chances of tooth decay as well as many future dental problems.

What Is the Procedure?

The procedure is safe and painless and can be completed in one short visit. No need for anesthesia and no drilling! After cleaning and drying your child’s teeth, we will prepare the chewing surfaces of the premolars and molars by roughening them up using an etching solution to allow the sealant to bond. Next, we will apply the sealant, which will flow into the grooves and crevices of the prepared teeth and will use a curing light to harden the material. The resulting coating will protect your child’s teeth from plaque and bacteria exposure, allowing for long-term healthy smiles.

How Long Do Sealants Last?

Sealants can potentially last from 5 to 10 years but will need to be evaluated during your child’s routine dental exams for chipping or wear. Having teeth treated with sealants doesn’t mean your child should neglect to brush and floss regularly. Maintaining proper oral hygiene practices will help ensure those little chompers stay in tip-top shape. 

Dental Sealants in Phoenix, AZ

Visit Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry to learn more about our preventative procedures designed to keep your child’s teeth healthy and sound. Our outstanding team is committed to delivering exceptional, gentle care in our kid-friendly environment. We look forward to caring for your child’s dental needs. Call us and schedule your child’s appointment today!