Many of our providers and staff at Commonwealth Dentistry are parents themselves. Our staff knows firsthand the trials and tribulations associated with little tiny teeth care. They also recognize and understand the mom guilt that comes with the dreaded word “cavity”.
Quick Fact: According to the CDC, more than half of children aged 6 to 8 have had a cavity in at least one of their baby (primary) teeth. More than half of adolescents aged 12 to 19 have had a cavity in at least one of their permanent teeth.
While these statistic seem daunting, there is good news: cavities are largely preventable, and so is the Mom guilt associated with them. The best way to prevent cavities is: brushing, flossing, and mouthwash. If you’d like to learn more beyond the basic, check out: 6 Children’s Dental Health Secrets.
However, in this article we want to focus on the mom guilt associated with childhood cavities.
- Get the timing right– Bedtime is hard for everyone involved. Getting kids to brush let alone floss at this time can be a challenge. Therefore, try flossing at various times to see what works best for your family. While the night time may be the best at removing the plaque built up from the day, no one wants to wrestle their child every single night. (P.S- try flossers they may work better for your family!)
- Recognize that Not All Teeth are Created Equal– Everyone is unique. We eat differently, we have different immune systems, different habits, everything we do and don’t do make us who we are. Children, just like adults, have different teeth. While guilt around cavities is normal it also important to remember sometimes the problem is genetic. Some teeth with need extra diligent care, while others don’t. Just do the best you can, Mama!
- No One can Give 100% all the Time– Life happens. Sometimes parents get sick, tired, or are just done. Whatever the reason, it is ok. Do your best. Sometimes that is a full two minutes of brushing, plus flossing, and mouthwash. Sometimes it’s not. Not everyday has to be perfect.
- We All Get Busy– There is absolutely no way that we can do everything all the time. If you have to reschedule your kids’ (or your) dental appointment- give yourself some grace. Your kids did not get cavities simply because you missed one appointment. Life happens to all of us.
- What Works for Someone Else May Not Work For You– Every one has tricks and tips. Most with good intentions but that doesn’t mean what works for some will work for everyone. If signing songs during brushing doesn’t work for you- let it go. If that special toothpaste everyone loves, your kid hates- oh well! Just find what works for you! You are the captain of your own ship!
We know you love your little ones. We know you want the best for them. Strive for brushing, flossing, and mouthwash 2 times a day for two minutes. If you are consistently having trouble with getting your kids to brush, try some of these tips: 3 Ways to Make Dental Care for Kids Fun.
If you are looking for a dental home that puts families first while still offering exceptional dental care, give Commonwealth Dentistry a try. Our staff is gentle, caring, and thorough. On top of that: they love working with kids. Schedule your appointment today!
Children’s Dental Heath Secret 1: Juice is Not a Substitute for Water
Children’s Dental Health Secret 4: Start Dental Visits Early
It is no secret that dental care costs money. Dental insurance simply doesn’t work like healthcare, instead of meeting deductibles, dental insurance is usually about meeting maximums. Meaning there is a maximum number that your dental insurance will pay over the year. Therefore, taking care of your dental health is paramount to both your smile and your wallet. If you’d like to learn more about the cost associated with dental care, we’ve broken them down for you 
hidden in each new day.” Resolving to make the following tips part of your healthier new year plan will provide maximum lifelong benefits.
Creating and maintaining healthy habits is a key component to reaching your healthier new year goals. However, quitting bad habits is also vital to a healthy mouth. There are simply no benefits to using tobacco products. Tobacco use puts you at risk for stained teeth, gum disease, tooth loss, and in more severe cases oral cancer. Smokers are more likely to experience plaque buildup. Smoking causes a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream thus gums heal less quickly than those who don’t smoke. Therefore, smokers are at higher risk for gum disease, the number one cause of tooth loss in adults. There is no time like the present to quit smoking.
2. When it comes to Wine
TMJ– TMJ refers to two very small joints located just next to your ears. They connect your lower jaw to your skull. While this joint may be very small, it is very useful. It connects your jaw to your skull and allows you to open your mouth, chew, and speak. However, this tiny joint is also delicate and can easily become inflamed, irritated, or even damaged. When this occurs it disrupts the smooth operation of opening and closing your jaw. Often pain and discomfort are associated.
There is much to consider when discussing dental implants vs dentures. One may ask: are they even necessary. The answer is YES! Losing even a single back tooth can cause the surrounding teeth to shift. Teeth will move towards the open area. This affects the way you chew plus making it more difficult to clean this area.
Dental work doesn’t have to come as a surprise. While some dental emergencies are true accidents and cannot be avoided, others are the result of neglect and 
Maintaining your teeth is always more cost effective than emergency visits. In the case of a dental emergency, knowing what to expect can help soften the blow of the emergency itself, especially concerning cost. If you don’t have dental insurance, it can be frightening to opt for an urgent dental service.
Regular Maintenance
However, creating and keeping a routine is important to managing our day to days. Keeping consistency in your mornings helps alleviate stress by keeping everyone on the same page. Set up a time each day to brush. Looking for tips to make dental care fun? Check
Mask and BTS
Meet our in-house periodontist: 
The Dangers of Tooth Abrasion
