Our Blog

[caption id="attachment_89" align="alignleft" width="300"] Start Your Child’s School Year with a Smile![/caption]

Did you know that the state of California has made it a requirement to have every child get an oral health assessment completed by a dentist before enrolling in the first year of public school*? To make this as easy as possible on you and your family, Dr. Allen Job and the All Smiles Pediatric Dentistry team will complete your child’s oral health assessment form during the checkup appointment! No need to come back to our San Diego, CA office to pick up the form on another day!

During the checkup appointment, your child will be introduced to healthy techniques and choices to prevent dental decay (cavities). This includes brushing techniques and dietary recommendations. If this is your child’s first dental visit, it will allow him or her to get comfortable with having a checkup and teeth cleaning done on a regular basis. Starting your child early with a dental checkup gives him or her a fighting chance to prevent dental decay.

The deadline for San Diego, CA was May 31, 2015 for new enrollment into public school for the 2015-2016 school year. This deadline has passed; however, numerous children still need to get this form completed. A child cannot enrolled in his/her first year of public school without this form. We recommend calling our San Diego, CA dental office to schedule a new-patient appointment for your child as soon as possible.

*This oral assessment form is a requirement by California law (Education Code Section 49452.8) which states that a child must have a dental checkup by May 31 of his/her first year in public school. If your child is attending a Head Start program or private school, please check with your child’s school to see if they require an oral health assessment.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="213"] Can my child really avoid tooth decay?[/caption]

Great question! Yes, in fact, tooth decay is preventable! Decay, which is caused by sugars left in your child’s mouth, can turn into an acid, which in turn can break down his or her teeth. Children are at high risk for tooth decay for a simple reason: many children and adolescents tend to be lax in their oral hygiene habits.

So, how can your child prevent tooth decay?

• Start early. After the age of two, brush your child’s teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day. And, if possible, clean between the teeth with dental floss at least once a day, preferably before they go to bed.
• Don’t allow your little ones to eat after cleaning teeth at bedtime, as salivary flow decreases while they sleep and their teeth become vulnerable to cavities.
• Do not allow your little ones to nibble food or sip drinks continuously, and keep in mind that a low-sugar diet also helps keep tooth decay at bay. Allow time between meals for saliva to neutralize acids and repair the teeth.
• Drinking water frequently throughout the day can also reduce the possibility of new cavities forming.
• Dental sealants can also protect your children’s teeth from cavities. Sealants, which are applied to the chewing surfaces of molars, act as a shield between the tooth and harmful bacteria.

Finally, make sure your child visits All Smiles Pediatric Dentistry approximately every six months for a checkup and routine cleaning! Please give us a call at our San Diego, CA office.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500"] How can I protect my child's teeth during sports?[/caption]

Sports are great for children for a variety of reasons. Children can develop their motor skills, learn how to solve conflicts and work together, and develop their work ethics. As a parent, you may recognize the benefits of sports, but also naturally worry about your child’s health and safety. Your job goes beyond providing a water bottle and making sure your child follows the rules of the game.

Although you may not think of your child’s teeth first when you think about sports, accidents can happen that affect your children’s teeth. A stray hockey stick, an errant basketball, or a misguided dive after a volleyball are examples of ways a child could lose a tooth. In fact, studies show that young athletes lose more than three million teeth each year.

Becoming a Better Athlete to Protect Teeth

Becoming a better athlete involves refining skills, learning the rules of the game, and being a good sport. These components are not just about winning. They are also about safety. Young athletes who are better ball-handlers and who are careful to avoid fouls and penalties are less likely to have harmful contact with the ball, teammates, or opponents. Children who are better roller-bladers are less likely to take a face plant into the blacktop, and more likely to save their teeth. Being a good sport and avoiding unnecessary contact is one way to protect teeth.

Proper Protective Equipment for Teeth

If your child is in a sport that poses a high threat to teeth, it is essential for your child to wear a mouthguard. Mouthguards fit your child’s mouth and consist of soft plastic. Dr. Allen Job can custom fit a mouthguard if generic ones are uncomfortable. While children may resist wearing a mouthguard initially, your persistence in insisting that they wear it should be enough to convince them. A helmet or face mask provides additional protection.

While prevention is best, rapid treatment can improve the situation if your child does happen to lose a tooth during sports. Rapid implantation can work in about ten percent of cases. To learn about ways to save a lost tooth, contact our San Diego, CA office.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="320"] Fun Facts for the Fourth[/caption]

The Fourth of July is a great time to get together with friends and family members for BBQ, games, fireworks, and other celebrations in honor of our country’s independence. While your fellow revelers eat hot dogs and wave flags, you can impress them by sharing these fascinating facts and historical tidbits about some of our country’s traditions and symbols from the team at All Smiles Pediatric Dentistry.

The Statue of Liberty

With a torch in one hand and a tablet in the other, the Statue of Liberty is one of the most iconic and recognizable symbols of our country. However, as recognizable as certain parts of the statue are, not many people know that broken shackles, which represent oppression and tyranny, are lying at Lady Liberty’s feet. According to the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, the copper-plated lady weighs in at a whopping 450,000 tons and has been holding her torch up for more than 125 years, which must make for some impressive arm muscles.

Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

Since 1916, people have been flocking to Coney Island on the Fourth of July to witness what some people call the “superbowl of competitive eating.” Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating contest challenges competitors to devour as many hot dogs as they can in just ten minutes, with the current record holder swallowing a whopping 68 hot dogs! If you’d like to witness this bizarre and frenzied eating competition but you won’t be anywhere near Coney Island on the fourth, don’t worry. ESPN has been broadcasting this popular event for several years, so you can watch from the comfort of your couch while you eat a reasonably portioned meal.

The History Behind Fireworks

Viewing the nighttime fireworks display is exciting way to finish off the fourth. Many people know that these brilliant displays probably originated with the Chinese. However, many historians also believe that fireworks were stumbled upon when the Chinese roasted bamboo sticks over fires and watched them explode. After many years of roasting the sticks, a group of alchemists created an early form of gunpowder, which they stuffed into the bamboo sticks to create an even more powerful explosion, paving the way for the today’s modern fireworks.

Whether you’re planning on visiting the Statue of Liberty, watching fireworks in San Diego, CA, or even participating in a hot dog eating contest, Dr. Allen Job and our team hope you have a safe and fun-filled holiday. Happy Fourth of July!