Pediatric Dentistry

Trieu says. Those starches convert to sugars.

“Crackers and chips stick in the pits and grooves,” says Trieu. “If you’re not swishing with water or milk, they will stay there on the teeth.”

In fact, some sweet treats — for instance, ice cream — are better for dental hygiene because they easily slough off the tooth surface, Trieu notes.

Be ready for dental emergencies With kids being more physically active during the summer, there’s also a greater likelihood of a dental emergency. Before an incident happens, familiarize yourself with your dentist’s after-hours or emergency contact information.

If a child’s permanent teeth are affected, caregivers need to act quickly — within an hour, if possible. Trieu most commonly sees damage to the front upper teeth. That’s why she recommends that kids wear a soft plastic mouthguard when participating in high-contact sports such as hockey or football.

When a permanent tooth comes out, it’s important to call a dentist immediately. If the roots are intact, an adult can hold the tooth by the crown and attempt to reinsert it into the tooth socket. It’s possible the fibers may help it adhere. If the adult is too scared or parts are missing, put the tooth in Hanks’ Balanced Salt Solution before heading to the dentist, Trieu advises. The goal is to save all of the fibers so that the tooth can be successfully re-implanted. (If you don’t have this solution on hand, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry also suggests putting the tooth in a glass of milk and taking your child and the tooth immediately to your pediatric dentist.)

While losing a baby tooth isn’t as time-sensitive an emergency, it’s still important to visit a dentist to have the soft tissue checked. Even if a child’s teeth appear fine after a fall, make a note of any serious impacts to their head and share it with the dentist. Sometimes an impact can lead to the development of joint dysfunctions years later.

Of course, prevention is always the best strategy. Trieu advises parents to closely monitor their kids when they are riding on two-wheeled scooters or when more than one child is jumping on a trampoline. She also recommends that kids wear a mouthguard along with a helmet when participating in any high-risk activities.

Bring The Tooth Fairy Experience Home!

The Tooth Fairy is on a mission to teach children about the importance of healthy smiles! That’s why she is offering FREE downloadable educational resources to parents and teachers, including: Fun dental health worksheets & coloring sheets Engaging educational & storybook reading videos Easy-to-follow lesson plans for home use

Materials are dentist- and teacher-reviewed, kid-tested and endorsed by the School Nurse Organization of Washington. Visit TheToothFairyExperience.com

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For parents looking for fun ways to teach kids about caring for their smiles, The Tooth Fairy Experience website (thetoothfairyexperience.com) provides helpful year-round resources, including a dental tips blog, child dental health activity sheets for home use, a quarterly Grin & Grow e-newsletter, Tooth Fairy letters for children, a Tooth Fairy hotline with prerecorded messages, and links to other Delta Dental of Washington resources, such as help in finding a dentist. In addition, families can follow the Tooth Fairy team on its Facebook and Instagram channels (@ToothFairyWA).

continued from page 7 Take advantage of summer schedules While summer’s open schedules might disrupt dental routines, less busy days present a good opportunity to book a visit to the dentist.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a visit by age 1 or within six months after your child’s first tooth erupts. While this visit is mostly for parent education, it’s also important in establishing a trusted relationship with a dentist. Early and regular dental visits normalize oral health care as a priority.

“You want to start developing a relationship with a dentist early,” says Trieu.

Rather than emphasizing a fear of cavities, Trieu suggests focusing on the relationship and trust you can create with your family’s dentist. That connection will go a long way in helping children maintain healthy dental habits — even in the summer. ■ Kellie Schmitt is an award-winning health and science writer.

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