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At both our offices in St. Charles and Creve Coeur, we get a lot of questions about what is appropriate for a child’s dental hygiene. When it comes to a child’s primary teeth, additional considerations should be taken before undergoing any procedure because of how integral they are to oral development.

One common question we hear is whether or not it’s okay to whiten a child’s primary teeth. While it is important for their smile to be bright during their formative years, several factors must be considered. Today’s blog provides some practical advice when considering whitening your child’s teeth.

First, it’s important to know that the Academy of General Dentistry advises holding off on whitening until your child reaches 14-years-old. This gives the tooth pulp plenty of time to mature which will reduce the level of sensitivity in their teeth.

However, if you’re considering allowing them to use over-the-counter whitening strips, it’s best to hold off until they are at least 16-years-old. The chemicals in these strips can be very abrasive.

When your child’s permanent teeth begin to come in, you may notice that they appear more yellow than their primary counterparts. Don’t be concerned, this is perfectly normal. Primary teeth are always whiter than permanent teeth. This does not indicate that the teeth are unhealthy.

Many children with braces want to whiten their teeth because of the whiter areas that remain where the braces were. It’s a common issue, because braces provide long-term protection from food stains in those specific areas.

Teeth-Whitening Alternatives

Confronting this head-on before it becomes an issue is key. So, to prevent or treat these types of stains, we recommend:

Make regular dental appointments—after all, we love seeing you and your children in our offices! You don’t have to wait for the six-month mark to get a cleaning and check up. And unlike an over-the-counter solution, a dentist will screen and monitor the procedure to ensure that it is personalized, safe and effective.

Avoid tooth-staining food and drink—you know what they say about an ounce of prevention. Avoiding soda, sugar-loaded sweets, and other types of food and drink that lack nutritional value is the first line of defense against cavities and stains.

Use whitening toothpaste—they are much gentler than the bleaches found in whitening strips. There are several brands that have mild abrasives or polishing agents that help whiten teeth. Of course, brushing twice a day regularly scrubs away food particles and helps keep teeth white.

Sensitive teeth can be a problem at any age. Whether you’re a parent or a teenager, struggling with overly-sensitive teeth can make eating quite the chore.

Patients often ask us if there is anything they can do to help curb the sensitive nature of their teeth. So, today we focus our blog entry on the top four habits that cause sensitive teeth and what you and your children should be doing to avoid this pesky problem.

Stop brushing so hard.

Brushing too hard can eat away at the gum line causing them to pull away at the tooth root, not to mention eating away at the protective enamel surrounding the sensitive dentin. Avoid this problem by brushing more gently, yet thoroughly and by using a soft-bristle toothbrush.

Cut back on mouthwash.

If you or your teen is a fan of the minty-fresh breath that mouthwash gives you, this can be a cause for concern when it comes to the development of sensitive teeth. These products typically employ acids that can make sensitive teeth worse. Look for neutral fluoride rinses, or inquire with your dentist about what ingredients should be avoided.

Stop grinding and/or clenching your teeth.

Enamel is the toughest material in the human body. But, did you know the human jaw is capable of applying more than 200 pounds of force when biting? It’s true, and even the strongest enamel would have a tough time standing up to that amount of pressure over the years.

Wearing protective gear during sporting events will help assuage this damage immensely. Making the appropriate lifestyle changes (if necessary) will help as well. Be mindful of your teeth, and remind your children that they only have one permanent set and to make it count!

Whitening products can cause sensitivity.

Peroxide-based bleaching solutions can cause sensitive teeth very easily. The desire for a whiter smile can be strong, but relying on these quick solutions can lead to much bigger problems after repeated use. Consult with your dentist on this issue closely.

See your dentist regularly.

Call us biased if you want, but the knowledge we can impart to you as a professional is critical to understanding what your best options are. We can identify issues before they are causes for concern and have the tools necessary to investigate and solve problems that will keep your smile full and bright.

As adults, brushing our teeth is so second nature that most of us do it without being fully awake yet!  We all have a routine we develop, and instilling that routine into our children is critical to their success—literally!

But, is your routine, and the one you’re teaching your children, the correct one? Brush up on your skills (no pun intended) with us in this blog entry to help pass along proper brushing techniques to your little ones!

Time is on Your Side

Two to three times a day is the general recommendation for brushing your teeth. Ensure that you and your child are brushing for at least two minutes each time, hitting all the proper areas listed below.

Brushing too often is a real thing, though. Any more than three times and the enamel of you and your child’s teeth will slowly deteriorate over time. In this instance, there is definitely too much of a good thing. Electric toothbrushes can really help in this area, but you can read more about that debate here.

Wax On, Wax Off

The proper way to brush your teeth is by holding the brush at a 45-degree angle to your gums and make an up-and-down motion using exclusively short strokes. Wide, side-to-side strokes can scrape along your gum line.

Brush outer and inner tooth surfaces, back molars, and your tongue. Be as thorough as possible—any place left untouched is a safe harbor for plaque buildup and cavities.

Switch Things Up

Do you or your child always start brushing your teeth in the same place? Switch up where you begin brushing to avoid getting lazy and missing other parts of your mouth. And keep track of what you’re doing, where you’ve been, and what areas you need to hit before finishing.

Passing along these traits to your child will help keep them attentive to their teeth, rather than mechanically performing the ritual in front of the mirror every morning and night.

Avoid Sour and Acidic Drinks and Foods

Is your child prone to drinking energy drinks, sodas, or eating sour candies? We all know these items are bad for you overall, but letting them do so before or after a brushing is highly inadvisable. These items are acidic and can soften the enamel to a dangerous degree.

Even healthy items like apple juice and orange juice are highly acidic. Allow for at least a half-hour lag time before letting your little one partake in these items.

Out with the Old, in with the New

How old is your toothbrush? If it’s older than three or four months, the ADA suggests you are due a new one.

Paying close attention to the bristles of you and your child’s toothbrushes is a good indicator of when it’s an appropriate time to dispose of it. Once normal flexibility of the bristles is lost, or they become frayed and/or broken, replace it.

Every now and then, in the halls of both of our St. Charles and Creve Coeur offices, we hear the echoes of an argument that we are so used to hearing it’s created its own beaten path in our hallways and in our minds.

In our offices, the twist on the debate comes in the form of what a child should be using to clean their teeth. So, in the debate of an electric toothbrush vs. manual, which one is better for your child? Let’s dive in.

Fun fact: did you know the modern toothbrush came about at the turn of the 16th century when a Chinese emperor put hog bristles through a bone handle to help clean his teeth? It’s true!

The Fun Factor

Electric toothbrushes benefits from very nearly falling into the category of a fun toy for a child to play with as opposed to a device with more in common with a hair brush. Some even say it “tickles” their teeth, further

If your child is more enthusiastic about brushing their teeth when they have an electric model, then by all means let them go wild. They also benefit from being easier for kids to use as the toothbrush does a majority of the scrubbing so long as it is held at a proper angle (around 45 degrees).

Some advanced models even include a built-in timer so you know exactly how long they’ve been brushing. Remember, two minutes of vigorous brushing is optimal!

With all that said, electric toothbrushes tend to cost much more than their manual counterparts. They are also much more fragile, by comparison to manuals. Plus, if they aren’t charged they lose all the benefits mentioned above. And electric models tend to come equipped with heads that do not lend themselves easily to the linear motion of manual brushing.

Manual for All Modes

Manual toothbrushes are your simple, no-hassle argument against the complexity of electric models.

With proper technique, a manual toothbrush can be just as effective at cleaning teeth as an electric. With manuals, you also have more options to choose from in the form of softer bristles, head size, etc. They are easier to travel with comparatively, do not require charging or batteries, and are inexpensive.

Proper technique for children can be tricky, and without the timer of an electric they can leave a lot to be desired in their ability to clean their teeth effectively.

The Verdict?

Honestly, the verdict from us depends largely on your child. If they are more excited about keeping their teeth clean with an electric toothbrush, then let them use one. The cost of an electric model versus the cost of filled cavities and other various dental issues is miniscule.

Alternatively, if your child does well with a manual brush then you shouldn’t force them to use an electric model for no reason. Just ensure they are using proper technique and are brushing long enough to do a thorough job.