Talkin' cavities with Dr. Matt

Our team at Smiles Dentistry for Kids read an interesting article not too long ago pertaining to cavities and how bacteria spreads from parents to children, and thought we'd share the news with you, our valued patients and parents.

According to the MSNBC article, Streptococcus mutans, or MS, is a bacterium that can pass from person to person through the transfer of saliva, and is the main culprit. Bacteria have been known to spread through blowing on babies' foods, sharing household utensils and even kissing your little one. In fact, a 2008 pediatric dentistry study showed “strong evidence demonstrated that mothers are a primary source of MS colonization of their children; a few investigations showed other potential sources … notably fathers.”

Dr. Matt Hillman knows tooth decay is caused by a combination of factors, including the transfer of infectious saliva, genetics, oral hygiene, and feeding practices, such as letting your baby constantly suck on a sippy cup full of juice or milk or other sugar-laden liquids.

Dr. Matt and team encourage you to read the article and learn a bit more about the transmission of bacteria and how it might impact your child. If you have any questions about bacteria or your child's treatment at our convenient Overland Park, KS office, please feel free to give us a call!

Ask Dr. Matt: Is tooth decay preventable?

Good question - yes, in fact, tooth decay is totally preventable! Tooth decay, which is caused by sugars left in your mouth, can turn into an acid, which in turn can break down your teeth. Children are at high risk for tooth decay for a simple reason: many children and adolescents tend to be lax in their oral hygiene habits. Proper brushing and flossing routines combined with regular dental visits help keep tooth decay away. A low-sugar diet also helps keep tooth decay at bay.

Your child should visit Smiles Dentistry for Kids every six months (or as recommended) for regular dental cleanings and checkups. Dr. Matt and team recommend fluoride treatments twice a year along with cleanings to keep teeth their strongest. Tooth sealants are also recommended because they "seal" the deep grooves in your child's teeth, preventing decay from forming in these hard-to-reach areas. Sealants last for several years, but will be monitored at your regular checkups.

Lastly, we encourage you to check out this helpful article about kids and tooth decay, courtesy of our friends at KidsHealth.

Let us know if you have any questions - we want to hear from you on Facebook as well!

Halloween safety tips from Dr. Matt Hillman & team

Trick-or-treat! In the spirit of this weekend's sweet and spooky holiday, Dr. Matt Hillman and our team at Smiles Dentistry for Kids would like to remind all of our patients in Overland Park, Olathe, Kansas City and the surrounding areas of Kansas and Missouri to be safe while celebrating with friends and family. Here are a few tips all you trick-or-treaters could use for a ghoulishly good time.

A few Halloween safety guidelines before you head out:
• Young children should always be accompanied by an adult
• Carry a flashlight
• Wear a light-colored or reflective costume
• Choose face paint over masks for young ghosts and goblins
• Have an adult inspect all treats before the children dig in

We wish you all a safe, fun and happy Halloween weekend!