The cold weather is here, and it brings a whole bunch of germs with it! This is especially true for families with kids in preschool, grade school, or daycare – these places have a tendency to facilitate the rapid spread of germs. Unfortunately, cavities & cough syrup are related. Cough syrup, which can be so helpful in easing cold and flu symptoms, can be damaging your teeth and those of your children.

Cough syrups contain fructose corn syrup as well as sucrose – both of these substances are a favorite treat for the bacteria that live in the mouth. As these bacteria feed, they produce acids. The acid will then begin to damage and wear down the tooth’s enamel, which will cause cavities and tooth decay. Also, a side effect of many of these medications is dry mouth. Because saliva helps to wash away the harmful acids that eat away at the enamel, a lack of this saliva can help facilitate the cavities and decay.

Preventing Dental Problems Related To Cough Syrup 

We definitely aren’t saying that you need to do away with the cold and cough medicine. Below are a few ways you can help to prevent cavities in yourself and your child:

• Brush your teeth or your child’s teeth with fluoridated toothpaste immediately after administering the cough syrup. This is still the best way to keep cavities away in any situation.
• Avoid administering cough syrup right before you or child goes to bed. There are a few reasons for this. First, allowing the syrup to sit on the teeth all night long will aid in the formation of cavities. Second, because saliva production is reduced during sleep, there will be nothing to help wash away the acid produced by the bacteria feeding on the cough syrup.
• If you are unable to brush right after taking the cough syrup, you can chew a sugar-free gum. Chewing will aid in saliva production and help your mouth to wash away the acids.

For a dental checkup and exam for your children, or if your child has a toothache, please contact Discovery Kids Pediatric Dentistry, located in Frisco, TX. Find a local pediatric dentist today! We want to help your family have healthy, beautiful smiles all year round!

If you  would like to learn more about cavities and cough syrup, from Discovery Kids Pediatric Dentistry, please complete an online appointment request or phone 469-365-5437.

Merry Christmas from Discovery Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Frisco 

Christmas wouldn’t be complete without our beloved Santa Claus – red suit, bushy white beard, shiny black boots, all the works! The modern American Santa Claus that we know and love actually originated in the Mediterranean, spread across Northern Europe, and eventually ended up here. But who exactly is Santa and how did he get here?

Who Is Santa Claus?

Santa’s original ancestor was St. Nicholas. Although he looked nothing like the Santa Claus whose knee we sit upon, or whose visage adorns our holiday wrapping paper. St. Nicholas was a Greek bishop who lived in the 3rd and 4th centuries. He was known as a feisty, defiant, and fiery defender of the church’s doctrine during the period of the ‘Great Persecution’ (when Bibles were burned and priests were forced to deny Christianity under the threat of execution).

From the years 1200-1500, St. Nicholas was known as a bringer of gifts and had his own day dedicated to him. This day was December 6th.

Eventually, people from the Netherlands brought St. Nicholas (whom they called “Sinterklaas”) to the New World colonies. Here, the legend of him as a gift bringer gained popularity. However, the Christmas celebration in early American wasn’t quite like it is today. It was celebrated as a rowdy, outdoor, alcohol-fueled blowout!

Luckily, this all changed in the early 19th century thanks to a few writers and poets who wanted to make Christmas more of a family celebration. This is when St. Nicholas got a bit of a makeover and by the end of the 19th century, he was transformed into the Santa Claus we know today.

From all of us at Discovery Kids Pediatric Dentistry, we want to wish you a healthy and happy holiday season! Keep our Frisco, TX pediatric dental office in mind next time your family is due for a dental cleaning and exam.

If you  would like to learn more about pediatric dental care not covered in our dental topics from Discovery Kids Pediatric Dentistry, please complete an online appointment request or phone 469-365-5437.

 

Below are a few of the common reasons for your tooth pain:

• Tooth Decay – Tooth decay is perhaps the number one cause of tooth pain. Whether it’s a small dental cavity or a more advanced stage of decay, any time the enamel is penetrated, pain will occur. This is because the sensitive nerve endings of the tooth lie just underneath the enamel.
• Bruxism – Bruxism (which is the grinding or clenching of the teeth) can cause tooth pain. This is because the teeth are worn down by the excessive force placed on them. In addition, bruxism can also cause jaw pain, and chipped or cracked teeth. Read about mouth guards for dental protection.
• Tooth Abscess – If tooth decay or cavities go untreated for long enough, the decay may eventually find its way into the tooth root. Once this happens, an infection will occur, causing quite a bit of throbbing pain. This is why tooth pain needs to be addressed immediately before it’s allowed to get worse.
• Gum Disease – Gum disease doesn’t just cause pain in the gums, but in the teeth as well. This is because, as gum disease advances, the swelling of the gum tissue can begin to damage the bones of the teeth and jaw, causing weakening and pain.
• Cracked Tooth Syndrome – Hidden cracks or fractures in the teeth can cause tooth pain in a tooth that seems otherwise healthy. This condition is called ‘cracked tooth syndrome’ and can be a result of bruxism, an improper bite, or traumatic injury to the tooth.

The best way to keep dental problems at bay is by maintaining good oral hygiene. This includes brushing twice a day (for two minutes at a time), with an ADA approved, and fluoridated toothpaste. In addition, you should also floss daily, use an antibacterial mouthwash, and receive a dental cleaning and exam every 6 months.

If your child is suffering from tooth pain, please contact Discovery Kids Pediatric Dentistry today. The sooner we can treat the problem, the better! Our child’s dental office is located in Frisco, TX.

If you  would like to learn more about pediatric dental care not covered in our dental topics from Discovery Kids Pediatric Dentistry, please complete an online appointment request or phone 469-365-5437.

The official Thanksgiving bird is actually much more interesting than you might think! We all know that turkeys are delicious with a side of mashed potatoes, but there’s also plenty of history behind these birds. 

Happy Thanksgiving 

Below are some fast facts about turkeys to help you keep Thanksgiving guests entertained!

• Bearded Birds – Turkeys are unique in that they have beards, or gobblers, that can sometimes reach all the way to the ground! The hairlike bristles are actually a special form of feather, thought to serve a sensory function for turkeys.
• Sleeping In the Trees – Turkeys are large birds! In fact, the largest turkey every recorded was a whopping 37lbs. You’d assume that birds this big would stick to sleeping on the ground, but turkeys actually prefer to snooze in the branches of tall trees to avoid predators.
• Descendants Of Dinosaurs – Breaking the ‘wishbone’ is a popular Thanksgiving tradition. This bone is actually called a furcula has always been thought to be unique to birds. However, paleontologists have recently discovered that the furcula is around 150 million years old! It’s been found in the bones of two legged, carnivorous dinosaurs such as velociraptors and tyrannosaurus rex.
• Gobble Gobble? – Female turkeys do not make the distinctive gobbling sound! This is a sound that only the males make. Females communicate through chirping and clucking noises.
• Turkey Eyes – Turkeys actually have incredible vision. This is due to its periscopic vision (meaning the eyes are on the sides of the head). This allows the turkey to see things that aren’t in its direct vision.

Here at Discovery Kids Pediatric Dentistry, we hope your Thanksgiving holiday is full of food, fun, and family!

If you  would like to learn more about pediatric dental care not covered in our dental topicsfrom Discovery Kids Pediatric Dentistry, please complete an online appointment request or phone 469-365-5437.