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Kids Dentistry

What Kinds of Foods are Harmful for Teeth?

by
Smilingfamily

Snacking is an activity we all do and what we choose to snack on is important. Snacks that are full of sugar such as candy or cake may taste good, but are not good for our teeth. In addition to the sugar these types of snacks contain large amounts of fat. Sugary snacks if eaten regularly can cause tooth decay. At Smile Square in Lake Jackson, TX, we provide our patients with guidelines for healthy eating, and always promote healthy choices to keep teeth free of harmful bacteria.

How Can Sugary Snacks Impact My Teeth?

Our mouths contain bacteria, and this bacteria forms a sticky material called plaque. The plaque sticks on or in-between our teeth and this can cause decay. When sugary snacks are eaten the bacteria in the mouth gravitates towards the sugar, and turns the sugar into acids. This acid can damage the hard enamel that covers our teeth, and cause cavities to begin to develop. Staying away from snacks or foods filled with sugar can help keep the bacteria in your mouth from producing the acid that causes decay.

How Should I Choose A Healthy Snack?

When you have that urge to snack take a minute to ask yourself if the snack you chose contains sugar. If it does, you may want to choose another snack that would be healthier for your teeth. Staying away from gooey sweets or snacks that are very chewy is a good rule of thumb. These types of snacks can stick to the surface of your teeth and take longer to remove, exposing your teeth to sugar longer. If you do choose to eat sweets, it may be best to save that type of snack for after a main meal instead of having that snack between meals.

Our Lake Jackson dental office works to teach our pediatric and adult patients the benefits of healthy eating. Taking care of our oral health not only includes brushing or flossing, but it includes making healthy eating choices. Staying away from snacks full of sugar can help prevent cavities, and keep your teeth looking and feeling great. Brushing your teeth after eating a sweet with a fluoride toothpaste can remove any harmful bacteria that may cause cavities if left on our teeth.

What Types of Snacks Are a Good Choice?

There are many good tasting and healthy shacks on the market today that are less harmful to our teeth and body. Sticking to snacks that are lower in sugar can help protect our teeth from decay or other diseases. Choosing foods like fruits or vegetables, and crackers or bread are good choices. It may be helpful to make a healthy food list that you pick from when snacking or eating. This can help you make good choices and stay away from those harmful sugary foods.

What Types of Snacks Are a Good Choice?

Here are some healthy snacks that can promote good oral health:

Fresh Vegetables of Fruits

  • Oranges
  • Bananas
  • Apples
  • Grapefruit
  • Broccoli
  • Carrots
  • Cucumbers
  • Tomatoes

Grains

  • Unsweetened cereals
  • Popcorn
  • Bread
  • Bagels
  • Pasta
  • Crackers

Milk and Dairy Products

  • Low or non-fat milk
  • Low or non-fat cheese
  • Low or non-fat yogurt

Meat, Nuts, Seeds

  • Chicken
  • Turkey
  • Nuts

Are You Looking for a Dentist Near You?

Many foods or snacks are harmful to our teeth and body. Our dentists in Lake Jackson care about the overall health of each patient, and always promotes healthy snacking and eating. Checking the label and sugar content can help you make the right decision for healthy snacking. Choosing a variety of foods from the basic food groups can help you eat a balanced diet, and keep your teeth looking and feeling healthy. Brushing and flossing daily as well as attending your regular dental exams in our office can help keep your oral health in check. Our team at Smile Square works diligently to not only care for your teeth, but care for your overall health.

If you are looking for a dentist near you, our team is happy to help. To get more information or to schedule your dental exam, contact our dental office in Lake Jackson, TX and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you!

How Do I Prepare My Child For Their First Dental Visit?

by
Pediatricfeat3

Planning your child’s first dental visit can be stressful. Many parents wonder when the perfect time is to bring their child in for their first exam. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentists or AAPD recommends that children visit the dentist by the age of one, or when they first notice signs of teeth erupting. Typically, primary teeth do not erupt until about six months of age.

Parents tend to worry how their child will feel or behave at the dentist for the first time. There are many benefits to visiting the dentist starting at a young age, and with positive encouragement and our amazing staff we always ensure your child’s first visit and every visit after will go well.
There are a few things we recommend to parents to help prepare their child to visit our office for the first time. We want all of our patients to feel calm and relaxed and enjoy their visit. Our staff is specially trained to work with children, and they are in good hands while in our care.

Helpful Ways to Prepare Your Child Before Their First Visit to Our Office

  • We welcome all new patients to schedule a tour of our office and meet our staff. This helps your child get to know where they are going, and when they arrive they will feel more comfortable because they have already been here for a visit.

  • Talk to your child about how important it is to see your dentist regularly. With positive attitude your child will feel excited and not afraid, and will enjoy visiting our office.

  • There are dental books and TV shows available that you can show your child so they can get an idea what a dental office looks like, and what we do during a dental exam and cleaning.

  • During your child’s appointment we recommend bringing in any comfort items such as a stuffed animal or blanket to make your child feel relaxed.

  • Our staff provides each child with a reward at the end of each visit so they have something to look forward to. Parents are welcome to plan for a reward as an incentive to help the child get through their first appointment.

  • It is important to talk to your child about how important dental hygiene is. Keeping our teeth and gums clean so we can have beautiful smiles can help teach them good oral hygiene habits at a young age.

Starting your child out right with proper dental care helps to set the stage for later in life and teaches children good oral hygiene. We look forward to establishing a good relationship with each of our pediatric patients, and our staff will help your child understand how important it is to take care of your teeth and visit our office regularly.

Our dental exams are thorough and we can check for any issues as your child grows older. We believe in preventative care to help keep your child’s teeth feeling and looking their best.

Are You Interested in Scheduling Your Child’s First Exam?

If you are interested in scheduling your child’s first dental exam we are here to help. Contact our office and our friendly staff can assist you!

Helping your child take charge of their oral health at a young age is important and our staff is here to support both our pediatric patients and their parents, and provide the highest level of dental care.

We look forward to meeting you and having your child join our dental family.

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