Bad Breath in Children

Vista Dental in Medicine Hat is proud to offer families assistance caring for the oral health needs of their children. Bad breath, or halitosis, is not something any child should have to go through, and it’s something we can help with.

Usually, bad breath is the result of excessive bacterial growth in the mouth. There may be medical problems contributing to this, but it is always essential for children to learn to brush their teeth properly. A brushing session should last for two full minutes and cover the tongue as well as every tooth surface. Non-alcoholic mouthwash is safe for children to use, and if they have difficulty with the mechanics of brushing, an electric toothbrush can help.

Bacteria build up faster when they have a food source such as nasal drip, so allergies or an infection could also be contributing to halitosis. Dry mouth, a common side effect of ADHD and mood disorder medication, prevents the mouth from washing away bacteria. It is also possible for bad breath to be a sign of diabetes, so the problem is worth taking seriously.

Vista Dental is located at 7 Strachan Bay SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 403-548-7077 or visit Vista Dental MH.

 

Reducing Dental Anxiety in Children

Oral hygiene becomes a necessity as soon as a person’s first tooth erupts, and at Vista Dental in Medicine Hat, we provide preventive care to patients of all ages. But while dental check-ups should be a normal part of every child’s life, children do often develop anxiety about their visits. If you’re a frustrated parent whose child is afraid of a teeth cleaning, read on.

When children develop anxiety, they’re often picking it up from their parents. Every parent should be honest with themselves about whether visiting the dentist is something they are comfortable with, and if not, it may be better for someone else to accompany the child. Children also do better when they are with an older sibling or friend they can see go first, and many parents find it’s more convenient to have all their children’s appointments done at once, anyway.

If a child does not remember their last appointment, it’s best just to tell them that the dentist and hygienists want to clean their teeth and make sure they’re healthy. Telling children that they need to be brave will only make them worried, and guessing at which procedures will be done is likely to cause confusion. When the child arrives, we can give an age-appropriate description of what we plan to do and demonstrate the use of our technology.

Vista Dental is located at 7 Strachan Bay SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 403-548-7077 or visit VistaDentalMH.Ca.

 

Childhood Thumb Sucking

Good oral health begins in childhood, and at Vista Dental, we’re proud to be a resource for Medicine Hat families. Because thumb sucking is such a common behavior in small children, many parents wonder whether it is harming their child’s dental development. While it is not a good thing, whether it is a cause for concern depends on whether the child is close to losing their first baby teeth.

Babies and toddlers commonly suck their thumbs or a pacifier as a way of self-soothing. Because the connections between their skull bones are not fully developed, their faces are a bit more flexible than older children’s. However, baby teeth start falling out and being replaced with permanent teeth at around the age of five. Continued thumb sucking at this point will likely result in an overbite and could also cause other forms of misaligned teeth, or even misaligned jaws.

It is best to approach children over the age of four who are still sucking their thumbs by encouraging them to participate in breaking their own habit. If there is a deep-seated anxiety which is motivating their behavior, it may be necessary to consult with a child psychologist. Children sometimes develop a habit of pushing their tongues against their incisors as a substitute for thumb sucking, which also can cause an overbite.

Vista Dental is located at 7 Strachan Bay SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 403-548-7077 or visit VistaDentalMH.Ca.

 

Teething Safety

Vista Dental provides dental care to families and people of all ages. We want parents of young children to know how to provide the best care possible for their babies by educating them about teething.

Babies usually begin teething when they are about six months old. This is likely to make them fussy. To provide them with pain relief, there are a number of toys on the market, many of which can be cooled in the refrigerator. However, it is important that parents understand that “cooled” or “chilled” does not mean “frozen.” The temperature of teething rings, especially, should not be lowered to an extreme temperature to avoid damaging a baby’s skin or gums. Washcloths, on the other hand, are safe to freeze. Some parents also provide their children with cooled metal or wooden spoons.

Popsicles and other frozen treats are also popular remedies, but they present a choking hazard. To mitigate this, they can be placed in mesh nets which babies may suck moisture through. Parents should bring their children to the dentist as soon as their first tooth starts emerging so we can teach them how to brush it.

Vista Dental is located at 7 Strachan Bay SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 403-548-7077 or visit VistaDentalMH.Ca.