Pediatric Dentistry of Redlands

  There are a variety of flosses that are an option for your child. There are little floss buddies that you can purchase that have a wider grip for your kids to use in order for them to make sure that they are reaching all of their teeth. Flossers are also created by a variety of brands that allow for children to be able to better hold onto the floss. You can also have your children use regular floss when they begin to floss their teeth. It doesn’t matter so much what type of floss, but it does matter how often and the quality of job that they do. When you first floss their teeth, it is easier if you have them knee-to-knee or on your lap. You’ll want to gently glide the floss between their teeth and move in an up and down motion. Be careful not to push to hard, you can easily damage their gums. You also do not want it to be painful for them; otherwise it may become very difficult to get them in the habit. Once they begin to floss their own teeth, yo...

As parents we are constantly faced with a variety of decisions involving our children. While there are many that we can’t help with, when to floss your child’s teeth is an important topic that pediatric dentist, Dr. Cameron Fuller can give you some information about in order to help you make this decision. “Flossing is as important for kids as it is for adults.   As soon as their teeth begin to erupt, food has the ability to stay on the teeth and between teeth. Usually when kids begin to teethe they get a few teeth in at a time. They are typically all on the bottom or the top at first.   Flossing prevents cavities from developing between the teeth, where a toothbrush can’t reach.” “You’ll want to begin flossing their teeth as soon as there are two teeth together. When they enter the big halls of kindergarten, you’ll want them already flossing on their own. You may need to help them floss between their back teeth, as it can be difficult for the...

Why you should change out your child’s toothbrush every three months We’re all busy and your pediatric dentist, Dr. Cameron Fuller understands that as well as anybody. However, it is critical he states, “For you to change out your child’s toothbrush around every three months.” A toothbrushe’s job is difficult and studies show that day after day, two times a day brushing breaks down the bristles after just three months. Without the effectiveness of bristles, the important job of keeping bacteria and decay away from your son’s gums becomes more difficult. As your child moves the toothbrush back and forth in their mouth reaching in all of the crevasses and behind the molars, the bristle’s material begins to break down. You can see that eventually the bristles fall out of the toothbrush from wear or they open up and are no longer tight together. Once a toothbrush no longer has bristles that are close together, it leaves gaps when you are brushing your teeth. Each ...

Teaching the right habits to children can be difficult; there is a thin line between nagging and telling. However, when it comes to teaching your kids about brushing and flossing, this is one habit you’ll want to instill in them when they are young. Even after your six-week-old gets done eating, a soft wash cloth or baby toothbrush can be used. Stores now carry finger toothbrushes for infants. Brushing teeth is a habit that will be developed over time. If you begin this habit when they are just a few weeks old, it’ll be easier for them to carry over as their first teeth erupt. Dr.Fuller believes, “There is nothing as important as teaching them smart and healthy dental habits from a young age.” When your two month old begins to drool and is fussy, it might mean they are beginning to have teeth erupt. Once you see the first tooth pop through the gums you will want to begin to brush his or her teeth.   At first, helping them to complete the tooth brushing process...

All children require dental care at least through routine dental cleanings. However, if you have a child with special needs it may be more difficult for them to sit in the dental chair. They may have a fear of the dentist, or fear of instruments and injections. Unfortunately, some disabilities leave children more susceptible to extreme cases of decay. This is a cause for concern, because children with extreme cases of decay run the risk of other negative consequences, for example, inflammation in the mouth and cavities, left untreated, can lead to abscesses which lead to a higher level of dental care needed. Cavities continue to get worse over time. It is unfortunate but cavities do not have a chance of getting better without treatment. Your child can’t afford to have decay left in their mouth untreated. Pediatric dentist Dr. Cameron Fuller and his team will work to help your child feel as comfortable as possible during the treatment. They are skilled pro...

Modern technology is a fast, ever-changing occurrence in our world. We’re used to iPads, phones that talk to us, and now there are belts, which will remind us to move. Thankfully other types of technology are also available now to help our children in the dental chair. Pediatric dentist, Dr.Cameron Fuller is able to provide laser treatments for children who have tongue-tie or a maxillary frenum. However, they are also able to use it for other treatments as well. Maxillary frenum’s can leave your child with a gap between their teeth that impacts how they talk. While surgery for your young child may seem scary, using a laser makes it less painful.   The type of laser that pediatric dentist Dr. Cameron Fuller uses, is considered a hard laser. The laser goes below the gums and cauterizes the skin.   A secondary benefit to using laser treatment for your child’s frenum is that it requires less down time. Maxillary frenums can be painful for your child. The...

Vapor cigarettes are being marketed to your teen and tween as a healthy alternative to smoking, but E-cigarettes are not in fact better for a person than a regular cigarette. While they are free of certain carcinogens that cause cancer, they still have nicotine in them.   "Nicotine is an addictive substance that causes withdrawal symptoms to occur," states Dr. Cameron Fuller . Nicotine also restricts blood vessels which causes a reduced amount of saliva. The Food and Drug association has not evaluated the long-term side effects of using e-cigarettes and studies have found that inhaling the vapors is dangerous as there are chemicals such as formaldehyde in them.    Even more dangerous is the fact that the vapor does not have a smell, making it harder for parents to detect, and currently some states do not have an age limit on who can purchase this product. To increase marketing to young people the flavors that are placed and heated up in the vapors that ...

The holiday break has come to a close and with all of the extra treats that your child may have enjoyed, now is the time to schedule that routine cleaning if they have not had one in the last six months.   Food sticks to the surfaces of your child ’ s teeth and creates bacteria that cause tooth decay and cavities. During a routine cleaning, pediatric dentist Dr. Cameron Fuller is going to check the surfaces of the teeth in order to make sure that your son or daughter does not have any cavities. A routine cleaning completed by Dr. Fuller and his team will not only look for decay but will assess your child ’ s bite, x-rays will be completed in order to determine if there is decay below the gum line and the overall health of their mouth will be reviewed in order to ensure there is nothing abnormal going on that requires further attention. It may be recommended by Dr. Fuller at this visit to have sealants placed on your child's teeth. Sealants help protect ...

Do you allow your child to reach for the Pepsi instead of milk or juice? Do they enjoy a thirty-two ounce soda when you sit down for dinner? The problem with soda for children is a two-fold problem. The increase in sugar is a breeding ground for acid that attacks the enamel on children’s teeth.    According to Colgate, “Soda is one of the significant dietary sources of tooth decay, and they report on average that there are four out of five children that are drinking at least one soft drink a day.” (Colgate) The problem continues if children are drinking soda at a time when they are unable to brush right away. “For example,” states Dr. CameronFuller of Pediatric Dentistry of Redlands , “if they are drinking soda at lunch then they do not brush until that evening, there are six hours or more where the acid is sitting on the teeth attacking the enamel.” Let’s be honest our children don’t always have the greatest brushing habits and therefore it may be ev...