dental tips

5 Benefits of Visiting a Pediatric Dentist

The Difference

Let’s face it – for some in past years visiting the dentist wasn’t the most fairy tale experience.  Put your mind to ease by selecting a multi award winning practice and the most loved pediatric dentist in Southwest Florida, Dr. Tim Verwest, DMD & Associates who are specially trained and board certified for treating pediatric patients.

While general dentists can perform the same work, visiting a pediatric dentist provides a slew of extra benefits:

Office Decor 

We’ve got fun just about everywhere you look! From video games, to community initiatives and educational lobby experiences for children of all ages to enjoy!

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Better Training

Kids aren’t always the most cooperative of patients.  A pediatric dentist has at least two additional years of training beyond dental school solely focused on treating young patients.

In the additional training, the focus is on child psychology, growth/development, and learning all of the tips and tricks of the trade for examining and treating children.

Specialized Treatment

In the circumstance that your child needs more comprehensive dental treatment, pediatric dentists are specially trained to handle special needs and to children with extensive dental treatment needs.

Oral Health Care Education

Since Pediatric Dentistry of Florida’s staff work solely with kids,  we know how to engage in educational learning.  Even more, we have props and teaching tools that are appropriate for all ages. To become part of our dental family, please fill out the form below and we will contact you immediately as possible. Thank you and we look forward to serving you!

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    Bad Breath, Be Gone!

    So how do you keep good smelling breath to stick around longer? We have a few tips to keep you and your mouth smelling fresh throughout the day.

    • Chow down on some veggies! These guys will balance out the bad-breath-causing acid in your body.
    • Consuming hard texture foods like apples and celery are beneficial for rubbing away any bacteria or residue left on your teeth.
    • Stay hydrated! Drink 48 oz – or about 6 cups – of water a day to keep bacteria under control by lubricating your mouth without any acidic chemicals involved.
    • Like we went over in previous posts, brush, floss, and clean your tongue as well as rinse with alcohol-free mouthwash. Chewing sugarless gum also helps!
    • Tea anyone? Having a cup of tea can wash away smelly germs while preventing any bad-breath-bacteria from forming
    • Having some yogurt keeps your mouth smelling nice and sweet from its probiotics

    Sugarless Gum is a Tooth’s Bestfriend

    Having a munch on some sugarless gum can have some benefits for keeping your smile spotless! Not only does it remove any food particles from the surfaces of your teeth, but also stimulates saliva production which can promote healthier, stronger teeth and reduce acid levels in your mouth that can cause tooth decay. It even aids any tooth sensitivity! So why only sugarless gum, you ask? Studies have shown that the sugar substitute in sugarless gum, Xylitol, fights against any bacteria that forms in your mouth. With that being said, Xylitol is a great cavity-fighter to keep your mouth a happy and healthy place for your pearly whites!

    Why Tongue Scrapers and Cleaners are Important

    You may not always think of going the extra mile to clean your tongue but the benefits from doing so may be worth it.

    • The first advantage you get from keeping your tongue squeaky clean is a crisp, clean taste of every morsel you consume! Keeping your taste buds clean and clear can open up those pores ready to give you bursts of flavor in every bite.
    • It can also be advantageous for your immune system! The removal of bacteria keeps your and your mouth clean and away from any toxins from being reabsorbed back into your body.
    • The removal of bacteria and other toxins can also reduce the overall buildup of plaque, gum infections, tooth decay, and much more.

    How to scrape your tongue

    • Stick your tongue out as far as you can
    • Place the scraper as far back on your tongue as you can
    • Work your way up by gently scraping the surface of your tongue
    • Rinse the scraper and repeat until you feel rid of its coating

    What Makes Me Smile Art Exhibit

    – Pediatric Dentistry of Ft. Myers, Dr. Tim Verwest, DMD is offering children 18 years or under a chance to create works of art centered around the theme ‘What Makes Me Smile’. The exhibit is free of charge and will be hosted at Pediatric Dentistry of Ft. Myers, 8016 Summerlin Lakes Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33907 on Saturday, July 30 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm and is open to the general public.

    “Art can inspire those to do great things, it takes patience, practice, and persistence,” said Dr. Verwest. “It teaches us different viewpoints, understanding and mental growth valuable for development of children”.

    There will be one (1) $100 and one (1) $50 winner from each of four categories including, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and High School.  Any type of art will be considered. Winners will be selected by a panel of local arts and entertainment industry judges.

    The deadline for art submissions is Wednesday, July 20, 2016 and may be submitted to Pediatric Dentistry of Ft. Myers with your name, age, school, and why your art makes you smile.

    Pediatric Dentistry of Ft Myers, Dr. Tim Verwest, DMD, continues to provide pediatric dental care to children for over 26 years. Areas of service include comprehensive dental exams, cleanings, composite fillings, dental hygiene education, extractions, fluoride treatments, sealants, sedation dentistry, space maintainers, x-rays and tooth nerve treatment. For more information, visit www.DrVerwest.com or (239) 482-2722.

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    Local Dentist Recognized as America’s Best Dentist for 2016

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    The National Consumer Advisory Board has named Pediatric Dentistry of Ft. Myers, Dr. Tim M. Verwest, DMD one of America’s Best Dentist for 2016. Selections are done based on a proprietary assessment of a dentists experience, training, continuing education, and commitment to excellence to ensure the most impartial unbiased review of all applicants.

    Dr. Verwest is a board certified Diplomat of the National Board of Pediatric Dentistry with professional interests in the areas of pediatric pharmacology, biomaterials, and pediatric anesthesia.  He believes in lifelong learning and continues his education by taking courses in pediatric sedation, pediatric oncology, sealants, prosthetics, pediatric cosmetic dentistry, pediatric materials, childhood growth and development, and more.

    Pediatric Dentistry of Ft Myers, Dr. Tim Verwest, DMD, continues to provide pediatric dental care to children for the last 26 years. Areas of service include comprehensive dental exams, cleanings, composite fillings, dental hygiene education, extractions, fluoride treatments, sealants, sedation dentistry, space maintainers, x-rays and tooth nerve treatment. For more information, visit www.DrVerwest.com or (239) 482-2722.

    Holiday sweets can be tough on teeth

    The winter holidays are known for sweet treats and tempting goodies, but that doesn’t mean that you have to end up at the dentist with cavities in January.

    How do sweet foods and drinks cause cavities?

    When you eat sugary foods or drinks, naturally occurring bacteria in the mouth feed on the sugar and create acids as a by-product. These acids then wear down the tooth enamel, making it weaker and more susceptible to tooth decay as well as a host of other problems, including gingivitis.

    Snacking on sweets throughout the day or during an extended period of time (such as at a holiday party) is especially harmful, since damaging acids form in the mouth every time you eat a sugary snack and continue to affect the teeth for at least 20 minutes afterwards.

    “Snacking on sweets and sugary beverages throughout the day can increase the chance of tooth decay and gum disease,” said Dr. Kevin Sheu, managing dental consultant for Delta Dental. “Brushing and flossing after snacks definitely reduces bacteria.”

    5 tips to stay cavity-free

    Keep cavity-causing bacteria in check by adding these strategies to your holiday routine.

    • Balance out your sweets with other foods. Eating sugary and carb-rich foods as part of a balanced meal can lessen their impact on your teeth.
    • Choose sweets that don’t stick around. Instead of sticky foods that get on and in between your teeth, go for items that dissolve quickly, limiting their contact with your enamel. For example, swap out caramels and candy canes with plain dark chocolate.
    • Brush afterwards. Always keep a toothbrush to brush away foods and plaque after you eat. If you’re consuming foods or beverages that are high in acid, like oranges and wine, make sure to wait 30 minutes. Acid can soften the enamel, so brushing too soon can actually damage your teeth.
    • Stay prepared. You’ll have no excuse to skip brushing and flossing if you always keep a toothbrush, travel tube of toothpaste and container of floss in your bag or car.
    • Rinse to refresh. When you can’t brush, rinse your mouth with tap water to wash away food particles and bacteria.

    Use your holiday vacations to spend more time brushing your teeth. If you’re relaxed or have more free time during the day or with your morning or nightly routine, you can use the time to brush more thoroughly and develop better oral care habits.

    It isn’t necessary to brush vigorously to get your teeth clean. What’s important when brushing your teeth is not how hard you scrub, but that you use the proper technique and that you do a thorough job. And that takes time. Dentists recommend that you brush your teeth for two to three minutes to get the most thorough cleaning.

    If you get into the habit of brushing for two to three minutes every morning, every night and after every meal during the holidays, you may keep those good habits when your regular routine resumes.

    Dentists’ candy buyback nets over 400 pounds of sweets

    Pediatric Dentistry of Ft. Myers, Dr. Tim Verwest, DMD collected over 400 pounds of candy during their Halloween cash for my candy buyback program. The candy collected will be donated to the U.S. troops, veterans, new recruits, and Wounded Warriors as part of operation gratitude care packages.

    “More than 100 kids become true cavity busters by turning in all their candy for cash and a good cause,” said Dr. Verwest. “Seeing the smiling faces walk out of the office without their candy and a few bucks in their pockets is like music to my ears”.

    Pediatric Dentistry of Ft Myers, Dr. Tim Verwest, DMD, continues to provide pediatric dental care to children for over 25 years. Areas of service include comprehensive dental exams, cleanings, composite fillings, dental hygiene education, extractions, fluoride treatments, sealants, sedation dentistry, space maintainers, x-rays and tooth nerve treatment. For more information, visit www.DrVerwest.com or (239) 482-2722.

     

    Sealants Critical to Children’s Oral Health

    Sealants are plastic coatings that protect those difficult to reach pits and grooves on the chewing surfaces of the teeth from the bacteria that cause tooth decay. A quick and painless procedure done in your dentist’s office, sealants are applied to the chewing surfaces of permanent molars as soon as possible after they fully erupt in the mouth, usually between the ages of six to eight for first molars and 10 to 12 for second molars. While sealants are not necessary for all children, they are particularly beneficial to children who are at higher risk for tooth decay. But, how do you know if your child is at higher risk?Although overall oral health risk is a combination of genetics, personal habits and diet, history of decay is a good predictor for future risk of decay. Your child is considered to be at higher risk if he or she has had a cavity filled in the past three years. The good news is you may be able to help prevent future cavities by making sure your child receives preventive care, including having sealants applied to first and second molars.

    Although approximately 60 to 70 percent of cavities can be prevented by placing
    sealants on children’s teeth, a recent study by Delta Dental shows that 60 percent of
    children age 6 to 9 who are at higher risk of tooth decay did not receive sealants on
    their first molars, and 80 percent of children age 11 to 15 did not receive sealants on
    their second molars.1

    These figures are particularly striking when you realize that many dental plans cover preventive care, like sealants, at as much at 100 percent of the cost. As a parent, you want your child to be as healthy as possible, and that includes protecting their teeth.

    Manual or Electric Toothbrush?

    In recent years electric toothbrushes have gained increasing popularity among young adults and children.  Some parents have questioned if electric toothbrushes work better than just a manual toothbrush.  There are pros and cons to which one effectively works better at removing plaque from teeth. Technique is a key component when deciding which kind of toothbrush is best for you and your family.  For children, technique is often problematic in brushing teeth.  So if a child does not have the dexterity to manually brush all tooth surfaces properly, he/she will still not be able to do so with an electric toothbrush. Parental assistance is recommended, and  helping your child is more beneficial than an electric or a manual toothbrush. We recommend allowing your child to brush his or her teeth first and a parent help finish brushing at the end. Have your child lie down on the floor with his/her head in your lap.  This allows you easier access and better visibility to your child’s teeth.  When helping your child, the toothbrush should be aimed at the gum line using a 45 degree angle.  Brushing should last a minimum of two minutes. Of the electric toothbrushes on the market, research suggests that an electric toothbrush that rotates is best.  This process is known as rotating and oscillating. The rotating and oscillating action removes more plaque and reduces gingivitis more effectively than a manual toothbrush. Whether you choose a manual or an electric toothbrush, select a brush with soft bristles.  Be sure to replace your toothbrush every three months or when the bristles are no longer straight and firm.  Replacing your toothbrush is essential because an old brush’s bristles are no longer in the correct position to effectively clean teeth.  Also, using a toothbrush that is size appropriate for your child is important.  If you choose to use an electric toothbrush for your kids, Oral B Professional or a Sonicare for Kids is a great choice for an electric toothbrush.