Biannual Cleanings for Children

Caries, the little instances of tooth decay which result in cavities, are one of the most common maladies in children. Dentists recommend that children get checked on twice a year in order to prevent and treat tooth decay. Due to the impact decay can have on a child’s life, it is especially important to do this before it can disrupt the school year too much.

In younger children, the pain from tooth decay can delay speech development. In children of every age, it disrupts sleep and makes chewing painful, which may result in children not eating properly. Irritability, difficulty focusing, and increased stress are all associated with lack of sleep and nutrition, and stress can lead to tooth grinding. Once decay sets in, it is difficult to reverse on its own because bacteria are able to hide in the cavities. But at our dental office, we clean out decayed material and provide fillings and sealants to help defend against further decay. We also use the check-up as an opportunity to monitor other potential problems, such as wisdom tooth eruption.

Farid Hakimzadeh, DDS, operates Fresh Meadows Dental Care at 58-47 Francis Lewis Blvd., Suite 100, Oakland Gardens, New York, 11364. To schedule an appointment, call 718-224-7272 or visit FreshMeadowsDental.com and fill out a contact form.

 

Bad Breath in Children

Nobody wants bad breath, and at Fresh Meadows Dental Care, we help even our youngest patients to maintain a smile that pleases in every regard. As with adults, halitosis in children is most commonly due to poor hygiene, but there are some specific issues which should also be investigated during an examination.

Creviced soft tissue is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, particularly if food particles can get trapped in it. Children often have not had their tonsils removed, providing one such ideal home, but the tongue is another area which foul odors often originate from. This is why oral hygiene instructions now emphasize the importance of tongue brushing, as well. People who suffer from dry mouth, which is a common side-effect of ADHD and anxiety medications, also need to take particular care of their oral hygiene.

Another reason for childhood halitosis is that children tend to get sinus infections more frequently than adults. The drip from their nasal passages is an additional food source for bacteria while mouth-breathing in response to a stuffy nose results in dry mouth. A foreign object lodged in a child’s nose will also cause nasal drip.

Farid Hakimzadeh, DDS, operates Fresh Meadows Dental Care at 58-47 Francis Lewis Blvd., Suite 100, Oakland Gardens, New York, 11364. To schedule an appointment, call 718-224-7272 or visit FreshMeadowsDental.com and fill out a contact form.

 

Consequences of Thumb Sucking

We’re very proud at Fresh Meadows Dental Care that parents rely on Dr. Hakimzadeh and our staff for information about their children’s oral health. Many first-time parents have heard that thumb sucking and pacifiers are bad for their child’s tooth development, but don’t know how much of a problem it is. We’ve provided them this guide.

Children under the age of four commonly suck their thumbs or a pacifier as a means of comforting themselves. Because their facial bones are more flexible than those of adults or older children, this isn’t usually a problem. But around the age of five, children lose their first baby teeth and permanent teeth start erupting. At this point, thumb sucking becomes a dangerous habit, as the pressure can cause children to develop overbites, misaligned jaws, and overcrowded bites.

If this habit persists when the child is over the age of four, try including them in positive efforts to change their behavior. Often, when children have a deep—seated source of anxiety which is motivating this habit, they will substitute thumb sucking with pushing their tongue against their teeth, which results in the same kinds of misalignment. There are orthodontic devices which can discourage children from tongue thrusting, but in these cases, we also recommend attention from a psychologist.

Farid Hakimzadeh, DDS, operates Fresh Meadows Dental Care at 58-47 Francis Lewis Blvd., Suite 100, Oakland Gardens, New York, 11364. To schedule an appointment, call 718-224-7272 or visit FreshMeadowsDental.com and fill out a contact form.