Kids' Dental Habits to BREAK Now!

Kids' teeth are growing and changing a lot when they're young. Some people may think that it's not important to take care of baby teeth - they'll fall our anyway, right? Access Dental and Dentures is the best dentist office in southern Missouri and we say, false! Your children's baby teeth are still connected to the gum line and can affect your kids' overall health. Plus, it's a good idea for them to develop healthy habits early so they know what to do when they get their adult teeth. Keep reading to learn about some of the common bad habits kids have related to their teeth. 

Sucking Their Thumb 

While your child is under the age of four, it is not uncommon for him or her to be attached to sucking their thumb. About 90% of children between the ages of 2-4 suck their thumbs. Many children will start doing this as soon as they are born. It is a self-soothing method that develops while still in the womb. It can be a security action and help to reduce any anxiety the child may have. While this is not an unusual habit to pick up, it may be a very hard habit to break the older a child gets. Thumb sucking can start to impact your child's teeth and mouth composition (including the shape of your child's bite and palate) if this habit goes on for too long. Our knowledgeable dentists in Southern Missouri are here to help you understand common thumb sucking tendencies, as well as some ways to help wean your child away from this habit.

Putting Items in Their Mouth

Younger kids are especially curious and tend to explore the world with their mouths. Once babies can crawl, they can find lots of random items on the floor that they will stick into their mouths out of curiosity. This can be incredibly dangerous due to choking hazards, but it is also bad for your kids because it introduces a lot of bacteria into their mouths. You can help prevent this by keeping the floors clean and picking up any items that your baby might put in their mouths. 

Not Brushing Their Back Teeth

Little kids may not realize how important it is to brush every surface of their teeth. Food particles can regularly get stuck in between their back molars that then need to be cleaned out. If they aren't brushing their back teeth well enough, they could be missing important areas and could develop cavities. Make sure you teach them the importance of tooth brushing and use a tooth brushing timer (for 2 minutes) to help them not rush through the activity. 

Fear of Dentists

Some kids are afraid of going to the dentist. It's intimidating to a little one to have a stranger that close to their face and sticking things in their mouths. Access Dental and Dentures is great with kids, and we can help them feel comfortable during their dentist appointments. You can also help by getting them used to the process and what the tools will look like. There are small dental tool kits at local drugstores that you can buy for a very affordable rate. You can show you kids what the little dental mirror and scraper look like so they aren't scared when they see them in the office. Just make sure you don't let them scratch at their own teeth with the tools. Someone who isn't an expert can easily damage the enamel on your teeth. 

Best Pediatric Dentist in Southern Missouri

Access Dental and Dentures specializes in children's dentistry and we always do our best to make sure you little one's visit to the dentist is a positive experience that they aren't afraid of. We also have several locations in the southern part of Missouri so you don't have to have the kids in the car for too long of a drive. Check out our locations and services on our website, and give us a call to schedule your next appointment! 

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile! 

1-877-DENTIST

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6 Tips to Ease Your Child's Fear of the Dentist

A trip to the dentist can be intimidating for children if they don't know what to expect ahead of time. A little preparation can go a long way for getting your child ready for a visit to the dentist. Our dental offices in Southern Missouri strive to provide a great environment for children and the adults too. If you have a little one that's a bit nervous about their trip to the dentist, these tips will help to make it easier on the both of you. 

Talk About It
Sometimes simply taking the mystery out of the experience is enough to ease anxiety. Talk to your kids in a positive way about what goes on during a dental visit. Share your personal experiences with them to let them know that it doesn't scare you. Don't over-discuss it though. Keep everything simple, matter-of-fact, and to the point. If you don't make a big deal out of it they will be more likely to think of their visit to the dentist as a normal, unscary event.   

Avoid Using Bribery
You want a trip to the dentist to be something your child sees as a normal occurrence for the future health of their teeth, not something they have to be tricked into doing. Praise them for good behavior before and during the visit. Instead of promising a treat for going, you might make it a tradition to do something special after the visit that they can look forward to in the future. Not really a reward, just a fun event that you share together. 

Role Play
Practice for your child's first visit to the dentist by taking turns pretending to be the dentist. This will help them get used to having someone that close to their face and looking around inside their mouth. After you have given them a good idea about what the dentist will be doing, let them have a turn checking out your teeth too. You can also find lots of fun books on the subject to read together that will ease their fears.

Start Dental Care Early
The earlier your child starts visiting the dentist, the better. If Access Dental & Dentures is a place that they are used to at a young age, the more comfortable they will feel when it's their turn to be in the chair. It's best if their first visit starts at age 1 or when the first tooth is visible.

Lead By Example
Letting your child see you go through a routine checkup is a wonderful way to show them how easy it can be. After seeing mom or dad go through the motions, they will have more courage to step up into that chair themselves. If you need to have something a little more invasive done or you have a painful cavity that is being taken care of, try your best not to speak negatively about any of it in front of your child. Those words can cause a fear that will grow quickly in the imagination of a child.

Find the Right Dentist
It's extremely important to find a dentist that you feel comfortable with and that you know is knowledgeable and trustworthy. All of our dentists in Southern Missouri are excellent at working with people of all ages. We will make your child's first dental experience, as well as every visit after that, a positive one. Our goal is to help all children feel good about visiting the dentist and to establish good dental care habits they will take with them throughout life. 

The tips above will go a long way in helping your child feel comfortable and confident about a trip to the dentist. At Access Dental & Dentures, we love kids! Call 877-DENTIST to reach the dentist office in Southern Missouri that is closest to you. You can schedule an appointment for your child that will put them on the road to a life with healthy teeth.

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile!

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Springfield Office          Rolla Office             Osage Beach Office

(417) 501-1048              (573) 426-5447          (573) 348-1466         

1701 West Sunshine        416 S. Bishop Ave.   4320 Osage Beach Pkwy

Springfield, MO 65807   Rolla, MO 65401      Osage Beach, MO. 65065

Mountain Grove Office              Aurora Office

(417) 926-1160                             (417) 308-3534

921-A N. Main                             1402 S. Elliott

Mountain Grove, MO 65711       Aurora, MO 65605

Oral Care Tips for National Children's Dental Health Month

Did you know February is National Children's Dental Health Month? This is a great time to focus on your child's oral care habits. As your trusted dentist in Springfield, MO, we know how important it is to establish proper oral care with your little ones. If your child starts a good dental care routine, it is more likely to stick throughout their life. For a great start for your child's oral care, take a look below for habits to incorporate into your child's daily routine.

Brush, Brush, Brush

It's recommended to brush your teeth twice each day. To stick to this schedule, try to encourage your kids to brush first thing in the morning to start the day off right and again in the evening before bed. It's a great way to keep your child's teeth clean and help to prevent cavities and other oral health issues.

Floss Between Teeth

Flossing helps to clean those hard to reach places between your teeth. If you skip flossing, you miss 40% if the tooth surface in your mouth. Flossing can help to remove plaque that builds up throughout the day. Food particles that get trapped between teeth can also be removed by flossing.

Drink Plenty of Water

Water is good for your overall health and oral health, alike. It can help to rinse your mouth out and remove food particles and plaque that may start to build up throughout the day. It also helps to stimulate your gums for overall mouth health. Drinking plenty of water can help to keep your child hydrated too.

Reduce Sugar Intake

As a parent, it's important to monitor the amount of sugar your child consumes. Sugar can build up on your kids teeth and wear down the tooth surface. Once the enamel is worn down, sugar can penetrate the tooth and cause a cavity to form. Sugar reacts with bacteria naturally found in the mouth and sticks to the tooth's surface.

Now that you know more about the ways you can help improve your child's oral care habits, you're ready to take action. In addition to these important dental practices, it's important to visit a dental professional at least once every six months. A dentist near Springfield, MO can help to evaluate your child's mouth to ensure it is on the right track. From new teeth growing into monitoring changes to regular cleanings, there are a TON of benefits of visiting a dentist. Contact Access Dental & Dentures by calling 877-DENTIST today to schedule your child's dental checkup. We look forward to helping your kids promote proper oral care because your entire family - kids included - deserve a happy, healthy smile!

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile!

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Springfield Office          Rolla Office          Osage Beach Office      Mountain Grove Office
(417) 501-1048              (573) 426-5447        (573) 348-1466                       (417) 926-1160
1701 West Sunshine      416 S. Bishop Ave.  4320 Osage Beach Pkwy       921 N. Main St.

Springfield, MO 65807   Rolla, MO 65401     Osage Beach, MO. 65065       Mountain Grove