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You’re careful about what your family eats, because, after all, their oral health depends on it. Without the necessary proteins, vitamins, and minerals in their diets, children’s teeth and gums are at risk for decay and disease. But did you know it’s a two-way street? Without healthy teeth and gums, your child’s digestive system can suffer as well.

Because digestion doesn’t start in the stomach—it starts in the mouth! Let’s take a quick look at how the digestive system operates.

• Teeth

The first step in digesting is breaking down foods so our bodies can extract nutrients more easily. Healthy teeth are essential here. Incisors and canines tear food into smaller pieces while molars grind these pieces into an easy-to-swallow, paste-like consistency. While we chew, the surface area of the food increases, allowing the digestive enzymes in saliva, the stomach, and the small intestine to work more efficiently.

• Salivary Glands

Saliva production increases when we eat. Digestive enzymes in saliva begin breaking down carbs into sugars, and separating fat molecules. Saliva also contains antimicrobial peptides which are important for oral and gut health.  

• Esophagus

This muscular tube connects the back of the throat to the stomach. As we swallow, muscles in the esophagus contract and relax, an involuntary movement called peristalsis. These contractions push food down into the stomach. Peristalsis also occurs in the stomach and intestines, efficiently moving food through the rest of the digestive system. 

• Stomach

Inside the stomach are gastric acids and enzymes which break food down further to help the small intestine make use of these nutrients in the next stage of digestion.

• Small Intestine

This organ works to reap the benefits of our healthy diets. The small intestine absorbs about 95% of the nutrients from our digested food—carbohydrates, proteins, fat, vitamins, and minerals—and transfers these nutrients to the circulatory system to be used throughout the body. Any remaining food particles travel to the colon, or large intestine.

• Large Intestine

Bacteria in the large intestine help process soluble fiber, which we can’t digest on our own. The large intestine is also where insoluble fiber and anything else undigested are converted to solid waste. 

Digestion begins in the mouth, and, when dental problems make chewing and swallowing difficult, the entire digestive system can be affected:

• When children don’t chew thoroughly, food doesn't break down into the paste-like consistency necessary for their digestive systems to process it smoothly.
• Too little chewing means fewer digestive enzymes to help them digest food once swallowed.
• Larger or more solid pieces of food make swallowing difficult and increase the risk of choking.
• When the stomach and intestines have to work harder to break food down, children might suffer heartburn, indigestion, bloating, and constipation. They may not absorb all the nutrients in their food.

Some children might need extra help at home to learn to chew properly. Eat with your child and model healthy chewing. Encourage your child to eat more slowly and to count bites if necessary. It might take a bit of practice, but healthy eating habits are worth it!

Sometimes, though, there’s a dental problem causing chewing difficulties. Children might avoid chewing because of loose baby teeth. They might have a painful cavity or infection. There may be bite problems which make it impossible for the jaws and teeth to meet properly. 

Pediatric dentists generally recommend that children have examinations and cleanings twice a year to discover and treat any oral problems before they become more serious, as well as an orthodontic checkup around the age of seven. Of course, any tooth pain or sensitivity is a good reason to see Dr. HJ Turner and Dr. DJ Turner immediately. 

When a cavity, an infection, bite problems, or any other dental concerns are causing your child discomfort, the team at Pediatric Dentistry of Spartanburg in Spartanburg, SC can help restore healthy teeth and healthy digestion—so your child can get all the benefits of your mindful meal planning!

You already know that Pediatric Dentistry of Spartanburg recommends you come in for a checkup and cleaning at least every six months, but do you know what your child’s dental needs are? From the time children are babies and growing in their first teeth, their oral health care needs may be different from adults. It’s important to know what they need, and when, to help them grow strong, healthy teeth.

When to See Our Team at Pediatric Dentistry of Spartanburg

While dental care (at home) can begin as soon as your baby starts to show signs of that first tooth, most experts do not recommend you see a dentist until your child is at least one year old. The child will likely be too young at this point to have a full dental exam, but we can take a look at your baby’s teeth and give you tips for brushing and flossing properly.

By the time your child has all of his or her baby teeth—usually around 24 to 30 months of age—we can begin scheduling regular checkups and cleanings.

What to Expect on the First Visits

The first visit to our Spartanburg, SC office for a full exam will mostly involve getting to know Dr. HJ Turner and Dr. DJ Turner and staff members, and making your child feel comfortable. Let us know if you would like to sit in the exam room during the appointment, but keep in mind that it may be beneficial to leave your child alone with Dr. HJ Turner and Dr. DJ Turner for a portion of the appointment so we can start building trust with your child.

Our team at Pediatric Dentistry of Spartanburg will likely do some or all of the following during your child's visit:

• Look for signs of decay or other tooth or gum problems
• Examine your child’s bite, checking for misalignment that could lead to problems in the future
• Clean the teeth, and apply fluoride if your child is old enough
• Talk to you about proper oral health care for your children
• Answer any questions you may have about caring for your child’s teeth, which may include topics like fluoride needs, nutrition and diet, teething, and the frequency of future checkups

In most cases, we will recommend that you bring your child in every six months for regular checkups, the same as your recommended frequency.

Understanding your child’s unique dental needs is important for providing the best possible care when it becomes necessary. We look forward to building a good relationship with your child so coming to the dentist is a fun, rewarding experience and not a frightening one.

Toothaches in children can be tricky ordeals that cause distress for both the child and the parent. You may feel helpless and frustrated because you cannot pinpoint the location of the pain. It is so hard to see your little one experience discomfort and feel like there is nothing you can do about it. But there are ways you can help. Try these tips the next time your child has a toothache.

Zero in on the Painful Area

The first thing you need to do is find out where the pain is coming from. If your child is old enough, ask him or her to point to the painful area. In younger children, look for swelling and redness on the gums and cheek, dental caries (discolorations on the tooth), or broken teeth. Try to get as close to the location of the pain as possible so you can determine an effective course of action to relieve it.

Try to Find the Cause

Not all toothaches are actually toothaches. A child can bite his or her tongue or cheek, have sore gums, or develop ulcers in the mouth. Teeth that are coming in can also be quite painful. If a tooth is discolored, broken, loose, or has spots that are either darker or lighter than the rest of the tooth, those could be causes of pain.

Five-Step Approach to Dental Pain Relief

1. Floss. Help your child floss to remove any food particles that may be wedged between the teeth and could be causing pain.
2. Rinse with warm salt water. Use a warm salt-water solution and have your child rinse well by swishing or holding the salt water over the painful area.
3. Use a cold compress. This can relieve pain and swelling. If there is no swelling, you can try it anyway to subdue the pain. Try it on for about 15 minutes, then off for 20.
4. Give the child ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Use the appropriate dosage for your child’s age and administer it regularly as directed.
5. See Dr. HJ Turner and Dr. DJ Turner. If you determine that the tooth or gum is damaged, or if the pain simply cannot be relieved, call our Spartanburg, SC office.

If your child is experiencing throbbing pain, fatigue, or fever, you should call your pediatrician as soon as possible. If your child is experiencing mouth pain accompanied by trouble breathing or swallowing, it can indicate a more serious situation and you should take your son or daughter to the emergency room.

Most mouth pain in children can be remedied with the simple steps here. The important thing is that you remain calm, no matter what. You child is taking cues from you and if you panic, he or she will panic.

Unfortunately, dental emergencies can sometimes be unavoidable among young children. The good news is Dr. HJ Turner and Dr. DJ Turner can help you prepare in case you and your child find yourselves in any of the following situations.

Teething

Starting at about four months and lasting up to three years, your son or daughter may experience teething pain. It’s common for teething children to grow irritable and become prone to drooling due to tender gums. Give your child a cold teething ring or rub his or her gums with your finger to help relieve the discomfort.

Loss of Teeth

If a baby tooth is knocked out in an accident, bring your child to our Spartanburg, SC office to make sure damage hasn’t occurred in the mouth. Permanent teeth can sometimes grow in before baby teeth have fallen out. In this situation, Dr. HJ Turner and Dr. DJ Turner should examine your child to make sure teeth are growing in properly. This can prevent serious issues from arising later in adulthood.

Gum Issues

Bleeding gums could mean several things. They may be an early sign of periodontal disease, which results from poor oral hygiene. Gums may also bleed if a youngster is brushing too hard or has suffered an injury to the gum tissue.

Rinse your child’s mouth with warm salt water and apply pressure to the area if bleeding continues. Don’t hesitate to contact our Spartanburg, SC office if you are concerned so we can schedule an appointment.

As a parent, you can provide the best education for your children on proper oral hygiene habits. If you some coaching, ask Dr. HJ Turner and Dr. DJ Turner for tips during your next appointment.