Category: Children’s Dentistry

Summer is here and we know the hot weather will keep you thirsty, but before you head to the cooler, you may want to rethink what ice cold drink you are reaching for! Did you know?? The sugar from the drinks you choose mixes with the bacteria in your mouth to form acid. Sugar free drinks often have acid added to them in the form of phosphoric acid, citric acid, malic acid, and many others. The acid from these drinks attacks your teeth for up to 20 minutes for each sip you take, weakening your tooth enamel in the process! Read More →

There can be A LOT of questions when it comes to a child’s teeth. Are they coming in right? Are they too crowded? Why did my child’s tooth turn gray? These can be difficult to understand without an exam with a dentist, but we asked our hygienist, Erin, to give us an idea of some of the more common issues with children’s teeth. Here is what she had to say:   Trauma/Tooth Discoloration: If a trauma has occurred, such as a fall or being hit in the mouth with an object, and the child’s front teeth have been hit, the damaged Read More →

You hear awful stories about more tantrums, extra saliva, and a general fussiness while your baby is teething! Unfortunately, we are not able to help you out with the things that seem to come along with teething, but we can help you know when to expect it. Primary teeth, more often referred to as baby teeth, are already developing by the time your baby is born. All teeth will generally erupt before three years of age, beginning with the bottom front teeth (central incisors) between 6 and 10 months old. The upper front teeth are next, coming in at 8-12 Read More →

We know that it is important for professional athletes to wear a mouth guard during sports, but how often do you recognize the need for your child to wear one during their school sports? We asked our hygienist, Valerie, a mother of two boys in hockey to help us understand what options are out there. Mouth guards help to protect not only your teeth but your jaw, cheeks, tongue and lips. Although they are not always required, the American Dental Association recommends wearing a mouth guard for the following sports: Acrobatics Basketball Boxing Field Hockey Football Gymnastics Handball Ice Hockey Read More →

With a growing son of her own, our hygienist, Christina, knows that teething happens. It’s inevitable, and it’s not always fun. The day your little infant’s rubber gums finally pop that new tooth through is exciting! That first day is also stressful, knowing approximately nineteen other pearly whites will soon follow suit. Teething typically begins around 6 months old, although some infants don’t get their first tooth until closer to 12-14 months. A complete set of 20 teeth should be in your child’s mouth around the age of 2.5-3 years old. Many parents complain of the sleepless nights and the increased Read More →

It’s that time of year again – back to school! We know choosing your children’s lunches can be hard so we asked our assistant, Ann, what she does! As a parent of three school aged children that love bringing their own lunch to school, it can be difficult to know what items to pack that are health for both their teeth and their bodies. There are of course many foods to avoid, including:  Sugary foods and drinks such as candy, pop and juice.  Sticky or chewy foods such as raisins, granola bars, caramel, honey, and bananas. Carbohydrates and starches such as cake, cookies, pretzels, chips, saltine Read More →

We all know which foods we to avoid that can be harmful to your teeth, but do you know what foods are healthy for your teeth and why? Samantha, a licensed and certified dental assistant, and administrative assistant at Family Dentist Tree is here to help you out! First up on the list is milk. Yep! Your mom was right! Milk is a great source of calcium which is a key ingredient in strengthening tooth enamel. Cheese is another great source of calcium. It can also aid in neutralizing the acid levels in your mouth and promoting saliva flow, a natural defense against cavities, gum disease, Read More →

Fluoride, what is the purpose of having it and why is it so important? Fluoride is a mineral that is necessary to aid in preventing tooth decay by increasing the tooth’s resistance to acid, bacteria and sugar, especially while permanent teeth are still developing. It is also necessary to aid in remineralization and reversing early tooth decay in both children and adults. Fluoride can be found in many products, but perhaps the most well known is in a foam that is applied at your dentist office. Although fluoride is generally recommended for most patients every six months, patients with dry mouth, gum disease, frequent Read More →

Have you ever noticed after a red popsicle or a blue sucker that your teeth or tongue are stained? There are many foods and beverages we consume each day that can stain our teeth over time. We asked our assistant, Jamie, to list a few below: Although known as healthy beverages, black tea and red wine’s high tannin content (a compound found in plants that reacts with the proteins in your teeth) can stain your teeth even more than coffee! Another healthy item, deep colored fruits (i.e. blueberries, blackberries, cherries, and pomegranates) that have long been used for dyes in many Read More →

                  You’ve heard us recommend them, demonstrate them, and put them on display, but the real question is, should you be using an electric toothbrush? We checked with our hygienists and here is what we found out:  When used properly, electric toothbrushes are able to remove more plaque than a manual toothbrush. The sonic or spinning action that electric toothbrushes provide helps loosen plaque and sweep it away. This can help reduce the risk of gingivitis and may lead to healthier gum tissue. The tooth by tooth cleaning action that electric toothbrushes provide are effective yet gentle with Read More →