* SODA POP                                               

Did you know that the average American drinks 56 gallons of soda pop a year?  WOW!

The Minnesota Dental Association has been spreading the word on how soda pop effects your teeth.  Have you heard their phrase, "Sip all day, Get decay?"  It means exactly what it says!  Sipping on pop can cause tooth decay due to high amounts of sugar and low acidity levels....even if you have never had a cavity before in your life! 

So, before you leave that open bottle of pop in your locker to drink between classes...Check out the link below to test your skills, and might even learn something new!

  Soda Pop Quiz                                            

You can avoid tooth decay and other health problems that arise from drinking too many soft drinks and other carbonated beverages such as sports drinks, energy drinks, and sweetened teas.  Limiting your intake, brushing and flossing twice a day, and regular check-ups at Champlin Family Dental will help to reduce your risk of tooth decay and improve the whole health of your mouth!
(Information courtesy of the Minnesota Dental Association) 

* Healthy Snacks For Your Teeth

Have you ever wondered, "what are some healthy snack options for my kids?" Well, you are not alone! In today's world of quick snack packs and ever handy candy treats, it can be hard to make smart choices for your child.
                                                        

Self cleansing foods are a good snack to feed toddlers and teens.  These healthy snack foods help to clean the teeth while just chewing!  These foods include:  carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and celery.  Each one has a naturally low sugar content, and the "crunch factor" is performing the cleansing effect.  Apples are known as a cleansing food, although apples are higher in natural sugar levels.  Remember, when your kids are eating a fruit snack, they are still consuming sugar.  Fruit sugar can cause dental decay without proper home hygiene care.  Questions?  Ask us at your next dental appointment at Champlin Family Dental! 

*My Toddler Won't Brush-Help! 

Many toddlers don't enjoy brushing their teeth or will go in and out of tooth brushing phases.  

                --  One thing to consider when your child refuses to brush is the type of toothpaste they are 
                    using.  Some toothpastes can be too "spicy" for a child's taste.  First, you can try switching to 
                    a "kid's only" toothpaste.  They usually will like the flavor and consistency of these types 
                    of toothpastes. 


If they are still refusing to brush, you can try brushing without toothpaste for awhile.  (The most important part of the process is the actual mechanical motion of the brush strokes to remove the built up plaque on teeth).  You can also try swiching toothbrushes.  

 --  Try one with your child's favorite character on it or their favorite color...just be sure to always use a soft-bristled toothbrush. 

It is recommended by the American Dental Association that you brush your teeth for two minutes.  This can feel like a long time for kids, and adults too!  Tips to try:  

--  To help the time pass by quickly while your child is brushing, you can sing the ABC's or count backwards from 30 or even count to 20 in another language!

--  A small timer may also help "keep the time" while trying to brush for two minutes.  A simple kitchen timer or small hour glass sand timer work well for this purpose. 

Also, it is very important to supervise your child's brushing.  It is preferred that the adult helper brushes 
the child's teeth one out of the two times a day of brushing until the child is around six or seven years old.  The age may vary depending on the dexterity development of the child.  Need more info?  Read up on children's oral health on the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry website.

* The Power of Sour (Candy, that is!) 

Sour candies have squeezed onto convenient store shelves next to the chocolate bars and nutty treats.  Often times, these candies are advertised as having an "extreme" sour flavor experience...sounds like fun, right?  Not so for your teeth!  Sour candies are very acidic.  The acid in the candy can weaken and wear away tooth enamel (the outer layer of your tooth).  As tooth enamel is lost, teeth become more prone to cavities.  This can be especially harmful in baby teeth where the enamel is not fully formed.  

Here are some tips to help save the enamel on your teeth!  

--Don't suck or chew on sour candies for long periods of time
--If you do eat a sour candy, swish your mouth with water, drink milk, or eat cheese afterwards (to lower the level of acidity in the mouth)
--Chew sugar-free gum to produce more saliva in your mouth which protects tooth enamel.
--Wait one hour after eating sour candies before brushing your teeth
--Use fluoride toothpaste and a soft toothbrush which will help to protect your teeth.   

Click here to link to the Minnesota Dental Association website for more information on the Pour of Sour!

*Check back soon for more fun facts, pictures, and tips for keeping your teeth and mouth healthy!!!