What To Do When Your Child Has a Toothache

When your child has a toothache, it can be difficult to pinpoint what exactly is causing the pain, and where the pain is directly located. Often times you may find yourself feeling helpless and not knowing how you can help ease the pain. When dealing with a toothache, be gentle with your child to avoid adding anxiety.


Make sure it is a toothache. Your child may be suffering from sore gums or may have bitten their tongue.

If it is a toothache, the first thing you should do is look inside their mouth where it hurts, and check for food stuck in-between your child's teeth. This is one of the most frequent causes of children having toothaches and can cause a considerable amount of discomfort. If there is a food particle lodged, use floss to gently remove it.

A glass of warm water used as a rinse can help to relieve a toothache. This is especially helpful if tooth enamel is cracked.

Rinsing with table salt and warm water can soothe irritated, swollen gums. Sometimes cold may feel better than warm. Apply an ice pack wrapped in a towel to the face, close to the toothache.

 

There are over the counter pain relievers than can help ease toothache discomfort. If you plan to use these, make sure you are following the dosage instructions on the label. Medication that is given to children is administered by age and weight.

Be sure to schedule regular dental checkups for your child. You can contact us to make an appointment!

Types of Mouth Guards

Mouth guards are covers worn over your teeth. They help to protect teeth from injury during sports as well as teeth grinding. Generally, they are worn over your upper teeth only, but in some cases they can be made for the bottom teeth.

 

The three types of mouth guards include; Stock, boil and bite and custom fitted.

 

Stock mouth protectors – These come preformed and ready to wear out of the box. These are the most inexpensive of mouth guards as they are not fitted to your teeth. They can be bought at most department stores. You are unable to adjust the fit, and they make speaking a little difficult. They provide little protection, and should not be used for sports but can be used for over night grinding.

 

Boil and bite mouth protectors – These guards can usually be found at sporting good stores and offer a better fit than the stock protector. This mouth guard is made from a thermoplastic material which you place in hot water to soften. You then place it in the mouth and it shapes around your teeth while you use your fingers and tongue to get it in the grooves.

 

Custom-fitted mouth protectors – These are individually designed and made in the dentist office or a laboratory. An impression of your teeth is taken and a mouth guard is then molded over the model using a special type of material. The special material and extra time involved in the creation of this mouth guard, they are more expensive then the other types but you get more comfort and protection.

Make Brushing Fun for Kids!

It may be a bit of a stretch to imagine your child getting excited about their morning and evening brushing. While they may not absolutely not love to brush, there is no reason they should hate it either. It can be years before your child develops required motor skills and coordination to maintain healthy brushing habits on their own. Until they can do it on their own, they will need your help! Read on for some ways you can make brushing teeth more fun for your child.

Be a leader.

The best way to show your child the importance of brushing is to brush right alongside them. This can be a fun, bonding experience. Your child will be mimicking your brushing motions, and pick up your good brushing habits. Be sure to make a funny face or two to make them laugh!

Brush selection.
Food and toy industries both appreciate the value of marketing for children by using bright colours and images of their favourite characters. When you are selecting a toothbrush for your child, bring them along with you so they can pick out the one they want. If your child views the toothbrush the way they view their toys, they will want to use it more often. Toothpastes also come in colours and flavours for children which makes the brushing experience that much more enjoyable.

Bring a friend.
Don't hesitate to bring your child favourite toy or stuffed animal to the bathroom when brushing. You can explain to the stuffed animal what you are doing, and why it is important and your child will be listening as well. You can also count aloud as you brush, checking off one tooth at a time to ensure you have cleaned your teeth thoroughly. As a bonus you are helping your child practice their counting.

Facts about the Tongue

The tongue is a muscular structure attached to the floor of the mouth. It is responsible for many various tasks. Read on to learn some facts you may not have known about tongues!

• The tongue is the main sensory organ for taste. The surface of your tongue is covered with taste buds which have taste receptors.
• On Average, the human tongue has 3,000 - 10,000 taste buds.
• The bumps that you can see on your tongue are called papillae. Our taste buds sit on top of the papillae but they are not visible to the human eye.
• There are five elements of taste : salty, sour, bitter, sweet, and savoury.
• These tastes can all be detected anywhere on the tongue, there are not specific taste areas.
• The tongue helps with changes in sound during speech.
• The tongue also works as a natural way of cleaning your teeth after you are done eating.
• The human tongue is divided into two parts the anterior and the posterior.
• The anterior part of the tongue is the visible part at the front and is about two-thirds of the tongue's length.
• The posterior tongue area is closest to the throat, and roughly one-third of length.
• There are eight muscles in the human tongue which can be classified as intrinsic or extrinsic.
• There are four intrinsic muscles which are not attached to any bone. These are the muscles that allow the tongue to change shape, such as point, roll, tuck, expanding and contracting.
• There are also four extrinsic muscles but these are attached to bone. They allow the tongue to change position, such as poke out, retract, side-to-side movement.
• The average length of the human tongue from the back to the tip is 10 cm (4 in).
• Taste receptors cannot actually taste food until saliva has moistened it. This is why we usually taste salty things first as salt dissolves quickly in moisture.
• Traditional human food dishes sometimes include tongue of various animals. In Mexico, they have a taco filled beef tongue dish. Pig and cow tongue is popular in Chinese cuisine.
• Sticking your tongue out to people is seen as immature or rude in many countries, however, in Tibet it is considered a greeting.
• Dogs and cats use their tongues to clean their fur and body. The rough texture of their tongue allows them to remove oils and parasites from their coat.
• Some animal tongues are specially designed to catch their prey. Chameleons, frogs, and anteaters have tongues that can extend out of their mouth and grab insects!

The blue whale has the largest tongue of all animals. Its tongue weigh's around 2.7 metric tons or 2700 kilograms!

How to Help Your Child With Dentistry Fear

Taking your child to the dentist can be stressful, especially if your child is afraid of the dentist. Going to the dentist is a crucial part of maintaining optimal oral health, so it's important for your child to attend their appointments on a regular basis.

There are ways to decrease the amount of stress and anxiety your child feels at the dentist. The more comfortable they feel with the office and people who work there, the better! If they look forward to getting a toy or prize at the end of their appointment they are more likely to jump in the car to go to the dentist.

Familiarize your child with the office and the dentist prior to their first appointment. Allow the child to see the atmosphere, meet their future dentist, and maybe learn a few things about oral care! If you can, schedule your child's appointments to be with the same hygienist and dentist every time. This allows your child to form relationships with the people doing their check ups, and creates trust.

Choose a pediatric dentist for your child. A practitioner whose main focus is children has extensive experience and knowledge when it comes to making your child calm and comfortable. Consider pediatric dentists to be experts when it comes to fearful young patients.

Reward your child with a small toy for behaving at the dentist. They may be more likely to sit still and allow the dentist to examine their mouths if they're thinking about what action figure or my little pony they're going to get afterwards.

The Truth About Baby Teeth

Many people believe that since baby teeth fall out that they're not important. However, this is very inaccurate. Baby teeth create a strong basis for healthy permanent teeth. When you help to teach your child how important oral health is, they will carry on that mentality for the rest of their lives.

When your child is teething they may experience sore gums. This is completely normal. Your baby may become irritated which can contribute to problems sleeping and digestion. There are plenty of remedies you can try to sooth your child's pain. Teething rings that are made of soft material and can be cooled in the fridge are a great choice. A gentle pain reliever may be used as well to help decrease the pain. 

The front teeth start to appear around 6-12 months of age. Throughout the next two years the rest of the baby teeth will grow in. When your child turns three all of their baby teeth will be showing. This is twenty teeth in total.

As we all know sugar is your mouth's worst enemy. For strong oral health monitor the amount of sugar your child is ingesting. Provide foods for your child that will contribute positively to their overall development and growth.

Avoid bottle feeding your child sweet or sugary drinks. If you're going to give your baby fruit juice dilute it with water first.

Remember to have your child see a dentist by their first birthday. To book an appointment at Woodbridge Kids Dentistry click here!

Pacifiers & Thumb Sucking

Your child may use a pacifier or their thumb as a coping mechanism. They may even use one of these methods to help them fall asleep each night. As your child grows it's important to know that thumb sucking and pacifiers can deter the growth of their mouth and proper alignment of their teeth. The sooner your can break these habits, the better for your child's mouth.

Your toddler's use of a pacifier can be limited. However, when it comes to thumb sucking the removal process can be more difficult. Do not sweeten your toddler's soother. In the past parents have put honey or other sweet liquids on the soother to make it more appealing to their child. This will only make it harder as they will perceive their soother also as a treat. This can provoke early decay. Also do not clean your child's soother by putting it in your mouth as this shares bacteria instead of removing it.

Your child is less likely to experience negative side effects of thumb sucking and pacifier usage if they stop prior to their permanent teeth growing in. This occurs around the age of five. Children use their soother or thumb to calm themselves down, they find it comforting. Offer them snuggles or gently remind them not to participate in that habit. The earlier you can deter your child from thumb sucking and pacifier usage, the better.

Healthy School Lunches

Getting your child to eat healthy can be difficult. Since your child most likely indulged in tons of sweets over the holidays it can be a difficult transition for them to understand that every lunch will not be accompanied with a candy cane.

You want to ensure your child is eating foods that won't harm their dental and overall health. Snacks like gushers, and fruit-to-go may become lodged in the back of your child's mouth. This can increase your child's risk of forming a cavity. Include water or milk with your child's lunch to help wash away any food that may have gotten caught in their teeth.

Try to make their lunches fun. Allow your child to help in the process of packing their lunch. Try to include their favourite fruits and vegetables to ensure it all gets eaten! Provide them with colourful vegetables, fun shaped fruit, and cheese strings. Choose whole grain bread for your child's sandwich. Send them with a healthy snack like whole grain pretzels or cheerios.

To ensure your child's oral health is in tact, ensure they are brushing and flossing regularly. Allow them to choose their tooth brush with their favourite Disney character or super hero on it. Small things can help to make eating healthy and maintaining good oral health fun!

To make an appointment for your child at Woodbridge Kids Dentistry click here!

3 Tips to Help Keep Your Child's Smile Safe

The Western World is currently facing a childhood obesity epidemic that has threatened adolescent populations with a myriad of health issues including increased risk of hypertension, heart disease, and type II diabetes. Public health authorities and community stakeholders have pushed back hard against advertising companies who had previously targeted children with sugar-loaded snacks draped in the names and faces of their favourite cartoon characters. This movement targeted sugary foods as the culprit for rising levels of childhood obesity, but this sweet substance has also been fingered as the leading antagonist for failing oral health among adolescents. Over 26,000 primary school children were admitted to the hospital for tooth decay in the past year, suggesting that parents could use a few tips to reduce their child's exposure to sugar. Read on for 3 simple tips to improve your child's oral health care outcomes.  

• Make brushing fun. When faced with the choice between allowing their child to eat a more sugary food option, such as fruit, or having their child refuse to eat, most parents will concede to their child's wishes. There is nothing wrong with this, especially since fruits have a variety of oral health-boosting properties, but even natural sugars must be brushed away. Find a fun song for your child to brush along to, and join them in their morning and evening routine to make it fun.

• Limit sugary foods to meal-times. Try to choose low-sugar snacks for your child. Some classic favourites include nuts, carrots or celery and dip, or a spoonful of peanut or almond butter. If your child must have a sugary snack, try to fit it into regular mealtime so that their teeth are not exposed to sugars throughout the day when brushing and rinsing is not likely. 

• Educate yourself on nutrition. Most parents aren't aware of the amount of sugar contained in a glass of fruit juice, or that even fat-free yogurt is brimming with added sweeteners. Always read the labels on foods and try to cut out excess sugar where possible. Your child is depending entirely on you to provide them with adequate nutrition. 

What Foods to Avoid Over the Holidays

Holiday spreads offer a lot of variety for the enthusiastic seasonal snacker, but scattered across festive table cloths are a variety of foods that should be avoided at all costs! Nobody is suggesting that you deprive yourself or kids of festive treats, but making oral health-conscious choices can save you the stress of facing a dental bill in the holiday aftermath. Read on to learn about which festive foods put your oral health at high risk! 

• Wine – Most people see no issue with having a festive glass or two of wine to toast the holidays, but proceed with caution! Red wine is a notorious staining solution, but many people would be surprised to learn that even white wine can be problematic, as its acidity causes enamel to deteriorate. Try to have your glasses of wine over dinner, rather than sipping on it throughout the evening, as this prolonged exposure will increase your chances of staining and erosion. Drink your wine and wash it down with a tall glass of water. 

• Sweet treats – Sugar is a prime culprit for dental decay and cavity formation. The holiday season abounds with sugary treats, from pudding, candy-canes, and clementines, to even the dreaded fruit cake. Try to resist the temptation where possible, and to either rinse thoroughly or brush when you find yourself indulging. Your children will be receiving lots of candy this time of year, ensure they are eating it in moderation and not frequently throughout the day. Try and have them drink water if possible while enjoying their sweets. 

• Pop or soda – Most adults will steer clear of carbonated high-sugar soda-pop throughout the year, but may indulged when the holidays roll around and mixed alcoholic drinks are being poured. Try to avoid the rum-and-Coke if possible, and opt instead for a gin and tonic, or some other beverage that uses a soda water in place of syrupy pop. Steer your kids away from pop and sugary drinks, try replacing with a flavoured water instead. 

Smile-Survival Tips to Get Your Teeth Through the Holiday Spread

Turkey, gingerbread, and chestnuts roasting on an open fire – it is obvious that food is important over the holidays. One of the central components of a big seasonal celebration is the holiday spread. Many people submit to packing on a few extra pounds over the holidays, but indulging doesn't have to mean trouble for your teeth as well. Read on for some simple guidelines to help steer you towards the spread's smile-friendly offerings. 

• Say cheese! Most respectable holiday gatherings will include the customary cheese-and-cracker tray. Holiday snackers will be happy to hear that cheese gets the nod of approval from the Woodbridge Dental team, as its calcium-rich nutrient profile promotes tooth health, while also creating an ideal PH balance in your mouth to offset the damages wrought by wine's acidity. 

• Nut-up for the holidays. When your hands are hovering over the snack bar, try to resist the chips and candies. Instead, encourage a move towards the obligatory bowl of mixed nuts. Packed with calcium, vitamin D, folic acid, iron, and much more, nuts are a great dietary choice for oral health, and will fill you up quickly so that you can resist the sugary snacks. 

• Eat your vegetables. Forget the holidays – most party spreads in general are incomplete without crudités, the traditional French appetizer made up of an array of raw chopped veggies served with a dipping sauce. Broccoli and carrots promote strong oral health because their vitamin A-rich nutrient profile builds strong enamel, and because chomping on raw veggies both cleans your teeth and stimulates healthy blood flow. 

Top Take-Away to Avoid For Tooth Health

The cold Canadian winter has settled over us now, and as the days begin to shorten, so too does our patience for cooking. Nothing can sap your motivation to fire up the stove and launch into home-cooked meal preparation quite like arriving home in the dark and cold. Similarly, the snow-slicked roads have discouraged many people from making the drive out to their favourite restaurant, making take-out food a very appealing option. Italian, Indian, and Chinese fare is only a phone call away, and can be ordered from under a particularly cozy blanket. Before you make the call, though, have you ever considered how these foods rank in terms of their effect on your oral health? Read on to see how international fare stacks up in your dentist's eyes! 

Italian food - a perfect storm to wreak oral health havoc!

Commonly comprised of white dough-based pasta and pizza slathered in rich and acidic tomato sauces, Italian food can be trouble for your mouth's condition if eaten carelessly. White dough is a highly-refined carbohydrate that is predominantly made up of simple sugars. Worse still, their high gluten consistency puts every chewy bite at risk of getting lodged between teeth, putting the sugars in prime problem areas. Adding to the risk, the acid content of tomato sauce can contribute to the erosion of tooth enamel. If you are in the mood for Italian this evening, be sure to floss away the gummy high-gluten sugars, and to brush away acidic tomato residue. 

Indian and Chinese – sweet, salty, and spicy tooth-staining tyrants!

Everybody knows the staining potential of wine, tea, and coffee, but did you know that any pigment-rich foods risk discolouring your smile? Curry powder is a prime suspect in serial teeth-staining cases, with its deep yellow, red, and green hue. Richly-coloured sauces, whether they be an orange-red sweet-and-sour, or a simply black soy, are both highly likely to stain teeth. Keep a glass of water handy for rinsing, and try to choose an appetizer of cruciferous greens like beef-and-broccoli or a spinach dish, as these vegetables form protective layers on the teeth that can ward off staining. 

Canker-sores

Canker-sores are also known as aphthous ulcers, they usually appear inside he cheeks and lips, at the base of the gums and sometimes under or on the tongue.

The cause for canker-sores is still unknown but people who have nutritional deficiencies of folic acid, B12 and iron seem to develop them more often. Sometimes canker-sores point to an immune system problem.

Canker-sores appear as round open sores that are usually white or yellowish gray in colour with a red ring surrounded it. They are usually small and shallow. Most of the time there will be a singular canker-sore, but the possibility of a small cluster does exist.

On average, canker-sores take 2 weeks to heal. They are fairly painful for the first few days but the pain will diminish slowly. They heal on their own, without any scarring. If your child complains about pain then over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen can help. There are also topical anesthetics and antimicrobial mouthwashes than can provide your child with temporary relief.

Some tips on caring for your child's canker-sore;

• Avoid abrasive foods like nuts or potato chips which irritate gums and mouth tissue.
• Avoid spicy,salty or acid foods – lemons, tomatoes
• Brush their teeth with a soft-bristle toothbrush and be gentle
• Brush and rinse their teeth with pastes and mouthwashes that dont have SLS (sodium lauryl sulphate)

Although canker-sores can be a pain to deal with, most of them are not a big problem. Your child may be uncomfortable if they get a canker-sore, but if you teach them how to properly care for them and reduce any pain then they will be prepared.

Childrens Teeth & Fluoride

Fluoride is a mineral found in soil, fresh and salt water as well as various foods. Fluoride from drinking water and in toothpaste can help to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay. Fluoride has positive effect on oral health, but there are many questions about fluoride and how it can help children.

Why do children need fluoride?

Fluoride intake is important. Bacteria in the mouth combines with sugars and create an acid. This acid chews away at the enamel of your child's teeth. Fluoride helps to protect teeth in two ways - protects from demineralization by protecting teeth from this acid, and remineralizes the enamel by strengthening it. Although fluoride cannot repair cavities, but it can help prevent new ones.

When should my child use fluoridated toothpaste?

Children over 2 years old should use a toothpaste that contains fluoride, but it should have the Canadian Dental Associations seal of approval to ensure levels of fluoride are safe. Children that are younger than 6 should be supervised when brushing to make sure they are spitting out the toothpaste not swallowing it. Any child under age 6 should not be using fluoridated mouth washes unless your dentist approves it.

What are other sources of fluoride?

The water that comes out of your sink tap has been fluoridated. The fluoride in the water helps reduce tooth decay by almost 40%. Fluoride is also found is food and beverages. Make sure your child is eating a healthy balanced diet that has lots of calcium and vitamin D.

Decay Prevention Tips – Developing Teeth

• Do not share saliva with your baby. Avoid licking their pacifiers, pre-chewing their food or sharing spoons.
• After every feeding ensure you are wiping baby's gums with a clean and damp washcloth. This will assist in plaque removal.
• When the first sign of teeth start poking through the gums, brush them gently with a childrens toothbrush and a very small amount of toothpaste.
• Help brush your child's teeth until around age 8 when they can do it themselves. When they brush alone, supervise them making sure they brush thoroughly and spit out the toothpaste after.
• Only put formula, breast milk or water in bottles for baby. Infants should not be put to bed with a bottle.
• If your child uses a pacifier do not dip it in anything sweet such as sugar, honey or other sweet liquids. Use a clean one every time.
• By your child's 1st birthday, try to encourage them to drink from a cup. Try avoiding using sippy cups with sweetened drinks.
• You know the benefits of eating healthy, so encourage healthy eating habits for your child. A diet with lots of fruits, veggies and whole grains.
• During snack time serve nutritious snacks, and try to limit sweets to mealtimes.
• Talk to your dentist to make sure your child is getting the right amount of fluoride needed.

If you have any questions, or concerns call Woodbridge Kids today and set up an appointment.

The History of Toothpaste

Around 5000BC is when Egyptians started using paste to clean their teeth, this is even before the invention of toothbrushes. The Greeks and Romans have used toothpaste, and people in China and India began using it around 500BC.

In the past, ancient toothpastes were created to treat the same concerns we have nowadays – to keep our gums and teeth clean, white and having fresh breath. A drastic difference between the toothpaste of our time and back then is the ingredients. Some ingredients that were used include ox hoof powder, ashes, and burn eggshells that were combined with a pumice.

 

Greeks and Romans liked their paste more abrasive so they added crushed bones and oyster shells. The Romans added more flavour to help with bad breath including powdered charcoal and bark. In China they added a variety of substances over time including ginseng, salt and herbal mints.

 

More modern toothpastes started in the 1800's. The ingredients around that time included soap, and chalk. Ground charcoal and betel nuts were used as well. Before the 1850's toothpastes were actually powders. Around the 1970's Colgate began to mass produce toothpaste in jars, and as an actual paste. The tube toothpaste was introduced in the 1890's.

 

In 1914, toothpastes were formulated to treat or prevent specific diseases like tooth sensitivity. Fluoride was introduced to help prevent decay, and toothpaste with low abrasiveness were developed to help prevent any issues caused by overzealous brushing.

 

We have advanced toothpaste to help us battle plaque, gum disease, caries, bad breath and to help whiten teeth. Toothpaste has come a long way, so don't forget how important it is to brush!

Gummy Vitamins & Safety

For people that have a vitamin deficiency, or finicky children with diets that are inadequate there are vitamins in the form of gummies. Gummy vitamins look like candy gummies, and taste good too. They provide children (or adults) with additional nutritional support. Gummies provide the same support as the chewable vitamins but considering their close resemblance to candy, they pose more of a risk of overdose and possible vitamin toxicity.

Vitamins are a group of organic compounds that are essential for growth, nutrition and helps your body to perform tasks of daily life. They are only required in certain quantities because they cannot be synthesized by the body. If your diet is lacking certain vitamins, then by taking gummies you are ensuring an adequate amount for daily needs.

Vitamin Toxicity
There are vitamins that when consumed in excess, leave leftovers that store themselves in fatty tissues, making toxicity more common. These vitamins include A, D, E and K, fat soluble vitamins.

Other vitamins including C, B(6 and 12), riboflavin, folate and niacin are water soluble. This means if you consume an excess amount of there, they are eliminated through urine. The risk of toxicity is reduced greatly.

Gummies and Teeth
The sticky and glutinous texture of gummies assist them in clinging to tooth enamel. It is likely they will get stuck in-between teeth as well as in the grooves of teeth. Bacteria like to feed on the sugar in the gummies and after 20 minutes that bacteria creates enamel-destroying acid.

If you are going to give your child gummy vitamins, give it to them with meals or before daily brushing to minimize the effects of the bacteria.

Flossing for Children

Often overlooked, flossing your child's teeth is critically important for development as well as cavity prevention. Flossing is an important because it allows you to clean in-between the teeth, where the toothbrush cannot reach and where cavities are likely to form.

When the baby teeth begin to make contact with each other, you can begin flossing. Sometimes it happens with the first front four teeth just shy of a year old. If there is more spacing between the teeth they do not need to be flossed until the back teeth begin to come in, and touch. 

The easiest way to floss a young toddlers teeth is with a floss stick. They are super easy to find in any drug store or grocery store. Floss sticks allow bigger adult hands to reach inside the toddlers mouth allowing you access to the back molars without actually putting hands inside their mouth.

When flossing for your child, the position is key. The easiest way is to have your child lie on their bed with their head in your lap. You should be flossing their teeth until they are able to tie their own shoes. They lack the coordination to floss on their own until they have reached the age of 6 or 7.

Until then, they will learn habits from watching you. Lead by example and teach the importance of good oral hygiene.

Teeth Stains from Pool Water

Summer time is great for spending time with your children and indulging in fun activities like swimming. Unknown to most, you are putting your child's teeth at risk when entering the pool, as there are hazards in the water. If your child spends six or more hours in a pool every week they are at risk for developing yellowish-brown or dark brown stains on their teeth. 

Pool water is treated with large amounts of chemicals which gives it a higher pH content (making it alkaline) than saliva causing the proteins in the saliva to break down faster than usual. Once the proteins are broken down they can form deposits on the teeth that is often called "swimmers calculus." The stains will most likely form on the front teeth.

Pools that are poorly maintained or overly chlorinated which makes the water acidic. Continuous exposure to the water causes the discoloration and enamel erosion of the teeth.

Fortunately, these stains can be removed with professional dental cleanings. As soon as there is any signs of stains call the dentist and make an appointment. During summer season if you will be taking your children swimming on the regular, have their teeth cleaned every 3 months.

Visit Woodbridge Kids Dentistry to learn about preventative and restorative dentistry!

Why Food Tastes Funny After Brushing Your Teeth

If you or your child ever wondered why everything tastes pretty awful after brushing your teeth in the morning, here's the answer!

There is a chemical added to toothpaste that makes it foamy, assisting in spreading around your mouth more easily. The chemical is called sodium laureth sulfate which goes by multiple names including sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES), as well as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). You can thank SLS for ruining your morning glass of orange juice. 

These chemicals are called surfactants . A wetting agent that helps to reduce the tension of a liquid, in this case the toothpaste. This is how you're able to get so much out of that little bit on your brush. Beyond creating the foam effect in your mouth, SLS and SLES also affects your taste buds in two ways;

• Suppresses the receptors that perceive sweetness which makes it more difficult for us to pick up any sweet tastes in anything we eat or drink afterward.
• Breaks up the phospholipids on our tongue. These are fatty molecules that inhibit the receptors for bitterness not allowing us to be overwhelmed by foods that are very bitter, but after you brush, the bitter taste is enhanced.

We know that the side effects are temporary but if the little one doesn't like it, there are alternative options. Opt for toothpastes that are SLES/SLS free, but make sure they contain fluoride as that is essential for healthy teeth.

Contact Woodbridge Kids Dentistry today for a check up on your child's teeth to ensure optimal health!