South Riding Family Dentistry

Three Childhood Habits That Could Harm Your Kid's Teeth

Many children develop habits during their childhood that are normal and harmless. Some of these habits, however, can become unhealthy for their teeth and mouths as time passes. While you should always talk to your dentist about your child’s specific needs, here are a few common unhealthy childhood habits:

Thumb Sucking
Thumb sucking is a perfectly normal habit for your child, but he should stop by age two or three. Pressure exerted by thumb sucking can affect the formation of the palate of your child’s mouth as well as his jaws. It may displace teeth, causing deformities in the mouth or the shape of the face.

Unhealthy Snacking Habits
Many parents don’t monitor their child’s snacking habits as well as they should, or they give small children easy-to-eat sugary snacks to keep them happy. As teeth begin to erupt, however, it’s important to instill healthy snacking habits in your child to prevent tooth decay, as cavities in primary teeth can cause pain and discomfort. Severe decay may even affect your child’s gums and permanent teeth, so remember that it’s never too early to consider healthy snacking options for your child.

Poor Oral Hygiene Routine
Dentists and parents must work together to instill good dental hygiene habits. Don’t let your child skip brushing—he should be brushing for a full two minutes at least twice each day. Teach your child how to floss, or ask his dentist to show him how to do it during his next visit. Lack of brushing and flossing are two of the leading causes of tooth decay and gum disease.

Help your child learn healthy habits with the help of your dentist at South Riding Family Dentistry. Our friendly dentists can help you and your child learn about maintaining good oral health. Take a look at our website or call (888) 802-1571 today for information on our Chantilly office. 

Five Tips and Resources on Tooth Anatomy, Oral Hygiene and More1

Find out more about your dental health and treatment options by visiting these informative sites:

• An abscessed tooth is a common reason to need root canal therapy. Check out this webpage from MedicineNet.com to learn more.
• Did you know that your lips can get sunburned? This article from Discovery Fit & Health tells you how to treat sunburned lips, but it’s always best to prevent a burn before it occurs.
• Check out this page from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for tips to quit smoking.
• If you’d like to study the anatomy of a tooth, check out this publication from the American Dental Association.
• Proper oral hygiene is the best way to avoid root canals and other dental problems. Read this article from the Mayo Clinic for the basics.

At South Riding Family Dentistry, we are dedicated to your oral health. We offer general and cosmetic dentistry services so you can smile brightly every day. Schedule your next appointment by calling us today at (714) 793-9830.

Root Canal: Aftercare Tips

Root canals are sometimes necessary in order to save a tooth and prevent serious infection. Your family dentist can perform your root canal with no more discomfort to you than what you’d expect from a filling. You may, however, be a little sore after the anesthetic wears off. Follow these tips for a speedy, comfortable root canal recovery:

Be Proactive with Pain Management
You shouldn’t experience any severe pain, but you will have some discomfort. Speak to your dentist about taking an over-the-counter pain reliever before your anesthetic wears off. Pain relievers work best when they are taken before you start to feel uncomfortable, so keep a conservative but sufficient dosing schedule for the first day or two after your root canal.

Pamper Your Tooth
You’ll want to avoid chewing on the treated tooth. Sometimes, it is easiest to just eat soft foods or soups so that you don’t inadvertently bite down on the affected tooth. If you do try to maintain a normal diet, avoid foods that are very hard or chewy. You could damage your tooth or dislodge your temporary filling.

Maintain Your Oral Hygiene
Your family dentist will advise you to continue brushing and flossing as normal. He or she may recommend using caution with floss around the treated tooth so as to avoid pulling out the filling. Otherwise, nothing about your oral hygiene routine should change—unless, of course, it is to make improvements on less-than-ideal techniques.

Be sure to keep your follow-up appointment with your family dentist. You’ll need a dental crown to protect the weakened tooth. At South Riding Family Dentistry in Chantilly, we specialize in root canal therapy and offer the most comfortable experience possible. Call us at (888) 802-1571 today to learn more about our family and cosmetic dentistry services or to schedule an appointment.

Check Out These Links To Find More Dental Health Information

If you would like to learn more about periodontal disease, root canals, orthodontics, or other dental topics, browse the information in the resources below. Call South Riding Family Dentistry in Chantilly at (888) 802-1571 to schedule your next dental appointment today.

• Learn about gingivitis by reading this informative article from Colgate.com.
• Check out this article from the American Academy of Periodontology to learn about the connection between gum disease and general health.
• If you’re having trouble with your flossing technique, check out this guide from Oral-B.
• Visit this webpage if you’d like to learn about the health benefits of Invisalign.
• This article from WebMD.com provides an overview of the root canal treatment process.

What Are the Risk Factors for Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer may not be as notorious as breast or lung cancer, but it is no less dangerous. Your family dentist can perform a simple, painless screening to detect oral cancer. In its early stages, oral cancer has a very high survival rate. Once it has progressed, it becomes very difficult to treat successfully. That is why regular screenings with your dentist are so important, especially if you have high risk factors.

Tobacco Use
Tobacco is believed to be one of the biggest risk factors for developing oral cancer. This includes any type of tobacco, including cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and pipe smoking. If you use tobacco products, talk to your family dentist about how to quit.

Sun Exposure
Excessive sun exposure can lead to skin cancer anywhere on your body, so it only makes sense that it can affect the lips as well. Many people don’t think about their lips when providing sun protection, but the lips are just as susceptible to sun damage as the rest of the body. Use a lip product with SPF protection each time you go outdoors, even if it’s only to the grocery store and back.

Alcohol Abuse
Excessive alcohol use can dry out and irritate the skin cells inside your mouth, which in turn can make them more vulnerable to cancer. If you care to have a few drinks, do so in moderation.

Certain Viruses
HIV, HPV, and AIDS all may increase your risk for developing oral cancer. If you know that you carry any of these viruses, talk to your family dentist and doctor about how often you should be screened for cancer.

At South Riding Family Dentistry, we provide a wide range of dental services, including oral cancer screenings. Call us in Herndon at (888) 802-1571 to learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment.