Blog Archives - Page 10 of 22 - Lindner Dental Associates, PC

Benefits of a Tooth Travel Kit

Written by Karen Girard on October 27, 2017. Posted in Blog, News, Pediatric Dentistry.

Most adults have travel toothbrushes, toothpaste and even mouthwash. Did you know your child could benefit from a travel set? Between school and after school activities, your child may have less time to take care of his or her teeth at home. By filling a travel kit with the following items, your child can maintain a healthy smile!

Toothbrush

You should purchase a brand-new toothbrush for your child’s travel kit. Make sure the new brush has the ADA seal of approval on the packaging, and that you have a travel cover for the toothbrush to keep it protected from germs. You may want to purchase a collapsible tooth brush, which folds into itself leaving more space in the travel case and protects your toothbrush without a separate cover.

Toothpaste

For a travel kit, you only need to purchase a small trial or travel sized tube of toothpaste to fit in the carrying case. Look for the ADA seal of approval, and make sure your toothpaste contains fluoride for a thorough cleaning. If your child likes the toothpaste they use at home, there is a good chance you will be able to find a travel size of it.

Water

Water makes your teeth resistant to acidic foods and can keep your mouth clean. Juice and soda are highly acidic and can damage the enamel on your teeth. Packing a bottle of water gives your child a healthy alternative to acidic, sugary drinks and can help loosen debris stuck between teeth when swished.

Floss

Flossing will help your child remove debris from every space between their teeth. A small container of floss or floss picks will encourage your child to floss regularly.

The dentists and staff at Lindner Dental are here to keep your smile healthy and bright. To schedule your next dental visit to keep the cavities away and inquire about travel kits, call Lindner Dental at 603.944.9196!

Don’t Let Halloween Candy Leave Your Teeth Looking Scary!

Written by Karen Girard on October 18, 2017. Posted in Blog, News, Pediatric Dentistry.

Sugary snacks and candy may seem like a sweet treat to you, but to your teeth it’s downright terrifying! Sugar that is left on your teeth leads to the production of acid that eats away at your enamel causing tooth decay and cavities.

Cavities can vary in severity, some needing just a filling while others need an entire root canal. Some cavities can go undetected, however the longer a cavity goes untreated the worse it gets. With some helpful tips, you can maintain your healthy smile free of cavities!

Tips to Avoid Cavities:

Brush and floss twice a day
Brush after eating or drinking anything high in sugar
Monitor your diet to limit your sugar intake
Visit your dentist regularly
Drink more water

The dentists and staff at Lindner Dental are here to keep your smile and teeth in tip-top shape. To schedule your next dental visit to keep the cavities away, call Lindner Dental at 603-624-3900!

How to Properly Care for Your Toothbrush

Written by Karen Girard on August 5, 2017. Posted in Blog, News, Oral Hygiene.

Getting your child in the habit of practicing good oral hygiene is critical and taking care of the toothbrush is just as important as taking care of the teeth. Brushing your teeth is only effective if you have a clean toothbrush to properly get the job done.

Rinse After You Use Your Toothbrush

Make sure the bristles on the toothbrush are clean because some debris can remain on the toothbrush which will later damage the bristles.

Don’t Share

It should be common knowledge not to share your toothbrush but you’ll be surprised to find that some people do share toothbrushes. When this happens, germs are spread which can lead you to get extremely sick and your toothbrush is completely contaminated.

Air Dry

Don’t put your toothbrush in a dark container after you brush your teeth because bacteria will grow on the head of the brush, causing you to become sick. Let your toothbrush air dry in an upright position and make sure it’s away from any sprays or perfumes.

When Should I Replace My Toothbrush?

There are several signs that indicate when it’s time to invest in a new toothbrush.

Bristles Falling Out

Loose bristles indicate that your toothbrush has been sufficiently used. This also means that your toothbrush might be a little too old to use. Also, if you’re using a toothbrush with loose bristles, you could potentially swallow synthetic polymers.

Damaged Bristles

When bristles begin to stick outward and they can’t hold their shape, the brush is actually no longer effective.

Toothbrush is 3 Months or Older

If your toothbrush is three months or older, it probably has damaged or missing bristles. Even if the toothbrush is not damaged, you should switch it out for a new one every 3 to 4 months.

Sickness

If you’ve been sick recently, it’s best to purchase a new toothbrush. Any bacteria or germs can be passed from your mouth to the toothbrush and you could end up getting sick again.

Contact Lindner Dental at 603.624.3900 to get in touch with one of our dentists for a cleaning.

Why Children Should Avoid Sugary Sports Drinks

Written by Karen Girard on July 21, 2017. Posted in Blog, News, Oral Hygiene, Pediatric Dentistry.

With the warm weather fast approaching, kids are looking for juices and energy drinks to cool down. However, even sports drinks such as Gatorade are filled with sugar, leaving kids craving even more sugary treats.

Sports drinks such as Gatorade and Powerade are filled with carbs, minerals and electrolytes. These beverages replace water and electrolytes that are lost through sweating when exercising. The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly urges parents to avoid giving children these beverages as frequent consumption leads to obesity and tooth decay. The AAP recommends kids drink plain water both during and after exercise.

According to a study conducted by the Academy of General Dentistry, sports drinks contain so much acid that your teeth can get destroyed after five days of consistent use. It’s actually not the high levels of sugar that damage your teeth but the intense amount of acidity. The tooth’s enamel gets broken down from the acid in the drinks so over time, teeth become sensitive to temperature changes.

If your children are still drinking sports drinks, there are some tips to reduce damage:

Wait 30 minutes before brushing your teeth – Brushing right after drinking acidic drinks can cause corrosion of dentin.
Drink with a straw
Alternate by drinking with sips of water
Rinse with water after consuming sports drinks

When enamel is stripped, teeth become extremely sensitive, making them prone to cavities. If you know your child is going to be participating in rigorous activity, they should drink plenty of water. Some parents choose to infuse water with tasty fruit such as strawberries, cucumbers or orange slices.

Is your child’s enamel wearing away? If you notice your son or daughter’s teeth being damaged, have them come into Lindner Dental for a checkup. Our pediatric dentists have years of experience providing anxiety-free dental care to infants, children and teens.

Tooth-Friendly Snacks for Your Kids

Written by Karen Girard on July 14, 2017. Posted in Blog, News, Pediatric Dentistry.

Is your little one running to the fridge after school? That time between after school and waiting for dinner is usually spent snacking. However, kids often gravitate towards sticky, chewy and salty treats. Children need to be eating foods that are packed with minerals and vitamins. Below are several tasty snacks that are great for your kid’s teeth!

Fruit & Peanut Butter

Did you know that Greek yogurt is amazing for your teeth? Grab some fruits, veggies and peanut butter to create the perfect snack. Use ¾ cup of plain Greek yogurt, mix it with ½ cup of peanut butter and add in your favorite fruits and veggies.

Baked Zucchini

Slice zucchini into thin slices and lay them on a cookie sheet. The kids can sprinkle some parmesan cheese for a little bit of extra flavor. Put in the oven for 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

Hummus with Pita

Made from chic peas, hummus is a delicious non-fat treat that doesn’t harm your teeth at all. Pair it with some toasted whole grain pita triangles and you have a scrumptious snack!

Celery Sticks & Cream Cheese

While celery sticks are delicious on their own, children aren’t the biggest fans. Pair the celery sticks with cream cheese to hold your children over for dinner. It will put your mind at ease having them eat celery rather than candy.

Ready to schedule a cleaning? Contact Lindner Dental today at 603.624.3900 to have your child seen by a professional pediatric dentist in Southern NH.

Preparing Your Child for Their First Dental Visit

Written by Karen Girard on July 7, 2017. Posted in Blog, News.

Children should be seen by a dentist by the age of one or at least within 6 months after his or her tooth comes in.

The first dental visit will be relatively short, giving the child an opportunity to meet the dentist and to show him or her that the dentist can be a pretty fun place! During the exam process, the dentist will check all the child’s teeth for decay as well as examine the bite and look for potential issues relating to the gums, jaw and oral tissue.

Below are several topics we recommend asking the dentist:

Best oral hygiene practices for your child
What foods negatively impact the teeth
How to handle a dental emergency
The amount of fluoride your child should take
Safety of dental x-rays
Handling your child’s toothache

We encourage parents to talk to their children before the dentist so they can get completely comfortable. One of the best ways to do this is giving kids props such as toothbrushes, cups for rinsing and a flashlight. Have them invite their friends for a checkup so they can practice being the patient.

One of the best things you can do is be a good role model for your child. This means, brush and floss on a regular basis. Remind your child that you will be at the dentist on their first visit and that you will be holding their hand. Let them know of all the different people they can expect to see at the dentist such as the dentist, dentist’s helper, other children, toys, and the receptionist.

You’ll also want to make sure that you are setting expectations for your child. With the sharp tools and the bright lights, your kid could get a little overwhelmed. Reassure them that everything will be alright!

Call the experienced professionals at Lindner Dental at 603.624.3900!

5 Tips to Keep Your Child’s Braces Clean

Written by Karen Girard on April 4, 2017. Posted in Blog, News.

If you’ve recently purchased braces for your child, then you definitely understand that these are a major investment. Making sure your child takes care of his or her braces is critical as it ensures they’ll have a healthy, beautiful smile in the near future. When your son or daughter eats sticky candies, chews bubble gum or doesn’t thoroughly floss, the braces could break or become damaged. Let’s explore what foods should be avoided and how to maintain braces so your child ends up with a flawless smile.

Brush, Brush & Brush Again!

Since food particles easily get trapped in the braces, leading to cavities and acid buildup, your child should brush his or her teeth at least four times per day. So, when is it best to brush?

In the morning after breakfast
After lunch
After school
After dinner
Bedtime

By getting an extra scrub in, this ensure that braces won’t be damaged and the mouth will be free of cavities.

Floss with Some Other Tools

Flossing is essential but it’s tricky when braces are involved. Brackets and rubber bands get in the way so try out some other methods such as dental picks, superfloss or floss threaders. Waterpiks are also a tremendous investment that work wonders.

Swap Out Toothbrushes Every 2 Months

If you didn’t already know this (and we hope you do) your toothbrush should be switched out every three months. Since your child will be brushing the braces frequently, the brackets will damage the toothbrush over time. Bristles often get frayed and the head loses shape so make sure to change the toothbrush every two months or so.

Gurgle Water

Sometimes getting rid of food caught in braces can seem like a very long struggle. However, swishing water after every meal is going to loosen up the debris. Then all that needs to be done is brushing and flossing!

Avoid These Foods…

This is always the worst news to children and teens but yes, there are some delicious treats that must be avoided.

Toffee
Tootsie Rolls
Caramel
Chips
Corn
Popcorn
Jolly Ranchers
Gum
Hard Bread
Starburst
Licorice

If you have questions about your child’s braces or you’d like to schedule a consultation, give us a call at 603.624.3900. Our pediatric dentist and orthodontists have years of experience providing exceptional dental services.

Tooth Friendly Snacks for Kids

Written by Karen Girard on March 28, 2017. Posted in Blog, News.

It can be challenging to encourage healthy eating habits for your little one. Children tend to gravitate towards cookies, cakes, ice cream and of course, candy. When children consume an excess amount of sugar and fructose, their teeth are in for some trouble.

Bacteria in the mouth forms plaque on the teeth and when sugar is consumed, the bacteria turns this into acid which dissolves enamel on the tooth. This leads to cavities! When less sugar is consumed, bacteria cannot produce acid which eats at the enamel.

Smart Snacking

The best type of snacks are those that are natural and contain a very low amount of sugar.

Some healthier options are:

Hard boiled eggs
Oatcakes
Plain yogurt
Fruit
Hummus & pita bread
Raw or uncooked vegetables
Cheese sticks
Whole grain breads
Nuts

Creating unique treats with your child is not only a fun way to bond but you’ll be teaching your child about healthy eating. It can be tough to get kids into consuming natural products but they’ll thank you for it down the road…and so will their teeth!

If you’re ready to schedule a cleaning for your child, contact Lindner Dental at 603.624.3900. Our pediatric dentists are ready to discuss healthy eating habits and get your child excited for dental appointments.

Tips for Helping Your Child Deal with Sensitive Teeth

Written by Karen Girard on March 21, 2017. Posted in Blog, News, Oral Hygiene.

Most children try to avoid brushing their teeth at all costs and some kids need to do this because their teeth are much too sensitive. There are several reasons for this but it can be difficult for a parent to determine the root of the issue. Determining what to use for sensitive teeth means you must figure out why your child’s teeth are sensitive to begin with.

Causes of Sensitive Teeth in Children

Typically, people have sensitive teeth between the ages of 25-30 but children can experience this too. If your child has poor dental habits, tooth enamel will wear down and your child will have tooth sensitivity. They might feel the sensation when in contact with a toothbrush or eating cold food. Your child could have chipped a tooth in a sports injury, or when eating hard candy, he or she feels sensitivity. In this case, the bacteria irritates the tooth due to the exposed dentin.

Select the Right Toothpaste

There are an abundance of toothpastes available for those with sensitive teeth. However, make sure you speak with a dentist prior to purchasing.

Use Fluoride

In-office fluoride treatments work to strengthen enamel on the teeth and lower the risk of tooth decay. Fluoride in gel or foam form should only be used if your child is at a great risk of tooth decay.

Encourage Better Oral Hygiene

If it’s your child’s oral hygiene that is causing he teeth sensitivity, you must encourage better oral hygiene. This will greatly improve your child’s comfort level when brushing. Make sure they brush twice a day, floss daily and rinse. A toothbrush with soft bristles will also reduce the likelihood of feeling teeth sensitivity again.

When sensitivity becomes an ongoing issue, contact Lindner Dental and we’ll gladly take a look. We have years of experience with pediatric dentistry, infant dental care, sports related injuries and more. Give us a call today at 603.624.3900.