Pediatric Dentistry of Redlands

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and you are probably beginning to shop and make plans for all of your meals. Taking time to plan healthy foods and decreasing high sugar, high carb dishes can help to keep your children’s smile healthy. Ensure these 4 foods are a part of your Thanksgiving dinner and do not forget to have your children brush and floss after dinner. 1.      Yams. These are a great source of Vitamin A and C. They are not sticky and thus do not stick to the teeth. There are a variety of ways they can be prepared that are delicious without the extra sugar. 2.      Green Bean Casserole. Using natural ingredients can make this dish one of the best for your smile. The onions, mushrooms and green beans are fantastic for your children’s oral health. 3.      Turkey is packed with protein that is great for your body when not combined with other high sugar rubs or salty products. While turkey can get st...

You may be wondering if 1 time a year is often enough to replace your child’s toothbrush, or if you should do it every 6 months when you get the free one from their dental visit. Neither is correct and may not be often enough. The bristles of the toothbrush have an important job. As your child brushes and moves the toothbrush across the surface of the teeth, the bristles eventually begin to break down. Once this happens, your toothbrush is no longer as effective as it once was. Dr. Cameron and his team unanimously agree, 1 time a year is not enough! You may also need to change out your child’s toothbrush if they have been sick or if their toothbrush has touched or been in close contact with another toothbrush of someone in the house that has been sick. Virus’s hold on in the bristles of the toothbrush and if they are not changed out it can cause a reinfection. If you are not sure if your child’s toothbrush needs to be changed out, evaluating the br...

Beginning a child’s dental routine does not have to occur when they get their first tooth. There are things you can do prior in order to help them develop a healthy dental routine at an early age. If your child is drinking out of a bottle or after nursing, you can wipe their gums using a baby tooth towel. This not only removes milk from the surface of their gums, decreasing the risk of decay, it also helps them get used to the feeling of brushing. There is a lot of items to choose from when you are wiping milk off of their gums. This may include a wet washcloth, gauze wrapped around their finger or a rubber-thimble like item that fits on your finger. All of these items will work, it is a matter of evaluating which one your baby enjoys more. Making this fun is the best way to begin the healthy habit of routine dental care early on in their life.   Once their first tooth has erupted, it is time to schedule a visit to the dentist. At this visit th...

                                  When you walk through the aisles at the store there are so many brands of toothpaste that it can be tempting to just pick one in order to leave as quickly as possible. Considering these 3 factors can help make this process easy, and keep your child’s smile healthy. Dr. Cameron Fuller helps to give you the important facts about choosing a great toothpaste that will keep your child’s smile healthy for a lifetime. 1.      Start by finding a toothpaste that is approved by the American Dental Association. By purchasing toothpaste for your child that is endorsed by the ADA it guarantees that you have a house that will keep their smile healthy. It also means that it has passed their standards and does not contain products that are not okay for your child. 2...

Dr. Fuller and his team want to keep every child’s smile as healthy as possible when they come through their pediatric dental office. There are a variety of dental options that he may consider depending on what dental problem is facing your child. Dr. Fuller will begin by taking an x-ray of your child’s smile if one has not been completed in several years, or if there hasn’t been one taken at all. This will help him make sure there is nothing more serious going on below the gum line or in between teeth that he can not see. If everything looks good, then the team will move perform a cleaning that will remove plaque from the surfaces of the teeth. It may be recommended that sealants be placed on their teeth in order to protect against cavities. If a problem is detected on the x-rays or a cavity is noticed during the exam, it will be important for you and the team to discuss the options before proceeding. The longer a cavity is left untreated, the more at risk your...

As the holidays are upon us, you may be gearing up for Halloween, family get togethers, pies and sugary drinks. But the more sugar that your child consumes, the harder it is for them to keep their smile healthy. Dr. Cameron Fuller and his team regularly see children whose teeth are badly damaged from the impact of too much sugar. Here are 3 tips to help your children avoid high sugar drinks and keep their smile healthy for a lifetime. 1.      Always carry water. You are more likely to get a soda or a drink that is unhealthy if they are really, really thirsty. Having water always available can remove the temptation to purchase high sugar drinks. 2.      Avoid purchasing high sugar drinks and having them in your home. Your children will reach for what is easy when they are thirsty. If you do not have anything other than water or milk in the fridge, it makes it an easy choice. 3.      Do not have your c...

Visiting the dentist can be a very scary time for your child, especially if they have to go because they have a lot of pain or cavities. Having them visit regularly can cut down on the amount of time they have to spend in the chair and the amount of discomfort they may feel from procedures. Dr. Fuller and his team suggest these 8 tips to help your children enjoy their dental visit. 1.      Have them brush and floss regularly. 2.      Call and schedule a pop in visit for them to meet the dentist and the staff. 3.      Avoid having them consume high sugar foods and drinks. 4.      Begin washing milk from their gums when they are just a few days old. Then transition to brushing and flossing when appropriate. 5.      Read stories about the dental visit, to allow them to know what to expect. Prior to the visit. 6.      If they have ...