Pediatric Dentistry of Redlands

Now that the holidays are upon us, it is no time to throw the hard work of your children’s dental care out the window. Planning ahead, taking some extra time and keeping their routine can make sure they do not slide backwards on their dental health. Here are 4 tips that can help keep their smile heathy during the Holidays. 1.      Use travel toothbrushes and toothpaste that is easily accessible. Having travel size toothbrushes and toothpaste can allow you to pack them anywhere. Even if you are going to a friend’s house for super, it is important for your children to brush and floss as soon as possible to remove high carbohydrates from the surface of their teeth. 2.      Carry flossers in your purse. Flossers are easy to use and children can maneuver them to reach the back teeth. 3.      Pack healthy snacks that have a high concentration of water. Celery, watermelon and raw green beans make for a healthy snack and a...

Untreated dental decay can cause problems for children, especially when they are sleeping and relaxed. While dental decay can be found and treated, it often goes under the radar until it is causing pain for the child. Not brushing and flossing, not visiting the dentist regularly and an unhealthy diet can cause tooth decay.  Dr. Cameron Fuller says, "your child is up during the day running and playing, they may not notice how much pain they are in or that their teeth are bothering them." http://www.pediatricdentistryofredlands.com/index.html Tooth decay can cause extreme pain, swollen and bleeding gums, and dark spots on the teeth. They may also present with white or brown spots on the enamel of their teeth. While left untreated, decay begins to cause pain and could eventually lead to your child needing a pulpotomy, or baby root canal. Not only can untreated decay lead to your child not being able to sleep, losing their baby teeth prematurely and causing ex...

Eating healthy is the number one fighter against obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, and other health problems for children. While exercise is critical, their eating habits will be built while they are kids and will last a lifetime.   Dr. Cameron Fuller says, "eating habits don’t just impact their waistline; they also can negatively cause problems for children’s teeth." Here are three easy and healthy tips that you can change today to provide healthy eating options for your child with special needs. 1.      Increase their water intake. Water helps rinse teeth before and after brushing.   Water can also decrease snacking between meals and allow your child to feel full faster. If it is difficult for your child to remember to drink water, or they struggle with the flavor, you can add picture reminders around the house to help. You can also use natural flavors such as fruit to sweeten the water.  2.      Offer apple, grape...

Holidays are upon us and time is running out on how to teach your teen healthy habits.   As they get older and move on with their life it is important to teach them how to enjoy and appreciate foods that are good for them and taste great. Here are five tips from Dr. Fuller and team to help you work vegetables and fruits into the Holidays.     1.      Put fruits on the table instead of cookies. Teens will grab what is easy. Putting fresh fruits easily accessible to them can help deter them from eating the food you don’t want them eating. 2.      Put vegetables in casseroles. The Holidays can be busy, instead of eating out, create different casseroles with a mixture of healthy vegetables and spices that bring out the flavor of the casserole. 3.      Add fruit into containers of fresh water in the refrigerator. Teen’s who drink water are less likely to snack on food that isn’t as h...

The holidays are fast approaching which can often mean extra food in the house. You may have already begun planning your cookies, cakes and treats that you’ll be baking. Don’t let your child’s dental health be impacted by your desire for treats in your house. Implement these two policies and help ward off decay this holiday season. Have children consume minimal amount of sugary treats. During times when they are complaining of hunger, have them consume a healthy mix of fruits and vegetables. Give them opportunities throughout the day to munch on peanut butter celery, apple slices and other fruit or veggie based snacks. If they are going to eat a brownie or cookie limit the amount to 1. This will decrease the amount of sugar that is sitting on their teeth that can cause decay. The healthy fruits and vegetables in between will help rinse the sugar from their teeth as they have a higher concentration of water. Once your child has consumed the treat, have ...

Fourth of July is an honorable holiday where you can enjoy friends and family, backyard barbecues and fireworks. It can also be a day of junk food, soda and sugar. But here are a few foods your little ones should avoid this holiday in order to keep their teeth in healthy shape. 1.      Sticky foods,. Sticky things, like candy, tends to attach to fillings and other dental work. Bacteria are already in the mouth and its power is enhanced when sugar is added to the mix. Sticky foods stay on the surface of the teeth longer and are harder to remove from the surface of teeth.   Saliva is not usually enough to remove the substances from your child’s teeth. "The longer food is on the teeth, the more opportunity bacteria have to damage their teeth," Dr. Cameron Fuller . Sticky foods include crackers. 2.      Acidic foods. Foods high in acid eat at the enamel of teeth. Enamel is the hard outer substance that protects the teeth. Acid ca...

There are numerous reasons why a pediatric dentist may recommend x-rays for your child.   For example, he might want to see how the permanent teeth are developing or determine if decay is impacting your child’s mouth. How often radiographs are   recommended depends on your child’s overall dental history.   Children who are at high risks for dental decay, such as children that lack adequate brushing and flossing practices or who have a sweet tooth may require x-rays more often than others. Another reason for x-rays is if your child has had an unfortunate injury to their jaw or teeth. When this happens they may require x-rays a few appointments in a row in order to determine how the injury is healing. No matter how often your child is in need of x-rays, the team at Pediatric Dentistry of Redlands and Associates will do everything they can to make the process as easy as possible for your child. For example, your child will be draped in a lead apr...

The holiday season is coming up and the store shelves are stocked with eggnog and holiday cookies. Are you concerned about your children’s habits? This holiday season try scaling back on the sugar treats and incorporate some healthy holiday alternatives. While eating during the holidays is a tradition you may also want to think about adding some physical activity to your list of family traditions.             “For example: a family holiday scavenger hunt around the neighborhood, a friendly football game or a potato sack team race can make this holiday season an unforgettable one,” says Dr. Cameron Fuller . “Or take a walk around the block with your dogs and children. No matter what activity you chose incorporating just thirty minutes of activity this holiday season with a few healthy options could reduce your weight gain while teaching your children healthy holiday habits.”     ...