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Flossing is more than just a super cool dance move - Flossing is an important part of maintaining good oral hygiene, and it's especially important for children. While brushing is important for removing plaque and bacteria from the surfaces of the teeth, flossing is the only way to remove things from between the teeth.

Flossing should be started as soon as the child has teeth that are touching each other. This is usually around the age of 2-3 years old. Parents or caregivers should help their children floss to ensure that they are doing it properly. As the child grows older, they will be able to floss on their own.

Flossing may be difficult for some children, especially those with small mouths. In these cases, it may be helpful to use floss holders to make the flossing easier. Also, there's special floss picks made just for braces that make flossing much easier as well!

We understand that flossing can be a difficult habit to establish, but we are here to help with any questions you may have to help build healthy routines!

Silver diamine fluoride, or SDF, is a liquid that is used to help prevent and treat cavities in children's teeth. At our pediatric dental office, we use SDF as a non-invasive alternative to traditional fillings for small cavities. SDF works by penetrating the tooth's surface and hardening the tooth structure. It also has antimicrobial properties that help to kill bacteria that cause cavities. The silver component of SDF helps to stop the spread of decay, while the fluoride component helps to remineralize the tooth, making it stronger and more resistant to future decay.

One of the benefits of using SDF is that it is a non-invasive treatment option. Traditional fillings require drilling and removing tooth structure, which can be uncomfortable and traumatic for children. With SDF, the tooth structure is left intact, and the treatment can be completed quickly and painlessly.

Another benefit is that SDF can be used as a preventive treatment, helping to stop cavities from getting worse and prevent new cavities from forming. It's also a great option for children who have difficulty cooperating during dental procedures, as it can be applied quickly and without the need for local anesthetics.

It's important to note that SDF is not suitable for every case and it does have some limitations. It's not recommended for cavities that have progressed too far, or for teeth that have large fillings, crowns or root canal treatments. Additionally, SDF can cause black discoloration of the treated tooth, so it may pose an esthetic concern for parents.

It's important to have a detailed conversation with your child's dentist to determine if SDF is the best option for your child's specific needs!

Oral cancer is a cancer that affects your mouth - it can develop in many places including the gums, tongue and lips. An esitimated 50,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed each year. As oral health care specialists, oral cancer is an extremely important topic for us, as we are usually the first to detect any problems in the mouth! While the majority of cases occur in adults, it's not completely uncommon for children to be diagnosed as well.

Early detection is key! Here at East Valley Children's Dentistry, Dr. Norman and Dr. Cat take great care to make sure that each patient is receives an oral cancer screening at each check up.

Here are the most common signs and symptoms to keep an eye out for at home:
- Sores that haven't healed within 10 days
- Any soft tissue that is rough, crusting, or thickening
- Flat patches of tissue that may be red, white, or speckled
- If you child tells you that part of their mouth feels numb
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing or moving their tongue

As always, our family here at East Valley is here for you to help answer any questions or concerns you may have!

Please help us in raising awareness regarding the importance of oral cancer this month!

We commonly get asked by parents on what type of toothpaste they should use for their child! We follow the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry guidelines, which recommends any toothpaste with fluoride. Fluoride is a protective factor to help prevent cavities on your child's teeth!

We also understand that some parents may be concerned with fluoride use. There is an alternative type of toothpaste with hydroxyapatite. We have seen some similar success with cavity prevention using hydroxyapatite, but there is not enough evidence in research that we can professionally recommend this type of toothpaste just yet. But it is an option for your family to look into if you would like!

In the end, you should choose any toothpaste that your child likes using! If your child likes it, you have a higher chance of getting your child to brush! Toothpaste comes in all colors, flavors, and designs - so make it a fun activity to have your child choose one with you when you go to the store!