Pediatric Dentistry of Redlands

It is that time of year again and school is starting. Before your child heads back to school remember to schedule their dental appointment. Millions of children are impacted and miss school each year because of dental problems and most can be avoided. Children with poor dental health are more likely to miss 3x more school than children who have a healthy smile. A research study conducted recently even found that children with dental pain are 4x more likely to have a lower grade point average.   In the land of distraction where there are so many things going on in your child’s life they do not need to also be focused on dental pain or dental problems. Having your child visit the dentist prior to the school year starting can help keep them focused on learning and enjoying their education instead of worrying about dental pain. Dental problems in school can also lead to shyness, sadness, and frustration. If they are not able to express why they are feeling upset or that they...

With the cooler weather you may be gearing up for warm drinks to keep your kids warm as the snow storms and rain begins to move in but these 4 fall drinks can damage the health of their teeth and increase the risk of cavities. There are multiple options in the store aisles that promise to have lower amounts of sugar or are fat free, but Dr. Cameron Fuller suggests, “Avoid these 4 altogether to decrease the chance of cavities in your children.” 1.      Egg nog. Egg nog comes in lots of different flavors and varieties but not only is egg nog high in fat, it is high in sugar as well.   Egg nog has over 20 grams of sugar in just one 8 oz. cup. 2.      Apple cider is a tempting warm drink to give your children on those cold mornings as they get ready for school. However, apple cider has over 65 grams of sugar when you combine the delicious taste of carmel and whip cream to your children’s drink. 3.   ...

Does your child grind their teeth at night or during the day? Grinding their teeth can cause jaw problems but if not treated it can also cause cracked or broken teeth. As they chomp down and grind the teeth together it puts a ton of pressure on the jaw. Over time, the jaw muscle can hurt, making it difficult for your child to consume the foods they love. Here are three reasons your child may grind their teeth and ways to help. 1.      Stress is the number one cause of grinding. Reducing the amount of stress in your child’s life and having more fun can improve this habit. 2.      There is a correlation between children impacted by mouth breathing or sleep apnea and grinding. If your child is a mouth breather or impacted by sleep apnea, you may want to have them evaluated by a dentist in order to determine a course of action. 3.      Some medications can cause teeth grinding such as anti-depressants. If y...

Your children’s teeth are an important resource.   Teeth allow a child to consume foods that are tough in texture, protect against jaw problems and help with digestion. Taking care of their teeth can be difficult and requires consistent care. If you can answer yes to these 4 important questions, your children are safely on the right track to keeping a smile that lasts a lifetime. 1.      Do they brush 2x a day? Brushing helps remove food from the surface of the teeth. If food is left on their teeth for long periods of time it turns into bacteria and eventually plaque. Plaque is a hard film that covers their teeth and cause cavities. 2.      Do they floss 1x a day? There is only one way to remove food from between the teeth and that is flossing. Dr. Cameron Fuller says, “Flossing can be a difficult habit to learn, starting young can make the process easier.” Doing something everyday can turn flossing fr...