What
Causes Bad Breath in Toddlers?

If you’ve noticed that your toddler’s breath is not as fresh as it should be, you’re not alone. Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is common among toddlers. If the condition persists, visit your trusted team at Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry to help identify the cause of your toddler’s bad breath. We are here to support your child’s oral health every step of the way!

What Are Common Causes of Bad Breath in Toddlers?

Poor Oral Hygiene or Dental Problems: In most cases, bad breath results from poor oral hygiene. If your child does not thoroughly brush and floss each day, plaque can quickly build up and produce an unpleasant odor. The plaque can also cause dental problems, including tooth decay and gum disease, which, in turn, can cause bad breath. Halitosis can also develop due to damaged or chipped fillings.

Odor-Causing Foods: Consuming pungent foods like garlic and onions can give the best of us bad breath, and your toddler is no exception. Limiting these foods will help keep your little one’s breath fresh.

Dry Mouth (Xerostomia): Saliva cleans the mouth by washing away bacteria, which helps keep halitosis at bay. If your toddler breathes through the mouth or is dehydrated, dry mouth can develop, causing bad breath. Hydration is key. Make sure your child drinks three to four glasses of water to help address this condition.

Ear, Nose, and Throat Problems and Other Illnesses:Toddlers sometimes have bad breath due to sinus infections, tonsillitis, or other seasonal allergies, where mucus from the sinuses makes it way to the mouth. Moreover, some conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease allow stomach acids to make their way to the mouth, also contributing to bad breath.

How Can You Eliminate Your Toddler’s Bad Breath?

Brush at Least Twice a Day: Make sure you brush your toddler’s teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time. Don’t forget to brush your toddler’s tongue, because halitosis-causing bacteria live on the tongue’s surface. Having your child rinse with kid-friendly mouthwash can also help.

Floss Daily: Flossing daily will help remove any food particles between your toddler’s teeth, which can help keep your child’s mouth free of unpleasant odors.

Visit Your Child’s Pediatric Dentist: Prevent bad breath and other oral concerns by scheduling your child’s routine dental exams and cleanings. Keep in mind that halitosis is a symptom, not a disease in itself. The first step in treating the condition is identifying its cause. Your trusted team at Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry will address any dental problems as required. In some cases, we may need to refer your child to a pediatrician or an otolaryngologist (ENT doctor) to treat any underlying health condition.

Quality Pediatric Dentistry in Phoenix, AZ

Contact Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry to learn more about keeping your toddler’s breath clean and fresh. Our team is proud to offer quality preventive and restorative services to keep your child’s oral health in tip-top shape. We are all about maintaining our young patients’ long-term healthy smiles. Call us and schedule your child’s appointment today!

Do
Cavities in Baby Teeth Really Need Fillings?

Your trusted team at Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry is proud to offer quality preventive services for long-term healthy smiles. If, however, your child develops a cavity, we may recommend a dental filling. Some parents wonder if cavities in baby teeth really need treatment. After all, those tiny chompers will eventually fall out!

How Do Cavities Develop?

Cavities are caused by tooth decay, which results from the erosion and breakdown of the tooth’s hard, protective surface known as the enamel. It all starts with dental plaque, a clear and sticky film that coats your little one’s teeth. It forms when your sugars and starches are left sitting in your child’s mouth, which provides an abundant food source for bacteria to feast on and form plaque. The acids in plaque attack the outer enamel, eroding it and causing tiny holes, which is the first stage of cavities. Soon after, the bacteria and acids reach the next layer called the dentin, which is softer than tooth enamel and less resistant to acid attacks. If left untreated, the decay will continue to progress deep into the tooth and eventually reach the pulp containing the nerves and blood vessels. That can cause a considerable amount of pain and discomfort.

Why Are Dental Fillings Necessary?

As your child’s baby teeth grow and develop, it’s important to keep them healthy while waiting for the permanent ones to come in. Primary teeth play a significant role in speech development. They also help your child chew properly, which contributes to the healthy development of the tongue and jaw muscles.

Losing a tooth prematurely is detrimental to your child’s oral health. The surrounding teeth may start shifting into the gap, which results in crooked permanent teeth or a crowded mouth that will likely require orthodontic treatment down the road. Moreover, those pearly whites help maintain the needed space for the adult teeth that will eventually come in. Restoring a child’s decayed tooth using dental fillings prevents complications, infections, and a host of oral health problems down the road.

Does My Child Need a Tooth Filling?

Your child will need a dental filling to repair a cavity. Some cavities are visible and may cause a toothache, while others are less easily detectable. That is why we recommend visiting Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry twice a year for your child’s routine dental exams and cleanings. That allows us to diagnose tooth decay early on, where it is most easy to treat.

Types of Dental Fillings for Children

The most common types of restorations used to repair cavities are amalgam (silver) and tooth-colored fillings. Tooth-colored fillings, made of a resin material, offer an aesthetic solution when addressing cavities in the front teeth because they look natural and blend in seamlessly with your child’s smile.

What Is the Dental Filling Procedure?

The procedure involves administering a local anesthetic to numb the area and dental sedation, if needed, before removing the decayed parts of the tooth and filling the cavity with the filling material. We, at Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, are committed to providing our young patients with a positive, stress-free experience.

Dental Fillings in Phoenix, AZ

Contact Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry to learn more about keeping your child’s teeth healthy and sound. We are proud to offer quality preventive and restorative services to prevent or promptly address tooth decay. You can always trust our team for outstanding, gentle care at our kid-friendly facility. Call us and schedule your child’s appointment today!

Should
My Child Use a Mouthguard During Sports?

Have you been wondering how to protect your young athlete’s teeth? We, at Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, recommend that all children wear mouthguards if they are engaged in any sports activity that involves contact with other players or hard surfaces. With more than five million Americans losing their teeth every year due to sports-related injury, taking this necessary precaution will prevent potential damage to your child’s smile.

Common Sports-Related Dental Injuries

The most common sports-related injuries include knocked out, dislodged, cracked teeth, or fractured roots. A blow to the face can, at times, result in tooth intrusion, which refers to a tooth driven back into the jawbone. According to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, children without mouthguards during sports activities are approximately 60 times more likely to sustain injuries, potentially causing long-term dental problems. 

What Are Sports Mouthguards?

Sports mouthguards are oral appliances young athletes use to protect their teeth from injury due to blows to the face by absorbing the force of sudden impact. They can also prevent accidental biting of the tongue or soft tissues. A blow can cause significant damage to braces and other orthodontic appliances, so it’s essential to use a mouthguard. When worn correctly, these appliances can significantly reduce the risk of damage to the teeth and gums.

What Are the Types of Mouthguards?

There are different types of sports mouthguards available for purchase at sporting goods or department stores, including “stock” and “boil and bite.” However, these appliances rarely fit well, and most do not provide adequate protection. The best mouthguards are those we custom create for your child. At Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, we offer quality sports mouthguards, designed by our outstanding team for a perfect fit and the most reliable protection.

What Is the Process of Fitting Your Child with a Custom Mouthguard?

Preparing a sports mouthguard involves taking impressions of your child’s teeth and mouth, from which we will create the appliance. We will ensure a snug and comfortable fit to provide the best protection for your child’s teeth, jaws, and gums.

Caring for Mouthguards

Have your child rinse the sports mouthguard before and after each use. Regularly clean it with fresh, soapy water, then rinse it thoroughly before storing it or placing it back in the mouth. When not in use, keep the mouthguard in a hard perforated container to keep it safe, dry, and prevent bacteria growth.

Avoid exposing the mouthguard to high temperatures to prevent any distortion or damage. Check its fit frequently and be on the lookout for wear and tear, which would mean the appliance may need replacement. Bring the mouthguard with you during routine exams and cleanings for an evaluation, to ensure it continues to provide your child with the best protection.

Quality Sports Mouthguards in Phoenix, AZ

Visit Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry to learn more about protecting your young athlete’s oral health with custom-made sports mouthguards. We are all about prevention for healthy, happy smiles. We look forward to caring for your child’s dental needs. Call us and schedule your 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!

How
Can I Keep My Child from Wanting to Eat Toothpaste?

While brushing with toothpaste is essential for keeping your child’s teeth clean and free from cavities, it is important to avoid swallowing it. Ingesting fluoride toothpaste in a small amount is generally considered to be safe. However, large amounts can damage your child’s permanent teeth, as well as causing stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and other health problems.

Here are some tips to help you keep your child from eating toothpaste:

Apply the Right Amount of Toothpaste

The best way you can prevent your child from ingesting too much toothpaste is by applying the right amount to the toothbrush yourself. The CDC recommends not using fluoride toothpaste for children under the age of 2. Children between the ages of 2 and 3 should use a smear of toothpaste no larger than a grain of rice, while children ages 3 to 6 should use a pea-sized amount. Make sure you keep the toothpaste container out of reach of your child at all times.

Practice Spitting

Children need to learn how to spit out their toothpaste, and you need to teach your little one. You can start by going outside and practicing spitting out water. Demonstrate how to do it and offer praise when your child does it right. Turning brushing time into target practice is also a fun way to encourage spitting out the toothpaste. You can use the middle of the drain as the target, or you can place a colorful plastic ring at the bottom of the sink. If your child continues to need encouragement, you may want to offer incentives or tangible rewards when your child spits out the toothpaste.

Switch Your Child’s Toothpaste

If your child continues to struggle with spitting, make sure to use toothpaste without fluoride. You may want to switch to a stronger, mint-flavored toothpaste, rather than one with bubble gum or fruity flavor to discourage eating toothpaste. Be careful, though, because you don’t want to turn your child off brushing altogether.

Model Good Brushing Habits

Children love mimicking their parents, so modeling the desired behavior is an excellent way to reinforce proper brushing. Brush your teeth alongside your child, and encourage brushing for at least two minutes, holding the brush correctly, brushing the tongue, and spitting out the toothpaste when done.

Monitor Your Child When Tooth Brushing

Children, especially those who eat toothpaste when brushing, need constant monitoring. Turning away for a moment provides an opportunity for your child to experiment with and swallow the toothpaste, so make sure not to leave your child unattended while brushing.

When to Seek Emergency Help

Should your child ingest a large amount of toothpaste, call poison control immediately. To prevent emergencies altogether, be there with your child while brushing and keep the toothpaste tube out of reach.

Quality Pediatric Dental Care in Phoenix, AZ

Contact Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry to learn more about caring for your child’s teeth to ensure healthy, happy smiles. Our exceptional team is committed to delivering quality, gentle care in a kid-friendly, relaxing environment. Call us and schedule your appointment today!

How
Do You Treat Dry Mouth in Children?

Dry mouth is a condition that typically affects adults, especially the elderly. However, even children can develop this condition. Dry mouth can jeopardize your child’s oral health, nutrition, and development, and may, at times, require intervention from your trusted team at Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry. We are all about keeping your child’s smile healthy and sound.

Symptoms of Dry Mouth

Dry mouth, also called xerostomia, is characterized by low saliva production. If left untreated, dry mouth can cause a host of dental problems. The most apparent symptom of dry mouth is constant thirst. Symptoms also include painful skin chaps and cracks along the mouth and dry and irritated gums. Saliva prevents acids and bacteria from destroying tooth enamel, so when there is not enough of it, your child may experience increased tooth decay, plaque deposits, and gum disease. You may also notice problems with eating, drinking, swallowing, and talking.

Most of the above symptoms can occur from time to time, and should not be cause for alarm. However, if the symptoms persist, contact Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry for evaluation.

Common Causes Of Dry Mouth

Dry mouth may be as simple as the result of dehydration or from a long night’s sleep, which can be resolved by drinking some water. In some cases, it can result from normal growth and development. Children may experience temporary bouts of dry mouth but tend to grow out of it quickly.

Dry mouth is often a side effect of medications your child takes. It can also be caused by radiation therapy, or from medical conditions such as an autoimmune disorder known as Sjögren’s syndrome, which can attack the salivary glands, leading to dry mouth.

Treating Dry Mouth in Children

Whether temporary or long-term, some practices and treatments help alleviate the symptoms of dry mouth in children. The most important thing you can do is to ensure your child stays hydrated by drinking more water. The more hydrated one is, the easier it is to create saliva. Better yet, water helps moisten the mouth, which eases discomfort and makes it easier to eat, drink, and talk. If your child has trouble swallowing, using a straw can help ensure adequate fluid intake.

Chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free hard candies encourage saliva production, providing relief from dry mouth. Avoid sugary drinks, sodas, or caffeine, which all dry out your child’s mouth further. Moreover, sodas, even diet ones, contain high levels of acid, which can damage your child’s already dry and vulnerable teeth. Make sure your child maintains good oral hygiene practices. Brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash helps remove harmful bacteria and debris left sitting due to the lack of saliva.

Professional Dry Mouth Care

One of the most effective ways to find the right dry mouth treatments is to schedule a visit at Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry in Phoenix, AZ. We will determine the underlying causes of your child’s condition and will recommend treatment options to help relieve the symptoms of dry mouth. By addressing symptoms right away, you’ll be giving your child the best chance to prevent long-term oral health complications. If your kid’s dry mouth has been a persistent issue, make sure to contact us immediately.

How
Milk May Help Reduce Tooth Decay Caused by Sugary Foods

We all know that drinking milk is excellent for growing bones and teeth, but did you know that drinking milk after consuming sugary foods can reduce the damage sugar can do to teeth? While it’s always a good idea to limit children’s sugar intake, you can always count on milk and dairy products to help keep their teeth in tip-top shape!

How Does Sugar Cause Decay?

Sugar itself isn’t the reason kids develop tooth decay. What it does is create an environment that allows bacteria to flourish. When your child consumes sugary foods or beverages, harmful bacteria in the plaque on the teeth break down the sugars and produce acids. These acids attack the outer surfaces of the teeth called the enamel, which results in tooth decay and cavities. If left untreated, the damage can progress deeper into the tooth, all the way to the nerves, causing pain and potentially resulting in tooth loss.

How Dairy Helps Fight Decay

Drinking milk and consuming dairy products may be beneficial due to containing high levels of calcium, as well as phosphorus and proteins called caseins. When combined, these elements strengthen and form a protective film on the tooth enamel, which helps prevent decay caused by bacterial acid erosion. Calcium and phosphorus can also help reverse some of the damage already done to tooth enamel.

A study examined whether drinking water, apple juice, or milk or doing nothing after eating sugary cereal would affect the acidity of the dental plaque. Drinking milk was found to be the most beneficial in helping lower acidity, followed by water, eating cereal only, and lastly by drinking apple juice.

The American Dental Association (ADA) emphasizes that the order in which foods and milk products are consumed can also make a difference to one’s dental health. That is because drinking milk after consuming sugary foods can lower the acidic levels in the mouth. So it’s best not have milk with dessert, but to wash it down with milk when done. It is also better to consume sugary treats as part of the main meal rather than as a stand-alone snack. The reason is that the frequency of exposure of teeth to acids is just as critical as the quantity of sugar consumed.

Diet and Oral Health

It’s tough to eliminate sugary treats and beverages altogether when you have kids at home. Consider stocking up on more milk and less juice and sodas. Even chocolate milk is a healthy snack, so if kids have to have something sugary, make sure they still get oral and overall health benefits.

Oral Hygiene for Healthy Teeth

While milk and dairy products help make your kid’s teeth more resistant to decay, incorporating a proper oral hygiene routine is key to preventing dental disease. Make sure they brush at least twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste and floss daily to clean where the toothbrush can’t reach. Don’t forget to schedule dental checkups and professional cleanings twice a year.

Quality Pediatric Dental Care in Phoenix Arizona

Contact Jet Set Smiles Pediatric Dentistry to learn more about keeping your child’s teeth healthy and sound. Our exceptional, child-friendly team is committed to delivering quality, gentle care in a relaxing environment. We look forward to caring for your child’s dental needs. Call us today!