It’s time to get to the ABCs of dentistry!

Your child’s oral health is an important part of their journey, and knowing about their teeth, oral health, and how the dental team at Pediatric Dental Specialists can play a role in that is key. Children enjoy learning in creative ways, so using the alphabet to teach your children about the ABCs of dentistry can be fun for the whole family! Check out each letter below and learn more about your dental health.

A: Awesome Brushing: The easiest way to make sure your teeth are healthy is by brushing them! Make sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day and for two minutes at a time. To make it easier to keep track, break up your mouth into four parts, and spend at least 30 seconds on each section of your mouth, making sure to brush all surfaces of your teeth, including the backs and sides!

B: Bruxism: Bruxism is the dental term for teeth grinding and jaw clenching. Many people do this in their sleep and don’t even know it. A simple fix for bruxism is to be evaluated by your dentist, who can fit you for a special mouth guard that will keep you from grinding your teeth at night.

C: Cavities: Cavities are what happen when plaque eats through the enamel on your teeth. If left untreated, cavities can turn to tooth decay, and can even cause your teeth to fall out. Untreated cavities could also lead to more painful fixes, like root canals.

D: Dentist Office: There is no need to fear your dentist office! At Pediatric Dental Specialists, we love children! We’re here to help you feel calm during your entire visit at our office, and we take the time to explain everything that is happening. Have questions? Ask us!

E: Eruption: Eruption is the dental term for new teeth coming in and breaking the gum surface. This can refer to the baby, or primary, teeth children get, or the adult teeth that come in as your child starts to grow. Your baby’s first tooth will erupt at around six months, and your child’s adult teeth may start erupting around the age of six.

F: Flossing: No, we aren’t talking about the latest dance craze! We’re talking about dental flossing. It is important to floss daily to remove any plaque buildup between your teeth and along the gumline. If you need flossing tips, you can always ask our team at your next appointment!

G: Gums: Your gums are the tissue that holds your teeth in place. Your gum health is just as important as your teeth! Make sure you are taking care of your gums by brushing and flossing daily so they don’t become inflamed and sore.

H: Habits: Forming good oral health habits is important for having a healthy mouth. Take the time to brush your teeth at least twice, and floss at least once a day! Forming good habits will get you into the routine of keeping your oral health on the top of your mind.

I: Instruments: Dentists use a special set of dental instruments when they evaluate your mouth. At your dental visit, our team can explain exactly what each instrument does. In the meantime, you can learn about the dental instruments and color them in here.

J: Jokes: What kind of dinosaur listens to the dentist? A floss-iraptor! If you are looking for more silly jokes about the dentist, check out this list.

K: Keeping Teeth Clean: Brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes each time is super important. Clean teeth means no cavities! Make sure you are in the habit of brushing those pearly whites!

L: Listening: Your dentist has great advice, and great answers to questions, so make sure you listen to the information they are telling you. The team at Pediatric Dental Specialists are just looking out for your dental health and want your mouth to be happy!

M: Mouth Guards: If you play sports, you’ll want to keep your teeth protected. Your dentist can fit you for a custom mouth guard to help protect your teeth if you take a hard hit while playing sports. Think of your mouth guard as part of your uniform, and use it every time you play or practice!

N: Novocaine: If you need to have a cavity filled, your dentist will use novocaine to numb the area around your tooth so that you don’t feel any pain during the procedure. The novocaine will only last an hour or two.

O: Orthodontics: Orthodontics is a dental specialty that focuses on keeping the teeth and your bite in line. Many people associate braces with orthodontics.

P: Plaque: Plaque is a sticky film that forms on your teeth when you don’t brush them properly. Plaque will slowly eat away at the enamel of your teeth and cause cavities and tooth decay. The only way to get rid of plaque is to have a professional dental cleaning.

Q: Quick Answers: If you have a dental question, reach out to the Pediatric Dental Specialist team! We’ll be more than happy to provide you with quick answers to your dental questions.

R: Roots: The root of your tooth is the part that holds it into place within the gums. The root is hidden below the gumline and accounts for most of the length of your tooth.

S: Sealants: Dental sealants are a protective coating that can be put on the molars of your child’s teeth to help keep cavities away. The sealant is painted onto the tooth and it hardens, “sealing” the tooth and protecting it.

T: Toothpaste: If you are wondering what kind of toothpaste you should be using, look for one that has fluoride in it. Fluoride is a naturally-occurring mineral that helps strengthen teeth. Toothpaste that has the American Dental Association (ADA) seal has fluoride in it, and that seal means the dental product is recommended by dentists nationwide.

U: Underbite: An underbite is when your bottom teeth extend further than your upper teeth when you bite. Most of the time, braces can be used to fix an underbite.

V: Varnish: Oftentimes, your dentist will apply a fluoride varnish to your teeth. The varnish is meant to help strengthen your teeth. The fluoride is a mineral that helps strengthen the enamel of your teeth.

X: X-rays: X-rays are how the dentist can see what is happening with your teeth. An X-ray shows the tooth’s surface and your jawbone, giving the dentist a way to find any dental issues that aren’t visible to the naked eye.

Y: Yes! Yes! Visit your dentist! Make sure you visit the team at Pediatric Dental Specialists at least twice a year for a full dental evaluation!

Z: Zollipops: Zollipops are sugar-free candy that dentists recommend if you are having a sweet craving!

It’s time to schedule an appointment for an oral health check with Pediatric Dental Specialists.

Your child’s oral health is important to the Pediatric Dental Specialists team. Their pediatric dental journey includes gaining knowledge about their oral health, including oral hygiene. Since children enjoy learning in creative ways, we hope using the alphabet to teach your children about the ABCs of dentistry was fun for the whole family. Request an appointment with Pediatric Dental Specialists today!