Author: adv-admin

Having children at various ages with teeth coming and falling out can make a parent realize the importance of playing the role of “tooth fairy” to their kids. Some great tips to help make the experience of losing that first tooth (and every tooth) at the age of believing in tooth fairies are below:

1. Leave a Trail: A little glitter you get at the dollar store or local craft supply store can work great. One bottle will likely last a few teeth!
2. Use Tiny Handwriting to Leave Correspondence Notes: Tooth fairies are supposed to be small little creatures that fly, right? Use handwriting that matches!
3. Make it Festive: Dab some glitter glue or glitter to the end of the dollar bills that are left for the children under their pillow (or wherever you leave the money!)
4. If Caught Deny It: If the children wake up when you go to put the money by or under their pillow just deny what you are doing. You are checking in on them before bed like every night they just usually sleep through it so you will never know!
5. Make It Work for Them: Invite the child to write a letter to the tooth fairy letting them know exactly how they would like their money left and where to go to find the lost tooth. Have them hang it on their door before bed.
6. Have a Backup Plan: If the fairy forgets to come hide some bills in their pillowcase. Tell them to go look better for it. That should do as to why the change or bills were not there that morning.
7. Don’t Fall for the Upper-One: Tell the kids each house has its own fairy (the parent) and that you may not get what your friends always get — sorry kid — tough luck!

Just be sure you making losing teeth fun and exciting for your children. Those teeth all have to come out at some point, so may as well make it a real experience in the process!

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about us visit us here or call us 909-465-1016. The Ramona Dentistry Team “Where Family Comes First”

Selecting Dental Products:

Toothbrushes:

So many different toothbrushes that are different shapes, sizes, and textures it’s hard to know which ones are your best choice. Deciding can be difficult, but dentists usually agree on these tips that will make it all a bit easier to choose:

• Smaller-headed, soft-bristled brushes generally will remove plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth better than harder-bristled brushes.
• Go based on feel for a toothbrush at the size and shape that is comfortable and fits into your mouth the easiest for you.
• For many, a powered toothbrush is a good option as it reaches all of those hard-to-reach corners.
• Replace your toothbrush when it begins to show wear or about ever 2-3 months at the most frequent.
• Ensure your child is using the proper toothbrush also. Speak to your dentist about what toothbrush ought to be using as it changes with growth. A wrong-sized toothbrush can damage their gums and not clean teeth properly.
• Being easier to reach the harder-to-reach places can make the powered toothbrush more appealing, but a regular one can work just fine, too.

Toothpaste:

As with toothbrushes there are so many different kinds of toothpaste advertising different things it’s hard to know which ones work for you. They promise whitening, extra fluoride, plaque removal, tartar reduction, etc. No matter what toothpaste you choose there are some basics most all dentists agree on a toothpaste having. All toothpaste should contain fluoride unless you are instructed otherwise by your dentist. If you want to use a toothpaste without fluoride speak with your dentist before making the switch.

For children, the taste of toothpaste is important as to whether they will actually use that toothpaste or not. There are many flavors out there like bubblegum, chocolate, mint, etc. Choose one your child will use first as that is the most important step for any toothpaste to work: ensure that it’s used. When choosing for yourself or another adult focus on benefits first. If you have sensitive teeth then maybe a toothpaste for sensitive teeth will help.

Mouthwashes & Mouth Rinses:

Mouthwash and fluoride mouth rinse are two entirely different products. Anti-bacterial mouthwashes control plaque and bacteria better and freshen breath. Fluoride rinses coat the teeth with fluoride to strengthen teeth and prevent tooth decay. Many types of mouthwash contain alcohol and are not appropriate for children under age 6.

Floss:

Flossing is critical for healthy gums. Floss is available in many various thicknesses, coatings, and flavors. If you have trouble using floss wound around your fingers, then get some holders as most grocery or drug stores provide holders that can help you use the floss more consistently. Everyone, including children, should floss once per day, usually before bed. However, if another time is more convenient then do it then over not doing it at all.

Water Irrigation Devices:

Water irrigation devices can remove food from the hardest-to-reach places in the mouth. Most children or adults probably don’t need them, however, teenagers (or even adults) with braces or other orthodontic devices may need to use them. Using water irrigation tools with those devices has shown that less gingivitis and other problems occur during their use.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about us visit us here or call us 909-465-1016. The Ramona Dentistry Team “Where Family Comes First”

Piercing your tongue can run some health risks but when provided with good aftercare the problems should be able to be kept minimal. The worry is the bacteria trapped in your mouth that can cause infection at the piercing site. Caring for a newly pierced tongue should involve cleaning the jewelry while avoiding any risky behaviors that may cause infections.

After a Tongue Piercing:

Most commercial and homemade cleaning solutions applied during and after the piercing will help keep the site adequately cleaned. The Association of Professional Piercers (AAP) suggests using antimicrobial mouth rinses after each meal while the site is healing. However, these washes and rinses should not be used more than about four or five times per day. The mouth should be rinsed for 30 to 60 seconds with the solution before the solution is spat out. A ¼ cup of iodine-free salt mixed with 8 ounces of warm water can make a great secondary rinse. The salt solution should be used for 10-15 seconds for several rinses in a row twice per day.

Your Toothbrush:

Using a new toothbrush soon as the piercing is done can help avoid old bacteria getting into the piercing site. A soft-bristled brush on the smaller side such as Colgate Slim Soft ® is a great selection of a toothbrush to use in these cases. Use a gentle brushing pattern to avoid harming the piercing site while its healing.

When eating be sure to avoid letting food contact the site where the piercing occurred. Wash your hands with antibacterial soap and eat finger foods for a few days where you can place the food directly on the molars to help ensure you are keeping the bacteria and food particles that can get into the piercing site to a minimum. Please always do wash your hands again before putting them in your mouth to avoid making yourself sick!

Normal Healing:

A normal piercing will see pain lasting up to a month as the tissue around the piercing site heals according to the University of Wisconsin (Whitewater). The AAP states that swelling can last 3 to 5 days, and things like sucking on ice chips or small ice cubes may help relieve some swelling while keeping you hydrated if drinking regular water is relatively painful for a few days. Plaque can collect on the jewelry itself as well but if the top of your tongue turns a yellowish color that’s a sign of overcleaning.

Signs of Infections:

Nonetheless, the American Dental Association (ADA) has warned of some potentially serious side-effects have had a tongue piercing that can get infected including that the tongue swelling, if severe enough, may inhibit breathing for some people. Signs of infection include fever, chills, shaking, and red-streaked appearance around the piercing site are all signs that there may be infections in your new piercing. Usually piercing will take 4 to 6 weeks to heal completely.

Avoiding Problems:

A few temporary lifestyle changes can also help you avoid some serious complications after having tour tongue pierced. This includes avoiding oral sex while your piercing site is healing. Do not have things like chewing like chewing gums or mints while the tongue is healing is also advisable. This goes for hard candies as well. Other nonfood items like cigarettes, chewing tobacco, or smoking pipes should be avoided as well. This will help avoid further chances of infections. Avoid hot, spicy foods as the seasoning may burn the tissue around where the tongue is healing. Playing with and messing with the jewelry or twisting it around will not help either as it can cause irritation at the piercing site.

Conclusions:

Ensuring that you provide your mouth with proper oral care after a piercing helps ensure that you are not going to experience any unnecessary complications after having a piercing done.