It’s National Children’s Dental Health Month

It’s February, and not only does that mean the month of love, but it is also National Children’s Dental Health Month. So, what is it all about? From a Keller dentist, we say the purpose of this month is awareness. Dentists and practices, healthcare providers, and educators come together in this month to spread awareness to parents all over the importance of their children’s oral health. We use this month as a time to remind parents to teach their children healthy oral habits from a young age as well as ensure they are regularly bringing their kids in for visits and checkups. While tooth decay is preventable, it is much too common amongst children. Life gets busy and parents don’t prioritize enforcing healthy oral habits, including regular visits to their Keller dentist. This results in cavities and tooth decay. To make sure your child grows up with a healthy smile you want to instill these good habits in them from when they are little. family dentist keller The importance of oral health, in general, is not widely understood, in that many people are not aware of the direct correlation between oral health and overall health. What does it mean to practice good oral habits? • Having your child brush at least twice a day (for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste and water) • Having your child floss at least once a day • & Taking your child in to see their pediatric Keller dentist every 6 months from age 2 and up We know it can be difficult to enforce these habits, so we have come up with some tips as well as ideas as to how you can make it a bit more fun…
  1. Make brushing a family activity oral care kidsWhen it’s time for your child to brush their teeth in the morning and evening, make it a family activity! Spend time with your child while teaching them how to brush their teeth properly. Making it fun will help your child to learn these habits.
  2. Allow your child to pick out their favorite toothbrush and toothpaste from the store If your child is able to express themselves and exhibit a little bit of control, they will more easily learn healthy oral habits. Let them pick out their favorite toothbrush and toothpaste from the store.

  3. Portray your child’s Keller dentist in a positive light

    family dentist in kellerYour child looks to you when it comes to understanding and interpreting different things in life. If you portray the dentist in a positive light, they will learn to associate dental visits that way too. When you have to make trips yourself to your Keller dentist, ensure your child doesn’t see any disappointment in this.
  4. Play your child’s favorite song during brushing time While many songs are around 2 minutes long, playing your child’s favorite song during brushing time not only makes it more fun but ensures they are brushing for the expert-suggested amount of time.

  5. Substitute healthier snacks over sugary ones

    healthy snacks healthy teeth kidsYour Keller dentist will remind you that sugar is your child’s teeth’s number one enemy. Many kid’s snacks are full of hidden sugars that encourage tooth decay in your child’s mouth. Try to switch to snacks that contain only naturally occurring sugars.

  6. Make sure your children are getting their fluoride

    This month’s NCDHM‘s slogan is, “Fluoride in water prevents cavities! Get it from the tap”! Be sure your kids are getting the fluoride they need to help prevent cavities. They should be using a toothpaste with fluoride, but they can also get healthy amounts of fluoride from tap water, or you as a parent can even consider getting them fluoride treatments from their Keller dentist.
Take these tips and tricks to make oral health care more fun. Practicing these habits with your child when they are young will ensure they have a healthier smile for life. Don’t neglect your own smile, make sure you are setting a good example for your child by visiting your family Keller dentist for a cleaning and checkup every 4 to 6 months. Here at Brent Cornelius, D.D.S, our patient’s health is our priority. Keep you and your family smiling and call us today to schedule a checkup and cleaning.  

What to Know Before Starting Invisalign in Keller, TX

Invisalign in Keller, TX is a highly desired and innovative orthodontic technique and tool that was created to imitate the results achieved with metal braces. The difference is that Invisalign uses clear aligners rather than metals, wires, glue, and brackets; therefore giving a much more desirable appeal aesthetically as well as in regard to comfort. Invisalign is highly beneficial to those who desire a straight smile but are concerned with the aesthetics of the technique used to straighten their smile. Invisalign has many benefits, that are recognizable as a choice over metal braces, but that doesn’t mean they are for every person. To learn if clear aligners are for you, continue reading and make an appointment with your family dentist in Keller.

#1 Your clear aligners need to be worn pretty much 24/7 (that is, about 22 hours every day)

You do have the option to remove your clear aligners and are of course supposed to whenever you eat or drink anything besides water, however, if you think you will be tempted to take them out for longer periods than that, then Invisalign may not be for you. Not wearing your clear aligners for the recommended time periods will likely lead to you not getting the results you desire. If you do not wear your clear aligners as prescribed, it will only end up costing you more time and money down the line.

#2 Ensure you will be able to keep track of your clear aligners

Invisalign in Keller When you have Invisalign, it is your responsibility to ensure you keep track of them (as well as take care of them). This means always storing them in their case when they are not in your mouth. This also means cleaning them daily. If you are taking them out more than you are supposed to, you will find that misplacing them is even easier. Not storing them in their proper case when you take them out often leads to lost or damaged aligners.

#3 You need to up your oral care

Regular oral care involves brushing your teeth twice a day as well as flossing once a day. This changes when you have Invisalign, as it is best to brush your teeth after every meal. The reason for this is that when you put your aligners back in after a meal, if there is any food leftover or stuck in between your teeth, the aligners will shield your teeth from your saliva. This puts your teeth at higher risk for decay as saliva aids in naturally dissolving or removing some of the left-over food particles.

#4 Invisalign isn’t always the best option for children or teenagers

Invisalign in KellerWhen considering Invisalign in Keller, often parents decide against clear aligners for their children over traditional metal braces for the reasons above. Kids and young adults are more prone to losing dental ware as well as not taking as good of care of their dental ware as they should. You know your child best, consider their level of responsibility to make the decision whether they should have traditional metal braces or Invisalign in Keller.

#5 You have to keep your aligners clean

Keeping your clear aligners clean is very important. You need to ensure you soak them in the prescribed solution. You also need to brush them gently with a toothbrush every morning and at night before you go to sleep. It is often recommended to avoid using toothpaste to clean your aligners but rather a prescribed solution or a gentle dishwashing soap.

#6 Similar to traditional metal braces, Invisalign will produce slight discomfort from time to time

Invisalign in KellerAlthough clear aligners appear sleeker and less intense, they are still working to do the same job and produce the same result as traditional metal braces. In order for your teeth to be straightened, you will need to be prepared for slight discomfort for a couple of days whenever you first put in a new aligner. You will become more accustomed to this over time.

#7 You need to keep regular dental appointments

While keeping up with regular dental appointments is always important, it is even more important when you have Invisalign. Ensure you are visiting your family dentist in Keller ever 3 to 6 months for cleanings and checkups. You will need to come in to have a new aligner fitted every 1 to 2 weeks or as specified by your Keller dentist.

Taking the next step

If you are considering getting Invisalign in Keller but have more questions about these clear aligners and if they are right for you, give us a call today to schedule an appointment with one of our caring doctors.