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At Pasternack Pediatric Dental, we know that brushing your toddler’s teeth can be an intimidating prospect. So we’re providing a few tips in the hope of making the process a lot more easy, effective, and all-around enjoyable for everyone!

Start by getting into a position that gives you control and enables you to see well into your child’s mouth. If you can see clearly, you will be able to maneuver the toothbrush better around your son or daughter’s mouth for a better quality of brushing.

It’s important to choose a time when your toddler is calm. Have your little one sit with his or her favorite stuffed animal, or play a fun movie in the background so your child can focus on something comforting while you’re brushing.

Using a circular motion, brush all sides of their teeth. Be sure to let your toddler have a turn after you’re done, to start getting used to it. This way, he or she is more likely to repeat the brushing and flossing exercise when your youngster is old enough.

Drs. Paul Pasternack, Chara Pasternack, and Christine Biondi and our team agree that brushing and flossing need to be performed with kindness and care. To ensure your child learns good dental hygiene habits early on, be gentle and make this time a happy, learning time.

Your child should also have regular appointments at our Vorhees office for checkups and cleanings to keep on track!

Many parents are unaware that children can also suffer from symptoms of halitosis, better known as chronic bad breath. This common oral problem affects a majority of the population, including both adults and children. During treatment for this condition, it’s worthwhile to focus on the cause of the problem. Take a look at the most common reasons why your child might develop bad breath.

Having constant bad breath can be embarrassing and troublesome. Most often, boys and girls develop halitosis as a side effect of some sort of upper respiratory infection. It may be a common cold, allergies, or flu symptoms.

When the nasal passages are blocked, it’s more likely that your child will breathe through the mouth. Mouth breathing may also occur if your youngster is put on medication that decreases saliva flow. Mouth breathing can make bad breath much worse if there isn’t enough saliva to cleanse the area.

Another cause of halitosis in children can be tonsillitis. When your child’s airway is constricted, he or she is more likely to mouth-breath. When the tissues in your mouth dry out, bacteria will grow and increase in potency. If you notice symptoms of tonsillitis in your child such as a fever, swollen throat, trouble swallowing, chills, or congestion, get your little one to treatment right away.

Halitosis in children is can also be caused by an infection of the mouth. If your child’s teeth or gums are infected, odor will developed if untreated. Infection can occur due to inadequate brushing and flossing, which can lead to gum disease or cavities. If cavities are left untreated, they can develop a strong, noticeable odor. If you think your child has an infection or cavity, contact Pasternack Pediatric Dental and schedule an appointment.

Other causes of halitosis may be certain pungent foods your child eats, or bacteria built up on the tongue. Make sure your son or daughter brushes and flosses thoroughly every day. Some mouthwashes may be beneficial for your child to alleviate bad breath caused by leftover bacteria in the mouth. Other ways of treating of halitosis can vary, based on the cause of the problem.

If you’re unsure about why your child has halitosis, contact Pasternack Pediatric Dental and we can help you figure out where the issue originated. Remember, masking symptoms of bad breath with gum or mints will be only a temporary fix. Your child’s bad breath problems can be helped with a little investigation from Drs. Paul Pasternack, Chara Pasternack, and Christine Biondi. Always feel free to call our Vorhees office if you are concerned about your child’s oral health.

Concerned parents often ask Drs. Paul Pasternack, Chara Pasternack, and Christine Biondi about which kinds of snacks are best for a child's teeth. While most know that candy isn't always the best choice, many parents are confused about which kinds of after-school snacks can actually be beneficial for teeth. Left to their own devices, children might pick the sugary snack that comes in colorful packaging. There are, however, choices that are much better for your child's teeth.

Go Natural

The foods that are best for your children's teeth are also the best for their overall health. Choosing whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables, is always the best option for snacks. Try sticks of celery and let your kids dip it into all-natural peanut butter, or a juicy and crunchy apple cut into wedges.

Lean Proteins

Lean protein, such as chicken breast, fish, turkey, and lean cuts of pork also make good snacking options. For the best overall health, avoid giving your child a lot of lunch meats, because such products are often higher in sodium. However, these proteins are also low in sugar, which is always a preferable choice when it comes to teeth.

Avoid Packaged Foods

Sugars are unhealthy partly because they stick more readily to the surface of the teeth. Even foods that appear to be healthy, such as many brands of granola bars, can in fact be loaded with hidden sugars. Sugar can also be found in higher concentrations in dried fruit, honey, and syrups. The rule is that if a foodstuff has been altered in any way from its original state then there are perhaps better choices.

Beverages

Drinks are another murky area. Parents often presume that fruit juices are an acceptable beverage when in reality many of them are loaded with excessive sugar as well. The best beverages for your child's teeth are water and low-fat milk. Milk has the added benefit of containing calcium, which is highly beneficial for the bone structure that supports the teeth.

An apple a day might keep the doctor away, but it is also a great snack to keep teeth healthy. The next time your children are looking for an after-school snack, guide them toward healthier, low-sugar options that are beneficial to their overall health and their teeth.

Just like that, it’s Spring, and the world looks brighter! The skies are sunnier. Daylight in Vorhees lasts longer. And your family’s smiles can be brighter, too—with a little bit of spring cleaning.

After all, sometimes dental habits become routine, and we start to skip a few steps. Children might not brush as long as they should, or forget to floss every day. Busy lives might mean your family is behind schedule for an exam and cleaning.

You want the best for your child’s dental health, so we have some easy-to-follow steps to help keep young smiles their cleanest and brightest.

Assemble the right tools.

• Use soft-bristled toothbrushes, because anything firmer can be hard on small (and grown-up!) teeth and gums. If your child is having trouble cleaning away food particles and plaque, especially around braces, an electric toothbrush might be a game changer.
• Find the right floss. If your child is skipping this important step because it’s difficult, there are lots of options available to make flossing easier and more successful. Whether it’s a different type of floss, floss picks, interproximal brushes, or water flossers, Drs. Paul Pasternack, Chara Pasternack, and Christine Biondi can recommend the best products for your child.
• Choose fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride not only helps prevent cavities by creating an unfavorable environment for cavity-causing bacteria, it also actually strengthens tooth enamel as well. Win/win!

Use those tools!

• You’ll probably need to monitor your child’s brushing until around age 8. Make sure all the surfaces of the teeth are brushed, inside, outside, and the tops of molars. Show your child how to brush along the gumline at a 45˚ angle to prevent plaque buildup, which can harden into tartar.
• Dentists generally recommend brushing twice a day, for two minutes each time. If your child wears braces, food particles and plaque can collect around brackets and wires, so brushing more often might be recommended. 
• When children wear aligners, retainers, mouthguards, nightguards, or other appliances, it’s important to brush before wearing them. No one wants food particles or bacteria trapped in their appliance!
• Help children floss at least once a day, or as often as recommended, until they are capable of flossing independently (somewhere around ages eight to 11).

Make sure your dental products are in top shape.

• Replace your child’s toothbrush as often as necessary. After three months or so, bristles start to fray. They don’t clean as effectively, and they could be abrasive to gum tissue. Change out toothbrushes every three to four months, including the heads on electric brushes. A good way to remember is to change family brushes with the change of seasons. 
• Check the date(s)! Many toothpastes, mouthwashes, and other oral supplies come with a “best used by” date, ensuring that your products remain safe and effective.
• Choose the right toothbrush holder. Brushes should air-dry upright, because bacteria and other germs thrive in closed, damp environments. And the holder shouldn’t allow family members’ brushes to touch, to prevent sharing bacteria and viruses. Clean your brush holder regularly to remove toothpaste residue and germs.
• Make sure your child cleans retainers, mouthguards, night guards, and/or cases for appliances as recommended. Bits of food, bacteria, viruses, and other germs collect there as well.

Work with the experts for the brightest family smiles.

• See Drs. Paul Pasternack, Chara Pasternack, and Christine Biondi regularly. You’ll discover any problems which might be dimming your child’s smile, and you’ll discover them early.
• Proper brushing and flossing can be difficult for children, especially with braces, so ask any member of the Pasternack Pediatric Dental team to demonstrate the best brushing and flossing tools and techniques.
• Schedule cleanings with exams to eliminate the built-up plaque and tartar which brushing can’t. The team at Pasternack Pediatric Dental uses tools such as ultrasonic or hand scalers and polishers to remove stubborn plaque, tartar, and surface stains for whiter enamel and a brighter smile.

Easy steps, yes? Step up your family’s cleaning routines, and you’ll enjoy a Springtime filled with not just brighter smiles, but healthier ones, too!