In the summer it’s easy to run to the fridge for a soda when you’re thirsty or grab a Popsicle when you’re in need of snack.  Free of their school lunchrooms and mom-packed lunches, kids often times will spend their summer taking full advantage of the unmanned refrigerator and the sweet snacks inside.  However, giving kids this freedom can lead to a myriad of dental health issues, including unwanted cavities.  This summer, stock your fridge with teeth friend foods and limit the sugary drinks, chips, breads and hard candies.

Here are just a few of the foods that promote healthy teeth and a big, bright smile:

• Green Tea. Full of antioxidants that prevent plaque from adhering to your teeth, Green Tea also contains fluoride, which helps protect tooth enamel from decay. 
• Milk and Yogurt. Packed full to bone-strengthening calcium, milk and yogurt have a low acidity to minimize dental erosion. 
• Cheese. This tooth power food balances your mouth’s PH, rebuilds tooth enamel and kills bacteria that can cause cavities and gum disease.
• Fruit. Fruits high in vitamin C, like apples, oranges and strawberries, keep gum tissue strong and healthy. Firm and crunchy fruits are also helpful since they typically contain more water to help naturally dilute their sugar content. 
• Meats and Eggs.  Meats contain calcium and phosphorus, which are important helpers to replenishing minerals in the teeth stripped away by acidic foods and liquids. 
• Lots and Lots of Water.  Water will help rinse away excess food residuals and sugar from liquids when brushing isn’t an option.  It’s important to drink plenty of water during the day  keeps you and your gums hydrated for the best smile possible!

Hit The Road Jack and Don’t Forget to Pack Your Toothbrush

School’s out for the summer and whether you’re packing for your annual family vacation or to send your little one off to camp, don’t forget to pack the essentials: toothpaste and toothbrush! Just because you’re taking a break from it all, doesn’t mean you can take a break from dental hygiene!

To ensure your teeth stay healthy all summer long, here are a few tips from the dentists at Alpharetta Children’s Dentistry:

• Pack an extra toothbrush and extra tube of your favorite toothpaste. It’s so easy to leave your toothpaste and toothbrush behind in a hotel room or mysteriously loose in the depths of your luggage, so keep an extra set on hand in case you can’t find a store to replace them.
• Limit the time your toothbrush is kept in an airtight travel case.  Toothbrush cases are great to ensure that your toothbrush doesn’t pick up germs or dirt while en route to your destination, but when you’re in one spot, keep your toothbrush out of its case.  Keeping a wet toothbrush in an airtight case will allow bacteria to quickly grow, which will affect your brush and your health. Let your airbrush dry completely before stowing it away. 
• Drink lots of water. When on vacation (especially in the hot summer months!) it’s so easy to grab drinks from a can or bottle.  But those sodas, sports drinks and teas are full of sugar that will simply cling to your teeth.  Drinking plenty of water will ensure that any sugar floating around your teeth will be washed away. 
• Don’t forget to bring your pediatric dentist’s phone number with you. Before you leave, store our number in your cell phone or stash it in your kid’s bag. If something goes wrong miles from home, having the number handy will ensure that you can quickly seek advice to remedy the situation. If it’s something that requires a dentist, your pediatric dentist can recommend a colleague in the area. 

Most importantly, have fun this summer! We can’t wait to hear about all of your adventures!

Toothbrush 101

We’ve said goodbye to Spring Cleaning, but in the midst of all your major DIY home-cleaning projects there might have been one important item overlooked: your child’s toothbrush.  According to the American Dental Association (ADA), you should replace your toothbrush every 3 months or sooner if the bristles become too frayed.  Each tooth brusher is different, so depending on the frequency and pressure used by your child, you may have to replace their brush more frequently. 

If you can’t remember the last time you replaced your toothbrush, pick up one for everyone in your family the next time you’re out shopping. 

Here are a few things to look for when picking a new brush for your child:

• Pick a children’s sized toothbrush with soft bristles that has earned the American Dental Association Seal of Approval. 
• Let your child pick out his or her own toothbrush. If they choose the color or image on their toothbrush themselves, the more likely they will want to brush twice a day. 

To get the most out of your new toothbrush, the ADA recommends these following tips:

• Do not share toothbrushes as it could increase the risk for infections through the sharing of germs.
• Thoroughly rinse toothbrushes with tap water after brushing to remove any remaining toothpaste and debris. Also, store the brush upright to allow it to properly dry. 
• Do not routinely cover toothbrushes or store them in closed containers.  A moist environment is more conducive to the growth of bacteria than the open air. 

The dentists at Alpharetta Children’s Dentistry suggest buying several other toothbrushes to have on hand if ever your child loses his toothbrush or has a friend forget one when spending the night.  This secret stash will also come in handy with all the surprise colds and other sicknesses that pop up throughout the year. After the sickness runs its course, make sure to swap out the germ-full brush with a brand new one!

Flossing 101

Even though tooth brushing starts when your child’s first few teeth start emerging from the gums, flossing doesn’t need to become part of your child’s routine until the teeth come together and touch one another.  Flossing can be a tricky activity for a little one’s hands, so when it does come time for flossing, help your child floss after they brush their teeth each night.  It is important to floss at night, ridding your child’s mouth of residual food debris collected throughout the day, because during the 8 hours of sleep, bacteria is busy feasting on those food particles left on teeth.  Since the flow of saliva in the mouth is slower at night, the only thing washing off these food particles is your brushing and flossing routine. 

When it comes time to start flossing your child’s teeth, do so as you would your own. However, make sure to communicate each step of the process.  Not only will it make them more at ease, but it will help them learn why it is so important to floss their teeth. Your child will also learn valuable flossing tips and tricks at each dental visit, so by the time they are 10 years old they will be able to floss all by themselves. 

Picking out floss is similar to picking out a toothbrush for your child:

• Choose a floss that has the American Dental Society’s Seal of Approval.
• Pick out a flavor that appeals to your child so he or she will enjoy flossing each night!

If your child is having difficulty picking up traditional flossing techniques, consider using dental flossers.  These disposable flossers have handles similar to a toothbrush and are available in children’s sizes (and can be found in grocery stores or pharmacies) to make flossing super easy. 

Do you have any tips or tricks that you used to teach your child how to floss?

FUN FACT FRIDAY

Did you know that the average woman smiles 62 times a day, while men smile only 8 times a day. Kids laugh 400 times a day, while adults only 15.

This Sunday is Mother's Day, so help Mom show off her pearly whites and keep her smiling all weekend long! And while you're at, get Dad laughing, too!

Happy Mother's Day to all you Moms!

Keep Your Teeth Healthy All Summer Long

Recently, Alpharetta Children's Dentistry shared tips on how to keep your kid's teeth healthy all summer long with Up In Cumming magazine. With Summer right around the corner, make sure you have a plan in place to keep your kids brushing, healthy and happy! 

As a reminder to our patients, start booking your Summer appointments now. The few weeks after school lets out are our busiest, so snag your spot early. You can now book your appointment online!

 Click on the article below to read the article in UiC's digital magazine. 

FUN FACT FRIDAY

Here's a fact straight from Buckingham Palace in honor of today's Royal Wedding! Did you know that Prince Charles has a personal toothpaste valet? His only job is to squeeze the toothpaste on to Prince Charles' toothbrush twice a day. 

If you could choose your own personal toothpaste valet, who would it be?