Did you know your baby’s teeth are at risk for decay as soon as the child is born? One of the biggest causes of tooth decay in infants and toddlers is known as baby bottle tooth decay.

Baby bottle tooth decay occurs when the baby’s teeth are exposed for extended periods of time to liquids that contain sugar, such as juice, sweetened water and potentially milk or formula. The sugars in these drinks feed the bacteria in plaque that accumulate around the baby’s teeth and gums.  Like adult teeth, each time a child drinks these beverages the acids attack the teeth for 20 minutes or longer, and multiple attacks can cause cavities and decay.

The good news is that baby tooth decay is very preventable.  Here are a few ways parents can help keep tooth decay at bay for their little one.

• Wipe your baby’s gums with a clean, damp cloth after every feeding to remove plaque and leftover foods.
• Never coat the baby’s pacifier in sweeteners, such as honey or jam.
• When your child’s first tooth erupts, brush it gently with a child-sized toothbrush and water. Check with Dawsonville Distinctive Dentistry before using any type of fluoride treatment.
• Only serve juice and other sugary drinks at mealtime.
• Infants should always finish their bottle prior to napping or going to bed.
• Introduce training cups for drinking by 12 months of age.
• Promote a healthy, well-balanced diet, and limit foods that contain sugars, which contribute to decay.
• Schedule your child’s first appointment with your Dawsonville dentist by his or her first birthday.

It’s never too early to start taking care of your baby’s teeth and gums.  Pay special care to your baby’s mouth now, and always contact Dawsonville Distinctive Dentistry with questions or at the first sign of a problem.

Healthy Smiles, Healthy Families

Good oral health is important at every age. Healthy teeth and gums signify more than an attractive smile—it often reflects good general health, confidence and a personal sense of well-being. Proper oral hygiene starting at home can help protect your family’s teeth from cavities and prevent gum disease.

The following tips can help your family reach optimal oral health to promote a lifetime of healthy smiles:

1. Practice Good Oral Hygiene

The health of your smile is a reflection of how well you take care of your teeth and gums. It should go without saying that you and your family should brush your teeth at least twice a day, and floss daily to remove plaque build up from the large surfaces of the teeth and under the gums.  Most of us learn these habits as children, and that’s why it’s important for parents to play an active role in helping kids learn the proper techniques for brushing and flossing.

2. Snacking & Tooth Decay

Frequent snacking can be your mouth’s biggest enemy.  That’s because when sugars or starches in your mouth come in contact with plaque, the acids produced can attack teeth for several minutes after you finish eating. Repeated attacks can break down the enamel on the surface of teeth, fueling tooth decay. To prevent cavities, consume sugary foods and drinks with meals rather than in between. If you must snack throughout the day, then brush immediately after to cleanse the mouth of food.

Along with limiting how frequently you eat, you should also pay attention to the types of foods and drinks your family is consuming. Limit your intake of sugary, starchy foods, and replace them with healthy choices, such as raw vegetables, fresh fruits and whole grains.

3. Fluoride

Teeth are attacked by plaque daily. The acids produced by plaque weaken the enamel, which eventually leads to decay. That’s why it is important to make sure you are getting enough fluoride. Fluoride is absorbed into the enamel, helping to repair and prevent cavities. Some children may benefit from fluoride supplements. Ask Dawsonville Distinctive Dentistry about the best fluoride treatment plan for your family at your next visit.

4. Check ups

Regular visits to your Dawsonville, GA dentist are a very important part of maintaining good dental health. The American Dental Association recommends scheduling dental appointments twice a year.  A professional dentist can detect problems in their earliest stages, and will make sure your kids’ teeth are developing properly as they grow.  Dawsonville Distinctive Dentistry can clean the areas of your teeth that regular brushing can’t, helping you avoid unnecessary cavities and dental treatment.

If you neglect the care of your teeth at home and fail to go to the dentist regularly, accumulated plaque could potentially lead to the development of tooth decay, gum disease and even tooth loss. The good news is that being diligent about your dental health care at home and by seeing your dentist on a regular basis, you and your family will be more likely to keep your teeth and gums healthy for a lifetime.

If your child is active in sports, then you know that losing isn't the worst thing that can happen to a young athlete- sustaining a serious injury is.  That’s why anyone who participates in recreational activities carries a significant risk of injury and should always wear appropriate protective gear—and that includes wearing a mouthguard. 

Every year, thousands of kids sustain some type of oral injury, such as a knocked out tooth or damaged jaw while participating in recreational sports or competitions.  According to the American Dental Association, an athlete is 60 times more likely to sustain an injury to the teeth when not wearing a protective mouthguard! That means that the majority of dental injuries caused by sports can easily be prevented with proper protection.

Mouthguards are made of soft plastic and fit over the teeth. They are designed to prevent damage where sports injuries are most prevalent and can cushion a blow to the face, minimizing impact that otherwise could cause broken teeth, jaw injuries or cuts to the soft tissues in the mouth.  For kids with braces, a mouthguard helps shield the cheeks, gums and lips from getting cut by wires and brackets.

But smiles aren’t the only things a protective mouthpiece can save. Mouthguards also play a pivotal role in reducing the rate and severity of concussions, as a large percentage are caused by impact to the jaws rather than a blow to the skull.

Choosing the Right Mouthguard

To receive optimal protection, your child’s mouthguard should be customized for their specific sport. It should be durable, comfortable and fit securely on the athlete’s teeth during practice and competition.

There are three different types of mouthguards to choose from:

1. Preformed, store bought mouthguards are ready-to-wear

2. “Boil-and-bite, ”store bought mouthguards are molded to the teeth

3. Custom-made and fitted mouthguards are designed by your Dawsonville dentist to perfectly fit an individual’s smile.

At Dawsonville Distinctive Dentistry, we can custom-fit mouthguards for patients of every age to prevent injuries to the teeth, lips, tongue, face or jaw. Our custom-fit mouthguards are durable and specifically designed for each patient's unique smile. A custom-made mouthguard is designed to cover all the teeth and is the best type of mouthpiece available. And since comfort is key, we make sure the mouthguard stays in place while your child is wearing it, making it easy to talk and breathe while offering the best fit, protection and comfort for their smile. 

Remember, mouthguards aren’t only for kids and professional athletes—they’re for everyone, young or old and every skill level alike. It’s a small investment, but it offers peace of mind and can save your smile. Make an appointment for you or your young athlete today.

At one time or another, you’ve probably experienced a sharp, sudden tooth pain.  This is known as tooth sensitivity, or dentin hypersensitivity, and is one of the most common complaints among dental patients.  Are your sensitive teeth simply an annoyance, or could it be a sign of something more serious?

Before we examine the causes of tooth sensitivity, let’s first understand the structure of a tooth.  The outermost layer of a tooth is called the enamel, a protective covering that envelopes the inner tooth surface known as the dentin. Beneath the dentin and in the center of the tooth are living tissues; this is known as the pulp.  The pulp contains sensitive nerves, which are connected to the dentin.  When dentin is exposed, the nerves are easily stimulated which results in discomfort and pain. 

People with sensitive teeth generally experience discomfort when a hot, cold, sweet or sour food or beverage comes into contact with the exposed dentin and irritates the nerves. The sensation can range from slight irritation to excruciating pain.

One or combinations of the following are common causes of tooth sensitivity.

• Overly abrasive toothpaste
• Receding gums
• Brushing too vigorously or using a hard-bristled toothbrush
• Cracked teeth
• Teeth grinding or clenching
• Tooth decay
• Enamel wear caused by acidic foods or drinks, such as soda
• Eating disorders
• Root nerve damage
• Teeth whitening products
• Dental procedures such as cleanings, crowns or root canals

Not all occasional tooth sensitivity warrants a trip to the dentist, but when tooth sensitivity persists, talk to Dawsonville Distinctive Dentistry. A more serious issue, such as gum disease, that requires professional treatment may be causing your discomfort.  Your Dawsonville dentist will assess the severity of your tooth sensitivity, determine the cause of your pain and recommend the best course of treatment to relieve your discomfort.

Now that you have your braces in place, it is especially important to maintain good oral health throughout the length of your treatment. To get the most of your braces, and wear them for the shortest time with the fewest visits, keep your braces clean and be mindful of the foods you eat.

Brushing and Flossing with Braces

While wearing braces, the risk of gum disease and tooth decay is much higher as food and plaque can get trapped in the tiny spaces between brackets and wires, causing decay and enamel stains. To avoid dental problems and discoloration, it is best to brush after every meal and use special orthodontic floss at least once a day to clean between brackets and under wires. Check your teeth in a mirror to make sure all food particles have been washed away. If you don't have your toothbrush with you, rinse your mouth vigorously with water. Ask our Dawsonville office about special cleaning aids, which are specially designed to clean between wires and appliances.

Eating with Braces

Patients can eat and drink most foods while wearing braces, but there are certain foods and habits that a patient should avoid to prevent bending wires, breaking brackets, and loosening the cement that attaches the appliances to your teeth.

• Avoid chewy and sticky foods, such as caramel, taffy, chewing gum and beef jerky which can stick to braces.
• Avoid hard foods, such as apples, pretzels, candies, nuts and popcorn which break wires and loosen brackets.
• Minimize sweets, soda and other sugary and starchy foods and drinks that promote decay.
• Refrain from habits such as pencil chewing, nail biting and picking at your wires as this can also lead to damaged braces.

Keep in mind that broken braces will require extra appointments and time. Make an appointment immediately if your wires and brackets are damaged so that your orthodontic treatment won't be delayed.

Protecting Your Mouth

Any contact to the mouth could not only break or damage your braces, but it could seriously injure your teeth and gums. If this is a problem, a special wax is available, which is placed on the wires to prevent irritation of your oral tissues. When playing sports where there is a chance of getting struck in the mouth, wear a mouth guard. These durable mouth pieces fit over your braces and teeth to protect your mouth tissue from painful contact with your braces.

Caring for your braces will require a little more time and effort on your part, but is necessary to keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout treatment. Remember that your orthodontic care is only temporary, but your new, beautiful smile will last a lifetime!