Category: Blog

Any parents could tell you that when the kids come home from school the first place they run is the kitchen for snack time!

        It’s normal to be a bit peckish after a long afternoon in the classroom, but what they are chowing down on can have a serious impact on their long-term oral health. So, what do your kids reaching for? Cookies? Cake? Candy? Chips? Pretzels? Apple slices with peanut butter? Popcorn? The choices are endless, but over time those choices matter!

          Constantly snacking on foods high in sugars and starches can cause those foods to adhere to the teeth. As those foods adhere to the teeth they can slowly wear off the enamel and chew away through the tooth causing cavities and potentially tooth decay. Instead of the sugary snack foods try these teeth-friendly snacks for the kids when they come home starving — these snacks also provide great nourishment for their bodies, too!

Leafy Greens & Fresh Veggies:

          Offering children fresh greens like collard greens or spinach provide excellent sources of calcium, Vitamin A, Vitamin B12, & magnesium all of which are vital to gum and tooth health. Veggies like broccoli or celery are great, too! They provide high-fiber content, and also provide a “brushing” kind of effect to keep teeth clean when eaten raw.

          Moreover, if the kids want some crunch in their snack simply make your own veggie chips! Kale or carrots can make a great base! Mix your veggies in some olive oil till they are coated. Put them in the oven for 12 minutes, and flip! Bake till crunchy!

Cheese, Milk, & Yogurt:

      Dairy provides an excellent, nutritious source of calcium to help strengthen teeth. Dairy can also help cut the acid level in the mouth down caused by things like sugary juices and such. It can help lessen the erosion of the teeth, and promote better oral health. Some fruit and yogurt parfaits with some granola or another healthy grain on top can provide pickier eaters a variety and some sweetness added to their snack if plain yogurt is not going to get it done!

Fruits High in Vitamin C:

     Vitamin C helps build up the gum-line keeping them from being punctured, injured, or infected due to a breakdown in the collagen networks that make up the strength of the gums. Citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, kiwis, etc. are great snacks and sources of Vitamin C to keep the gums strong into the future. Create kabobs out of these fruits and some berries (high in antioxidants) along with low-fat cheeses to provide fun snacks!

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”

It’s not the first thing you think of when you think of allergy season, but allergy season can also have an impact on your gums and teeth as well as oral health as well. The following are all things to consider when thinking of allergies and oral health:

Tooth Pain:

      It’s common to feel a pounding pain in the open cavities of the upper part of the nose during allergy season. Your nose can fill with mucus and saliva as you fight off pollens and dust that cause the allergies. This can cause a pound pain in the upper back part of the mouth that causes the upper molars to feel tender and sometime sore. This can be accompanied by an extreme sensitivity to foods or drinks that are hot or cold. Pain may vary based on your position of sitting, standing, or lying down. Antihistamines are the best prevention to help alleviate this pain. If the antihistamines take care of the tooth ache then it was likely sinus related, but if the pain continues see your dentist.

Dry Mouth:

        Sometimes having a stuffy nose can cause you to have to breathe through your mouth. This can cause dry mouth. Sometimes a side-effect of antihistamines is also a dry mouth. Either way be sure to sip plenty of water throughout the day as dry mouth can leave a better chance of cavities and allows bad bacteria to grow in the mouth.

Sore Throat:

In this case, the sore throat is likely caused by postnasal drip. There isn’t much you can do about it at that point. It also may cause bad breath, but it originates deep in the throat so brushing teeth won’t help. Possibly try chewing sugar-free gum or having a mint.

What to Do:
To help ensure premium oral health during allergy season ensure you follow these steps listed below:

• Stay Hydrated: Constantly sipping water throughout the day can help you avoid dry mouth that can also cause a greater chance of bad bacteria multiplying and causing cavities.
• Gargle w/Salt Water: Dissolving a tablespoon of salt in a glass of warm water then using it to gargle with can help draw the mucus out of your sinuses. Continue gargling and spitting till the glass of water is gone. It can also kill bad bacteria in the mouth and throat. *Do not drink this water it has a high amount of sodium and is not good to ingest!
• Keep Brushing & Flossing: Keep brushing at least twice a day, and be sure to floss every evening before brushing to keep oral health at its best.
• Treat Your Allergies: Take the antihistamines or vaccinations to help with your allergies. Avoid the allergy triggers. If basic treatments do not help, talk to your doctor to figure out what you are allergic to and also to how to treat the allergy symptoms.
• Talk to Your Doctor: If allergies are leaving you with sore, sensitive teeth and dry mouth talk to your dentist about remedies for the problem.

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”

A few steps that can help you feel comfortable with your new dentist that is committed to helping you overcome your phobia include the following:

1. Meet Your Dentist Prior to the First Treatment: Sit down and have a consultation with the dentist. Talk about your fears and concerns, and see in which ways he/she will help address your personal concerns. Ask any questions you may have about their dental policies and procedures as this time as well.
2. Be Upfront About Your Dental Phobia: Explain what you are feeling and how your phobias effect you seeking help for your dental needs. Any dentist who wants to help will not laugh at or scoff you, they will welcome the honest openness of your discussion and want to help.
3. Bring a Family Member/Friend with You for Moral Support: Bringing someone you trust who does not have a phobia of dentists can help you make the whole thin seem more reasonable. They can put the treatment in perspective and help you remain calm during your new experience.
4. Ask About Modifications: Some dentists can make modifications to treatments or the way they are administered to help you feel more at ease. Just ask!
5. Consider Changing Dentists: If the dentist seems unwilling to help you find a solution to your problem then it might be time to look for a dentist who will help! Same goes for dentists who may find your fears “comical” or “entertaining”. There is nothing funny about it, so possibly looking for someone who can take you seriously is in order.
6. Use Noise-Cancelling Headphones: If the sounds of dental tools grating on the surfaces of your teeth makes your skin crawl request to use headphones while the dentist is performing the procedure. Losing yourself in the music can help you forget about what is happening. It can block those terrible noises that can make your skin crawl as well!
7. Talk About Pain Management Options: If you need more detailed dental work like root canal or cavity that needs to be filled talk to your dentist about ways to manage pain that you may feel during the experience. If you have had this experienced in the past, ask if there is a way they can guarantee you are not feeling pain. If you feel pain during this procedure, ask for a signal to stop the procedure till the pain is addressed.
8. Stay Halfway Up in the Chair: Possibly ask the dentist to only put the chair halfway back if you feel laying in the supine position makes you feel vulnerable. Many dentists will be able to comply

All of these tips, and finding a dentist who is happy to accommodate can help make your entire experience the next time you go to the dentist something that is bearable. If you have children try not to pass that fear of the dentist on to them. Talk about the benefits/perks of regular dental care (i.e. oral health, avoiding cavities, keeping your natural teeth, etc.). Take the children to their dentist for the first time when they are young so they are able to grow up with regular dental care to ensure they are not fearful as they age.

If you have questions regarding this article or would like to learn more about us visit our website or call us 909-465-1016.

The Ramona Dentistry Team

“Where Family Comes First”