Perinatal Oral Health

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that all pregnant women receive oral healthcare and counseling during pregnancy. Research has shown evidence that periodontal disease can increase the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight. Talk to your doctor or dentist about ways you can prevent periodontal disease during pregnancy.

Additionally, mothers with poor oral health may be at a greater risk of passing the bacteria which causes cavities to their young children. Mother's should follow these simple steps to decrease the risk of spreading cavity-causing bacteria:

• Visit your dentist regularly.
• Brush and floss on a daily basis to reduce bacterial plaque.
• Proper diet, with the reduction of beverages and foods high in sugar & starch.
• Use a fluoridated toothpaste recommended by the ADA and rinse every night with an alocohol-free, over-the-counter mouth rinse with .05 % sodium fluoride in order to reduce plaque levels.
• Don't share utensils, cups or food which can cause the transmission of cavity-causing bacteria to your children.
• Use of xylitol chewing gum (4 pieces per day by the mother) can decrease a child’s caries rate.

Colorado Children's Dental Center
Keeping Kids Teeth on the Healthy Track!
Serving the Parker, Aurora, Highlands Ranch and Centennial Community! 

The Truth About Gummy Vitamins! 

There are good and bad associated with gummy vitamins.

1st comes the good news:

• Kids tend to take the vitamin more easily, making it an easier choice.

• Kids can chew easily, which helps prevent the potential of becoming a choking hazard.

• They provide added nutrition for those lacking in vitamins such as, the “picky” eater.

2nd comes the bad news:

• Risk of overdose, since children like the taste and they look like candy, children can take too much and overdose.

• Although they contain little sugar, bacteria feeds on any sugar consumed and will increase risk of cavities. They are also sticky which means they will stick to the tooth enamel and this will also increase the risk.

• Gummy vitamins are less effective than chewable vitamins and vitamins taken in pill form.

What can you do to minimize the risks of chewable vitamins?  

You can switch to other types of vitamins (some forms still contain sugar, but they are not adding the sticky component). Please still brush after any food, candy or vitamin to minimize risk to teeth.
Please Brush after taking gummy vitamin to remove any sticky particles left behind. It may be a good idea to floss as well, gummy vitamins can become lodged between teeth which can increase plaque and bacteria causing tooth decay.

If you have any questions on gummy vitamins or any other dental related topic, please ask your dental team.

Colorado Children's Dental Center
Keeping Kids Teeth on the Healthy Track!
Serving the Parker, Aurora, Highlands Ranch and Centennial Community! 

 

How to Store Your Toothbrush! 

Tooth brushing plays an important everyday role for personal oral hygiene and effective plaque removal. Appropriate toothbrush care and maintenance are also important considerations for sound oral hygiene. The ADA recommends that consumers replace toothbrushes approximately every 3–4 months or sooner if the bristles become frayed with use.
 Storing Your Toothbrush Properly 
 

1. Do not store your toothbrush in a closed container at home. It needs to air dry during the day.
2. Store your toothbrush upright. 
3. Store your toothbrush at least 2 feet (0.61 m) from the toilet.
4. Clean your toothbrush holder once a week.
5. Rinse toothbrush thoroughly before storing.
6. Do not let toothbrushes come into contact with one another.
7. Do not share toothbrushes.
8. Replace toothbrush after illness to prevent cross contamination.

 

​Replace toothbrushes at least every 3–4 months. The bristles become frayed and worn with daily use and the effectiveness will be reduced. Toothbrushes will wear out more rapidly depending on habits associated to each patient. Check brushes often for this type of wear and replace them more frequently if needed. Children’s toothbrushes often need replacing more frequently than adult brushes.

You can google “toothbrush storage” for some fun ways to store your toothbrush. Storage of your toothbrush can be fun and stylish.

Colorado Children's Dental Center
Keeping Kids Teeth on the Healthy Track!
Serving the Parker, Aurora, Highlands Ranch and Centennial Community! 

How To Keep Those Chompers Straight!

Wear your retainer faithfully. Your orthodontist will give you specific instructions on how to wear your retainer, the length of time, care instructions and more at the removal appointment. Teeth will tend to gravitate to original alignment, wearing your retainer will keep them in position.

​The top reasons people do not wear retainers are:

• They lose their retainer
• The retainer breaks
• The retainer gets old

• They haven’t worn it in a while and can’t get it into place anymore-this happens quickly (even a couple of nights without retainer)

• It wears out over time and doesn’t hold their teeth in the right place

If any of the above problems arise, please visit your orthodontist or dentist ASAP. A new retainer could be made to keep teeth from shifting any further. Who wants to go through another round of orthodontics??

If you think that a night or two without the retainer is not going to affect the teeth—think again. The retainer may not fit even after a couple of nights without wearing. If this happens, again please call your orthodontist and do not procrastinate.

If any questions arise, please call your dentist! 

Colorado Children's Dental Center
Keeping Kids Teeth on the Healthy Track!
Serving the Parker, Aurora, Highlands Ranch and Centennial community! 

Flossing!

If your child’s teeth are touching (meaning no gaps in between their teeth), then yes, you should be flossing. Flossing helps remove food debris, eliminates cavity-causing plaque, and helps protect gums from gingivitis and gum disease. We recommend trying both the hand-held flossers with the little plastic handles and traditional floss to see what works best in your hands.

Check us out at our new Parker location opening November 2019! 
Colorado Children's Dental Center
www.ccdcsmiles.com
Keeping Kids Teeth on the Healthy Track in Parker, Centennial, Aurora, Highlands Ranch and more!