How to teach your child good oral hygiene

Teaching healthy habits is much more about what we do than what we say. Children will closely observe their parents’ behavior and other important adults in their lives as they learn and form their own behaviors and habits. In other words, it is important that parents practice what they preach when it comes to maintaining good oral hygiene.

It can be difficult for children to understand the importance of taking good care of their teeth and gums and how it can impact their overall health. Fortunately, there are ways to engage kids using age appropriate activities to help them understand just how vital oral hygiene is. 

Here are a few strategies you may want to try: 

·         Give kids choices. Let them choose their own toothbrush and toothpaste, providing that they’re age appropriate. Before the age of two fluoride-free toothpaste is recommended.  From the age of two on it’s best to use an ADA approved brand containing fluoride. Characters on toothbrushes or a superhero on the tube of toothpaste might encourage them to stick to their brushing routine.

·         Show them how it’s done. Let them see you brush your teeth in the morning and evening. If the message is not resonating consider showing them some fun YouTube videos. Watching what a peer is doing is often more relatable and considered a lot “cooler” than mom or dad!

·         Invest in technology. If the novelty of a manual toothbrush wears off, consider purchasing an electric toothbrush. If you have more than one child, you can save money by purchasing one and then buying individual heads for each child. Turn brushing into fun-time using this new “toy” to do the job. For younger kids consider a less expensive option—adding a fun faucet fountain like a whale or dolphin to make it more entertaining.

·        Turn tooth brushing time into story time. If you are creative you can make up a story where all the bad guys have brown, ugly teeth. Otherwise, there are a number of great books to read aloud, like Open Wide by Laurie Keller or The Tooth Book by Dr. Seuss.

There are many factors that help children learn how to take good care of their teeth and maintain a healthy smile. Beyond modeling good habits, the other most important thing a parent can do is book regular checkups and limit sugar intake. If a dental emergency should occur, contact your dentist immediately.

Tips for Managing a Toothache

It's something you might have had the misfortune of experiencing before: You're eating something hot or cold and you notice your teeth feeling more sensitive than usual. Or maybe, perhaps, there's a dull ache that just doesn’t seem to go away when you're chewing. Both of these unpleasant symptoms are the result of a toothache, which develops when the nerve in the root of a tooth is irritated.

Unfortunately, toothaches aren't exactly a once-in-a-blue-moon occurrence. According to The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 92 percent of adults aged 20-64 have experienced tooth decay—the primary cause of toothache—in permanent teeth. This rather alarming statistic attests to the fact that a toothache could affect just about anyone. But don't let that worry you; we have a few valuable pieces of advice to help address signs of pain.

It's important to know a general rule of thumb regarding toothaches: If it lasts longer than one or two days, it's time to see a dentist. In the off chance your toothache is accompanied by trouble with breathing or swallowing, excessive bleeding from the gums, a fever, or a rash, you should see a doctor immediately.

While a visit to the dentist is often the ultimate solution to a toothache (think fillings, pulling teeth, root canals, and antibiotics), here are some self-care tips that could help you in the meantime.

1. Take over-the-counter pain medication, such as Advil or Tylenol, to help alleviate the pain in your teeth and jaw.

2. Avoid eating very hot or cold foods.

3. Try putting clove oil on a cotton ball and rubbing it on the sore tooth, or bite down on the cotton ball. Cloves have special properties that help relieve the pain of toothaches and fight infection.

4. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water.

5. Use an over-the-counter antiseptic. Consult your healthcare provider before using the antiseptic if it contains benzocaine.

6. Apply a cold compress to your cheek (This should only be done if the pain is the result of trauma to the tooth.)

Fortunately, toothaches are largely preventable. By keeping good dental habits, maintaining a healthy diet, using fluoride and of course, making regular visits to your dentist, you don't have to be a part of that 92 percent.

And remember, we are always here to help. Don't be afraid to call us and make an appointment if you have a toothache or any other concern with your teeth.

Sedation Dentistry 101

Dental anxiety is real, and the truth is it’s quite common to feel uncomfortable. The sounds and smells at the dental office often trigger anxiety. Fortunately, it is manageable, and as dental professionals it is our job to make the patient experience as comfortable as possible.

At Artistic Dental we have stunning, enlarged photographs of famous canyons and national parks on our ceilings to help transport our patients to another place, to ease their fears to help them relax. We have headphones for those that wish to block the noise. We also try to address our patients fears by discussing the planned procedure; we find this often helps reduce anxiety and lets patients know what to expect.
When these techniques do not do the trick or when a patient is really struggling, we are able to offer sedation dentistry. Sedation dentistry uses medication to help the patient relax. It is sometimes referred to as “sleep dentistry”, but that’s not completely accurate. Patients are usually awake with the exception of those under general anesthetic.

The levels of sedation used include:

• Minimal sedation: the patient is awake but relaxed

• Moderation sedation, formerly referred to as conscious sedation: the patient may slur their words when speaking and not have much memory of the procedure

•  Deep sedation: the patient is on the edge of consciousness but can still be awakened

• General anesthesia: the patient is completely unconscious. For this level of sedation a dental office will have a dentist anesthesiologist administer the drugs to the patient

The following types of sedation that are used in dentistry include:

• Inhalation sedation – this is the only form of sedation where the patient may be able to drive home afterwards

• Oral sedation – depending on dosage some people can feel groggy enough to sleep throughout the procedure. A pill such as halicon or valium is administered to the patient, but it is imperative that they do not drive or operate machinery for 24 hours following the appointment

• IV sedation – the drug is administered throught the vein, so it goes to work more quickly

• Deep sedation and general anesthesia – the patient will be administered drugs that will make either make them almost unconscious or fully unconscious

Regardless of what type of sedation patients opt for, the patient will typically need a local anesthetic as well, to numb the area the dentist is working on.To learn more about Artistic Dental's amenities and services visit our dental information center on our website or call to schedule a consult with Dr. Dougherty at (602) 840-5400.

How does pregnancy affect your oral health?

Pregnancy presents a unique set of challenges affecting oral health. If you are considering getting pregnant, we highly recommend seeing your dentist for a teeth cleaning and exam in advance. However, if you are already pregnant, the second trimester is the best time to receive routine dental care, but you should wait until after the baby is born to have any major procedures or oral surgeries.

It is important to take good care of your teeth and gums while pregnant as the hormonal changes increase the risk of developing gum disease due to the body’s response to plaque. Pregnancy does not automatically damage your teeth; that is an old wives tale, but there are some common causes of dental health issues that frequently occur during pregnancy:

• Gum problems (gingivitis and/or periodontal disease) 

•  Vomiting

• Cravings for sugary foods and sodas

• Retching while brushing

Practicing good oral hygiene habits is extremely important during pregnancy.

• Continue to brush twice daily and floss

• Eat a well-balanced diet

• Try drinking water infused with fruits, like lemon and strawberry instead of drinking sugary sodas

• Eat foods rich in vitamin C and B12 and increase your calcium intake.

Calcium lowers your risk of osteoporosis and also promotes strong teeth during pregnancy. If you are suffering from morning sickness you may want to carry a toothbrush in your purse as you will need to brush more often to avoid a greater build-up of plaque, but don’t brush immediately. If brushing causes morning sickness, rinse with anti-plaque and fluoride mouthwashes. Also, pay close attention to your gum line and keep it clean.

If you experience a dental emergency during pregnancy consult your dentist and physician to determine the best approach for treatment. Artistic Dental is committed to helping you keep your beautiful smile so you can share it with your baby.

Which Cleans Better: A Manual or Electric Toothbrush?

If you’re in the market for a new toothbrush you may be asking yourself if it’s better to stick with an old-fashioned manual toothbrush or if it’s time to upgrade to an electric one. The American Dental Association states that you can effectively clean your teeth with either, so long as you are using the correct technique. This means the decision really comes down to personal preference.

Before deciding between an electric or manual toothbrush, here are some things to consider:

• Electric toothbrushes can be easier for people who have arthritis or other difficulties moving the brush across their teeth.
• Electric toothbrushes are typically more expensive.
• Some people are more apt to brush their teeth if they’re using an electric toothbrush.
• Some people are bothered by the vibrations from electric toothbrushes.
• Electric toothbrushes typically put less pressure on teeth and gums.
• Manual toothbrushes can be easier to travel with, as they don’t require chargers or batteries.    

Regardless of which type of toothbrush you decide works best for you, make sure you brush twice a day, floss regularly and replace your brush every three months or sooner. If you have had an illness or you see bristles begin to fray and notice they are no longer straight and firm, it’s time to buy a new toothbrush (or replace the brush head on some types of electric toothbrushes). Always make sure you are brushing your teeth and gums properly and thoroughly; if you’re unsure if you’re brushing effectively, consult your dentist during your bi-yearly teeth cleaning.