Kid Friendly Dentist Miami, FL

Why is it important to brush your teeth?

The main cause of tooth loss today is periodontal disease. Although tooth decay comes in a close second, periodontal inflammatory conditions affect 75% of adults at some point in their lifetime. The most effective way to control and prevent dental decay (cavities) and periodontal disease is to properly brush and floss, daily.

Both tooth decay (cavities) and periodontal disease are caused by the bacteria found in plaque. This can later be stimulated by additional factors such as a poor diet, medications, and a lack of professional maintenance (regular cleanings and checkups), smoking, diabetes, clenching and grinding of teeth, and stress.

Plaque, a clear film that clings to your teeth at the gum line, forms regularly and on a daily basis. If not removed thoroughly by proper brushing and flossing, it will harden into a rough substance known as calculus (tartar).

Periodontal disease will lead to tooth loss if left untreated. Gingivitis, the initial and reversible phase of periodontal disease, is caused by the irritating effects of bacteria found in plaque. It is characterized by red, swollen, and bleeding gums. If left untreated gingivitis may progress to the irreversible phase of periodontal disease known as Periodontitis. Here, you would experience a separation of the gums from the teeth, resulting in spaces called “pockets”, bone loss, tooth mobility, and eventually tooth loss if left uncontrolled.

Despite diligent home care and professional maintenance, genetically susceptible individuals may still develop periodontal disease, requiring specialized professional intervention to help control its progression.

Professional Hygiene Protocols are determined by your specific periodontal status. If healthy and associated with reversible signs of periodontal disease (Gingivitis) our recommendation is for you to commit to a consistent, twice per year (every six months) professional cleaning.

If more advanced, irreversible signs of periodontal disease (Periodontitis) are present, Dr. Rita recommends a more regimented and frequent treatment protocol consisting of professional cleanings every three to four months. Specialized periodontal care and phase two therapy recommendations may be necessary as well.

What You Should Know

As a parent, you naturally want what is best for your child. Many parents are unaware of how oral health and dental care plays into that. According to the Center for Disease Control, tooth decay (cavities) is the number one most commonly occurring infectious disease among children. This leads to children experiencing toothaches in high numbers, missing days from school, and experiencing overall discomfort. Tooth decay is not a trivial thing, but a condition that can create significant discomfort for your child and even make it difficult for them to eat, speak clearly, and engage in normal daily activities. If you live in the Miami area and think that this will not happen to your child, think again. Statistically, it most likely will. Brushing and flossing at home will help, but it is not enough. You need to bring your child to our kid friendly dentist office twice a year so that we can examine and clean their teeth. By doing this, we will be able to remove the plaque and bacteria that can lead to destructive cavities.

Resources You Can Use at Home

In addition to visiting our kid friendly dentist office, it is important that you practice good oral hygiene at home and teach your child to do the same. In our dental office, we care for several children under the age of eight years and understand how challenging it can be to get them excited about brushing their teeth. Kids are busy and asking them to stop riding bikes, building Legos, or playing dress up to brush their teeth can lead to conflict fairly quickly. We get it. At Dr. Rita The Smile Designer, we can work with young children and are under no illusion that they are fascinated by oral health. Our job, however, is to change their opinion of dental care and show them that it can be fun and interesting. This way they will want to brush and floss their teeth, even without being told to do so.

If you live in or around Miami, we invite you to schedule an appointment with our dental office so that we can examine your child's teeth and teach them how to brush properly. Even if your child is already brushing, there is a good chance that they are doing it wrong and missing a lot of the plaque that has built up on their teeth. A simple video tutorial is a resource you can use at home. You can find one on the American Dental Association's website or even on YouTube. Playing a video that shows your child how to brush is a good reminder for them and, since they are used to receiving information this way, they are likely to receive and digest it better than if you reminded them yourself.

Once your child is brushing correctly, it is time to turn your attention to how long they are brushing for. At Dr. Rita The Smile Designer we encourage all of our patients to brush for two minutes, twice a day, regardless of how old they are. This, however, can be difficult for young children that find it hard to focus on a task or to stay still. As a kid friendly dentist, we want them to brush their teeth but staying still isn't a requirement. Try making it fun to brush their teeth by playing their favorite song for two minutes and letting them dance and brush. You can also play a two-minute video clip or cartoon for them while brushing. The American Dental Association has an entire section of their website devoted to these short videos and watching them will get your child used to brushing for the full two minutes. We have worked with families throughout the Miami area and have found that using media works far better than standing there with a stopwatch. The goal is to create positive associations between dental care and having fun so that your child will continue to brush their teeth as they grow.

Why You Need a Comprehensive Oral Exam

We understand that not everyone is excited about dental care. We also understand that due to busy schedules, a lack of insurance, or general forgetfulness, people do not visit the dentist with any regularity. If that is you, do not worry; you are not alone. According to the USA Today, 34 percent of Americans do not visit the dentist on an annual basis. While this is a large group of people, not having a comprehensive oral exam can place you at risk for a variety of health issues. We encourage you to take an hour out of your day for the benefit of your oral health and your future quality of life. To get started, all you need to do is call (305) 858-0505 and schedule an appointment. Our friendly staff will not judge you for your lack of prior dental care but will be happy to get you up to speed again.

There is a direct link between visiting the dentist and keeping your natural teeth. If you want to ensure that you have a full mouth of healthy teeth, then visit the dentist. Gallup Poll released a study in 2014 finding that the states with the highest percentage of dental visits also had the lowest percentage of adult tooth loss. For example, in Connecticut, 74 percent of adults visited the dentist in the past year, and their rate of adult tooth loss was only 9 percent. On the other hand, only 57 percent of adults in West Virginia visited the dentist in the past year, and 37 percent of adults have complete tooth loss. The correlation is clear and should prompt you to give us a call. If you do lose your teeth, we can help by providing you with replacements in the form of dental implants, bridges, or dentures. Still, there is no need for you to experience significant tooth loss when you visit our office regularly for preventative care. Saving your teeth, after all, is less time-consuming and less expensive.

Another reason to schedule a dental check-up is to make sure that you don't experience a toothache or infection. We treat patients throughout the Miami area and find that toothaches can create enough discomfort to cause people to miss work. In fact, according to the Center for Disease Control, 164 million work hours are lost each and every year due to dental related health issues. If you have a busy schedule and feel you do not have time for the dentist, you definitely need to schedule a comprehensive oral exam. Failing to do so could result in oral health breakdown, resulting in more costly and time consuming therapy. After all, without preventative dental care, you are at a greater risk for tooth decay, infection, gum disease, and even tooth loss.

What Happens at Your Dental Check-Up

At Dr. Rita The Smile Designer, we are a gentle dentist, being sure to complete your comprehensive oral exam in a way that is comfortable and relaxing. We understand that some people do not visit the dentist since they have a dental phobia or concern that something may be wrong. If this is the case, and you do have a cavity, we will treat your tooth gently and carefully so that we can address your dental health issues without causing you any further irritation.

For The Little Ones

Your child’s oral health should be of top priority, starting as early as when they get that first baby or primary tooth, sometimes between six to eight months old. Baby teeth are extremely important in the development of speech, chewing, biting, and for maintaining, or holding, space for the adult, or permanent, teeth, coming in later. Also important is the effect baby teeth may have on your child’s appearance as he or she grows and develops. It is for these reasons that Dr. Rita insists on the importance of educating you and your child on how to properly maintain a healthy diet and daily hygiene.

The Little One’s First Dental Visit

In preparation for the big day, it is important to make it a positive experience for your child. It should be a fun and exciting day for all, even for you!

Tips on how to make the first time a pleasant one include:

The first visit is typically very pleasant and requires very little treatment. You can expect the following to happen:

By the time your little one is two years old, your child should have twenty baby teeth. Each child develops differently; do not be alarmed if the teeth come in a bit earlier, or later. This could be completely normal and in sync with your child’s developmental pattern. The first teeth to come in are usually the two bottom teeth. Next, you should see the upper four front teeth in place. The others will come in, over time, there after. The permanent teeth will begin to erupt around the age of six years old. Some replace baby teeth and some do not.

Dr. Rita recommends the placement of sealants on the biting surfaces of your child’s permanent back teeth. These are thin, clear, or tooth-colored, plastic coatings that are bonded on to protect these teeth from early cavities. They are considered a first line of defense against early childhood caries, or cavities.

Cavity prevention may take on various forms for children; however, the best way to address this concern is to properly brush, floss, and eat: