8 Tips To Choose The Best Pediatric Dentist in McKinney

There are so many responsibilities that come with being a parent. You have to take care of several things, from their health to habits, behavior to language, and much more. Oral habits and maintaining oral hygiene in kids should be an important consideration for every parent as children's teeth are more prone to cavities and decay than adults. That's why every parent should take their child to a pediatric dentist as soon as their child turns one.

Pediatric dentistry is a dental field dedicated to taking care of kid's dental health and related issues. Residents of McKinney should consider Pediatric Dentistry MCK seriously in the early years of their child's life. Most parents take their kids to the dentist when their child experiences tooth pain. It makes more challenging for them to convince their child to visit a dentist nearby. Such kids won't even let the dentist look at the problem on their first visit.  In short, it is never too early to take your child to the dentist and make recommendations for better oral hygiene.

Every problem has a solution, and to deal with this kind of situation, you would need to consult an experienced pediatric dentist. A dentist practicing Pediatric Dentistry MCK from the past so many years knows the drill how to deal with such kids and situations. They have certification and training on how to deal with children, which may mean so much to the parents.

A pediatric dentist knows different procedures and techniques like conscious and deep sedation. Such procedures are commonly used while treating children with autism. If your child has ADS, you must take them to only pediatric dentists as these professionals are well up with the symptoms of the illness. They are also trained to manage such kids to complete necessary dental procedures.

So, the decision of choosing a dentist is vital in itself. You must make a wise selection based on the dentist's reputation and experience. Given below are some points to consider while choosing the right pediatric dentist for your child.

1. Check out Their Qualification: You must choose a dentist who is specialized in pediatric dentistry MCK. Having such a professional by your side is always better; after all, it is about your child. If they are qualified and trained to deal with different dental conditions in kids, they know how to blend with kids and make them comfortable before and during the whole treatment.

2. Consider Their Dental Experience: It would be helpful for any parent to find out someone experienced in this profession. It brings confidence and satisfaction to the parents that they don't have to worry about anything. An experienced professional knows how to handle difficult children. They can also efficiently deal with kids with autism and ASD. An experienced dentist keeps kids calm and easy throughout the checkup as well as treatment. It is part of their role and responsibility.

3. Find Someone Nearby Your Location: While searching for a kid's dentist online, you must keep in mind that the dentist's office is near your home. The nearer the dentist's location, the better it is as you don't need to drive through the traffic for long to reach your dentists. It is necessary to consider if the treatment requires frequent visits. Moreover, longer distances to the dentist could prolong your child's anxiety, which could further lead to temper tantrums.  

4. Make Sure They Have A License: A pediatric dentist must have a license permitting them to practice their profession in the state. Finding out about practicing in the local area is a good choice, especially if you want to take your child for treatment. In many clinics, you will find their certifications and license being displayed on the wall. There is nothing wrong with asking for the permit if you can't see them displayed anywhere in their office.

5. They Must Have Well-Equipped Dental Clinic: Another important detail you must check is whether or not the clinic of the pediatric dentist is well-equipped with all necessary equipment and materials. In case a child needs to sedate, do they have a proper arrangement such as a papoose board, pulse oximeter, oxygen tank, and intubation sets. All the essential equipment should be available at the clinic. 

6. Clinic Must-Have Kids-friendly Environment: Moreover, the office should have the proper staff to handle kids with several appointments or a rush in the clinic. Kids are usually scared of going to the dentist; that's why pediatric dentists create a welcoming and fun environment in their office. Having a vibrant and colorful office is essential for both the physical and psychological needs of the children. Such an atmosphere is a must in any children's clinic as it radiates a friendly tone. 

7. Must-Have Staff With Excellent Management Skills: Sometimes, kids create chaos, especially those getting treatment inside. Those who are waiting for their turn and are in deep pain also create problems for others. Shouting and crying noises may make other kids feel nervous. They could be frightened by the whole scenario. Here comes the role of efficient and skilled staff. They are trained to deal with kids who are creating distress inside the clinic. They keep such kids busy or distracted through toys, games, and other ways. 

8. Check If They Are Family Dental Clinic:  At Family Dental Clinic, patients are treated with care and comfort, especially when it comes to kids. Pediatric dentists always build good relationships with kids. This could only be possible if they are certified and trained to deal with kids. A family dental clinic generally comprises dedicated professionals who believe in making their patients comfortable and build lasting relationships. 

If you think you have found a pediatric dentist with all the qualities mentioned above, you should definitely visit them and get your child treated for dental problems. Valley Creek Dental Care is also one of the family dental clinics run by professionals who are specialized in Pediatric Dentistry MCK.

How to Teach Your Children Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene?

As a parent, you would better know how challenging it is to teach a child some new habits. It needs a lot of time, effort, and patience. You work hard with your best possible effort, and despite that, there is no guarantee whether your hard work is going to work for your child or not.  

Similarly, when it comes to teaching your children some good oral habits, it is a hard nut to crack. However, this is the real challenge and fun you come across when you become a parent. And it’s one of the most pleasant and satisfying things one can come across.

In this blog, we have put together some of the most useful tips by pediatric dentistry McKinney. These tips will help you teach your children to maintain good oral hygiene. Let’s check them out!

Some Useful Tips to Teach Your Children Rightly Brushing and Flossing

Brush Your Teeth with Your Children 

Children often observe and copy their parents and close ones. They closely see and observe what their parents do and try to perform the same thing. It would be best if you make the most of this nature of your children to teach them good habits. 

When you wake up in the morning, wake up your children too and motivate them to do brushing and flossing. Take them with you to the bathroom, do brushing and flossing in front of them and let them observe and copy you. It would indeed be effective to teach your children some good oral care habits. 

Be a Child with Your Child

You can’t teach your children good habits until you become yourself a child with them. So, while teaching your children some good oral care habits, rejuvenate your childish nature and make learning a fun for them. Your children will surely enjoy this, and it would become much easier for you to teach them dental care habits. 

Give Your Children Varieties of Cute Toothbrushes

Children love cute things. Give them varieties of toothbrushes and the right to choose a toothbrush of their interest based on color, cartoon, design, and grip. It helps in developing your children’s interest in learning good oral care habits. 

It is another very useful tip to teach your children how to maintain good oral hygiene. 

Reward them For Learning Faster

When you reward your children with cute and attractive gifts, it encourages them to learn good habits faster. You must use this tip. 

You just need to tell your children that they can earn some attractive rewards (like toys, dolls, clothes, eatables, etc.) if they learn oral habits faster. It will definitely work for you. 

Play Music

Everyone loves music, whether a kid or an adult. It is something that can make boring activities exciting and interesting. If you play music while teaching your children good oral habits, it will surely help your children developing an interest. And once your children start learning oral habits with interest, it would be easier to teach them.   

Some Useful Tips to Keep Your Children Away from Sugary and Junk Foods

Sugary eatables, like chocolates, candies, and cakes, and junk foods are harmful to your children’s oral health. They can cause cavities, tooth decay, tooth sensitivity, tooth warms, tooth stains, and paleness. So, it is crucial to keep your children away from sugary eatables and junk foods. 

Here are some useful tips you should follow to keep your children away from sugary eatables and junk foods. Let’s check them out!

Let Your Children Enjoy their Favorite Foods (except sugary eatables and junk foods)

Your children’s oral health is at higher risk if they eat sugary eatables and junk foods too much. You need to keep them away from sugary items and junk foods anyhow. Letting your children enjoy their favorite foods (except sugar eatables and junk foods) could be a great way to do that. It would be helpful if you follow this tip.

Promise them For a Special Treat

Children love getting special treatments from their parents. They often listen to their parents and do anything for getting that special treatment. So, promising your children a special treatment or a surprise reward is the most effective way to deal with them. You just need to tell them that you have a special treat or reward for them. And for getting that, they have to avoid eating sugary items and junk foods too much. It will also work for you. 

Reduce the Supplies 

We know that no parent would prefer to reduce the supply of chocolates, candies, and junk foods in the love of their children, but you have to do it for your children’s healthy oral health. It cannot completely keep your children away from unhealthy foods, but it would significantly impact your children.

Set an Example 

Children observe their parents and learn a lot of things from them. You need to keep this in mind. 

If you stop your children from overeating chocolates, candies, and junk foods, you also have to avoid eating those eatables; otherwise, your children will never listen to you. So, set an excellent example for your children; it will definitely work for you. 

Mamelons On Teeth: What Are These & How To Treat Them

Mamelons are rounded bumps of enamel on the edge of a tooth. They appear mainly on newly erupted teeth, the ones that have just broken through the gum line. It can be commonly seen in children with permanent teeth. There are three mamelons on each tooth, creating a scalloped, wavy edge. There are chances that you could see them in adults as well. Being a practitioner of pediatric dentistry McKinney, it is our responsibility to make our readers aware of what mamelons are and how they can be removed.

What Kind Of Teeth Do Mamelons Appear On?

Mamelons do appear only on newly erupted incision teeth. They have been commonly found on adults’ permanent incisors, but they can also show up on primary incisors. Humans have 8 incisors in total, 4 in the upper jaw and 4 in the lower jaw, in the middle of your mouth. These help in cutting into food. Since they are present at the front and center of your mouth, they contribute the most to make up your smile. So, it is necessary you must take care of them.

Why Do Mamelons Appear?

Experts believe that they exist just to help teeth break through the gums. However, there are no such studies to show any clinical signs of these mamelons. They resemble the serrations on a steak knife.

What Happens To Mamelons?

You don't need any specific treatment for mamelons because they eventually wear away, and humps get straight through normal chewing or cutting. They are believed to be smoothed out as the upper, and lower front teeth come into contact in normal condition. But if your teeth are misaligned, then these mamelons may not go away. This typically occurs if your front teeth don’t vertically overlap making an open bite. Your teeth don’t come into contact as a result of which these mamelons continue to remain even in adulthood. Many may still have mamelons if their teeth grew in late. For this, an individual has to go for orthodontic treatment.

How To Remove Mamelons?

If you wish to remove mamelons in your kid, you must consult pediatric dentistry McKinney specialist. They can help you with this by providing a simple treatment, i.e., removing mamelons by shaving the edges of teeth. The treatment is a cosmetic dentistry practice. It is known as:

· Tooth Reshaping

· Tooth Recontouring

· Tooth Shaving

· Cosmetic Contouring

Get it done in the office of a dentist as they use a file, disc, or drill to eliminate enamel and smooth out the edges of the teeth. The treatment is painless and doesn’t involve even a local anesthetic. The reason behind not injecting any local anesthesia is that mamelons are made of enamel. They don’t have any nerves. 

Moreover, the procedure of grinding is very quick. There is no need for recovery time. The treatment for mamelons is usually inexpensive, but you might have to pay out of your pocket. Since grinding teeth is a cosmetic treatment, it may not be a part of your insurance, and your insurance provider might not cover the cost.

We would suggest you confirm the cost of mamelons treatment with your dentist before opting for treatment, especially if you need to pay out of pocket.

Why Do You Need To Remove Mamelons?

Though mamelons are not harmful and don’t interfere with oral health or chewing habits, you should remove them for aesthetic reasons. If you have mamelons and you don’t like how they look, you must talk to your dentist about their removal. Once you remove them, your mamelons won’t grow back. The removal is permanent.

Taking Help from Valley Creek Dental Care

Valley Creek Dental Care is a family dental clinic in McKinney. We offer different kinds of dental treatment for people of all age groups. We offer mamelons treatment and suggest you get them treated when you notice it first in your child. Their removal is necessary to maintain uniformity in your teeth and make your smile perfect. Apart from mamelons treatment, we also provide emergency dental care, Invisalign, veneers, teeth whitening, and other important dental treatments. We suggest every patient maintain proper oral hygiene and have a long-lasting smile that could mesmerize others.

Conclusion:

It can be concluded that mamelons are the rounded humps on the edge of teeth. They appear on incisors, which are present at the front and middle of each jaw. These bumps don’t have a particular purpose or function. Furthermore, they are more noticeable when the adult incisors first break out. They typically get smooth by chewing over time. If your teeth aren’t properly aligned, then there are chances that you might have mamelons. It would be suggested to talk to a dentist if you want to get them removed. Your dentist will reshape the edges of your teeth and remove away the bumps.

Are Teeth-Whitening Treatments Safe?

Every day, we encounter a number of questions related to various teeth whitening treatments and procedures. Those questions include:

• Can teeth whitening damage your teeth? 

• Is it safe to have teeth whitened?

• Does tooth whitening damage enamel?

• What are the side effects of teeth whitening? 

• How can I whiten my teeth overnight? 

• How can I make my yellow teeth naturally whiter? 

Apart from these questions, you may have many more queries on the same. Perhaps, you are curious to find the correct answers. We understand your curiosity, and as a responsible dental specialist, we think all your questions must be answered. Therefore, we have written this blog to answer all your questions related to teeth whitening. It will also give you clarity over teeth whitening treatments and procedures. Let’s go deeper!

Are Teeth Whitening Treatments and Procedures Safe for Your Teeth? 

First, we have to learn about various teeth whitening treatments that dentists mostly use to whiten and brighten patients’ teeth. Let’s have a look at those whitening treatments. 

Tray Bleaching- Tray bleaching is one of the most commonly used teeth whitening treatments. It involves a custom-made teeth tray filled with a hydrogen peroxide-based bleaching gel. 

The hydrogen peroxide-based bleaching gel is a strong chemical that plays the most crucial role in whitening your teeth. This teeth whitening treatment is mainly performed at dental offices by a teeth whitening dentist in McKinney.

Laser Teeth Whitening- Laser teeth whitening (ZOOM) can whiten your teeth within a few hours. During the laser whitening process, a specialized dentist places a concentrated bleaching gel over your teeth and then uses a laser to heat and activate the bleaching gel. This process removes the stubborn stains and yellowness from your teeth quickly. 

Over the Counter Products- OTC teeth whitening products involves whitening strips, whitening toothpaste, whitening mouthwash, whitening pens, and whitening light devices. These products are also widely used for whitening teeth, but patients usually use these products at their homes. 

Now, coming to the main point, if we talk about tray bleaching, it involves only a small concentration of strong chemicals, which is not harmful to your teeth. Apart from this, the tray bleaching treatment process is performed by teeth whitening specialists at dental offices. So, it would be safe to say that tray bleaching is completely safe for your teeth. 

However, if you inappropriately use tray bleaching by yourself at your home, it could be harmful to your teeth. It can cause gum irritation, mouth infections, and damage to teeth enamel.

Coming to laser teeth whitening (ZOOM), it wouldn’t be safe to say that laser teeth whitening is completely harmless for your teeth because it involves chemical-containing bleaching gel and an intense and painful laser heating process. The laser heating process extremely heats up your teeth, leading to some specific infections, irritation in gums, tooth sensitivity, and tooth cracks. 

Dentists usually recommend teeth whitening treatment to only those who can bear the heat in their mouth for at least two hours. 

Lastly, if we talk about over-the-counter teeth whitening products, they are completely safe to use with proper consultation. They involve lesser chemicals and risks. 

Now, you might have got the answer to most of your questions related to teeth whitening treatment risks. Let’s discuss some more questions and try to find out their answers. 

How Can I Whiten My Teeth Overnight? 

Laser teeth whitening treatment is the only solution to whiten your teeth overnight. It just takes one to two hours. However, it may lead to many specific dental problems, such as gum burn, lip burn, tooth sensitivity, tooth cracks, etc. So, if you are planning to undergo a laser teeth whitening treatment, make sure to first consult with your dentist. He/she will suggest whether laser teeth whitening is a good option for you or not. 

How Can I Make My Yellow Teeth Naturally Whiter? 

You can naturally whiten your teeth using various home-made remedies and following a healthy routine. Some of the best ways to whiten your teeth naturally are: 

• Practice Oil-Pulling 

• Use Hydrogen Peroxide-based Toothpaste

• Brush Your Teeth with Baking Soda

• Avoid Unhealthy Foods and Drinks

• Eat More Vegetables and Fruits 

• Floss Your Teeth Routinely 

• Rinse Your Mouth After Every Meal 

Which is the Safest and Most Effective Teeth Whitening Treatment? 

Consider the benefits, effectiveness, and risks of different teeth whitening treatments. We could suggest that it will be safe to use custom tray bleaching treatment. It is a perfect solution for every dental patient who wants whiter and brighter teeth. It does not lead to any side-effect if this process is done appropriately and under the supervision of an experienced and specialist teeth whitening dentist. So, you can choose this teeth whitening option over others. 

Now, we hope you have got almost all the answers to your questions related to teeth whitening. Keep all these things in mind and make sure to choose teeth whitening treatments carefully. 

Dos and Don’ts of Wearing Invisalign Braces

You might have got Invisalign because you always wanted to get that perfect smile. Though it is an expensive treatment to get perfect dental structure, there are so many things that you have to do to get quick results. Valley Creek Dental Care, one of the best Invisalign specialists in McKinney, has shared important information that every Invisalign user must know. We have also shared a few instructions and ways to keep your aligners in great condition. Here are some important dos and don’ts of wearing Invisalign and the best ways to keep them clean.

Dos of Invisalign

·         Wear Your Invisalign Aligners For 22 Hours Per Day: Many people questions about Invisalign’s results. The fact is that yes, they give desired results but only if you wear them continuously. They exert steady yet gentle pressure on the teeth to shift them into the place. If you don’t wear them at least 22 hours a day, you may not find the desired results. Experts recommend them wearing for at least 20 to 22 hours per day. You should take them out only when you are brushing your teeth, drinking, or eating.

·         Clean Your Invisalign Braces Regularly: If you don’t clean your aligners daily, plaque and bacteria will start accumulating on them as you wear them without cleaning. All you need to do is gently brush your aligners with a soft-bristled toothbrush and then rinse them with lukewarm water. You have to repeat this procedure two times a day, i.e., in the morning and night. Always rinse them before you put them back into your mouth after meals. You can get cleaning products that are ideal for aligners. They are nice but not a necessity.

·         Brush Your Teeth After Eating Anything And Before Putting Your Aligners Back:  Aligners can easily trap any food debris and liquid. It will then sit against your teeth as saliva doesn’t flow freely. This could lead to tooth decay. If you really wish to keep your smile happy and healthy, brush your teeth or at least rinse your mouth after a meal or even if you drink anything for that matter. Make sure you do that before you put your aligners back after drinking or eating.

·         Soak Your Trays Everyday: To ensure that your aligner trays are as clean as possible, make sure you soak them in Invisalign cleaning crystals or a denture cleaner. Once soaking is done, clean them with a separate toothbrush to remove food particles or lingering plaque, if any. Rinse them again before you put them into your mouth.

·         Always Store Your Aligners In Invisalign Case: Make sure you store your Invisalign braces in the aligner case. This is the most important tip to consider. Since they are clear, they can be accidentally thrown away. Moreover, your pets could grab them and damage them such that you have to spend extra to get the new ones. This is going to be a costly affair.

Don’ts of Invisalign

·         Don’t Leave Your Aligners In The Open Air When You Are Not Using Them: Never leave your trays exposed to open air as it could lead to bacteria buildup. Moreover, you can easily lose open trays as they are transparent and cannot be seen easily. If in case you leave them out for a while, make sure you rinse them before you put them into your mouth. Soak them for a while in a suitable cleanser and then rinse them again if you think they look dirty.

·         Don’t Forget To Take Off Your Aligners While Eating And Drinking: Never eat and drink with Invisalign aligners except drinking plain water. These aligners cannot withstand the pressure of chewing food. Also, food and drinks can get trapped between your teeth and aligners. This will put you at risk for cavities but also stain your teeth. Drinking and eating with aligners on will also cause discoloration of trays. They will lose their transparency and become pale, which will look bad.

·         Never Expose Your Aligners To Heat: If you rinse your aligners in hot water, or drink a hot beverage while putting them on or leave them in a hot place, your aligners can wrap. This will affect the fitting of your trays which could ultimately impact your results. Make sure you keep them away from heat. If you are rinsing them, ensure that the water is lukewarm, not steaming hot. Always take them out of your mouth while drinking any hot beverage.

·         Never Ever Use Harsh Cleansers On Your Aligners: If you clean your aligners with toothpaste, it may scratch them. Scratches will make them more noticeable when you wear them. Avoid harsh soaps, chemicals, and colored products to wash and rinse your trays. These can damage them and even cause discoloration. They probably won’t look and taste great when you put them back in.

If you think you need more help on this, feel free to call us. We will be more than happy to help you with detailed information about Invisalign treatment and maintenance. Those who want to know more about Invisalign treatment can contact us for the same.