Meet Dr. Nate Shaw

Credentials, experience, and associations are extremely important aspects to look for in a pediatric dentist. What makes one stand out from the other? WHO they are. Our Doctor Spotlight series allows our tiny patients and parents to get a glimpse into the doctor’s lives. Come get to know us!

Dr. Nate Shaw is a board certified pediatric dentist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. He is also currently a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Dental Association, Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry, and the North Carolina Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

Dr. Nate has provided dental care for those in need through mission work in Ecuador, Kenya, and has worked closely with North Carolina Missions of Mercy in their free mobile dental program. He will be primarily seeing patients at our Waverly location. Come get to know him!

Why did you decide to focus on pediatric dentistry rather than general dentistry?
I was able to intern at a pediatric dental office during college and dental school, and really enjoyed my time working with kids. They keep each day interesting and interacting with children is both fun and rewarding.

Do you have kids?
My wife, Kate, and I don’t have any kids yet, but plan on starting a family soon. We do have one rescue dog, named Kona.

What are some of your “tricks” to help ease kids’ fears about their dental visits?
I think it is important to use language that kids understand and find comforting. I like to take my time showing and explaining what we’re going to do ahead of time so there are no scary surprises. It also definitely helps having a TV above the chairs for them to watch!

What’s the best part of your day?
It’s always fun if you can get a child to laugh, kids have great senses of humor (and my wife doesn’t think any of my jokes are funny).

What’s your favorite kids’ show?
I still like the classic Disney movies the best, such as Lion King and Aladdin. But my favorite kids’ show is probably Phineas and Ferb.

What’s your favorite color?
Blue, specifically Carolina Blue (go Tar Heels)!

Do you have a sweet tooth? If so, what’s your favorite sweet?
Luckily, for my profession, I don’t have much of a sweet tooth – but I do like Reese’s Pieces.

Have you always wanted to be a dentist? If not, what did you want to be as a kid?
I always wanted a job in healthcare growing up, and decided on dentistry in high school after some great dental experiences myself. Of course, if I was athletic enough to be a professional basketball or tennis player, I wouldn’t have turned down any contract offers.

Do you have a role model or a mentor? Why do you look up to them?
My family members have always been great examples for me to look up to, my mom and grandmother were both nurses and my uncle is a pediatrician. Both my parents are supportive, hard working, strong in their faith, and are great providers that I hope to emulate when I have a family of my own.

What is your favorite sports team?
I went to UNC and grew up in Charlotte, so I love the Tar Heels and Panthers.

Finish this sentence: When I was a kid…
I loved to play the original Super Mario Brothers video game and I wanted to be a ninja turtle when I grew up, preferably Leonardo.

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Dental Health Concerns and Tips for Teens

The adolescent years can be challenging for your teenager. Between making new friends, keeping up with extracurricular activities and schoolwork, and obvious outward physical changes, dental care can take a backseat on your teen’s priority list.

Without consistent dental care, a teen who has had a clean bill of dental health is susceptible to cavities. The good news is, the selfie generation has helped many kids pay closer attention to their dental health, which has dentists and parents everywhere rejoicing!

With that said, it’s still important to ensure your teen is brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day, and receiving regular exams and cleaning from their trusted Charlotte pediatric dentist. Now that back to school season is approaching, it’s the perfect time to re-evaluate your teen’s dental health habits.

We’ve compiled some of the most common teen dental health concerns, along with helpful tips to keep your teen’s smile healthy as they progress through their formative years.

Tooth Decay & Cracks

By the time a child reaches their pre-teen years, some may have experienced slight tooth decay and/or minor damage to teeth. Tiny cracks or chips can occur from sports or playing woodwind or brass instruments in band, and may not always be visible to the naked eye.

Your dentist can custom fit a mouthguard to help protect your child’s teeth during sports.

Dental Care and Orthodontics

Whether your teen has traditional braces or Invisalign, your teen’s oral health will require extra attention to ensure total success of their orthodontic treatment. Special toothbrushes, flossing brushes, and avoiding certain foods will help your teen achieve the bright, healthy smile they’ve worked so hard for during their orthodontic experience!

Wisdom Teeth

Children are often graced with the presence of wisdom teeth in their later teen years. With age comes wisdom, and an extra set of molars.

Wisdom teeth don’t always cause issues if they come through correctly. If your child doesn’t have enough space in their mouth for the teeth to form safely, problems can start to form.

Wisdom teeth that don’t come in properly can cause pain, bacteria, and infections. If you notice wisdom teeth coming through before your next scheduled exam, it is best to contact your dentist so they can determine next steps.

Choose Healthier Snacks

Teens are often on the go, so their snack choices may not always be tooth-friendly. Your teen needs fuel to stay alert and succeed in school, extracurricular activities, and part-time jobs. Avoiding sugary snacks will help them avoid a mid-day crash in energy. Keep healthy snacks, like apples, carrot sticks, and cheese on hand for your teen’s busy weekdays.

Encourage Dental Care On the Go

Keeping a travel-size toothbrush and toothpaste in your teen’s backpack can help them stay consistent with their dental health needs. If stopping to brush isn’t always possible, encourage them to stick with water as their beverage of choice, and have some on-hand to rinse after meals and snacks.

Keep Up With Regular Dental Exams

Make sure your teen is still receiving regular dental cleanings and exams at least twice a year. If your teen expresses any concerns in between appointments, or if you notice anything that you suspect could be a dental issue, contact us!

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Bring Your Smiles to Harrisburg Pediatric Dentistry

We’re excited to announce that Charlotte Pediatric Dentistry is expanding – again!

Part of our mission is to consistently provide the highest standard of dental care possible. We strive to accomplish this with convenience, pediatric dentistry education, and open lines of communication.

Building trust and relationships is what our success hinges upon. We take your needs and requests to heart, which is why we’ve decided to open a sixth location at Harrisburg Pediatric Dentistry!

Harrisburg Pediatric Dentistry Partnerships

In order to provide a well-rounded, one-stop-shop approach to pediatric dental care, a partnership had to be considered and enacted. Dr. David Moore has a selective process with how he chooses partnerships for his dental offices. He knew the expansion of the practice to Harrisburg had to be done with care and precision, which included the methodical selection of a partner to help fulfill the mission of the practice.

Our successful partnership with Zammitti & Gidaly Orthodontics in Davidson spurred the decision to continue the partnership in Harrisburg!

Parent & Patient Feedback

The feedback of parents throughout the community helped guide Dr. Moore to the decision of opening the Harrisburg Pediatric Dentistry location. Zammitti & Gidaly Orthodontics shares our belief that parent feedback is crucial to serving each family that chooses us as their pediatric dentistry care provider.

Your voice helps guide us to build long-lasting patient relationships and provide the best pediatric dental care throughout your child’s formative years. Our goal is to make each appointment productive, relaxed, informative, and even fun! See how we’ve been accomplishing this for families all over the Charlotte area by browsing our parent testimonials.

Dentists & Team

Dr. Cami Miskovich has built a strong rapport with her patients since joining the Charlotte Pediatric Dentistry team in Cotswold & Gastonia. Her work has been well-received by Charlotte parents and their families.

Dr. Miskovich will be serving the patients of Harrisburg Pediatric Dentistry, along with the assistance of highly trained and friendly hygienists, assistants, and office personnel. Her passion for her craft and her natural ability to work with children made her the perfect choice to lead the new location. We are excited for the Harrisburg community to meet her!

Make an Appointment

Harrisburg Pediatric Dentistry is slated to open in the Fall of 2018, but they are currently accepting new patients. We welcome you to come by during business hours for a tour and an opportunity to meet your new Harrisburg pediatric dental team!

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Tips for Teething Babies

Teething – a painful yet necessary milestone in your baby’s early life. Though every child is different, many experience similar signs of teething.

Many of us at Charlotte Pediatric Dentistry are parents, too, so we know what you and your little one are going through. We’ve come up with some tips to help making the teething months a little more bearable.

How to tell your baby is teething

The signs of teething are unmistakable, though some babies manage to go through the teething phase without any real pain or symptoms. Here are a few common signs of teething:

• Excessive drooling
• Low grade fever (less than 101 degrees)
• Gum rubbing
• Chewing and biting on any object they can – clothes, toys, fists, etc.
• Increased irritability
• Outer mouth rash (caused by excess drooling)

A common mistake many of us make is to chalk up almost all symptoms to teething. If your baby’s fever is accompanied by runny nose, cough, noticeable ear pain, or anything else out of the ordinary, note that these symptoms are not caused by teething.

When does teething start?

Babies typically start the teething process around 4 – 6 months old. Though the first few months of teething can be unbearable for babies and parents, the teething process is inherently important for language development, immunity strengthening, bone development, and the ability to consume nutritious foods.

Alleviating teething pain

As parents, we often have a hard time seeing our little one in pain, especially when they are too young to communicate the exact problem. Though we can’t completely stop the painful process of teething, there are ways to alleviate the discomfort.

• Chewing on a clean, wet, cool washcloth
• Gum massage (make sure you thoroughly wash your hands first)
• Chilled teething toys
• Dry up excess drool to avoid mouth rashes
• OTC (over-the-counter) remedies – check with your pediatrician first

Go for cold, not frozen

Frozen teething toys may be too cold for your baby’s sensitive gums. Put solid teething toys in the refrigerator instead of the freezer. Though solid toys are preferred over the liquid-filled plastic teething toys, those are acceptable when used under parental supervision.

Some foods your baby may enjoy during teething are chilled applesauce, teething biscuits, and cold pureed fruit.

Keep teething objects clean

Once your baby feels comforted and soothed by their teething toy, they will lose interest in it and move on to the next thing. Make sure you sanitize teething toys between each session. Lack of sanitation can cause an infection.

Call your pediatric dentist

Your child should see their trusted pediatric dentist after their first tooth erupts. Typically, the bottom two front teeth are the first to erupt (sometimes they come in one at a time).

Your baby’s teeth and gums will be examined at the first appointment. Keeping their teeth and gums healthy from the beginning gives them a better chance of healthier smiles in the years to come!

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What to Expect During A Dental Hygiene Appointment

Routine dental hygiene visits are important for your child’s dental health. Each child’s needs are different, and we tailor each visit to meet those needs. There are some important basics of a hygiene appointment that we want to share with you. Knowledge is key to patient comfort and care in and out of the dentist’s office!

Review of Medical & Dental History

Your dental health affects your overall health, so we take the time to discuss your child’s previous medical history in order to determine the best course of action moving forward. Now is the time to let your pediatric dentist know of any previous and/or current medical conditions or concerns.

Thorough Exam

Before the hygienist begins performs a cleaning, they will give your child a gentle, thorough examination. They will closely examine the teeth and gums to identify any potential problems, and ensure that things are progressing normally for their age. Digital and/or panoramic x-rays may be given to further examine tooth and jaw structure.

Cleaning

After the exam is given and the hygienist has a better understanding of your child’s dental needs, they will proceed with a thorough cleaning. Your hygienist will explain the tools used to ease any anxiety your little one may have. We use terminology that is fun and exciting (Frozen juice, Batman tooth, etc.)!

Discussion & Education

After the exam and cleaning are complete, your hygienist and pediatric dentist will give you detailed instructions and explanations for continued care.

Because we are a child-centered practice, we explain things to you and your child in a way that makes them feel at ease. Our goal is to provide education that is valuable, accurate, and comforting to you and your child.

Q&A Session

We always want parents and their kids to feel comfortable asking questions before, during, or after an appointment. Our entire team is there to help you, so if any part of your child’s treatment is unclear to you, please ask! When we are all on the same page, your child gets the best care.

Dental Hygiene at Home

At the conclusion of your child’s appointment, the hygienist and pediatric dentist will give you follow-up instructions to help you maintain a regular oral hygiene plan for your child. If you have a difficult time getting your little one to follow through with proper brushing and flossing, we can provide helpful tips and tricks to get them back on track (without making it seem like a trying task for your child).

We’re now serving five different locations in Charlotte! Contact us to book a hygiene appointment in Gastonia, Waverly, University, Davidson, or Cotswold today!

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5 Fun Books For Kids About Dentistry

Sometimes our kids need a little extra help with tasks that don’t interest them – or in this case, proper brushing and flossing. As parents, it can be difficult to come up with creative ways to get our little ones to cooperate.

Two of the most effective ways to familiarize your child with their trusted pediatric dentist is to:

• Bring them in for a visit at the eruption of the first tooth.
• Introduce them to dentistry (with books and fun videos) and tooth brushing at an early age at home.

Oftentimes, a child’s fear of the dentist can also be a challenge for both kids and parents. That’s why we’ve listed five of our favorite kids’ books that present dentistry in a fun and reassuring manner!

The Tooth Book by Dr. Seuss

This is a fun read for the toddler that is discovering new things about themselves! The Tooth Book creatively lists teeth functions and how to take care of them so they last a lifetime – with Dr. Seuss’ fun rhyme schemes and style.

The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist

This Berenstain Bears story has one of the best examples of how an older sibling can play the brave hero. Sister Bear is at ease after seeing Brother Bear has a pain-free experience at the dentist. The story goes as far as to discuss the tools used during a dental appointment in a way that makes it a lot less intimidating to kids!

The Night Before the Tooth Fairy

One of the most exciting parts of childhood is having a visit from the tooth fairy! In The Night Before the Tooth Fairy, the boy tries many different and creative ways to get his loose tooth to come out. Something funny and unexpected happens to get his tooth out, and he then prepares for the tooth fairy’s first big visit! This story also presents a great exercise in patience for little ones.

Brush Your Teeth, Please: A Pop-up Book

Brush Your Teeth, Please teaches brushing and flossing techniques by presenting interactive pop-ups that the child can (gently) move! The length of the story is short, but it is fun enough that your child will want to read it time and time again. Bonus: the characters are adorable animals.

Ready, Set, Brush! A Pop-up Book

This is a great introductory brushing books for our tiny patients. Elmo and his Sesame Street friends demonstrate to kids how easy it is to care for their teeth in Ready, Set, Brush! This interactive pop-up style book shows how to apply toothpaste, brush, and rinse, and includes the characters at the dentist.

Does your little one have a favorite dental book? Have you found other easy and fun methods to encourage proper tooth brushing? Inquiring parents would love to hear your suggestions!

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5 Healthy Foods That Aren’t Good For Your Teeth

Many foods that are touted as “healthy” are not-so-healthy for your little one’s smile. Excess sugar and unhealthy fat lurks in many unsuspecting foods. Sugar sticks to your child’s teeth and causes tooth decay.

Raw veggies, for example, are generally good for you – until you dunk them in a bowl of dressing with high fat content. Fruit juice sounds healthy in theory – until sugars and syrup are added.

Practicing moderation is important to proper overall nutrition and dental health – especially when it comes to the following foods.

Trail Mix

Trail mix can be a healthy alternative to sweet and salty snacks such as chips and cookies, but be careful when selecting trail mix. Look at the sugar content on the label when determining which trail mix to give your child. A simple alternative is to make your own healthy snack mix at home. Good news – you don’t have to sacrifice flavor for health! Try this tasty recipe that even the kids will love.

Dried Fruit

Dried fruit is often found in trail mixes and can be purchased as an on-the-go snack. Because the water content has been removed from the fruit, you actually consume more fruit than you would if the fruit was in its original form. Many dried fruits you find on the shelves contain loads of refined sugars and hydrogenated oils to increase their shelf life.

Key takeaway – if your dried fruit contains more than just fruit, it’s best to leave it on the shelf and opt for fresh or dried with less/no sugar!

Granola

Like many of the foods we’ve already mentioned, granola can be healthy, but many granolas you find at the grocery store are packed with sugar, sugar substitutes, vegetable oil, and butter. You can create a tasty, healthy granola at home by using dry oats, unsalted nuts of your choice, cinnamon, and egg whites.

Yogurt

Yogurt typically serves as a healthy dairy treat and a probiotic, which is good for digestive health. However, many of the yogurts you see in the dairy aisle are loaded with dyes and loads of sugar. Yogurt contains lactose, which is a form of natural sugar found in milk, but many yogurts contain added sugar, as well. Food Network advises you to skip it if there are too many unpronounceable ingredients.

Smoothies

Because smoothies are made entirely from fruit, they have the potential to be full of sugar. With the right combination of fruits and vegetables, smoothies can be a source of fuel and nutrients. Choose fruits that have a lower sugar content and opt for water instead of coconut water or orange juice.

Ask your pediatric dentist

If you are concerned about your child’s diet, talk to your trusted pediatric dentist. They can help you make healthier choices for your little one. Contact us today at our Cotswold, Gastonia, Waverly, Davidson, or University locations to discuss better oral health for your child!

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Is Your Child’s Dental Health Affecting Their Schoolwork?

You often hear us talk about the importance of a healthy smile, but what does dental health neglect really look like for children? The truth is, the health of your child’s teeth and gums affects many different physical and psychological aspects of their life.

Dental problems cause a lot of pain and strife not just for kids, but for parents as well. Roughly 39% of parents in United States reported missing work due to their child’s oral health issues. This does not account for scheduled pediatric dentist appointments. Scheduling far enough in advance (preferably during your child’s appointment!) gives most working parents adequate time to coordinate with their work schedules.

There is a direct correlation between poor oral health and academic performance. Children who lack proper dental care suffer more in school than their peers that receive pediatric dental care.

Here are a few startling facts about poor oral health and school performance.

• North Carolina children with poor oral health were approximately 3 times more likely to miss school due to dental pain.
• Absences caused by dental pain were associated with poorer school performance and lower grade point averages.
• More than 30% of parents reported their children between ages 6-12 missed school due to an oral health problem.

Adolescent years can be especially tough if your child hasn’t already established a healthy oral care routine. If they have managed to make it through without cavities, they won’t understand the consequence of neglecting to brush and floss. This is another reason why it is so important to encourage a dental care routine at a young age. Children thrive on routine, even as adolescents.

Diet also plays a major part in your child’s dental health and school performance. Their brains need fuel to give them momentum throughout the school day. Limit sugary snacks and starchy foods and get your kids on board with reaching for fresh fruits, veggies, nuts, yogurt, and snacks of that nature.

Eating healthy does not have to be boring — even during snack time! If you meal prep, consider preparing healthy snacks for your kids, too! There are many recipes that are tasty and simple to prepare ahead of time. Provide healthy snacks for your kids after school and/or extra-curricular activities in order to tide them over until dinner and give them fuel to complete homework.

Kids that grow up with a pediatric dentist have the best chance for a healthy future and academic success. Proactive pediatric dental care is less costly than reactive care — financially and health-wise!

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Smile for National Children’s Dental Health Month

During the month of February, the American Dental Association creates a campaign for National Children’s Dental Health Month. This year’s campaign gives us the perfect opportunity to highlight the importance of maintaining a healthy smile. Education is one of our most important practice values, and we love getting parents and kids excited about dental care!

Part of a child’s development and overall health includes the health of their teeth and gums. The mouth harbors a lot of bacteria throughout the day and night, which eventually leads to tooth decay if your child’s smile isn’t regularly brushed and flossed. Without proper dental care, children will fall victim to cavities and gum disease, which can cause pain, discomfort, lack of nutrition intake, and missed school.

Brushing with fluoridated toothpaste twice a day for two minutes is key to healthy teeth and gums. Find a two minute song that your kids like and have them brush for the duration of the song (maybe incorporate some dancing to make it even more fun)! Following up with floss is essential to a complete dental health routine.

Check out our infographic for more information on the National Children’s Dental Health campaign, then contact us to set up an appointment at one of our five convenient Charlotte locations!

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Understanding Dental Coverage for Your Child

Understanding dental insurance can be quite a hassle, but we know it is essential to keep your children’s smiles healthy. Not every plan is the same, and learning about your insurance coverage isn’t always a simple task. If you’ve been left scratching your head about your dental insurance plan and how it applies to your family, keep reading.

Read Your Explanation of Benefits

It might seem daunting to sift through the giant stack of paperwork you receive when you sign up for benefits, aka: your explanation of benefits. However, it is inherently necessary if you are going to thoroughly understand your coverage.

You won’t be able to ask the right questions if you don’t know where to start. Reading your explanation of benefits is a good place to begin. Doing so will allow you to form plan-specific questions.

Get Familiar With Insurance Vocabulary

Oftentimes, the most difficult part of understanding dental insurance is the vocabulary. In order to understand your coverage, you need to understand the language. Get to know familiar terms such as:

• Deductible – Total dollar amount the patient is responsible for covering before insurance begins paying benefits
• Benefits – The amount your insurance company is contracted to pay for services and/or procedures
• Co-Pay – Dollar amount the patient is responsible for at the time of services rendered
• In-Network/Out-of-Network – Services provided in a dental insurance policy either by a contracted or non-contracted dentist. In-network dentists are considered to be contracted and are therefore obligated to provide treatment coverage as outlined by certain guidelines
• Open Enrollment – Period of time when you can enroll in dental insurance or make changes to your existing plan
• Preauthorization – Recommended treatment is presented to the insurance company to determine how much will be approved for coverage

Those are just a few of the basics. Familiarize yourself with more common insurance lingo here.

Take Advantage of Resources

Dental insurance is something that is inherently necessary for the health and well-being of your child, so you want to have as much knowledge as possible about what you’re paying for.

Don’t be afraid to research and ask for help.

If you are unsure, ask! Have a customer service representative for your insurance company walk you through any portions you are unsure of. It is better to ask many questions than to be left with a bill (or multiple bills) that you don’t understand. Don’t forget to utilize blogs, podcasts, and Google to assist you with general questions that aren’t plan-specific.

Ask Your Pediatric Dentist

Still unsure of how the terms and coverage apply to your child’s needs? You’re not alone. Dealing with insurance companies can be time-consuming and headache-inducing. Oftentimes, your pediatric dentist will offer to call your insurance company and acquire a detailed explanation of your benefits. This helps give you and your child’s dentist a more clear understanding of the services your insurance company will cover.

Maximize Your Benefits

Your trusted pediatric dentist will be able to suggest needed treatments and maintenance for your child. Leftover insurance benefits don’t roll over into the new year, so make sure you get the most out of your plan and schedule an appointment for your child to use up the rest of your benefits.

Charlotte Pediatric Dentistry will be able to help you understand procedures covered and requirements given by your insurance company. We want to make you and your little one’s experience as simple as possible, starting with taking the guesswork out of insurance coverage. We also have a simple and clear bill pay system. If you have questions about how your insurance works with our practice, contact us today!

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DECARE CONTINUE TO INSPIRE YOUNG MINDS

Since 2014, DeCare Dental has proudly worked in partnership with Junior Achievement Ireland, where our employees volunteer to undertake education programmes in local primary schools. https://ift.tt/2pv4BNI

What Is the Best Way to Deal with Early Cavities?

Our General Dentist Dr. Eman Haggag talks about the intervention and treatment of early cavities.

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Don’t Use Benzocaine for Children’s Teething Pain!

When young children experience teething pain, it's natural for concerned parents to want to help. But for the past several years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned consumers against using over-the-counter (OTC) treatments for teething discomfort that contain benzocaine. Now, the agency is taking action to get the products off store shelves because they are associated with a rare but potentially dangerous illness.

According to a May 23, 2018 press release, "OTC oral health products containing the pain reliever benzocaine for the temporary relief of sore gums due to teething in infants or children should no longer be marketed and [the FDA] is asking companies to stop selling these products for such use. If companies do not comply, the FDA will initiate a regulatory action to remove these products from the market."

Benzocaine, a topical anesthetic (pain reliever), is marketed under a number of brand names including Anbesol, Cepacol, Hurricaine, Orajel and Topex. It's also available as a generic medication or a store brand, and may come in the form of a gel, spray, ointment or lozenge. Regardless of the name or the form, however, it's unsafe for babies and young children to use.

What's the trouble with benzocaine? The medication is associated with a disease called methemoglobinemia—an uncommon but serious and potentially fatal condition. This illness occurs when the blood contains elevated levels of methemoglobin, a hemoglobin-like protein. Because methemoglobin carries less oxygen to body tissues than hemoglobin, an excess of this substance can cause shortness of breath, fatigue and dizziness—and in more severe cases, seizures, coma and death. Several drugs, including some local anesthetics like benzocaine and lidocaine, can trigger a large increase in methemoglobin levels. The problem is especially acute in young children.

So what can parents do to ease discomfort that may be caused by teething? According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, there are a number of simple things that may help.

• Give young children a clean rubber teething ring that has been chilled in the refrigerator (not frozen), or a cold, wet washcloth to chew on. A chilled pacifier may also be helpful—but be sure anything you put in baby's mouth is free of potentially harmful substances like lead paint.
• Try gently massaging the gums with a clean finger—this can counteract the pressure of an emerging tooth and help soothe the irritation.
• If pain persists, ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, in a dosage that's appropriate for your child. However, do not give your child alcohol in any form!

For more information about teething, see the Dear Doctor articles Teething Troubles and Children's Dental Concerns and Injuries.

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To All You Millennials Out There: Pick Up That Toothbrush!

Millennials—loosely defined as the group of people who are reaching adulthood in the early 21st Century—have a lot going for them. Soon to surpass baby boomers as the largest living adult generation, they're poised to have an immense effect on our economy…and a big hand in shaping our future. But there's one thing that's not so great about this generation: their oral hygiene habits.

A recent survey of 2,000 millennials found that three in ten brush their teeth only once a day.  Not only that, but many go without brushing for over two days at a time. And despite that fact that 56 % are concerned about losing their teeth, the survey showed that over half were afraid of going to see the dentist.

What's wrong with this picture? First of all, let's point out that the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, and flossing once a day, to keep your oral health in good shape. Proper brushing and flossing is the most effective way to rid your teeth of plaque: the buildup of food particles and harmful bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. Brushing and flossing are the two most important things you can do at home to maintain good oral hygiene—and having good oral hygiene is the best way you can help keep your natural teeth healthy and sound for your whole life.

But even if you're careful to brush and floss as recommended, you still need to see your dentist for regular checkups. That's because it's almost impossible to completely remove harmful plaque from all tooth surfaces—especially in between teeth and under the gums. Left alone, sticky plaque hardens into tartar, a mineralized deposit that can't be removed at home. A dental professional, however, can effectively remove stubborn plaque during a routine office visit.

What's more, at a regular dental checkup you'll get a full teeth cleaning and a complete evaluation of your oral health, including screening for oral cancer and other potentially serious diseases. These conditions are uncommon…but untreated tooth decay is prevalent among millennials, affecting one in three people ages 18 to 34. When decay bacteria are left alone they can cause further problems in teeth and gums, and eventually lead to tooth loss.

Missing teeth and other dental issues can cause problems that aren't just "skin deep." A 2017 survey by the ADA found that 28% of young adults say the appearance of their teeth and mouth hurts their job prospects, and 38% find their lives are "less satisfying" due to oral problems. That's two more reasons not to put off a routine visit to your dentist!

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Olympic Snowboarders Go for the Gold…Mouthguard!

Plenty of people were cheering at the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea this week when U.S. snowboarders Chloe Kim and Areille Gold captured the Gold and Bronze medals in the women's halfpipe event. Kim's routine was virtually flawless, while Gold's come-from-behind third run was a thrill. It was also great to see Gold putting in her mouthguard before every ride.

How important is that mouthguard? The 21-year-old athlete from Steamboat Springs, Colorado recently said it's one of the three things she never leaves behind for a competition. (The others are headphones and a water bottle.) What's more, as viewers could clearly see, the mouthguard she wore for the half-pipe runs had something special about it: It was colored bright gold.

Maybe that color was a tribute to her own name—or to her Olympic dreams. Either way, it's a reminder to fans everywhere that while winter sports like skiing, riding and sledding are great exercise and lots of fun, they also have the potential to cause injury, including damage to the teeth, face and mouth. So just like a helmet, a mouthguard should be part of every skier and rider's gear.

What's the best kind of mouthguard? It's the one you feel comfortable wearing all the time. A custom-made mouthguard offers the greatest comfort and the best protection against injury. Your family dentist can provide one that's made from an exact model of your mouth, so it fits just right. And the cost of a custom-made mouthguard is less than the cost of treating even a relatively minor dental injury when you include the time lost from work or school.

Even seasoned pros aren't immune from accidents—as another competitor at the halfpipe event proved. Australian snowboarder Emily Arthur had problems landing a jump in her third run, and fell face-first into the packed snow. When she got up her face was bleeding, and she complained of sore teeth. Fortunately she received prompt attention, and later joined her family to watch the day's remaining events.

Whether you're shredding the local slopes or throwing down huge tricks at the Olympics, remember that injuries can happen to anyone at any time. That's why it's vital to wear protective gear like a helmet and a custom-made mouthguard whenever you're on the snow.

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Olympian Adam Rippon’s Smile & Skating Equally Dazzling

Let's say you've got a big night coming up. Maybe it's an event you've always hoped would be really special. You have great moves, a killer attitude, and a custom-made outfit. What else do you need? How about a fantastic smile!

Adam Rippon, the 28-year-old figure skater who lives in Los Angeles, California, knows how important a great smile is. His "big night" came at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, where he made his Olympic debut in front of the whole world. "This is a moment I've been waiting for my entire life," he said. So before hitting the ice, he had teeth whitening treatments to make sure his smile would be as dazzling as his jumps and spins.

Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dental treatments. It's best to have whitening done under the careful supervision of a dentist, who can help ensure its safety and effectiveness. Your dentist will begin your treatment with a thorough exam to detect any problems, and will then recommend the most appropriate whitening methods for your individual situation.

In-office whitening is the fastest way to get brighter teeth. Using the most concentrated bleach solutions combined with proper safeguards, your teeth can be lightened by up to ten shades in a single visit. It's a quick and effective way to get results that will really get noticed. However, if you're not in a hurry, similar results can be achieved with take-home kits from the dental office. These custom-made kits have plastic trays made to fit your mouth comfortably, and bleaching gels that are safe for home use as directed. In just weeks you'll see a lighter, brighter smile.

Plenty of TV stars, media personalities and sports icons have teeth whitening treatments done routinely. But you don't have to be a celebrity to get whitening—countless regular folks do it every year. And if you have a special event coming up, it might be just what you need to make an unforgettable impression.

Rippon's performance captivated the worldwide audience and boosted Team USA's medal count; he also became the number one trending topic on Twitter. But whether you're playing to an audience of billions—or just one—one thing's for sure: a brilliant smile always gets attention.

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Oral Cancer in Men Caused by Sexually Transmitted Virus Is on the Rise

Not long ago, the prevention and treatment of deadly cancers linked to the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV) was thought to be mainly a women’s health issue. While HPV-linked cancers were known to affect people of either sex, the number-one cause of mortality from HPV infection was cervical cancer. But a recent study in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine should serve as a loud wakeup call to sexually active men: The incidence of oral cancers in men caused by HPV is now surpassing that of cervical cancer in women.

According to the study, some 11 million men in the United States have oral HPV infections, as opposed to 3.2 million women. Higher-risk strains of the virus, which can cause cancers of mouth, tongue and throat, were present in 7.3% of men and 1.4% of women. HPV can be passed from person to person by intercourse as well as oral sex. And one particularly troublesome strain, HPV-16, is six times more common in men than in women.

In the past, medical professionals regarded tobacco use and alcohol consumption as the main risk factors for oral cancer. But today, the fastest-growing group of new oral cancer patients is young people of either sex, who are infected by sexually transmitted strains of the HPV virus. And that’s something we all need to learn more about.

At Dear Doctor, we have been following this disturbing trend for some time. In recent issues of Dear Doctor–Dentistry & Oral Health magazine, we mourned the loss of legendary slugger Tony Gwinn to oral cancer; presented a cancer survivor’s story; and previewed a new salivary test that could help identify people who need a biopsy. We have also emphasized the importance of routine dental exams in diagnosing and treating diseases like oral cancer—and in many cases, even preventing those diseases.

So let’s take this opportunity to review what you can do to fight oral cancer. First, practicing safer sex is important; it can help protect you from HPV and other diseases as well.  Avoid overuse of alcohol and quit using tobacco of any type—including smokeless “dip.” Next, become more informed about oral cancer, including its causes, symptoms, prevention and treatment. (The articles on deardoctor.com are a great place to start.) Learn how to perform a self-exam for oral cancer—and make sure to get regular dental checkups, where your dentist can perform a thorough oral cancer screening. Finally, ask your health care provider about the HPV vaccine (Parents: that goes for boys as well as girls).

Oral cancer may be a scary thing to talk about—but it’s a conversation many of us need to have. The good news is that when oral cancer is found and managed early, the odds of successful treatment go way up.

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Stay Cool, but Protect Your Teeth

When the summer sun is beating down, what can you do to stay cool?

If you're tempted to grab an ice cold soda or a tall glass of lemonade, you might want to think twice. The combination of acid and sugar in these drinks can harm your teeth. Water is an excellent way to stay refreshed and tooth-healthy. Milk is another good choice for keeping teeth strong.

What about a sports drink? Sports drinks are acidic, and many of them have a high sugar content — so they aren't good for tooth enamel. Again, nothing hydrates like plain water, an option that never damages your teeth.

If you choose a beverage other than water, it's best to drink it with a meal, and swish your mouth with water afterwards to reduce acidity. This tip applies to all acidic drinks, including fruit juice and diet soda.

One more thing: Acidic food and drink can soften tooth enamel, so wait at least 30 minutes before brushing. This will prevent erosion of tooth enamel over time.

The best advice for cooling down on a sizzling summer day? Grab a cold one — a cold glass of water, that is.

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School Lunches: Squeeze Out the Juice

Sending the kids back to school means it’s time to start packing those lunch boxes! And when you do, keep in mind that what your children drink can affect their oral health just as much as what they eat.

The scientific evidence is overwhelming that sugar is the most important dietary factor in causing tooth decay, and soft drinks are the largest source of sugar in many kids’ diets. But they’re not the only culprits: Even 100% fruit juices with no added sugar can promote tooth decay because of the sugar they naturally contain.

That’s one of the reasons why the American Academy of Pediatrics recently came out with new recommendations for children’s juice consumption, based on the latest research. Here are the new guidelines by age:

• Kids ages 7-18 should have no more than 8 ounces (1 cup) of juice per day.
• Children ages 4-6 should have no more than 6 ounces of juice per day.
• Toddlers ages 1-3 should be limited to 4 ounces of juice per day.
• Babies under age 1, and children of any age with abnormal weight gain, should have no juice at all.

Again, these guidelines apply to 100 percent natural juice with no added sugar.

So what drink should you pack in your child’s lunchbox? Water is the most tooth-friendly beverage of all. Low-fat or non-fat milk are also good choices for school-aged kids.

If you have any questions about nutrition and oral health, be sure to ask your dentist. And have a happy, healthy school year.

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Vacation To-Do’s: See Your Dentist

Summer is a great time to get away from it all. Whether driving to a scenic campground or flying to an exotic locale, one thing is certain: You don’t want to deal with dental problems while on vacation. So among the first things on your vacation to-do list should be to see your dentist before you leave.

Your dentist can:

• check for loose fillings or loose caps
• treat decayed or chipped teeth and
• check sensitive teeth or other known dental problems you may have.

And if you’ve been putting off a root canal procedure, take care of that before you leave. The last place you want it to become an emergency is far from home.

Be sure to schedule your dental visit early enough so that any necessary follow-up treatments can be completed.

To ensure a big smile in your vacation photos, make sure your teeth are in great shape before you leave home, and don’t forget to pack your toothbrush!

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Ready for Vacation? Pack Your Dentist’s Phone Number

When you’re packing for vacation, you wouldn’t think of leaving your sunscreen or bathing suit behind. However, it may not have occurred to you to bring your dentist’s phone number with you. Yet your home dental office can be a big help if you have tooth troubles while away.

For one thing, your dentist can help determine if you have a problem that needs to be taken care of immediately or if it can wait until you come back. In addition, your dentist may offer helpful tips for dealing with the situation in the short-term.

Also, your dentist may be able to help you find a local dentist who speaks your language and has suitable training. That way, you won’t have the added worry of communication problems or that the approach to dental care will be vastly different.

If you can’t reach your dentist and need to find dental care while on vacation, the hotel concierge may be a good resource. However, if you are in a foreign country, you might first want to contact your home country’s embassy or consulate for an unbiased recommendation.

So before you leave, don’t forget to bring your toothbrush, your floss…and your dentist’s phone number.

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Just Say No to Fruit Juice Before Age 1

When the labels claim “100% juice,” “no added sugar” and “all natural,” it's tempting to think that juice is a good nutritional choice for children. That's why parents buy gallons of it every year, daycares stock juice boxes adorned with beloved cartoon characters, and school cafeterias serve juice to help satisfy the USDA daily fruit requirements. But according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), drinking lots of juice isn't doing kids any good.

A new policy statement issued by the AAP — the organization's first new juice recommendations since 2001 — advises parents and caregivers to scale juice consumption way back among children. The bottom line: Just say no to any juice in the first year of a child's life, and severely limit juice consumption for the rest of childhood. What's the problem?

Rising obesity rates in children and concerns over a rapid and destructive form of tooth decay known as “early childhood caries” have sparked concern. The new recommendations state that 100 percent juice can be part of a well-balanced diet over age 1… but with a daily limit of 4 ounces per day from ages 1-3, 4 to 6 ounces through age 6, and 8 ounces through age 18. However, juice is “absolutely unnecessary for children under 1,” according to Dr. Melvin B. Heyman, MD, one of the authors of the AAP statement issued in May 2017.

Even in juice with no added sugar, the higher concentration of sugars naturally found in fruit can lead to tooth decay, the most common chronic disease among young children. So while serving juice is easy — it involves no washing or slicing, and it can be sipped from convenient on-the-go containers like juice boxes or sippy cups — it isn't what's best for kids. When children are old enough to eat solid foods, fruit is the way to go because it provides fiber, is less calorie-dense and makes you feel fuller. And when children do consume juice, for the best dental health they should drink it within the recommended limits and only with a meal.

Learn more by reading Top 10 Oral Health Tips For Children.

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Meet Dr. Nate Shaw

Credentials, experience, and associations are extremely important aspects to look for in a pediatric dentist. What makes one stand out from the other? WHO they are. Our Doctor Spotlight series allows our tiny patients and parents to get a glimpse into the doctor’s lives. Come get to know us!

Dr. Nate Shaw is a board certified pediatric dentist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. He is also currently a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Dental Association, Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry, and the North Carolina Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

Dr. Nate has provided dental care for those in need through mission work in Ecuador, Kenya, and has worked closely with North Carolina Missions of Mercy in their free mobile dental program. He will be primarily seeing patients at our Waverly location. Come get to know him!

Why did you decide to focus on pediatric dentistry rather than general dentistry?
I was able to intern at a pediatric dental office during college and dental school, and really enjoyed my time working with kids. They keep each day interesting and interacting with children is both fun and rewarding.

Do you have kids?
My wife, Kate, and I don’t have any kids yet, but plan on starting a family soon. We do have one rescue dog, named Kona.

What are some of your “tricks” to help ease kids’ fears about their dental visits?
I think it is important to use language that kids understand and find comforting. I like to take my time showing and explaining what we’re going to do ahead of time so there are no scary surprises. It also definitely helps having a TV above the chairs for them to watch!

What’s the best part of your day?
It’s always fun if you can get a child to laugh, kids have great senses of humor (and my wife doesn’t think any of my jokes are funny).

What’s your favorite kids’ show?
I still like the classic Disney movies the best, such as Lion King and Aladdin. But my favorite kids’ show is probably Phineas and Ferb.

What’s your favorite color?
Blue, specifically Carolina Blue (go Tar Heels)!

Do you have a sweet tooth? If so, what’s your favorite sweet?
Luckily, for my profession, I don’t have much of a sweet tooth – but I do like Reese’s Pieces.

Have you always wanted to be a dentist? If not, what did you want to be as a kid?
I always wanted a job in healthcare growing up, and decided on dentistry in high school after some great dental experiences myself. Of course, if I was athletic enough to be a professional basketball or tennis player, I wouldn’t have turned down any contract offers.

Do you have a role model or a mentor? Why do you look up to them?
My family members have always been great examples for me to look up to, my mom and grandmother were both nurses and my uncle is a pediatrician. Both my parents are supportive, hard working, strong in their faith, and are great providers that I hope to emulate when I have a family of my own.

What is your favorite sports team?
I went to UNC and grew up in Charlotte, so I love the Tar Heels and Panthers.

Finish this sentence: When I was a kid…
I loved to play the original Super Mario Brothers video game and I wanted to be a ninja turtle when I grew up, preferably Leonardo.

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How to Make Your Dental Practice Staff Your Social Media Brand Ambassadors

Social media is the space where dental digital marketers nurture relationships with potential patients. It is a powerful medium that can boost a brand’s reputation within a short period of time. However, social media relationships can be fragile. If you are over-aggressive or use too many influencers, it could prove detrimental in the longer run—overexposure kills the consumer’s curiosity. Once your equation with the audience is spoiled, it becomes difficult to regain ground.

This is why some businesses prefer to have in-house social media teams, as the company’s own employees would be more familiar with the brand’s traits and the product or service lineup. However, not every dental office can afford to hire a dedicated social media specialist. So, here are four ways to let your own practice staff perform the role of social media brand ambassadors.

Instead of social media gurus, identify self-driven employees

Social networks continue to play a pivotal role in the world of digital branding. Social presence drives brand awareness like none other. It can boost revenue or at least create consumer footprints that lead to sales. Even without hiring professional talent dedicated to social networking, there is room to bring aboard your own personnel as brand advocates. Employees, when guided by structured strategy about how to manage the social networks, can be the best bet to promote a brand on social media.

1. Select educated, not just informed, brand ambassadors

A brand advocate should not need to recall or rethink anything about a new launch or the brand’s core beliefs. Merely being informed about the company or its policies is not enough. Employees chosen for social media outreach and networking need coaching to ensure they intimately understand the business philosophy, culture, products, and services of the dental practice. Try to train such employees using the best resources available.

2. Start small with daily and weekly gains

Not every employee chosen for the role is bound to succeed. There can be pitfalls along the way. This is why you want to spread the talent involved and give each person small tasks, small goals to achieve during the day and week. None of them should be promoted to the role of an official brand advocate. They need to function in the social space, dive in, and learn how to navigate.

Help them in reaching out to the right audience, narrowing the demographics by region, age groups, or other parameters. Get them familiar with social media customs. Young employees in this role can be overzealous. Ease them into the role and ensure that they promote the brand in a relatively safe way first, followed by more creative pursuits.

3. Create rules of thumb, guidelines, and more

You should understand that you are working with people who have social marketing skills but without professional training. It is in your best interest to have a rulebook for your social promotion activities. When a pool of employees works together as brand ambassadors, they need to have maximum clarity about anything that should not be shared or commented on.

From hashtag density to social posting schedule, ensure there are rules all the way for social networking employees to adhere to best practices. Something as seemingly simple as updating a social profile needs skill and tact. Ensure employees chosen for the role learn how to track and participate in social conversations with an emphasis on team guidance rather than individual supervision that might consume more time.

4. Share, borrow, recycle, and reoptimize content

Employees chosen for brand ambassador roles should know what type of practice data is shareable. Confidentiality-bound data that is not worthy of public opinion should have a clear, no-sharing clause. Not just press releases, but there is a lot of company data that can interest the consumers. Something as simple as the employees attending a training session offsite might make for good, socially shareable material.

The same images or videos can be posted with interviews of the training staff or reoptimized with just images across different social medial platforms. Similarly, information about new or upcoming projects or conceptualized products reaching production stage is worth sharing but employees should know how much of it is ready to be disclosed. Content owned by the company can be used with versatility, churned for different sharing platforms.

Some of it might be more marketing-focused with hyperlinks leading to landing pages. This ability to optimize and reuse data takes practice. Employees might jump the gun and instantly share pictures clicked at events like exhibitions or seminars, whereas best social sharing practices might suggest, ensuring each image is well captioned and accompanied by event details, and always linked to relevant website pages.

Concluding thoughts

Creating social media brand ambassadors is also about empowering employees, helping them learn, apply, and become more productive. With employees at the core of your social interactions, there is every possibility that the brand is able to engage more consumers because all interactions will benefit from company employees who understand the product design or buying psychology.

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Using Neurolinguistic Programming to Break Oral Habits in Children

Our pediatric dentist Dr. Imneet Madan tells us how Neurolinguistic Programming can help correct oral habits in children like thumb sucking.

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How Long Does a Bonding Appointment Take?

On your way to getting braces? Here’s what you can expect during your bonding appointment with your orthodontist.

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What Should I Use to Clean My Baby’s Teeth?

No matter if this is your first, third, or twenty-third baby it seems like there is always more to learn about how to properly care for them. It takes a lot to be a parent, and we also know that there’s nothing you want more than to help that new little life grow up to be healthy, happy, and successful.

It starts with their teeth. Oral health has been proven to be linked to mental happiness and stability, and there’s no denying that a healthy mouth helps you feel better throughout the day. What about your baby’s teeth? Babies aren’t yet old enough to brush their teeth but even those tiny teeth buds need to be cleaned. Check out these options for proper teeth cleaning at home for all children two years and younger!

How to Safely Clean Your Baby’s Teeth

Baby teeth are so tiny and fragile-seeming, but that doesn’t mean you can’t touch them. There are a few pediatric dentist-approved ways to clean those tiny teeth, and you’ll be surprised how easy they are!

With Damp Gauze

If you’d like to provide your baby with a little better clean, use damp gauze. The texture will provide very slight abrasion like a toothbrush would for an adult. This is a good option, but we know not everyone has gauze on hand.

With a Damp Washcloth

A damp washcloth will do just fine! This is actually one of the best ways you can clean your baby’s teeth. Use one with a little bit of texture in the fiber, and make sure it’s soft enough to really get in there. This is a great way to keep your baby’s teeth healthy!

A Finger Brush

This one is perhaps the one that makes the most sense and is the easiest. These cheap finger brushes can be found on Amazon or in baby supply stores. All you have to do is put it on your finger, get it wet if needed, and gently rub your baby’s teeth. This device is also super helpful for getting in between your baby’s teeth and can help stimulate the gums!

With Your Finger

Your finger is a quick way to clean your baby’s teeth but isn’t going to be as effective as the other methods listed. Use this only when desperate!

Now that you know the best ways to clean your baby’s teeth, you might be wondering how long you’ll need to be doing this, or why it’s even important to clean their teeth. Baby teeth are just as susceptible to dental decay and rotting as adolescent and adult teeth. That means that by cleaning them gently in these ways you are preventing some serious potential risks. You can also begin teaching your child to brush their teeth around the age of two years old!

Burg Can Help With Baby Teeth

We have always said that it’s best to bring your baby in for their very first checkup at six months old. During this visit the dentist can determine if there will be any immediate problems with their development. We will look for signs of tooth decay and gingivitis, and we can even tell you if your baby is having a hard time sleeping due to tooth pain!

We are experienced with children of all ages and can provide you with any information you need concerning your baby and their oral health. All you have to do is call us at any of our locations. We can’t wait to meet you!

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BRUSH THE SMART WAY – TECHNIQUES FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILD

As a parent, you are the most important role model for your child. Help your child develop proper brushing techniques by setting a good example with your own oral health. https://ift.tt/2PJUpfI

Back to School time already …Relax DeCare has you covered …

Your child at this stage may have the books and the school uniform for the new school year, but do they have a healthy mouth ready for the new school year... https://ift.tt/2MOh2Cr

BRUSH THE SMART WAY – TECHNIQUES FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILD

As a parent, you are the most important role model for your child. Help your child develop proper brushing techniques by setting a good example with your own oral health. Techniques Brush at least twice a day with a pea-size amount of adult fluoride.... https://ift.tt/2Ce900W