Family Dentistry

Family & Pediatric Dentist in Farmington and Plainville, CT

"It's critical that we teach children as soon as possible about the importance of good dental hygiene," said Dr. Diederich of ComPassion Dental. "Habits they develop now will carry through the rest of their lives and we want to set them up for healthy dental futures."

Tips from your family dentist:

What are the A, B, C's of good dental hygiene all kids should learn early?

1. Always limit sugar and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in junk foods & junk drinks (keep to mealtimes if you must). It's not about how much sugar but how long it's drowning your teeth... "One quick sweet treat per day , if you must", also "Fruit Juice at breakfast only"
2. Brush and floss bacteria off the teeth- "at least one excellent job a day" (better yet morning after breakfast and night after dinner)
3. Cavities and gingivitis stop when you stop feeding too much sugar to too many bacteria.

 

THE TRUTH ABOUT CAVITIES
Did you know that childhood tooth decay is the #1 chronic childhood illness, 5 times more common than asthma? When left untreated, childhood tooth decay can have devastating consequences that extend beyond the dental chair. Rampant decay can negatively impact a child's overall quality of life, inhibit their cognitive and social development and compromise their growth, function and self-esteem.

The truth about cavities is that what's happening inside your mouth is really quite yucky. Dental cavities are a bacterial infection caused by Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacilli. Bacteria always live in and on our bodies. It forms biofilm, also known as plaque. A healthy mouth is like an inner city neighborhood with different types of good bacteria. If sanitation is poor, overcrowding of bacteria happens. The neighborhood becomes a slum because gangs of bad Strep and Lactobacillus bacteria move in.

When it comes to sugar there are many different types including sucrose, glucose, fructose, high fructose corn syrup and others. Sugar is the bad bacteria's favorite food and dumps toxic waste lactic acid on the teeth, which burns holes in the teeth causing cavities.

When it comes to sugar there are many different types including sucrose, glucose, fructose, high fructose corn syrup and others. Sugar is the bad bacteria's favorite food and dumps toxic waste acid which burns holes in the teeth causing cavities.

 

The facts are that
More than 51 million school hours and 164 million work hours are lost each year due to dental disease, leading to increased educational disparities and decreased productivity. 42% of children 2 to 11 have had cavities in their primary teeth and 23% of them (17 million!) do not receive treatment. Also, kids 2 to 11 have an average of 1.6 decayed primary teeth and 3.6 decayed primary surfaces. The sad tragedy is this is 100% preventable!

 

GUM INFECTIONS
Gingivitis and periodontitis infections don't only occur in adults. Dr. Diederich sees these infections in 99% of new patients, including children. Gingivitis infects soft gums and periodontitis infects the socket bone. These infections are caused by bad gangs of bacteria such as Actinobacillus, and Bacteroides in the biofilm neighborhood in the collar (sulcus) of gum around the neck of the tooth.

"It's not just about the child's teeth! Gingivitis and periodontitis infections activate a child's immune system early on," said Dr. Diederich. "This starts a lifetime of inflammation and immune problems in blood vessel walls which may lead to blood clots. This may lead to atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke, diabetes and other problems as the years go by."

Such dental problems can begin even before a baby is born. Periodontitis is a risk factor for premature labor and low-birth-weight (PLBW) babies in pregnant mothers.

 

BRUSHING 101
The key to fending off dental enemies lies in tooth brushing. The first step is buying the right toothbrush. Dr. Diederich recommends power toothbrushes for kids. Power toothbrushes scrub bacteria off the teeth, while massaging the teeth and gums together and make it a fun spa experience for a child's mouth.

"I always coach parents that if they love their child, THEY will brush and floss their teeth at least once a day until they are twelve years old," she said.

Flossing is another important ingredient. Brushing cleans the top and two sides, removing about 50% of the bacteria. Flossing cleans the sides in-between and the other 50% of bacteria.

 

Pediatric Dentistry - MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Parents play an essential role in the dental hygiene of their children. However, Dr. Diederich lends a hand in the process by visiting schools and taking her lessons about oral health to the classroom.

Learn more about pediatric preventative dentistry.