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All people are susceptible to tooth decay, but infants, toddlers, adolescents, teens and tweens can be prone to cavities. In fact, the Center for Disease Control estimates that as many as 19 percent of children between two and nineteen live with cavities that are left untreated.

Children are twice as likely to get cavities because they do not brush and floss as they should. Dental caries, which can be passed from one to another, are actually communicable diseases that one family member can give to another because of cup and utensil sharing.

According to a Pediatric Dentist, there are a number of factors that could be contributing to your children’s tooth decay. Cavities form thanks to bacteria, sugars, and starches that accumulate on the teeth and gums. This dangerous mix creates acids that will deplete calcium, which is needed to keep your tooth enamel strong. The mouth germ, technically called mutans streptococcus is a germ causes plaque. Plaque coats your teeth with even more acid that adds to the tooth decay that has already started to form. Twenty seconds is all it takes for the bacteria to covert to acid after a sugary snack has been enjoyed. This happens several times during a meal. How you eat is almost as important as what you eat. Sucking on a hard candy all day is actually more detrimental than eating an entire bag of candy for lunch.

If you have been reading the Chicago Kids Dentist blog you will know how damaging sugar is to your kids teeth, but so are food items that most consider healthy. Fruit juice is highly acidic as is certain types of fish and bread. Carbonated drinks can also hurt teeth.

Of course, your kids don’t have to give these treats up completely. Ask your Pediatric Dentist about snacks that help produce saliva to wash away some of the dangerous acids. Keep snacking before bed to a minimum, and never give your son or daughter anything acidic before bedtime. Try giving your kids cheese following an acidic meal as it helps to neutralize the acids.

Before brushing, teach your kids to rinse after a meal. Wait approximately thirty minutes and then have them brush, as the acid works quickly making the enamel on your teeth more vulnerable if you or your kids brush immediately after eating.

These days, dentists understand how genetics affect teeth and gums. Just as your genes determine the color of your eyes, height and hair color, genes also affect teeth and gums right down to the hardness of the enamel. This explains why people who have impeccable oral hygiene habits find themselves sitting in the dentist’s chair more often than they would like.

If you would like more information on keeping your kids teeth healthy through adulthood, contact a Pediatric Dentist in your area who can help your kids keep their teeth well into the senior years.

Finding the perfect dentist for the newest member of your family can be tough, especially if you have just moved the family across the country. Go online and you will see dozens of dentists in your area, but how do you know where to start? Pediatric Dentistry is a specialty, and if you don’t know anyone in the area and forgot to ask your old dentist for a recommendation, don’t panic.

Head to the web and do a search for dentists. Type in your city and zip code. If you are searching for a pediatric dentist on Google, include infant, toddler, or teen in the city name search. Once you have found a few suitable dentists in your new community start a list. Be sure to highlight the things you liked about the dentist and number your list in order of preference.

Check your list against the online review sites and see how each dentist ranks. Honest reviews are important, especially if you do not have any personal recommendations. If the reviews are mixed, keep looking. You want to find a dentist who ranks consistently with at least four stars.

Go through each dentist’s website with a fine tooth comb. Read the products and services page and don’t forget to check the dental teams about us page. You’ll want to find a dentist who provides you with his or her training and schooling and one who is continually furthering his or her dental education with classes, seminars and workshops.

The interior of the dentist’s office should be clean, comfortable, and inviting. Kids need to be kept busy, especially if they have had a bad experience with a dentist. First timers will appreciate games that will keep busy minds occupied before they meet with the pediatric dentist. A good pediatric dentist will have educational toys for the kids, updated magazines, and a television for you.

Call ahead. If you have narrowed down your search to three final candidates, call the office. Talk to the receptionist and see what kind of vibe you get. If your call was answered with a friendly hello and how can I help you, you are on the right track.

Ask questions. If the office is only open 3 days a week, you may want to rethink your number one choice. Fees, insurance plans, and payment options need to be discussed before you book a dental appointment as well.

Accidents happen and if your son has a dental emergency on the baseball field, it is vital that you have a pediatric dentist who is available 24 hours 7 days a week. Most dentists have a referral dentist whom they trust in the event of a dental emergency.

Trust your instincts. If you have a good feeling about a new dentist, schedule an appointment. You’ll know if the two of you are a good fit the first time you or any member of your family sits in the chair.

You may have had a fear of the dentist when you were young, and may still be afraid to sit in the dental chair however, it is vital that you do not pass that fear on to your kids. Your kids do not have to fear the dentist, in fact, not all kids are afraid of the dentist; especially if you make sure that your children understand how important dental hygiene and dental health is. According to the Kids Dentist in the Magnificent Mile District in Chicago, there are a few things you can do to put your kids at ease.

Before making an appointment with a Chicago Pediatric Dentist do your research. You want to make sure that the dentist you choose for your kids is specially trained to work with kids.

Ask your friends and family members whom they take their kids to. If they have had the same Pediatric Dentist for years, it’s a good bet that your new dentist will be the perfect fit for your family.

Before you take your child to the dentist, pay a visit to the office. If all you see is a few metal chairs and some outdated magazines, keep looking. You want to be sure that your new Pediatric Dentist have plenty of toys, games, books and videos to keep your children occupied. The staff from Chicago Kids DDS has created a welcoming environment that is fun for both parents and kids.

The team of pediatric dentists that you choose for your kids will need to be well versed on the latest technologies continuing their own education with workshops and seminars. Choose a pediatric dentist or a team of dentists who can meet with parents and kids in order to teach them good oral hygiene. This includes teaching your kids how to brush and floss, proper diet, and the importance of regular checkups.

If you would like more information regarding pediatric dentistry, schedule an appointment with the best team of Kids Dentists in Chicago, after all the health and well being of your kids and their teeth and gums depends on it.

Easter is just five days away, and by now, you have probably let your kids eat chocolate eggs to their hearts content, not to mention the marshmallow peeps and chewy jellybeans. It is hard to say no to your kids, especially during the holidays, but there are a few things that you can teach your kids, that will help them keep their teeth for the rest of their lives.

A healthy diet starts early. Feed your family lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and try to steer clear of starchy foods. Skip the soda and give them water. Even fruit juices are loaded with sugar. If you are having a tough time weaning them off juice, try watering them down. A balanced diet will help your kids develop strong bones and teeth. Try to include phosphorous and calcium, and do not forget about fluoride. If your water does not contain fluoride, talk to your Chicago Kids Dentist about fluoridated toothpastes and mouthwashes.

Along with a healthy diet comes good oral hygiene. That first tooth that comes in needs to be washed with a washcloth. After a few more teeth erupt, show your children how to brush their teeth. There are specially made toothbrushes that are just for kids. Supervise your kids until they understand the importance of oral hygiene. Flossing can start about the age of four. Once your child reaches the age of one it is imperative that you schedule an appointment with your Kids Dentist in the Magnificent Mile District.

According to Colgate, dental sealants are highly effective and when applied by your Chicago Kids Dentist can provide a barrier against tooth decay. Ask your Dentist in Chicago about dental sealants, which are applied to back teeth as this is where most dental caries begin. Dental sealants can be applied in a single visit and do not require anesthetic.

Your child’s teeth are just as important as the rest of their bodies and it is vital that you start them off right by teaching them good oral hygiene. The steps you take now will pave the way for a healthy mouth for the rest of their lives.