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Caring for your child’s teeth at an early age and following important guidelines can help prevent cavities. Even a child’s baby teeth can develop cavities, which can be a painful nuisance. Here are six simple ways to help prevent cavities from developing in your children’s teeth.

1. Keep Their Fingers Out Of Their Mouth

Try to prevent your child from putting their fingers in their mouth when you can. After putting their hands on things such as the floor, toys, food and other children, a baby’s fingers can transmit unwanted bacteria into their mouths. Of course, completely keeping your child’s fingers out of their mouth is almost impossible to do, as younger children tend to put many things in their mouths. However, even a small amount of prevention can go a long way.

2. Not Sharing is Caring

Try to avoid giving germs to your child by not sharing utensils, straws, cups, bites of food, toothbrushes and other items like these with them. An adult’s mouth can often have more germs than a child’s body has learned to fight. A young person’s mouth will experience harsher consequences as a result of the germs you may share with them. So try and stop the passing of bacteria by keeping your germs to yourself.

3. Start Brushing Early

Once your child first begins developing teeth, it’s important to keep them clean by regularly brushing them. Purchase a Baby’s First Toothbrush, which is smaller and has softer bristles. Then, you can use a very small amount of children’s toothpaste and brush your child’s teeth after meals. This can go a long way in preventing cavities in baby teeth.

4. Avoid Sugars

Try to keep your children away from sugary drinks and snacks that will feed the bacteria in their mouth. You can’t avoid all sugar, of course, so it’s good to know some helpful tips to reduce the risk that sugary food and drink will cause cavities. Try not to give your child a sugary drink or snack before a nap or bedtime. It’s best to give your child lots of water after a sugary snack as well to help wash away the sugars left in the mouth.

5. Clean Right

Many parents wipe off their children’s pacifiers by using their own saliva or clean off a spoon by licking off the food. This is an easy way for bacteria to transfer from their mouth to their children’s. If you need to clean a utensil or pacifier, wash it under the faucet and use a sanitized towel before giving it back to your child.

6. Visit the Dentist

You shouldn’t only visit your dentist when you need a tooth repaired. Dentists can also help to prevent any cavities and damage to the teeth that may be looming on the horizon, so it’s good to visit them regularly even if your child isn’t experiencing any problems. Bringing your child to the dentist at a young age will help keep their teeth clean and help keep cavities at bay.
By following these simple steps and taking action when needed, your child can grow up to have a healthy and bright smile. Most importantly, by practicing good oral hygiene, your child will learn the proper steps to take care of their teeth for years to come. And remember, leading by example is the best way to help show your child how to treat their teeth well.
If you have any more questions on how to prevent cavities in your child’s teeth, contact Water Tower Dental. We’d be happy to help answer any questions you need.
 

To keep your gums as healthy as possible, you should brush and floss daily. Did you know that there are certain foods that can help to keep your gums in top shape? Here are our picks of food to eat to help keep your gums extra healthy.
Raw Onions
While they may leave your breath in a state of emergency, believe it or not, raw onions are great for your gums. This is because they contain antimicrobial sulfur compounds that help eliminate several kinds of bacteria that are known to cause cavities and gum disease. Add raw onions to a sandwich or salad to help keep your gums healthy. If you can’t handle them raw (or have a hot date you need to prepare for), you can always cook them. Though they may not be as tough as the raw ones, they’re still better than no onion at all.

Citrus Fruits
A great source of Vitamin C, citrus fruits will help keep your gums healthy and prevent bleeding. If you notice your gums are inflamed or start to bleed when flossing, try to consume more citrus fruits such as oranges, pineapples and grapefruit.
Green Tea
You should try to have a cup of green tea once a day if you can. Make it a regular part of your diet. Green tea contains complex compounds known as “catechins” that are able to fight free radicals and bacteria that often cause inflammation in the gums. Green tea can help lower your chance of periodontal disease and can reduce the risk of tooth loss later in life.
Milk or Low Fat Dairy
Calcium is one of the most important minerals to help build strong teeth and gums. While many people relate calcium to strong teeth, many don’t realize that it actually helps your gums just as much. In fact, consuming the proper daily amount of calcium can greatly lower your risk of gum disease. Don’t think milk is your only option though. Low-fat yogurt and cheese are great sources of calcium as well. If you’re eating a lot of citrus fruits, a good cheese is a great way to balance out the acidity that can often have a negative effect on your teeth.
Shiitake Mushrooms
Eating shiitake mushrooms is a great way to help prevent gingivitis. This delicious fungi contains a natural sugar known as lentinan. Lentinan does an amazing job of killing the bacterial biofilm, which is known to cause gingivitis. Even more impressive, lentinan kills bad bacteria while leaving the non-harmful bacteria in your mouth alone.
Foods to avoid: Refined Sugar and Flour
And, just for extra protection, here’s a food source that you should try to avoid. That’s right, the ingredients that you find in bread, pastries, and donuts are a killer to your gums. This is because they hurt your body’s natural defenses against bacteria while helping the bad bacteria flourish. Do your best to avoid foods that have too many refined sugars (candy, soda, etc.) along with flour (pastries, donuts, cake).
With an artillery of healthy foods and the knowledge of what to avoid, you can have healthy gums for years to come. If you have any more questions about keeping your gums and teeth healthy, contact Water Tower Dental. Our team of experts will help you on the path to a bright smile.
 
 

At an early age, parents will be able to detect signs that can help them determine if their children need braces. The ideal age for fitting braces is between 9 and 14. During this time, children have lost most or all of their baby teeth, but their permanent teeth are still growing. A parent should be able to tell from a much earlier age if they can expect their children to need braces. This is helpful for parents to plan and save in advance.

Compiled by the American Association of Orthodontists, here is a helpful list of warning signs that may indicate your child will need braces in the future.

1. Early or Late Loss of Baby Teeth

Typically, a child should start losing their baby teeth around the age of 6. The last of a child’s baby teeth will fall out around the age of 12. If you notice your child’s teeth falling out when they are much younger than six or much older, you may want to consult a dentist. 

2. Mouth Breathing

Often this is a sign of crowded space in the mouth, which can affect the nasal passage. This is often fixed by a palate extension.

3. Teeth Meet In Abnormal Way

One of the major reasons people get braces is that their teeth do not align properly. If you notice early on that your child’s teeth are crowding or aligned incorrectly, prepare yourself and your child for braces.

4. Thumb Sucking

Though many children naturally suck their thumb because it soothes them, if it is done for too long it can harm their teeth. Thumb sucking can cause the upper front teeth to be pushed out, resulting in an open bite, or cause the lower jaw to develop abnormally. At an early age, thumb sucking may be nothing to worry about, but don’t let your child age too much with a thumb in their mouth.

5. Protruding Jaw

Often you can tell if a child will need braces from the positioning of their jaw. If it shifts oddly, protrudes, recedes, or even makes sounds, you may be witnessing a larger issue.

6. Crowded, Misplaced, or Blocked-Out Teeth

Any signs of teeth not aligning correctly, including blocked out, misplaced, or crowded teeth, is an almost definite sign that your child will need braces.

7. Speech Difficulty

If your child seems to have trouble saying certain words, or has difficulty speaking in full sentences, it may be a result of their jaw and teeth. An unaligned teeth and jaw can make it difficult for a child to pronounce words fully.

8. Biting the Inside of the Mouth

If you notice your child is often biting the cheeks or roof of their mouth, either by accident or on purpose, it may be because of a misalignment of their teeth and jaw. While you child may become used to the act, it should be addressed quickly before it causes serious gum issues.

9. Protruding Teeth

If teeth stick out from the mouth, or are angled forward, they will need to be realigned and straightened with braces.

10. Difficulty Chewing or Biting

If you child seems to have a hard time finishing a meal or noticeably chews in an awkward way, it could be because their jaws are not aligned properly, making it hard for their bottom and top teeth to bite down.

11. Facial Imbalance or Asymmetry

Often you can notice the asymmetry of a jaw through the imbalance of a child’s face.

12. Grinding or Clenching Teeth

Sometimes hard clenching or the sound of grinding occurs when the jaw is too closely structured in the mouth, causing crowding.
If you notice one or more of these signs in your children, it is important to bring them to a dentist as soon as possible to make sure that any issues can be fixed early on. Often, the longer a child waits to get braces, the longer it takes for the teeth to fully realign.
If you have questions about the early signs of a child needing braces, or believe your child may need braces, contact Water Tower Dental. We can help determine the best action for your child and put them on a course for a bright and straight smile.
 

When it comes to your toothbrush, keeping it clean, dry, and out of the mouths of others is very important. It’s almost as important as keeping your teeth clean. Not many know exactly how to care for their toothbrush. We’re here to answer a handful of common questions about storing, cleaning, and keeping your toothbrush hygienic.

How Long Should I Use My Toothbrush?

As much as you might love the feel of a certain brush, you should replace your toothbrush every three to four months, if not sooner. Over time, the bristles of a toothbrush can become worn and frayed. When that happens, they’re less effective at cleaning your teeth. Think of a sponge you use to clean dishes, or a broom you use to sweep the floor. Over time, they don’t work as well as they used to. Your toothbrush is just the same. If you want to do the best job possible of keeping plaque off of your teeth, replace your toothbrush when the time comes.

Where Should I Keep My Toothbrush?

It’s tricky to know exactly where you should place your toothbrush, but here are a few tips:

• Avoid Keeping It In a Drawer/Cabinet
  When you place your toothbrush in a cabinet, it has a harder time drying out, allowing for bacteria to build. You should try to keep your toothbrush somewhere that has quality airflow.
• Avoid Keeping It Near The Toilet or Sink
  When you flush a toilet, bacteria becomes airborne and can travel much farther than most think. To keep harmful bacteria from the sink and toilet from reaching your toothbrush, try to store them a safe distance away. Another safe tip is to always close the lid to your toilet before flushing. This will help keep the icky where it belongs!
• A High Shelf
  If kept in your bathroom, try to put your toothbrush on a high shelf away from the toilet and sink, but still in the open air. Set it upright for to allow it to dry faster.

Can I Share My Toothbrush?

Though it may seem harmless, you should always avoid sharing your toothbrush with others. It is very easy to transfer germs, bacteria, and harmful illnesses such as the flu or hepatitis through your toothbrush.

How Should I Clean My Toothbrush?

The best way to clean your toothbrush is by rinsing it with water once you’ve finished brushing. Take it slow and make sure that all food and debris are cleared before putting your toothbrush away. Don’t try any experimental methods like putting your toothbrush in the dishwasher or microwave. This will only cause damage to the toothbrush and will not necessarily disinfect it.
Following these simple tips will help keep your toothbrush in great shape so that it can do its best job possible in keeping your teeth and gums clean for months. If you have more questions about how to care for your toothbrush or your teeth, contact Water Tower Dental. We’d be happy to help.