Healthy Smile Series: 5 ways to protect your child's teeth in their first year

In the first year of life, babies are growing and developing at a rapid pace. One of those things that you will see a dramatic change in is their teeth. So how do you keep those pearly whites healthy while they’re still young? Follow these five guidelines:

Cut Down on Juice  

Juice contains a lot of natural and often added sugars, which can encourage an environment for decay. Avoid giving juice to your child before 6 months of age, and keep it to 4-5 ounces of juice maximum daily.

Watch Out for “Baby Bottle Decay”

Baby bottle decay occurs when sugary, sweet liquids are exposed to a child’s teeth over a prolonged time, causing plaque to build up and ultimately the decaying of the teeth. You can avoid this by avoiding sweet drinks as well as cleaning the teeth or massaging the gums in areas without teeth daily.

Skip the Sticky Snacks

There are some foods out today that are geared towards children that contain sticky gums and fillers. Although tasty, these treats can get stuck around the teeth especially if the teeth are not being properly cleaned regularly, causing decay and long term negative effects. The best answer? Skip these snacks all together and try snacks that clean the teeth instead such as apples.

Encourage Bottle-Free Sleeping

During sleep, saliva production reduces, giving bacteria easier access to your baby’s teeth. Instead of letting your baby fall asleep with a bottle filled with milk or juice in it, fill it with water to reduce the harmful effects of sitting bacteria. However, the best possible solution is of course to eliminate all together your baby falling asleep with a bottle in their mouth.

Schedule Their First Appointment

Schedule your child's first dental appointment between the ages of 2 to 3 unless there is a problem with your child's teeth prior to this age. By this time, he or she typically has multiple teeth which will need preventative care and attention to maintain a healthy mouth as they continue to grow. Plus, your doctor can make sure that there aren’t any other underlying issues that will cause problems for your child in the long run. Bringing your child with you to your appointment prior to this age will help familiarize them with the dental office.

Healthy Smile Series ~ Brilliant uses for toothpaste (other than brushing your teeth)

Toothpaste has many uses. Of course you want to use toothpaste to brush your teeth, and keep them as healthy as possible, so we will begin there. 

1. Tooth brushing 

Of course, you should use toothpaste to brush your teeth to keep your teeth as healthy as possible. There are many other items that can benefit from the abrasives in toothpaste. 

2. Help your car's headlights shine bright. 

Lingering dirt has left your car with hazy headlights, making it difficult for you to see when driving at night. 

The fix? 

Use a paper towel to rub a bit of non-gel toothpaste in small circles on each headlight, then wipe clean with a damp cloth. The gently abrasive paste scrubs away dirt without scratching the plastic.

3. Freshen up plastic water bottles. 

You wash your reusable water bottle daily, but over time it's developed a mildew odor that affects that taste of you water. 

The save? 

Squirt a dime-sized amount of non-gel toothpaste in the bottle and clean with a scrubbing brush, then wash as usual. Toothpaste's cleansing and deodorizing agents nix the smell so you can sip worry-free. 

4. Fog-proof a bathroom mirror. 

On busy morning, who has time to wait around fro the bathroom mirror to defog after a shower? 

Clever time-saver:

Apply a dime size dot of non-gel toothpaste to the mirror. Rub with a soft cloth, then buff clean with a damp cloth. The paste leaves an invisible coat that keeps steam from fogging up the mirror for a month. 

5. Eliminate odors from hands. 

Try washing your hands with non-gel toothpaste. The abrasive paste will scrub away-odor causing molecules and leave behind a minty fresh smell.

6. Restore shine to kitchen chrome. 

To spiffy up your faucet spread toothpaste on the surface. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then buff with a soft cloth. Detergents in the paste polish away soap scum and water marks, they help prevent new marks from clinging to the chrome. 

7. Clean a toilet in seconds. 

You are ready to give the bathroom a scrubbing before company arrives when you realize you are out of toilet bowl cleaner. 

The fix? 

Squeeze a dot of non-gel toothpaste onto the inside of the bowl, then scrub with a toilet brush and flush. Toothpaste polishes the enamel the same way it polishes your teeth. 

8. Lift heat marks from a wood table. 

To erase heat marks mix a dab of non-gel toothpaste with a pinch of baking soda to make a paste. Use your fingers to gently rub the spot until the paste feels warm, then wipe with a damp cloth. The abrasive combination of toothpaste and baking soda will lift the discoloration. 

9. Hang posters without using tacks or push pins. 

Dab non-gel toothpaste on the back corners of your poster and press in to the wall. Toothpaste acts like an adhesive and can be washed away with a damp cloth when the poster is removed. 

10. Fill Nail holes before painting. 

Dab non-gel toothpaste in the hole, pat it in and smooth with a dull knife or putty knife and cover with fresh paint.

11. Erase crayon marks from walls. 

To remove crayon marks from the wall, squirt non-gel toothpaste onto the spots and use a scrub brush to rub the marks away. Micro scrubbers in the paste will quickly erase the crayon residue but will not damage the paint on your walls. 

12. Remove a lipstick stain from clothing. 

Apply a small amount of non-gel, non-whitening toothpaste on the lipstick stain. Vigorously rub the fabric together until the stain starts to disappear, then rinse with water and wash as usual. Detergents in the toothpaste will lift the stain so your clothing will look like new. 

Healthy Smile Series: Dealing with Sensitive teeth

If you suffer with teeth sensitivity from time-to-time or on a daily basis you’re not alone. You’re actually among thousands of people that experience some level of dental sensitivity when they’re eating, drinking, brushing or just simply going about their normal, daily activities. While the causes of this can range from minor lifestyle habits to larger medical issues, there are answers to what might be causing your sensitivity and how you can improve it.

Most Common Causes of Teeth Sensitivity 

There are a variety of factors that could be contributing to your teeth sensitivity. While it is common to find that people experience these symptoms from a variety of these factors, you can usually identify the most likely causes.

• Worn down enamel 
• Exposed tooth root
• Cracked or chipped tooth
• Cavity
• Teeth-whitening products
• Teeth grinding
• Gum disease
• Acidic foods/drinks

Common Ways to Deal With Sensitive Teeth 

• Make sure that you’re caring for your teeth properly by brushing and flossing regularly.
• Use toothpaste meant for sensitive teeth such as Sensodyne to help reduce your sensitivity over time.
• Avoid acidic foods and drinks, such as carbonated drinks, yogurt, alcohol, and citrus fruits.
• Make sure you visit the dentist for routine checkups and cleanings.
• Use fluoridated dental products such as mouth rinses to help reduce sensitivity over time.

Lifestyle decisions and unforeseen medical changes can cause you to experience different levels of sensitivity, but it is something that can be treated and should not keep you from enjoying everyday life. Following these most common ways to help improve your sensitive teeth should provide relief and improve the strength of your teeth and gums over time.