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Today is all about drink choices. As kids grow older and switch from breastmilk or formula to the myriad of beverage options out there, many parents find themselves trying to find the balance between keeping their kids healthy and letting them have some fun treats as well. The team at PDAO is here to help you weigh the options, gather all of the information, and make the best choices for your child.

Why Water Is the Best Answer

Water is the absolute best choice for your child for many reasons. First, it actually hydrates. Kids are on the move constantly, and water will keep them active in the healthiest way possible. Water is also completely sugar-free. Importantly, water also acts as a natural cleansing agent for kids’ mouths. It helps to wash away any sugar or bacteria left on their teeth from all of the snacks that kids like to have on-hand. A bonus tip from the dental professionals is to make sure your kids are occasionally getting tap water to drink for its added fluoride benefits.

Why Milk and Juice Are Fine in Moderation

As children graduate out of bottles and onto sippy cups and eventually to regular cups, parents often swap out that formula or breastmilk for cow/plant milk and juice. This is totally fine…in moderation. Milk and many fruit juices boast “no added sugar,” but the fact is that the natural sugar found in both of these is much higher than commonly expected. PDAO dentists recommend that milk be offered only at meals, as the food consumed and chewing activity helps to move that sugar off of kids’ teeth as they go.

Sodas, Sports Drinks, and More

When it comes to high-sugar drinks, there are a few things to be considered. 

Sodas are another of the drinks that are fine in moderation, but it’s best to keep an even stricter guard on those fizzy beverages than juice and milk. The dental team recommends that parents skip them all together or ask kids that a water limit is met before sodas are offered. 

Sports drinks are an additional beverage that is popular for kids as they grow and can be very beneficial for refueling electrolytes after sports or other physical activity. PDAO recommends reserving these for post-exercise only, and staying away from letting them become an all-day drink option. 

Lastly, energy drinks are high up on the list of beverages from which to stay away. In addition to the high sugar and caffeine content found in energy drinks, they are highly acidic and can do real damage on permanent teeth early in life. 

Overall, the team at Pediatric Dental Associates and Orthodontics wants to take some of the stress off of parents and easily give you the information you need to make an informed decision. The professionals measured out the sugar for each of these drinks so you don’t have to and they are listed below.

Bottle of Highland Whole Milk: 2 tbsp

Bottle of  Highland Strawberry Milk: 4 tbsp

Bottle of Highland Chocolate Milk: 5 tbsp

Capri-Sun Pouch: 1 tbsp

JuicyJuice Box: 2 tbsp

Bottle of Orange Gatorade: 2 tbsp

Can of Coca-Cola: 2 tbsp

Can of Monster Energy Drink: 5 tbsp

Can of Rockstar Energy Drink: 5 tbsp

Can of Red Bull: 5 tbsp

Find More Resources

For more educational videos and resources that can help keep your child’s smile happy and healthy, check out our YouTube Channel! Make sure you subscribe and click the bell to receive notifications when we drop our latest videos! 

The post The Best & Worst Drinks for Your Teeth appeared first on Pediatric Dental Associates & Orthodontics.

When Should My Child Begin Seeing an Orthodontist?

Dr. Skylar recommends that every child begin seeing an orthodontist when they start to lose their baby teeth and their permanent teeth start to erupt. Typically, this is around the age of 7. This is an ideal time to begin taking x-rays and assess a child, as it is much easier to solve problems before they progress. If your child is prone to orthodontic-related issues, they will likely be present at this time, and problems like this are much easier to solve when they are subtle and mild as opposed to moderate or severe. 

Do I Need a Referral to See the Orthodontist?

No! You never need a referral to see one of the orthodontists at PDAO. Dr. Skylar suggests calling one of the PDAO offices to set up a complimentary exam. PDAO does not charge for any orthodontic-related consultations and exams until the braces process begins. The initial exam typically takes around an hour and includes x-rays, pictures, and addressing any problem our orthodontists encounter. 

What Are Orthodontists Looking For During a Consultation?

Typically, your orthodontist is looking for several possible problems. Here are a handful of the most common issues your orthodontist will look for:

• Crossbites – Crossbites occur when the upper teeth are located behind the lower teeth, which is the opposite of what you want. It can happen in the front or back teeth and is quite important to address early.

• Dental Protrusion – Dental protrusion is when an individual’s lips don’t cover their teeth because they are flared out slightly. Biologically, lips are meant to be little airbags that protect the teeth, but if they can’t fit around the teeth, they cannot operate properly as airbags. This can lead to a higher chance of a traumatic event, such as a chipped or knocked-out tooth. 

• Bad Habits – The two most prominent habits your orthodontist is looking for are thumb sucking and pushing the tongue forward when swallowing. These habits can create significant issues down the road for your child’s smile. 

• Crowding/Spacing – To a certain extent, your orthodontist can address crowding and spacing issues while your child is still growing, but some solutions require waiting until further down the road. Either way, it is beneficial to get an eye on these issues at a young age. 
• Bite Concerns – Like crowding and spacing issues, many bite concerns are not addressed until your child is a bit older—around the age of 12—but it might be something your orthodontist wants to treat when your child is younger if the concerns are severe enough. 

My Child Isn’t Ready for Braces Yet. Why Are They Seeing an Orthodontist Every Six Months?

Dr. Skylar equates your child’s smile to the iceberg theory—90% of the iceberg is under the surface, and your child’s smile is no different. As your child grows and develops, 90% of their adult teeth are below the surface. While the teeth are trying to come in straight, many erupt sideways, but your orthodontist would have no way of knowing about and addressing the issue without an x-ray. 

Similarly, when adult teeth erupt, they have no way of knowing if they’re erupting into a baby tooth or a permanent tooth, which can cause severe problems for your child’s smile. If your orthodontist can see this before it becomes an issue, they can perform preventative care that will redirect the path of the permanent tooth.

Because all of PDAO’s orthodontic services are complimentary before starting the braces process, Dr. Skylar prefers to take an x-ray every six months to follow the path of the teeth. Regularly scheduled x-rays and consultations allow your orthodontist to predict how permanent teeth will come in and how that will affect the rest of your child’s smile. 

The post What are we Looking for During an Orthodontic Consultation? Featuring Dr. Skylar appeared first on Pediatric Dental Associates & Orthodontics.

Even with these obstacles, the team at Pediatric Dental Associates and Orthodontics wants every visit to be a positive one. 

The dentists and hygienists at PDAO understand that a child may have anxiety because of the unknown, or may have even had an unpleasant experience in the past that is making a new visit feel daunting. With over 20 years of experience, they have been able to compile a comprehensive database of toys, activities, and books they believe will make a first visit or a return trip to the dentist an enjoyable one for the child and successful for everyone involved. Today, they are sharing some of these items along with links to purchase them online to prepare for the next trip to the dentist.

Melissa and Doug Super Smile Dentist Kit Play Set 

Melissa and Doug set themselves apart from other toy manufacturers because they focus on lower-tech toys that encourage children to use their imagination and curiosity during play. This dentist kit is no different. It comes with realistic dental essentials, including prophy paste, instruments, charts, and even orthodontic items like braces. This set will help children to model what to expect during their appointment.

Target | Amazon | Melissa and Doug

Barbie Dentist Doll and Playset

Barbie has been empowering children for decades. Their new You Can Be Anything series continues this initiative by showcasing different careers and showing girls and boys that they can dream big and work hard to be anything they want. This dentist set includes a Barbie doll and a child patient doll, along with a chair, computer, and realistic tools to encourage pretend play as a child prepares for their next dentist visit.

Target | Amazon | Walmart

Play-Doh Drill ‘n Fill Dentist

Play-Doh has been encouraging kids to embrace their creativity with over 2 billion cans sold of their kid-friendly modeling clay. This dentist set comes with a realistic model and molding trays where kids can explore some of the more surgical aspects of dentistry like filling cavities and extracting teeth. This playset will help children prepare for those more nerves-inducing appointments and see how their dentist is helping them keep their smile happy and healthy.

Target | Amazon | Walmart

Dentist Books Kids Will Love

The Berenstain Bears – Visit the Dentist

Buy It on Amazon | Watch the Read-Aloud on Youtube | Watch the PBS TV Show Episode

Daniel Tiger Goes to the Dentist (Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood)

Buy It on Amazon | Watch the Read-Aloud on Youtube | Watch the PBS TV Show Episode

Curious George Visits the Dentist

Buy It on Amazon | Watch the Read-Aloud on Youtube | Watch the PBS TV Show Partial Episode

If the Dentist Were an Animal

Buy It on Amazon | Watch the Read-Aloud on Youtube

Find More Resources

For more educational videos and resources that can help keep your child’s smile happy and healthy, check out our YouTube Channel! Make sure you subscribe and click the bell to receive notifications when we drop our latest videos! 

The post Introducing Your Child to the Dentist appeared first on Pediatric Dental Associates & Orthodontics.

Sealants are one of the most common recommendations we make for patients because they are easy to apply, last for a long time, and protect your child’s adult teeth from tooth decay. Still, we regularly field questions regarding sealants, why they’re important, and whether they should be a cause of concern for parents. So, let’s answer a handful of the most common questions we receive concerning sealants.

What Is a Dental Sealant?

A dental sealant is a protective coating applied to the chewing surfaces of your back teeth to prevent food and plaque from getting into the crevices of the teeth. Because of their shape and size, molars are optimized for chewing food, but their cavernous texture often traps small amounts of food that feed bacteria, ultimately leading to tooth decay. The sealant will bond to molars, protecting the teeth from food that is left behind.

How Are Sealants Applied?

Sealants are extremely easy to apply, even with the most dentist-shy kids. First, we prep and clean each tooth. Next, we brush the sealant onto each tooth in a process that looks strikingly similar to painting your fingernails with nail polish. Then, we finish the process by hardening and curing the sealant with a special blue light. The whole process only takes a few minutes per tooth.

When Should My Child Get Sealants?

Typically, we will propose sealants once your child’s six-year molars have come in. We also recommend the same procedure upon the arrival of their twelve-year molars. Dentists will check the sealants during your bi-annual appointments and, if necessary, make an appointment to reapply so that your child’s teeth are continually protected.

Do You Recommend Sealants for All Children?

While we don’t recommend the procedure for every child, we suggest it for many children, particularly those at a high risk of cavities or future tooth decay. Dental sealants on permanent molars are proven to reduce the risk of cavities by 80%, a number that is difficult to ignore.  

Will My Insurance Cover Dental Sealants?

Many insurance agencies will cover the initial application, but every insurance is different. If you are interested in dental sealants for your child, we’ll work with you to find out what your best options are. Again, we don’t prescribe these for everyone, so if we recommend this procedure for your child’s smile, it’s because we believe it will benefit them greatly!

Find More Resources

For more educational videos and resources that can help keep your child’s smile happy and healthy, check out our YouTube Channel! Make sure you subscribe and click the bell to receive notifications when we drop our latest videos! 

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How Does Diet Affect Teeth?

While Dr. Garrett could’ve given us an in-depth chemistry and biology lesson, he kept it simple for us! Basically, tooth decay is caused by bacteria that live in our mouths, which is very normal. The bacteria’s diet consists mainly of carbohydrates, which their metabolism breaks down and secretes as acid. This acid demineralizes—or creates holes and cavities in our teeth. 

So, when we stick to a carb-heavy diet, we provide the bacteria with a plentiful supply of nutrients that it needs to create the acid that causes cavities! Don’t worry. This doesn’t mean that we need to cut out carbs completely—they are still an essential part of a healthy diet, but we need to be intentional about how and when we choose to eat carbs. 

Being Intentional with Carbs

When we consider the diets and snacking habits of our kiddos, two variables are absolutely critical: timing and content. What are we feeding them, and in what context? 

For the most part, Dr. Garrett discourages all refined carbohydrates. Sugars are the most purely refined form of carbohydrate, but this also includes snacks from a bag, like Goldfish, chips, Cheez-Its, and other crackers, as well as granola, brownies, cookies, and other sweets. Whole foods such as vegetables, fruits, proteins, dairy, and nut-based foods make for the best snacks because they lack refined carbohydrates.

Obviously, exceptions are made, and we all love the occasional piece of candy or handful of Goldfish, but the context in which we choose to make an exception is critical. Refined carbohydrates from the likes of crackers, candy, and sugary drinks stick to our teeth, allowing the bacteria to feed on them—if you aren’t sure what we’re talking about, take a look in your child’s mouth 15-minutes after giving them a handful of Goldfish.

Next time you plan to make an exception, try adding some peanut butter or cheese to the crackers, as the mix of fat and protein cuts the carbohydrates, making them less likely to cause cavities. Similarly, if your child wants a glass of apple juice, try giving it to them with breakfast so that the whole foods from their meal can lessen the impact of the sugary juice.

5 Tips for a Healthy Smile

Being a parent is difficult—there’s no manual or step-by-step instructions, and there are a million day-to-day things that we have to keep track of, so oral hygiene and a healthy smile are often put on the backburners. We put together a handful of easy tips to make protecting your child’s smile the easiest part of parenting!

1. Avoid a snacktime that consists solely of crackers. Add some cheese or nut-based butter to cut the carbs!
2. Have your kids drink their juice with a meal rather than on its own.
3. Reward your kiddos with fun treats like stickers to avoid any association between rewards and candy.
4. Portion-control your kids’ snacking rather than letting them walk off with the whole box!
5. Most importantly, give yourself grace! Parenting is a great challenge, and none of us are perfect. Be proud of yourself for the steps you take, and set goals to keep moving forward!

The post The Connection Between Diet & Tooth Decay with Dr. Garrett appeared first on Pediatric Dental Associates & Orthodontics.

Spring Break 2022 is right around the corner, and we are just as excited as you are! We know how beneficial a much-needed break can be with so much going on. While a week-long schedule change is healthy for our minds and bodies, we don’t want your smile to suffer from a change in routine! Whether you’re traveling or staying home, let’s get proactive and put together a plan to stick to a schedule that keeps your child’s smile shining this Spring Break!

Check out these three tips to stay on track this Spring Break!

1. Stick to a brushing schedule. It doesn’t have to be the same times as your school week schedule—just make sure your kiddos are brushing their teeth when they wake up in the morning, before bed, and after meals!
2. Provide healthy snack alternatives to the typical sugary and sticky choices!
3. Make sure your kids are drinking enough water! It can be challenging to stay hydrated on road trips, but hydration is essential. Try playing fun games that encourage your kiddos to drink enough water!

March Molar Madness

March is here, which means March Madness is right around the corner! This is one of our favorite times of the year, and you might already know that we celebrate March Madness BIG around here!

This year’s March Molar Madness will be slightly different from previous years—we won’t be doing brackets! Instead, we’ll be hosting a guessing contest! Each of our offices will have a separate jar filled with items to be guessed upon. Keep an eye out for more details in our upcoming Facebook Live videos!

PDAO’s Valentine Carpool Extravaganza

Have you watched our Valentine Carpool Extravaganza with Dr. Skylar? Dad jokes, Chick-fil-a, and belly laughs are just the tip of the iceberg. Don’t miss out on this fun video all about spreading love and smiles across Northwest Arkansas! Head over to our YouTube channel or click this link to check it out.

Let’s Be Friends!

Be sure to check out our social media pages for all our latest tips, events, and contests! You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.   

The post Brushing & more while on Spring Break! appeared first on Pediatric Dental Associates & Orthodontics.

We recommend grabbing your new calendar at the beginning of the year and marking April 1st, July 1st, and October 1st to remind you to replace your toothbrush, so make sure you’ve got a new brush ready for the beginning of next month!

While we’re on the topic of replacing toothbrushes, we want to share a handful of tips on choosing the right toothbrush, brushing your teeth, and dental hygiene as a whole. Check out these tips:

1. Replace your toothbrush once a quarter.
2. Start “brushing” your child’s teeth before they have teeth! After feeding, just wipe their gums with a clean, damp rag to ensure their teeth have a healthy environment to grow into!
3. Buy your child a fun toothbrush that they like. While the brushes with Disney princesses and superheroes might cost an extra dollar or two, it’s an easy way to help your child look forward to brushing their teeth.
4. Choose the toothbrush that aligns with your child’s age. Necessary information regarding age is always provided on the toothbrush packaging.
5. Brush your teeth twice a day and after meals—and don’t forget to floss once a day!

March Molar Madness

March is here, which means March Madness is right around the corner! This is one of our favorite times of the year, and we are so excited that the Hogs have been playing well leading up to the most important part of their season!

We will be hosting our annual Molar Madness bracket, where YOU can participate and root on your favorite team! Follow our social media channels for more information as we near the big dance!

PDAO’s Valentine Carpool Extravaganza

Last month, Amy Morgan and Dr. Skylar jumped in the car for their own version of carpool karaoke! Trust us—this is must-see content! Head on over to our YouTube channel or click this link to check it out.

Let’s Be Friends!

Be sure to check out our social media pages for all our latest tips, events, and contests! You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.   

The post Which Toothbrush Is Right For Your Child? appeared first on Pediatric Dental Associates & Orthodontics.

What’s the first thing you think of when you think of Easter? The Easter Bunny? Easter egg hunts? Candy? 

We know that Easter comes with countless opportunities to munch on your favorite candies, and while we aren’t against enjoying candy, we hope that you’ll enjoy it in moderation! 

We stopped by Kindness and Joy Toys in Fayetteville to look for some amazing candy alternatives that are sure to be a hit in your child’s Easter basket. Check out these five items that we think are great choices!

• Egg Decorating Kits
• Puzzles
• Classic Pocket Games
• Noodlies 
• Easter Books 

Tornado Relief Resources

Was your family or friends affected by the tornado? Here are some community resources to help out those affected by this tragedy.

• The Treehouse Pantry has free food bags available until 4 today.
• Affected families can call the Springdale Public Schools helpline to talk to a counselor or social worker
• The Jones Center is offering food and collecting supplies. They’re in need of Toiletries, clothing, non-perishable food, trash bags, crates, and water
• Pizzeria Ruby is offering free meals
• Cross Church’s Compassion Center and Feed the 479 at 315 W. Sunset Ave. is open for people who need food or clothing. The phone number there is 479-717-5662.
• First United Methodist Church at 206 W. Johnson Ave. and its Bread of Life Mission is helping people. Call 479-751-4610 or email wbohn@firstchurchspringdale.org for information. The church will host a Community Supper Wednesday night from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Check Out Our New How to Brush & Floss Videos!

Now Available! Spanish and English brushing and flossing videos to help you instruct your kiddo on how best to brush and floss! Check out both versions on our Youtube Channel.

Let’s Be Friends!

Thanks for being a part of the Smiles Are Wild family! Join us on all social platforms for more contests, giveaways, and educational information! You can find us onFacebook ,Instagram, and Youtube.

The post Easter Bunny doesn’t always have to bring candy! appeared first on Pediatric Dental Associates & Orthodontics.

Are you prepared to celebrate National Tooth Fairy Day with your kiddos? This upcoming Monday, February 28th, is the first of two National Tooth Fairy Days in 2022, and we want to help make it memorable.  We believe that one of the best ways to celebrate is through education, and we’ve got a few great books on the Tooth Fairy for you:

1. How to Catch The Tooth Fairy
2. Tallulah: The Tooth Fairy CEO
3. The Tooth Fairy Tales

We also recommend all books, games, and resources from the Brushalot team! We had the chance to feature them in a previous Facebook Live, and we think the world of their material. They do such a fantastic job of creating a joyful and imaginative narrative within dental care!

We know that losing teeth can be scary for children, but we want to make it fun! Join in our celebration of National Tooth Fairy Day on February 28th!

NCDH Month

As you know, February is quickly coming to a close, and that means National Children’s Dental Health Month is wrapping up as well. Fortunately, the importance of dental health is something worth celebrating all year long! As a parent, installing the importance of dental health in your child can feel daunting, but we are here to help!

We’ve taken the time to find some great resources that are available to you for free today! Visit the Arkansas Dental Associates website to find crosswords, coloring sheets, calendars, and drawing activities.  We think these are great educational resources, and we hope you’ll take advantage of them and let us know what you think! 

Celebrating Black History Month with PDAO

With February and National Children’s Dental Health Month coming to a close, we know that Black History Month is also concluding. We believe Black History is worth celebrating all the time, and we hope you’ll join us in continuing to educate yourself. 

To promote education on the topic, we’ve been sending out fun and educational resources weekly. Here are a few more before the month wraps up:

1. Can Kids Change The World? Black History Month Scholastic
2. Teaching Your Child About Black History with PBS
3. Sesame Street Teaches About Racism
4. Family Education’s Children’s Books on Race and Racism
5. Kids Academy Resources

Let’s Be Friends!

Be sure to check out our social pages for all the latest tips, events, and contests! You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube! 

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