Dupont Family Dentistry Blog

The end of summer is soon approaching which means you’re probably busy getting your kids ready for school. New clothes and supplies will most likely make it to the top of the back to school checklist, but don’t forget to add a dental cleaning so your children are ready to take on the new school year with a smile. Preventative dental care is so important, especially for children and young adults. As a bonus, when you schedule a dentist appointment for your children by the end of August, they will be placed into a raffle to win a free backpack containing all the essential school supplies! This will help you check off a number of things on your back to school list. Why wait, the initial consultation is also free of charge! (more…)

We understand as a parent you want what’s best for your child! However, sometimes it is tough to judge how much dental care your child needs. You know you want to prevent cavities for your little one but knowing the best way to do so can be challenging. Here are some suggestions and tips to help!

Going to the dentist can be a scary and daunting experience for young children… even for some adults.  An unknown person with a mask on, strange shiny devices and power tools approaching your mouth isn’t the most inviting image. It’s understandable why kids have a fear of going to the oh-so dreaded dentist. This is why it is important to break the “scary” dentist stereotype and educate your children about how great and beneficial the dentist is, and get them excited for their next visit. Here are some tips and tricks for making the dentist a fun/painless experience for you and your children!

1)    Prepare

Before going to the dentist let your kids know what is going to happen. To help better prepare your kids for the experience you can play pretend dentist and walk through different scenarios.  In most cases, this will calm their nerves. When kids have no idea what is going on they can panic and tense up.

Photo Credit: makelessnoise

2)    Have some fun

A little fun goes a long way! There are a variety of things you can do to reinforce that going to the dentist will be a fun trip!

Dress up – let your kids dress up in their favorite superhero or princess costumes. Kids love dressing up as their favorite character for a day. You might be reluctant to let them wear costumes to school or run errands in them but if you allow them to wear them to the dentist office they’ll have something to look forward to.

Watch videos – If your child is drawn to a particular character on TV try to find videos that show that character caring about dental hygiene. If they see their favorite character doing something they are more likely to follow their lead.

Prize – Talk about how you’ll get a fun toothbrush/ toothpaste when going to the dentist.

Charts – Every time your child brushes their teeth correctly add a sticker to a chart. At the end of the week if they have brushed their teeth twice a day, every day treat them to a special outing or reward them in some way.

Photo Credit: Phillip Dean

3)    Positive reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is key! If your children do an awesome job at the dentist and have no cavities reward them every once in a while. By rewarding good behavior, they will strive for this behavior every time they attend the dentist.  Some popular places kids love to go are:

Kidz Bounce – Kidz Bounce is a place with a variety of bounce houses, optical illusions, and slides.   They have several drop-in times where your children can play for an hour and a half for only 7 dollars. Your kids will be jumping off the walls with excitement!

Wilson Playfields in Kent and Lake Meridian- Take your kids to this park filled with fun activities. This park includes a nautical theme playground, picnic areas, a swimming beach, boat launch, and more. This park is great for a variety of ages. There is truly something for everyone to do.

Little Discoveries 

Little Discoveries is a place where your children can find out what sport they’re passionate about through class sampling. Kids from 4 to 7 will be able to try ice skating, gymnastic, taekwondo, and swimming classes to see what truly interest them before choosing a specific program. Little Discoveries isn’t only a fun place for children to play but a healthy activity for children to do.

Mike N Terry’s Outdoor Fun Park – offers an exciting variety of sports that include: mini-golf, go-karts and batting cages.

Chuck E Cheese’s – Chuck E Cheese’s has always been a favorite among kids. Filled with arcade games, slides, and pizza your children are guaranteed a great day.

Kent Bowl – If your children love to bowl take them to Kent Bowl. They will be able to bowl, play in the arcade and eat here!

4)    Lead by example

Show your kids that you floss and brush your teeth on a regular basis as well as reiterate that flossing and brushing are for big girls and boys too. You can make flossing and brushing more fun by getting musical toothbrushes or cool flossers. Also when it is time to take your child to the dentist never show that you are stressed or nervous about taking them. We know that it can be a little nerve-racking for some parents to take their children to the dentist especially the first time. Try to hide any emotions that are negative. Your children will pick up on this and it will higher their anxiety about going. You always want to make going to the dentist a positive, exciting visit, not a nervous, dreaded visit.

As you experiment with different ways to help your children see the dentist in a positive light, don’t forget to have fun yourself! Remember it doesn’t have to be a day filled with stress and anxiety. Try our tips above and before you know it your children might enjoy going to the dentist!

We all know the importance of taking preventative measures to make sure we don’t cause damage to our teeth. These include small things like avoiding excessively acidic, sticky or gummy foods. The decline of oral health can come from tooth enamel demineralization. Have you ever noticed small, frosty-looking white spots on the surface of some teeth? That is a representation of enamel demineralization, often caused by excessive exposure to acid.

On the other end of the spectrum is the idea of teeth restoration. Just like we avoid things that cause harm, are there ways to restore health to our pearly whites if some damage has already been done?

The short answer is yes, teeth restoration is possible! With small lifestyle changes, you can improve your oral health and see tooth enamel restoration from minor erosion. Here are some easy things you can start doing today to see improvement:

1) Start By Being Mindful Of What You Are Drinking

Your oral health is hugely dependent on the fluids in your mouth. Acidic beverages, such as soft drinks, fruit drinks, coffee and tea, can erode teeth over time. To start seeing natural teeth restoration occur,  rinse your mouth out immediately after exposing your teeth to sweets and acidic drinks.

2) Remineralize Teeth Through Your Diet

When teeth are demineralized, their pores are larger and more susceptible to damage. Foods and beverages that are high in beneficial minerals will insure your tooth pores are minimized. When mineral-rich foods are introduced to your diet, your saliva, too, will be mineral-rich and facilitate tooth enamel restoration.

3) Use Remineralizing Gel and Fluoride Toothpaste

It is incredibly important to be mindful of dietary changes that encourage teeth restoration, but aiding in the process with remineralizing gel can also become a part of your daily oral health routine. You should consult your dentist before starting a new tooth regimen, but using fluoride toothpaste can make your teeth more resistant to acid and aid restoration of teeth.

The best tip will always be to prevent the damage before it is done, but we all know that life can make perfect habits difficult. Teeth restoration can be a tedious process, but making sure you are being mindful of your oral health is key to your overall well-being and adjusting small day to day habits can have huge long-term benefits. As always, make sure you schedule regular check-ups with your dentist. Furthermore, ask any questions you have when consulting with your dentist before making any major changes to your dental routine!