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With all of the junk food available to kids and adults, it's hard to imagine that something as seemingly healthy as fruit could ever be bad for your teeth.  And certainly there are a lot of foods that are high in sugar that would be considered far worse for your overall oral health.  Still, there are times when fruit may not be the best choice.  Here are a few examples when you may want to skip the fruit:

When it's dried.

Dried fruits have had most of their water removed and what's left contains a much higher percentage of sugar than fresh fruits.  And because you tend to eat more dried fruit based on the volume, you will consume a much greater amount of sugar when compared to eating fresh fruit.  This doesn't even take into account the added sugar that most packaged dried fruit contains.  Further, dried fruits like raisins and plums tend to be sticky and often stay stuck to teeth for a long time.  This provides bacteria plenty of what they need to grow.

When it's canned with syrup.

Most canned fruits are packaged in a thick, high sugar syrup.  Even those labled "light syrup" contain large amounts of added sugar because that description can refer to the consistency of the syrup rather than sugar content.  When eating canned fruits, look for those that have no added sugar or those packed in 100% fruit juice.

When it's juiced.

First, it's important to understand that fruit juice can be very good for you when it's part of a balanced diet.  However, juice can still harm teeth when too much is consumed too frquently.  This is because fruit that is juiced generally has much of the most nurtitious portions of the fruit removed.  When the pulp and fiber is taken away, what's left is mostly water and sugar.  What's more, fruit juices like orange juice is often highly acidic and can be tough on enamel over time.

As you can tell, fresh whole fruits are always the best option when eating fruit.  Whatever you eat, however, it's important to remember that nearly all foods can be enjoyed in moderation.  Be sure to brush and floss regularly.

Occasionally parents will reach out to us because they’ve been alarmed by the sounds their children make while sleeping.  It’s not uncommon for children to grind their teeth, especially during sleep.  In fact, some estimates put that number close to 33%.  Tooth grinding, or bruxism, is most common when baby teeth begin to emerge and permanent teeth come in.  And while it generally goes away, there are a few considerations you should be aware of.

What causes bruxism?

We aren’t always 100% sure why children grind their teeth.  Oral discomfort as teeth shift and realign may cause much of the temporary bruxism, as well as allergies and other minor illnesses.  Bruxism may also be caused by minor changes in inner ear pressure, similar to what’s experienced on an airplane. Ongoing teeth grinding may be more serious and can sometimes be the results of anxiety, stress or fear.  While most children stop grinding their teeth over time, it’s often important to look at your child’s overall health as well as the frequency and severity of tooth grinding to determine if intervention is necessary.

When should parents worry about bruxism?

Again, bruxism is extremely common, and most children grow out of the habit.  But as with any issue you are concerned with, please always feel free to reach out to us with your questions.  The following list of symptoms are signs that your child’s teeth grinding may require additional investigation:

• If your child is having trouble sleeping or is waking frequently throughout the night
• Jaw pain or soreness
• Headaches
• Tooth sensitivity or pain not associated with other dental issues
• Teeth begin showing signs of wear
• Damage to the soft tissues of the mouth
• Loud, persistent grinding that doesn’t seem to subside over time

What can parents do to help alleviate minor bruxism?

If your child occasionally grinds his or her teeth at night, and isn’t showing any serious side effects like those mentioned above, you may try the following tips to reduce or eliminate bruxism without the intervention of a dentist:

• Work to identify and decrease your child’s stress.  Allow your child to talk openly about his or her feelings.
• Be sure your child is getting a proper diet
• Since dehydration may be linked to bruxism, be sure your child is drinking enough water

Of course, you should always make us aware of any issue involving your child’s teeth.  We can help you monitor them for any potential issues.  Never hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or concerns you might have.

Your kids’ teeth problems are usually quite common, and usually not serious. Most importantly, according to Colgate, all children’s teeth and gum issues are fixable.

You may have the toughest kid on the block, but even if your little boy or girl is able to handle themselves in the playground, your dentist will tell you that the enamel on their teeth isn’t nearly as strong.

Because the enamel on your kids teeth is fifty percent thinner than what coats your teeth, sugar can attack more readily leading to tooth decay. If the decay is not taken care of as soon as possible, cavities will develop. Regular dental checkups will solve the problem allowing your pediatric dentist to address the issue before it develops any further.

Dental Sealants are another way to prevent cavities from developing in your child’s molars. Those back teeth have tiny grooves and fissures that are impossible to brush. Dental Sealants are actually painted on to the teeth helping prevent tooth decay.

These days more kids are drinking bottled water. Unfortunately, bottled water does not contain fluoride, which is essential for replacing mineral loss in the enamel on your kid’s teeth. Fluoride can also help prevent dental caries. Ask your dentist about fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinses for kids if you and your family do not drink tap water.

Although the holidays are just around the corner, and your kids are probably still enjoying their Halloween candy, it is imperative that you keep those treats to a minimum. If your son or daughter got into the trick or treat bag a few times too many, make sure they rinse well with water. Better yet, schedule an appointment with your pediatric dentist just to be safe.

Diet is imperative to a healthy mouth. Show your kids the importance of healthy foods and make sure that you incorporate healthy choices at mealtime. Avoid sugary treats, especially soft drinks and candy, and keep those chips and other starchy foods out of the house.

When it comes to your kid’s teeth common sense prevails. Watch what your children eat, teach them healthy brushing and flossing habits, and make sure to schedule regular dental checkups with your pediatric dentist.

Remember the oral hygiene habits that you teach your kids today will help them keep their teeth for the rest of their lives.

Bruxism, or tooth grinding, is a condition caused by stress and anxiety, but bruxism can also occur in children.

According to the American Dental Association, bruxism is common in children. Experts say that three out of every ten kids will clench or grind their teeth. Bruxism has been reported in about twenty percent of kids up until they the age of 11. Jaw clenching and teeth grinding occurs when kids are in a deep sleep or under stress. However, because kid’s jaws and teeth change and grow quickly, it is usually outgrown by adolescence.

When your kids are asleep, the last thing you want to hear is grinding and tooth gnashing. Although there have been several studies conducted, no one really knows for sure why bruxism occurs. Some possible causes include misaligned teeth, allergies, or mouth irritations. Your dentist explains that kids may also grind teeth to ease pain from teething or an earache. Anger or nervous tension can also be a possible cause, especially if there has been a change to his or her normal routine. Arguing family members can also cause jaw clenching or tooth grinding because of additional stress. Hyperactivity could also be another cause of bruxism.

Most cases of bruxism often go undetected. Unless your child is experiencing earaches or headaches, there may not be any adverse effects. Usually it is the family members who are most bothered by bruxism because of the sound of tooth grinding and gnashing.

Depending on the child, your dentist will tell you that teeth clenching and grinding can actually wear down the enamel on the teeth, cause chipping, or tooth breakage. Other effects that may occur from bruxism include temperature sensitivity, jaw problems, and severe facial pain. Although it is not common in children, problems with the temporomandibular joint or TMJ may be to blame, especially if clenching and grinding is chronic.

Bruxism episodes last about four seconds and can happen about six times in an hour. In a recent study, it was found that bruxism episodes occur in stage two and REM sleep and in clusters.

If you suspect that your child may be suffering from bruxism, schedule an appointment with your pediatric dentist who can help determine the cause of your kids clenching and grinding.