Gum Care

As parents, ensuring our children's oral health is crucial for their overall well-being and confidence.
While children's dental care may seem straightforward, various oral health issues can arise during their early years.
Identifying and addressing these concerns promptly can lead to better dental outcomes and a bright smile for years to come.

1. Dental Cavities:

Dental cavities, also known as tooth decay, are among the most prevalent oral health issues in children.
Consuming sugary foods and drinks, inadequate oral hygiene, and irregular dental check-ups contribute to cavities.
Regular brushing, flossing, and limiting sugary treats can help prevent cavities and maintain healthy teeth.

2. Gum Disease:

Gum disease, or gingivitis, is characterized by swollen, red, and bleeding gums.
Poor oral hygiene allows plaque to build up, leading to gum inflammation.
Regular dental visits, proper oral care, and the use of fluoride toothpaste can prevent and manage gum disease in children.

3. Tooth Eruption Problems:

Some children may experience challenges when their permanent teeth start erupting.
Crowded or misaligned teeth can affect their bite and overall oral health.
Early orthodontic evaluation can identify potential issues and enable timely intervention for optimal dental development.

4. Thumb Sucking:

While thumb sucking is normal in young children, prolonged habits can lead to dental problems. Sustained thumb sucking may cause misalignment and affect the proper growth of the jaws. Gentle guidance and positive reinforcement can help children break this habit over time.

5. Tooth Sensitivity:

Children can experience tooth sensitivity to hot or cold substances due to weakened enamel, gum recession, or tooth erosion. A child-friendly toothpaste for sensitive teeth and dental sealants can alleviate discomfort and protect enamel.

6. Tongue Thrusting:

Tongue thrusting, where the tongue pushes against the front teeth during swallowing,
can lead to orthodontic issues and misalignment. Speech therapy and orthodontic intervention can help correct this habit.

7. Dental Trauma:

Accidents or falls during play or sports can result in dental trauma, such as chipped or knocked-out teeth.
Wearing mouth guards during sports activities can significantly reduce the risk of dental injuries.

8. Dental Anxiety:

Many children may experience dental anxiety or fear, leading to challenges during dental visits.
A child-friendly dental office, communication, and positive reinforcement can help ease their
fears and create a comfortable environment for dental care.

To ensure your child's oral health remains in top condition, it's essential to maintain regular dental check-ups,
encourage proper oral hygiene practices, and address any concerns promptly.
A pediatric dentist can provide specialized care, guidance,
and preventive measures tailored to your child's unique needs, ensuring they grow up with a happy, healthy smile.

Remember, a foundation of good oral health sets the stage for a lifetime of confident and beautiful smiles.
By taking proactive steps and addressing any oral health issues early on,
you can ensure your child's teeth and gums remain healthy and vibrant throughout their childhood and beyond.

1. To prevent tooth decay and gum disease: Good oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing regularly and visiting the dentist for regular cleanings and checkups, can help to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
2. To maintain healthy teeth and gums: Good oral hygiene helps to maintain healthy teeth and gums, which is important for overall health.

3. To improve self-esteem: Kids who have healthy teeth and gums may have higher self-esteem and be more confident in social situations..

4. To save money: Proper oral hygiene can help to prevent costly dental problems, such as tooth decay and gum disease, in the long run.

5. To set a good example: Teaching kids good oral hygiene habits can set a good example for them to follow throughout their lives.

6. Overall, teaching kids good oral hygiene is an important part of helping them maintain good overall health and well-being. It is important to start teaching kids good oral hygiene habits at an early age so that they can develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime.

Whenever you are looking for Dental Mommy tips or daddy tips, you can consult with us, or check out our articles on those topics and more.

Looking for the best kids dentist near the Paterson, Passaic, Union City, or Dover areas?
We are here serving Paterson, Passaic, and Hudson NJ, and the surrounding communities, we offer comprehensive oral health services ranging from routine cleanings to emergency treatment. We are committed to creating a warm, welcoming environment to keep all members of the family comfortable in the office.
Paterson(973) 742-4200
Passaic  ( 973) 574-1000
Union City(201) 325-8444

Find reviews and updates on Facebook, learn more about our practice online, or give us a call (973) 742-4200

It's National Children's dental health month ( Feb ) as well as National Gum Disease Awareness month!
Let's take a look at some gum health facts

1. Plaque buildup can lead to gum disease, which is why proper brushing and flossing are important for children.

2. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. This can result from a lack of a good routine of children's oral health.

3. Children should brush their teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, and floss at least once a day.

4. Tooth decay and gum disease can start as early as age 3.

5. Eating sugary foods and drinks can cause cavities and gum disease.

6. Regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings are important for gum health.

7. Saliva helps to protect teeth and gums against bacteria and acid.

8. Brushing and flossing should be part of a daily routine.

9. Healthy gums are pink, firm and do not bleed easily.

The average American spends 38.5 total days brushing their teeth over a lifetime.

People who drink 3 or more glasses of soda each day have 62% more tooth decay, fillings and tooth loss than others. Put down the pop and sports drinks and pick up some nice fresh water instead.

Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body. However, we do not recommend that you use your pearly whites to open bottle caps!

If you don’t floss, you miss cleaning 40% of your tooth surfaces. Make sure you brush and floss twice a day!

If you're right handed, you will chew your food on your right side. If you're left handed, you will tend to chew your food on your left side.

Every year, kids in North America spend close to half a million dollars on chewing gum.

More people use blue toothbrushes than red ones.

Like fingerprints, everyone's tongue print is different

The average woman smiles 62 times a day. The average man smiles about 8 times a day.

Kids laugh around 400 times a day, adults just 15 times a day.

Giraffes only have bottom teeth.
Giraffes: Only have bottom teeth. This is why it looks like they have such a big upper lip.

Just like finger prints, tooth prints are unique to each individual.

The average person only brushes for 45 to 70 seconds a day, the recommended amount of time is 2-3 minutes.

78% of Americans have had at least 1 cavity by age 17.

1882 was the year commercial floss was first manufactured.

The most valuable tooth belonged to Sir Isaac Newton. In 1816 one of his teeth was sold in London for $3,633, or in today's terms $35,700. The tooth was set in a ring! (source: Guinness World Records 2002).

More than 300 types of bacteria make up dental plaque.

Dogs have 42 teeth, cats have 30 teeth, pigs have 44 teeth, and an armadillo has 104 teeth.

A snail's mouth is no larger than the head of a pin, but it can have over 25,000 teeth!

The elephant grinds its molars and grows new ones. This happens six times in a lifetime! An elephant's molar is about 7 inches square and can weigh over 6 pounds

The Blue Whale is the largest mammal on earth, but it eats only tiny shrimp because it has no teeth.

The Crocodile Bird flies into the open mouth of a crocodile and cleans the crocodile's teeth!

There are 10-12 teaspoons of sugar in a single can of soda.

Interesting Facts about Dental History

In 1866, Lucy Beaman Hobbs became the first licensed female dentist.

In 1986, the winner of the National Spelling Bee won by spelling ODONTALGIA (which means toothache)

The average amount of money left by the tooth fairy in 1950 was 25 cents. In 1988 it was $1.00, the going rate now is $2.00.

The earliest dentist is known by the name Hesy-Ra. He lived in Egypt over 5,000 years ago.

The first toothbrushes were tree twigs. Chewing on the tips of the twigs spread out the fibers, which were then used to clean the teeth.

Ancient Greeks used pumice, talc, alabaster, coral powder or iron rust as toothpaste.

George Washington never had wooden teeth. His dentures were made from gold, hippopotamus tusk, elephant ivory and human teeth!

In 1905, Dental Assistant Irene Newman was trained to clean teeth. She became the first Dental Hygienist.

Between 60 and 90 percent of school children have at least one dental cavity

Nearly 100 percent of adults have at least one dental cavity

Between 15 and 20 percent of adults ages 35 to 44 have severe gum disease

About 30 percent of people around the world ages 65 to 74 don’t have any natural teeth left
In most countries, out of every 100,000 people, there are between 1 and 10 cases of oral cancer

The burden of oral disease is much higher in poor or disadvantaged population groups

Nasa is responsible for the alloy made for the first wires used to make braces.

 

 

We are here serving Paterson, Passaic, and Hudson NJ,
Dover NJ, and the surrounding communities.
We offer comprehensive oral health
services ranging from routine cleanings to emergency treatment.

We are committed to creating a warm, welcoming environment
to keep all members of the family comfortable in the office.
Paterson (973) 742-4200
Passaic  ( 973) 574-1000
Union City (201) 325-8444
Dover   (973) 891-4015

Find reviews and updates on Facebook,
learn more about our practice online,
or give us a call

Keeping our gums healthy is just as important as keeping
our teeth healthy. That's why its important to know how to keep
our gums healthy.

What is gum disease?
Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease (periodontal disease)
You may notice the gums swell up, turn red in color, and may bleed.
Periodontal disease results in the following:

Inflammation of the gums
Gums can pull away from the teeth or loosen
Gums feel tender when touched
Bad breathy
Pain while chewing
A change in your bite and teeth structure

Periodontal disease is seen mostly in adults.
Early prevention of periodontal disease and gingivitis in kids is important.

Excerpt from the CDC:
A recent CDC report1 provides the following data related to prevalence of periodontitis in the U.S.:

47.2% of adults aged 30 years and older have some form of periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease increases with age, 70.1% of adults 65 years and older have periodontal disease.
This condition is more common in men than women (56.4% vs 38.4%), those living below the federal poverty level (65.4%), those with less than a high school education (66.9%), and current smokers (64.2%)

Preventive measures can include:
brushing the teeth properly
choosing the right toothpaste
flossing daily
taking care when rinsing out the mouth
using mouthwash
having regular dental checkups
stopping smoking - Adults and teens only

5 easy ways to keep the gums healthy

1. Brush the teeth properly
with the following:
Brush your teeth twice a day
Gentle Short strokes, 45 degree angle strokes,
Circular, up and down and side to side Strokes
Every 3-4 months - replace the toothbrush
Don't forget to get the back and front of the teeth

 

2. Choose the right toothbrush and toothpaste
There are many sizes of toothbrushes and toothpastes
made for kids. Look for the ADA seal of approval and
check to ensure that the toothpaste has fluoride.

 

3. Floss Daily
Removing food particles and plaque can
seem like a daunting task.
Fortunately, flossing can help with that.
tartar can develop if we do not floss.
Tartar is a hardened buildup of bacteria.
This can lead to gum disease.
So let's not forget to floss.

 

4. Mouthwash is your friend
Mouthwash can be used for kids but it is suggested
for kids 6 years old and up.
Mouthwash can help with the following:

Remove left over food particles
Slows down tartar buildup
Plaque reduction
Prevent gum disease

Although mouthwash can help with these,
it is important to note that it is not meant to
replace brushing your teeth and flossing

 

5. Regular dentist visits/checkups
At a typical dental checkup you may spend time
with the hygienist. Professional dental cleanings
help to remove tartar and can help to eliminate plaque.
Early signs of gingivitis, gum disease or any other
infections can be detected.

 

Looking for the best kids dentist near the Paterson,
Passaic, and Union City areas?

 

 

We are here serving Paterson, Passaic, and Hudson NJ,
Dover NJ, and the surrounding communities.
We offer comprehensive oral health
services ranging from routine cleanings to emergency treatment.

We are committed to creating a warm, welcoming environment
to keep all members of the family comfortable in the office.
Paterson (973) 742-4200
Passaic  ( 973) 574-1000
Union City (201) 325-8444
Dover   (973) 891-4015

Find reviews and updates on Facebook,
learn more about our practice online,
or give us a call

It is true that gum disease is more likely to
occur in adults but it is important to take preventive measure early.
That's why brushing, flossing, mouthwash use and regular dental visits is vital for kids.

Periodontitis occurs when plaque and tartar spread below the gum-line.
Gums can get inflamed due to the bacteria under the gums.
Damage can get worse which can lead to space in new spots being developed.

Here is a comprehensive list for signs of unhealthy gums:

Painful chewing

Gums appear red or swollen in certain spots

Bleeding after kids' brush or floss their teeth

Gums bleeding even without brushing

Gums pulling away from the teeth (receding gum line)

Recurrent bad breath

Changes in a child's bite (The way the Teeth fit together)

Loose teeth and spacing

Pus between the gums and the teeth

Sensitive teeth

 

Looking for the best kids dentist near the Paterson,
Passaic, and Union City areas?

We are here serving Paterson, Passaic, and Hudson NJ,
Dover NJ, and the surrounding communities.
We offer comprehensive oral health
services ranging from routine cleanings to emergency treatment.

We are committed to creating a warm, welcoming environment
to keep all members of the family comfortable in the office.
Paterson (973) 742-4200
Passaic  ( 973) 574-1000
Union City (201) 325-8444
Dover   (973) 891-4015

Find reviews and updates on Facebook,
learn more about our practice online,
or give us a call

 

 

What is Plaque?
Plaque is an extremely sticky buildup of bacteria in your mouth.
The bacteria mix with food byproducts and proteins to form a sticky film called dental plaque.

It acts as a coat on your teeth and can get under the gumline. This is between the tooth and gums. Have you ever seen buildup in the corners of your teeth where the gums are? That's plaque building into tartar. The plaque can develop into a hard substance we call calculus and tartar.

Plaque and tartar can damage your tooth enamel.
The gums can bleed from this. If this is happening, please schedule an appointment as soon as possible. It is important to not try and remove tartar on your own. The best action to take is to schedule an appointment so a trained hygienist can remove tartar professionally.

How do you remove plaque on your own?
Flossing can help to prevent tartar.
Brushing your teeth twice a day especially in the morning and at night before you go to sleep can be very helpful to prevent plaque and tartar buildup.
Brush regularly, twice a day for 2 minutes a time.
Brushing for 30-seconds twice a day won’t remove plaque or prevent tartar.

Removing plaque and Tartar:
Do not attempt to use any other appliances to remove plaque or tartar. You can damage your child's gums or teeth.

Dental Hygienists and Dentists make it look easy when removing tartar from your teeth. This leads to the belief that one can do the removal themselves and save themselves from an appointment.

It is very important that you don't attempt to remove tartar on your own. It can be very dangerous to do this because it can cause damage to your gums and create recession in the gums. This is where gums move away from the teeth and expose roots. These roots are sensitive, can be damaged,
and can lead to infections.

 

As stated above, If your child is bleeding, has gum damage,
or is in pain, please schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
Call (973) 742-4200 to schedule an appointment. ( Orthodontics ext: 21 )

Serving Paterson, NJ, and the surrounding communities, we offer comprehensive oral health services ranging from routine cleanings to emergency treatment. We are committed to creating a warm, welcoming environment to keep all members of the family comfortable in the office.

Find reviews and updates on Facebook, learn more about our practice online, or give us a call (973) 742-4200

 

 

September is gum care month. Let's take a look at some great habits to have as a routine for clean and healthy mouths.

1. Eat a nutritious diet:   Eating a balanced nutritious diet that is low in sugar and carbs gives your body the nutrients it needs to function correctly. It can help your body fight off harmful bacteria, inflammation, and infection.

2. Brush twice a day:  Both plaque and tartar contribute to gum disease. Brushing twice a day will help to break this down and keep your gums healthy.

3. Floss: It's very important to floss when it comes to taking care of your gums.
This is because flossing can help you remove particles of food that get stuck in the crevices of your teeth.

There are different types of floss.
- Unwaxed floss is thin nylon floss made of about 35 strands twisted together.
- Waxed floss is a standard nylon floss with a light wax coating.
- Dental tape is broader and flatter than standard floss and comes in waxed or unwaxed versions

Consult with your dentist so they can advise you on which floss is right for you.

 

4. Brush Gums: This comes to a surprise to most people but brushing your gums gently with circular motions helps remove debris from the gums.

 

6. See Your Dentist: Regular visits to your dentist can help detect gum disease early. If gum disease is detected, your dentist can recommend a treatment plan to stop it from spreading and can minimize the damage.

 

 

 

Thank you for being part of our family dental practice.
We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors, and friends.

To schedule a dental appointment:
.
1. 140 Market St, Paterson, NJ 07505
Children's Dentistry - 3rd Floor
Orthodontics Center - 2nd Floor
Treatment Center - 4th Floor
(973) 742-4200

2. 625 Main Ave
Passaic, NJ 07055
Children's Dentistry - 3rd Floor
(973) 574-1000

3. 3196 John Fitzgerald Kennedy Blvd
3rd Floor
Union City, NJ 07087
(201) 325-8444