What Should I Do If My Toddler Has Bad Breath?

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Toddlers usually have healthy teeth and fresh breath. However, bad breath is caused by many things, not just poor oral health. Knowing what causes bad breath and what you can do to help your toddler maintain healthy teeth and gums is important.

The dentist in Medina, OH, is happy to help you as you take care of your toddler’s teeth. Here’s what you need to know.

What Does Bad Breath Mean?

Bad breath is caused by many things, including:

  • Eating certain foods: Some foods, like onions and garlic, get into the bloodstream and cause bad breath long after eating.
  • Infections: If your toddler has poor oral hygiene, they can get an infection in their gums or teeth that can cause bad breath.
  • Cavities: A cavity is a spot of tooth decay that can cause bad breath and pain for your toddler.

Some toddlers have dental infections and poor oral hygiene because they fall asleep at night drinking a bottle. When the sugary drink stays on their teeth while they sleep, this causes the correct conditions for bacteria to thrive and cavities to form.

What Should You Do About Your Toddler’s Bad Breath?

Your toddler needs to have their teeth brushed twice daily, just like adults. Brush your toddler’s teeth when they wake up in the morning and before they go to bed at night.

When Should Your Toddler See a Dentist?

Bring your child to see the dentist for the first time by the time they turn one year old. You can take your child to the dentist even if they don’t have teeth yet, as the dentist will take the opportunity to determine whether any problems are causing your child’s teeth to not grow.

Is your child ready for their first pediatric dental check-up in Medina, OH? If so, call today to make their appointment. If you’ve noticed your child has bad breath, be sure to bring it up with the dentist during the appointment.

Are Dental Appointments Necessary for Babies? 

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Your child’s teeth start out healthy, but it takes good oral hygiene habits to keep them that way. Working with your child’s dentist in Medina, OH, can help your child maintain healthy teeth and gums. Knowing when to bring your child to the dentist for the first time is important. In this article, we’ll go over what you need to know.

When To Bring Your Child to the Dentist

Dental experts recommend bringing your child to the dentist within six months of the first tooth appearing, or by the time they turn one year old. This first dental appointment is an important milestone in your child’s dental health. This appointment helps set your child up for healthy teeth and gums throughout childhood.

What to Expect During Your Child’s First Dental Appointment

If your child is one year old during their first dental appointment, the dentist will likely ask you to be present in the room and hold your baby on your lap. The dentist will look in your child’s mouth and inspect their teeth and gums. The dentist will probably clean your child’s tooth or teeth, and show you how to do the same.

If you have questions about taking care of your child’s teeth, the dentist will answer your questions. The dentist will also give you advice to help you take care of your baby’s teeth.

Why Bring Your Child to the Dentist So Young?

There are many benefits of taking your child to the dentist when they are just one year old.

  • Taking your child to the dentist from one year old shows your child that dental care is a normal part of life.
  • At the dental appointment, your dentist will teach you what you can do to take care of your child’s teeth.
  • The dentist may identify problems in their early stages, when they are easier to correct.

Should I Bring My Child Even If They Don’t Have Teeth?

If your child is one year old and doesn’t yet have teeth, it’s still a good time to have their first pediatric dentistry examination in Medina, OH. Have questions? Call today.

4 Tips to Take Care Of Your Little One’s Teeth

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Something in order to fall asleep, consider giving them a pacifier instead. Talk to the doctor to be sure that a pacifier is safe for your baby to have while falling asleep.

Tips to Take Care Of Your Little One’s Teeth

Your little one’s beautiful white teeth have just begun to grow in. Now that you’re a parent, it’s important to take care of their teeth and help them avoid cavities. The dentist in Medina, OH, can help you with this. By maintaining healthy habits at home and taking your child to the dentist regularly, you can help your baby or toddler maintain healthy teeth and gums.

1. Brush Your Child’s Teeth Yourself

Most children are unable to properly brush their teeth until they turn about 7 years old. If you have a toddler or a very young grade school child, then you can help them avoid cavities by doing their toothbrushing for them. As your child gets older, they may want to brush their teeth on their own. Let them practice as they wish, but continue to brush their teeth for them until they’re old enough to brush their teeth properly.

Start brushing your child’s teeth from the time their first tooth erupts. Brushing just one tooth may seem a little silly, but this is the best way to ensure that your child develops good toothbrushing habits. It’s also important for your little one to get used to having their teeth brushed.

2. Take Them to the Dentist

Your child should start visiting the dentist when they’re around one year old. Even if they don’t have any teeth by the time they turn one, it’s still a good idea to bring them to the dentist to ensure there’s nothing going wrong with their teeth. Once your child’s first tooth appears, bring them to the dentist within six months for a checkup.

3. Avoid Bottles In Bed

Some babies drink bottles to fall asleep. This can lead to cavities. If your baby must suck on

When your baby starts eating foods, avoid giving them foods high in sugar. Avoid sugary juice and soda.

Is it time for your child’s first dental cleaning in Medina, OH? Call today to make an appointment.

How Well Is Your Child Really Brushing?  

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If you’re concerned about your child’s brushing habits, it may be because you’ve noticed them rush through the process. The more their breath still resembles the scents of their last dinner or snack, the more attention you need to pay. We’ll look at how to tell whether your child is brushing the way they should and what you can do to help them along.

Do a Quick Visual

You can see if there are food particles still stuck on their teeth or between their teeth. While a somewhat rudimentary test, it can tell you a lot about how your child is brushing. Plaque is a different matter, as it’s not as easy to see. If your child has very heavy plaque, it will look like a white deposit on their teeth, but hopefully the buildup isn’t getting that far before you notice.

If you’re concerned about plaque between dental exams in Medina, OH, consider how over-the-counter tablets from the pharmacy can help you and your child check their progress. Known as disclosing tablets, these dissolvable solutions will quickly turn all the plaque purple, which will show everyone which areas to go back and brush again.

How to Help Your Child Brush

There is no perfect way to help your child brush, as standing over them may have an adverse effect. While some dentists recommend keeping a watchful eye up until they reach double digits or so, it all ultimately depends on how your child reacts to supervision. If they’re more willful about doing it on their own, it may make more sense to reason with them. If they’re more open to help, consider brushing for them if and when they miss anything. This way, they can get a better sense of how to scrub on their own.

Finding a Family Dentist in Medina, OH

The right family dentist in Medina, OH can tell you a lot about your child’s oral health habits, enough that they can help instill the best practices when they’re young. This skill is truly the gift that keeps on giving, as good oral hygiene can be the key to avoiding anything from root canals to tooth extractions in the future. Contact Evanko Dental Group of Medina to schedule an appointment today.

 

3 Tips to Help Your Child Maintain Healthy Teeth Throughout the School Year

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During the school year, keeping your child’s teeth healthy can be tough. After all, your child is not even in your presence for much of the school day. How can you help them keep their teeth clean?

As your dentist in Medina, OH, we’re here to help you help your child take care of their teeth. By giving your child the tools and information they need to maintain healthy teeth and gums, you can avoid problems like cavities. Here’s what you should know.

1. Send your child with healthy snacks and lunches.

Make it easier for your child to take care of their teeth by sending them with healthy snacks and lunches for their school day. Low-sugar snacks are best. For example, pita and hummus, celery or carrots, and ranch dressing are all examples of foods that are relatively healthy and low in sugar. Celery and carrots, in particular, are good for your child’s teeth because they have a crunch that helps clean your child’s teeth while they eat.

2. Monitor their tooth brushing habits.

Many children lack the coordination to brush their teeth properly. Until they’re about 8 or 9 years old, many children need to have their teeth cleaned by adults. Once they’re old enough to clean their own teeth, they still need their tooth-brushing habits monitored to ensure they’re brushing their teeth.

Pay attention to your child’s nightly routine, especially if they have a lot of homework that keeps them busy. Don’t let them forget to brush their teeth, and if they need help with the teeth brushing, offer to do it for them.

3. Make a dental appointment with your child’s dentist.

Don’t forget that your child needs to see the dentist on a regular basis to keep their teeth clean and healthy. Once the school year starts, you’ll need to make an appointment that won’t conflict with your child’s school schedule or after-school activities schedule. Work with your dentist’s office to find the best appointment for your child.

If your child shows signs of a dental problem, it may be time for a dental exam and cleaning in Medina OH. Call Evanko Dental Group of Medina to make an appointment today.

4 Reasons to Take Your Baby to See the Dentist

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Did you know that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that you take your baby to see the dentist by the time they’re one year old? Taking your baby to the dentist is good for your baby’s oral hygiene, even if they only have one tooth. Below are four reasons that you should be bringing your baby to the pediatric dentist in Medina, OH.

1. Catch Dental Problems Early

Starting from your baby’s first visit, the dentist will check your baby for dental problems. This enables your baby’s dentist to catch dental problems early and recommend treatment as needed.

Catching problems in their early stages can help prevent those problems from making bigger problems later on. This can save you time and money, and may save your baby from pain or discomfort that could come from advanced dental problems in a few years.

2. Help Your Child Adjust to Dentist

Some children are uncomfortable at the dentist office, others accept it easily. Bringing your child to the dentist from a young age helps your child adjust to the routine of going to the dentist. The more your child sits in the dentist chair and experiences dental exams, the easier it is for your child to go back. By the time your child is 4 or 5 years old, they should be a pro!

3. Establish Good Oral Hygiene Habits

Seeing the dentist regularly for teeth cleaning in Medina, OH is a part of a good oral hygiene routine. By taking your child to the dentist from the time they’re a baby, you’re helping your child to establish good oral hygiene habits.

4. Find Out More About Caring For Your Baby’s Teeth

Until your child is old enough to brush their own teeth, you’ll be responsible for your child’s at home dental care. At the dentist office, your child’s dentist will help you with this. The dentist will show you how to brush your baby’s teeth (or tooth).

If your baby has their first tooth, or if they’re one year old, then it’s time to make your baby’s first appointment with the dentist. Contact Evanko Dental Group of Medina to make an appointment.

Your Child Is Afraid of the Dentist? What You Can Do

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Lots of kids have feelings of trepidation about visiting the dentist. Some children feel this way because they’ve picked up on fears from their friends. Other kids are just shy.

If your child has some fears about going to see the dentist, you can take action to make visiting the dentist in Medina, OH a more positive experience. By helping your child to develop a more positive view of the dentist, you can help set up your little one to have good oral hygiene into adulthood. Here’s what you can do to make a difference.

Talk Positively About the Dentist

Your child will take notice of the way you talk about the dentist. If you say good things about the dentist, then your child will have more positive associations with the dentist. Say good things about your visits to the dentist – both before and after. Make a point of saying these things in front of your child to ensure they hear you.

Play “Dentist”

Children often work through their fears by playing out stressful experiences. You can show that visiting the dentist is a good experience by playing “dentist office” with your child.

Pretend to be the dentist, and have your child be the patient. Show your child the way the dentist will look at their mouth and compliment their teeth. If your child wants to take a turn being a dentist, let them!

Read Books About the Dentist

There are many children’s books about the dentist that show what the experience is like. Reading your child books before taking them to the dentist will help them feel like they know what to expect.

Find a Dentist With Pediatric Experience

When the time comes to make a dental checkup appointment in Medina OH, make an appointment with a dentist who has pediatric experience. Finding a good pediatric dentist will help ensure a good experience.

Pediatric dentists know how to help kids feel comfortable and often have special equipment and even toys that can make the experience better for your child. Not sure which dentists are best?

Call around to the dentists in your area to ask questions about how they handle pediatric patients. Calling around to dentists can help you find a professional that you’re comfortable with.

Is Sedation Dentistry Safe For Children?

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Sedation dentistry, or “sleep dentistry,” as it is sometimes called, is popular for use with adult dental patients. But since children need dental services, too, many parents ask your Medina, OH dentist if sedation dentistry is safe for children. The short answer is, yes. But there’s a lot to know about sedation dentistry for children in Medina, OH.

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry is the practice of sedating a dental patient before a dental treatment. Sedation dentistry means that the dentist can work on the patient without the patient experiencing anxiety and nervousness during the treatment. This makes the treatment go more smoothly and sometimes more quickly, since the dentist doesn’t need to stop and soothe the patient’s fears.

How Sedation Dentistry Differs From Anesthesia

The anesthesia used for surgeries is different than the sedative used in sedation dentistry. Surgical anesthesia typically renders a patient unconscious. Sedation dentistry simply renders the patient relaxed. With surgical anesthesia, the patient is usually unaware of what is happening. With sedation dentistry, the patient may be aware of what is happening, but they don’t care so much. It might be compared to a feeling of total relaxation, similar to how you feel just as you are about to go to sleep at night. You feel very drowsy and relaxed, but you’re still awake. That’s how sedation dentistry in Medina, OH feels.

Why Would a Child Need Sedation Dentistry in Medina?

Sedation dentistry might be right for your child if:

  • They have severe anxiety about visiting the dentist
  • They need to have drilling or another invasive treatment
  • They are very fidgety or hyperactive
  • They need multiple visits to complete a treatment

Is Sedation Dentistry Safe For Children?

Sedation dentistry is safe for children. If your child needs any kind of treatment that makes them feel nervous, sedation dentistry is a good option to consider. In fact, depending upon the level of anxiety that your child may feel around dental visits, sedation dentistry can make the visit easier and faster. Sedation dentistry in Medina, OH is available for your child. Ask your dentist for details.

Your Medina, OH dentist will be able to talk to you so you can decide together if sedation dentistry is right for your child. Contact us today for more details about how sedation dentistry works for children.

5 Child-Friendly Products to Encourage Good Oral Hygiene At Home

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Research tells us that children are more prone to cavities than adults. As much as 42 percent of kids between the ages of 2 and 11 have cavities, and some children are at a greater risk than others. One way to help your child prevent cavities and oral health problems is to get serious about their oral hygiene habits at home. Thankfully, there’s a brand-new world of ever-evolving, sometimes tech-savvy, products to help kids take better care of their teeth.

1. Children’s Electric Toothbrush

Electric toothbrushes really do take the effort out of brushing, and there are so many available now that are geared toward kids. These kid-friendly toothbrushes can have all kinds of fun functions, such as an integrated timer, interchangeable character handles, and more.

2. Musical Toothbrushes

You may normally stand with an eye on your watch to time those two minutes of brushing time carefully, but what if a toothbrush could do this for you and for your child. You can now find musical toothbrushes that will play a two-minute song with the push of a button, so your child knows exactly when they should stop brushing.

3. Color-Changing Mouthwash

Swish-swish, gargle, and spit—but imagine a kid-friendly mouthwash that tinted dirty spots on the teeth a funky color like pink or blue. This is exactly what color-changing mouthwash can do, and kids absolutely love it. As an added advantage, these mouthwashes can come in fun flavors.

4. Fun-Flavored Toothpaste

Some kids refuse to brush because they despise the flavor of toothpaste. These days, you can find every flavor imaginable, from bubble gum to berry. Experiment with some of the many flavors of child-geared toothpaste out there until you find one your youngster won’t mind.

5. Kids’ Character Flossers

Even adults can dread flossing their teeth, even though it is such a small chore. You can take the hum-drum out of daily flossing with kids by investing in some adorable character flosses. These pre-threaded flossers usually have larger handles (easier to grasp with small hands) that are decked out with fun characters.

Let’s Work Together for Good Oral Health for Your Child

At the Evanko Dental Group of Medina, we care just as much about healthy smiles for kids as concerned parents. Reach out to us today to schedule an appointment for your child. We will build a comprehensive care plan with your help to ensure that precious smile is as perfect as it should be.