Being a new parent is an overwhelming and beautiful thing. You can be so excited and so scared all at once. It’s quite the feeling. At the beginning there seems like there is so much information to take in and you worry that you may not be able to remember it all. Don’t worry. It will all come in time and all you need to worry about is how to take care and love that precious baby. One thing that you should not have to worry about is your child’s dental care needs. Here are some simple tips for new parents on how to keep your child’s smile as healthy as can be from an early age.

Begin an Oral Health Care Routine
You may wonder if you need to clean a baby’s mouth if they have no teeth yet. Well wonder no more because the answer is Yes! Baby’s first tooth usually will not come in until they are 8 months or older but it’s still so important to keep their mouth clean. You can do this by using a damp cloth and gently rubbing it over their gums. You may also choose to use a very soft, baby toothbrush. This choice is fine just remember to use very low amount of pressure and avoid upsetting their sensitive gums.

Establish Healthy Habits
If your child takes a bottle make sure you don’t let them go to sleep with it. This can cause baby bottle tooth decay. If you are worried about this please give our office a call and we can help. Once your child moves in to beginning solid foods introduce them to some mouth-healthy food that will help their body and smile. Soft foods like bananas, cooked sweet potatoes and avocado are a wonderful choice.

Find a Dental Home
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry advises parents to establish a dental home for their children before their first birthday. This is a perfect time to choose a comfortable dental home for your child. A pediatric dentist office like ours is the perfect place for your little one. We will be able to diagnose any issues that your child may have specific for their little mouths. Our friendly and child-centered office will make your child feels right at home which is the perfect way to introduce them into the dental world. While parenting can be overwhelming choosing a dentist should not be. Take comfort in knowing that at Hines Little Smiles we put the needs of your child first. Call our office today to schedule an appointment.

Did you know that childhood cavities are the most common, chronic childhood disease? But, on the bright side, they are also almost entirely preventable. The first place to start is with your child’s baby bottle.

What is baby bottle tooth decay?

This sort of decay happens during infancy as you can tell by the name “baby bottle tooth decay.” It is usually noticed on the upper and lower front teeth, though other teeth may also get affected. This is caused due to prolonged contact with sugary substances or fluids including candy and chocolates, milk or formula given using bottes. There are high chances of tooth decay if your baby sleeps with a bottle in his or her mouth or if a bottle is used as a pacifier regularly. Tooth decay can also be caused due to lack of water intake by your baby (older than 6 months of age).

Keeping your infant cavity free!

Follow the recommendations below and you will be on your way to help keeping your infant cavity-free!

Don’t put sugary drinks in your child’s baby bottle

Putting fruit juice or sports drinks in your infant’s bottles is not recommended. High amounts of sugar can lead to tooth decay and cause more dental problems as their teeth begin to appear. Cavities in baby teeth can also lead to complications in adult teeth later on.

Wipe out their mouth after meals

With damp, clean cloth, wipe out your child’s mouth after each meal, liquid or solid. Doing this keeps their mouth free of sugar and other bacteria that can lead to cavities.

Do not send them to bed with a bottle

While a bottle may comfort your child it can be very damaging for their gums and developing teeth. When left in their mouth, sugar from breast milk, formula or milk can lead to infection and pain. Try to establish a bedtime routine that doesn’t involve a bottle. And let them have a drink of water before bed.

Don’t let them walk around with their baby bottle

As your child begins walking, they’ll also begin falling which is why you shouldn’t let newly mobile children walk with their bottle. Children fall easily, especially when they are learning how to walk. You can avoid this by not letting them walk around with a bottle and having them sit while they drink.

Regular checkups every six months

Establish a dental home early for your child before their first birthday. Familiarizing them with a pediatric dentist early on will help them get more comfortable visiting the dentist and keeping their teeth clean. Columbus Pediatric Dentist Dr. Hines and the Hines Little Smiles teams is a comfortable, friendly place to take your little ones. We are experienced and look forward to helping you find the best treatment needed. Contact us today!

Preparing for emergencies can be tough because they happen out of nowhere and have to be taken care of immediately. Having a plan for what you can do in case of an dental emergency may just make the difference between keeping or losing a tooth. If you as a parent or guardian are prepared and stay calm so will your children or those you are caring for. We have some basic steps that will help you to be prepared in case of a dental emergency.

Know Your Dental Home

The first step in being prepared for a dental emergency is to have a pediatric dentist office you can call home. Whether it’s a dental injury on the playground or at home, having a place you can call and be comfortable with is a good start. At Hines Little Smiles, we can be your dental home. We will help you feel cared for and supported during these emergencies if they ever come up.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies and What to Do When They Happen

● When a baby tooth is knocked out – Contact us immediately. Do not try and replant it, this could do damage to permanent teeth.

● When a permanent tooth is knocked out – Find it and carefully rinse the tooth with cool water. Do not use soap or try to scrub it. Next replace the tooth in the socket and hold it there with gauze or a clean washcloth. If doing this is not an option put the tooth in clean cup of milk, saliva or cool water. Contact our office immediately. The faster the treatment, the greater likelihood you have of saving the tooth.

● When you have a damaged or chipped tooth – Contact us immediately. Find any tooth fragments and place them into cold milk or water. Rinse the mouth with water and apply a cold compress to to reduce swelling (in the lip was injured). Prompt treatment is so important for preventing any infection and avoiding potential complications.

Take Preventative Measures

● If your child participates in sports they should always wear a mouthguard
● Always use a seat belt and car seats
● Childproof your home wherever possible
● Schedule regular dental check-ups

Planning for a dental emergency doesn’t need to be scary. With the right knowledge and preparation there is no need to worry. We at Hines Little Smiles are always here to help and are ready for your emergency calls. We can answer any questions you may have. Contact us today!

The dentist can be a scary place for anyone. Especially for a child with anxiety. Some children enjoy going to the dentist office but for others it can truly be a terrifying thing that can cause actual physical responses and emotions.

As a parent it is important for you to know that dental anxiety is very common and is nothing to be ashamed of. Your child’s dental health is very important and their experience can impact the rest of their life. It can be hard as their parent to know what to do, but it is important to remember that pushing a stressed child to go to the dentist is not the best solution and will only make it worse. Here are some ideas that may help ease the burden of dental anxiety for you and your child experiencing it.

Start at a Young Age

Fear of the unknown can be one of the main reasons children feel so anxious about dental visits. The younger kids are when they have their first dental appointment, the calmer they usually are in the future. Getting a regular checkup schedule planned out is an excellent idea so they will know what to expect and be more at peace for their future cleanings.

Quality Time

Spending some quality time with your child and role playing scenarios that may take place at the dentist can help them to look at it as a fun and exciting experience. Also finding dental storybooks to read together is a wonderful way to prepare your child. Through colorful pictures and language that is easy for them to understand and having the main character go through a happy dental experience can also set their minds at ease about their upcoming visit.

Communication

Talk to your child about an upcoming dental visit. Telling them last minute will only make anxiety worse. Often telling them a little bit in advance will help you and them prepare together. However each child is different and it’s important to do what you feel is best for them. Talking to them about dental hygiene and making sure they brush their teeth on a regular basis is also a good way for them to be more comfortable in a dentist office environment. Brushing and flossing with them is a good way to lead by example.

It is important to find a friendly dental environment to take your children to, especially those little ones who have some anxiety about it. Hines Little Smiles is the place to go. With our friendly staff and vibrant office we are here waiting with our own smiles to help make your child’s dental visit a pleasant one and a place you will want to come back to over and over again. Contact us if you have any questions or request an appointment online!

No child likes cavities, and getting a cavity filled has never been on their “favorite memory” list. Even though cavities are quite common in childhood, they are almost totally preventable! Here at Hines Little Smiles, we strive to make each visit pleasant, but working to prevent childhood cavities is definitely the best course of action for your child’s teeth. Here are some tips to keep your visits to our office simply about a check-up:

Build Strong Bones

Adding more dairy to young children’s’ diets help their bones become strong as they develop. Dairy also helps protect the enamel of young teeth by neutralizing acids that can cause damage. Choose simple and healthy dairy products to add to your meals, like milk and greek yogurt.

Start Early

Even though your baby may not have teeth, you can aid the teeth that will erupt by cleaning excess food off of the gums with a soft damp cloth.

Set a Good Example

When your child sees you care for your teeth, they’ll want to do the same “grown-up” thing. Brush and floss together, make a game of it, and keep it in the routine, even on busy nights. Helping them understand that oral hygiene is paramount to good health will help them their whole life.

Sugars and Starches

We don’t often think of sugar and starch doing the same thing, but when it comes to getting caught in the crevices of teeth, they act the same. Both will aid in the growth of bacteria and the formation of cavities, so try to avoid sugary treats and drinks, as well as foods high in starch.

It’s never too early…

…to find the right dentist. Pediatric dentists are specially trained to care for kids’ teeth, and we love what we do. We know it’s important to establish a relationship of trust with each child so that they feel safe and cared for at our office. Our doctors are experienced in caring for teeth in babies to adolescents, and we hope you’ll come experience how much fun the dentist’s office can be.
Schedule an appointment today to let us help your children learn to care for their teeth. Regular 6-month check-ups are a great way to keep cavities at bay!

At Hines Little Smiles, we provide pediatric dentistry services, and we strive to create a fun, welcoming environment where children and families feel at ease. As your pediatric dentist in Columbus, we are committed to providing high-quality care and working with each child to help them have a healthy, happy smile.

There are many benefits for your children when they see a dentist who specializes in pediatric dentistry.

Our office is fun and colorful. We make sure to build a practice around kids and what they like. Our office is child-friendly. By taking your child to see a pediatric dentist, dental phobias are less likely to occur as the environment is created to be safe and comfortable for kids.

What’s different about a pediatric dentist?

Pediatric dentists are able to take care of the dental needs of infants, toddlers, elementary age children, and teenagers. Pediatric dentists take an extra two or three years of training after dental school. Along with dental training specifically about children’s oral health, pediatric dentists also study child psychology. This enables the professionals at our office to create an environment that is gentle and non-threatening for kids.

Pediatric dentistry is one of nine specialty areas that is recognized by the American Dental Association. Hines Little Smiles works with kids each day. This gives us the expertise to handle situations that arise when children become scared or have difficulties with dental procedures. We can provide individualized, specialized care as we are trained and experienced in working with children.

When should children start seeing a pediatric dentist?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children go for their first appointment before they turn one, or about six months after their first primary tooth comes in. By taking your child in to the dentist at an early age, preventive care can begin. Also, children will become more accustomed to the dentist and be less stressed if they are use to regular appointments from such a young age.

Why should you take your child to see a pediatric dentist?

• To ask questions about issues you’ve noticed with your child’s dental health.
• To help foster a kid-centered, oral health routine at home.
• To see if your child is at risk for cavities.
• To receive preventive treatments such as fluoride.
• To receive care and information on how your child’s teeth and jaw are growing.

Schedule an Appointment

Our staff is happy to help schedule an appointment time that works well with your schedule. Come see what sets our pediatric practice apart!