Grove's Blog

Grove's Blog

Posts for: May, 2012

May 04, 2012
Category: Oral Health
Tags: Pediatric   Kids   Back to School  

One would think that once school let out for the summertime, you and your family could finally take a break from the hustle and bustle of the school year.  But as many parents know, that couldn’t be further from the truth, and in many cases, the summer months are just as jam-packed with activities and events as the regular school year.

Vacations and baseball games may have your calendar full, but don’t forget to make time for those important routine appointments, including your child’s back-to-school dental exam.  Not only are these check ups an important part of keeping your kid’s teeth healthy and strong, it’s also the law!

Illinois requires all school-aged children in grades K, 2nd and 6th to have a back-to-school exam. For your convenience, Grove can complete these school exams at the same appointment as a dental cleaning.  Mark two things off of your summer to-do list by scheduling a routine cleaning and mandatory school exam now!

Visiting the dentist isn’t the only way to keep kids’ teeth healthy.
These tips can help you guide your child toward better oral hygiene this summer:

  • Encourage your child to brush his or her teeth at least twice a day with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
  • Children should floss at least once a day.
  • Promote a nutritious diet with healthy snack foods such as fresh fruit, veggies, and cheeses.
  • Limit high-carbohydrate foods and sugary snacks and drinks that cause tooth decay.
  • If your child participates in sports and other recreational activities, make sure they always wear a protective mouthguard.

Appointments fill up fast, so beat the August rush and call to make your child’s back-to-school appointment today.

 


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May 02, 2012
Category: Oral Health
Tags: Fluoride  

Maintaining healthy teeth requires more than daily brushing and flossing. In fact, don’t be surprised if at your next dental check-up your dentist asks you about your fluoride intake or your water supply. That’s because fluoride, a substance found naturally in drinking water, plays a critical role in healthy tooth development and cavity prevention.

Fluoride benefits children and adults.  It helps prevent and reverse the early signs of tooth decay by protecting teeth from erosion and strengthening the enamel.  Fluoride may be ingested from the food and water we eat and drink, or applied topically through toothpastes and mouth rinses containing fluoride. 

How much fluoride you need should be discussed with your dentist, but generally, children under 6 get the right amount of fluoride through a combination of fluoridated toothpaste and fluoridated water. So, how do you know whether or not your tap water is fluoridated? Fluoridation levels in water differ from place to place. If you are unsure, contact your local water district to find out. 

When used appropriately, fluoride is safe and effective. But parents should be aware that too much fluoride before 8 years of age (a critical period when teeth are developing) could cause enamel fluorosis, discoloration of permanent teeth.Carefully supervise your children when they use any product containing fluoride, and keep fluoride out of reach of very young children.

If you have any questions about your water's fluoride content, the fluoridated products your child uses, or whether your child is receiving too much or too little fluoride, talk to your dentist. Grove Dental has experienced pediatric dentists on staff at all four office locations, dedicated exclusively to treating little mouths.


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