How To Prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Despite being temporary, baby teeth are still very important. These teeth are crucial to chewing, speaking, and having a healthy smile. Baby teeth also have the job of ushering in adult teeth correctly, which is why it's imperative that children learn good habits in oral care. When babies and toddlers do get cavities it is often referred to as "baby bottle tooth decay."

Most often baby bottle tooth decay occurs in the upper front teeth, but it's not limited to that area. Contributing factors include drinking sugary drinks, or putting a baby to bed with a bottle instead of a pacifier. Tooth decay can also come from a primary caregiver sharing eating utensils with a child.

The following are tips on preventing baby bottle tooth decay from MouthHealthy.org:

• Try not to share saliva with the baby through common use of feeding spoons or licking pacifiers. After each feeding, wipe your child's gums with a clean, damp gauze pad or washcloth.
• When your child's teeth come in, brush them gently with a child-size toothbrush and water. Be sure to consult with your child's dentist or physician if you are considering using fluoride toothpaste before age 2.
• Brush the teeth with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste from the ages of 2 to 6.
• Supervise brushing until your child can be counted on to spit and not swallow toothpaste-usually not before he or she is 6 or 7.
• Place only formula, milk or breastmilk in bottles. Avoid filling the bottle with liquids such as sugar water, juice or soft drinks.
• Infants should finish their bedtime and nap time bottles before going to bed.
• If your child uses a pacifier, provide one that is clean-don't dip it in sugar or honey.
• Encourage your child to drink from a cup by his/her first birthday.
• Encourage healthy eating habits.

If you live in the Bloomingdale, Wheaton, and Carol Stream areas, contact Blackman and Bliss DDS at 630-260-0333 or online at www.blackmanandblissdds.com for more information on preventing tooth decay in young children.

Several Tips To Help Your Child Stop Thumb Sucking

Sucking on pacifiers, thumbs, fingers, or other objects is a natural instinct for young children. This action may help soothe them and also assist with falling asleep. This act can be relatively harmless, until the permanent teeth start coming in. Sucking can cause issues with teeth alignment, effect the growth of the mouth, and damage to the roof of the mouth.

Kids usually quit sucking pacifiers, thumbs, and other objects between the ages of two and four years old. However, if you happen to notice any changes to your child's teeth as a result of sucking, call our office.

According to the American Dental Association, here are several tips to help your child stop thumb sucking:

• Praise your child for not sucking.
• Children often suck their thumbs when feeling insecure or needing comfort. Focus on correcting the cause of the anxiety and provide comfort to your child.
• For an older child, involve him or her in choosing the method of stopping.
• Your dentist can offer encouragement to your child and explain what could happen to their teeth if they do not stop sucking.
• If these tips do not work, remind the child of their habit by bandaging the thumb or putting a sock on the hand at night.
• Bitter medication can be prescribed or the use of a mouth appliance. 

If you live in the Bloomingdale, Wheaton, and Carol Stream areas, contact Blackman and Bliss DDS at 630-260-0333 or online at www.blackmanandblissdds.com for more information on curbing your child's thumb sucking habits.

The Advantages of Having All-on-4 Implants Verses Dentures

Dentures have been around many, many years and have served people to the best of their ability. Today, many dental patients are looking for a more durable alternative to dentures. That treatment is known as All-on-4 dental implants.

During this procedure, the oral surgeon will place four titanium implants into the jawbone. Then the lifelike prosthetic is permanently secured for a beautiful new smile. 

There are many advantages to having All-on-4 implants verses dentures. With All-on-4 implants you'll receive immediate results, an enhanced appearance, control over the foods you eat, an improved quality of life, and you'll eliminate the health issues associated with failing teeth.

Enjoy eating again with dramatic improvement in your chewing ability. Your new teeth will feel remarkably more stable with a greater feeling of comfort. A major benefit of the All-in-4 implants is the preservation of the jawbone. This prevents deterioration of the facial structure related to missing teeth and the root system that supports them.

While dentures have come a long way, they still can present problems of their own. Since they are held in place by way of a fixative, application is not always pleasant and the bond is not always secure. Dentures frequently slip and move, resulting in discomfort and embarrassment while speaking and eating. The movement of dentures is linked to sores and gum irritation. Unlike an All-on-4 implant, dentures require regular maintenance and must be removed for cleaning. Also unlike an All-on-4 implant, dentures require eventual replacement.

If you suffer from tooth loss and are looking for a solution, contact Blackman and Bliss DDS at 630-260-0333 or online at www.blackmanandblissdds.com for more information on All-on-4 dental implants and how they can change your life.

Welcome To The Blog Of Blackman & Bliss!

Serving the communities of Bloomingdale, Wheaton and Carol Stream for over 30 years, Blackman and Bliss DDS offers cosmetic, reconstructive and general dentistry to provide patients with a healthy and beautiful smile. Combining all areas of dentistry under one roof, the comprehensive practice covers everything from cosmetic-focused procedures such as Invisalign and Lumineers to fulfilling orthodontic and oral surgery needs on-site.

Featuring customizable treatment plans to fit the unique needs and desires of each individual patient, Dr. Blackman and Dr. Bliss place an emphasis on personal attention coupled with years of experience to achieve optimal oral health. Our knowledgeable staff strives to ensure your dental experience is a positive one and is always available to answer any questions you may have about your dental health.

Please feel free to contact our office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Blackman or Dr. Bliss at 630-260-0333 or online at www.blackmanandblissdds.com.