 When you think about digestion, you probably envision important internal organs, such as the stomach and intestines. The truth is, though, that the digestive process starts well before food reaches those areas. In fact, it starts in the mouth! In this blog post, we will explore the mouth’s role in digestion and provide information that may help your child to get the most benefit from their meals.
The Mouth’s Role in Digestion The moment food enters the mouth, several important processes start to take place. The teeth, each with a distinct shape and function, work together to cut, tear, and grind food into increasingly smaller and more manageable pieces. This mechanical breakdown is crucial, since it increases the surface area of the food, making it easier for digestive enzymes to act upon it later in the process. At the same time, the salivary glands release saliva, which serves several purposes. Saliva contains water to moisten food, making it softer and smoother. It also contains enzymes such as amylase, which begin the chemical breakdown of certain nutrients, especially carbohydrates. The tongue assists in moving food around, mixing it thoroughly with saliva and forming it into a cohesive mass called a bolus. This preparation in the mouth helps to make swallowing safer and more efficient, reducing the risk of choking and supporting the subsequent stages of digestion. What if Your Child Is Not Chewing Properly? Indeed, chewing food plays a crucial role in helping the human body get the most out of its food! But what if it seems like your child is not chewing properly? The source of the problem may be related to dental health. Unresolved dental issues can create barriers to effective chewing, which can disrupt healthy digestion and even lead to discomfort during mealtime. Cavities may cause pain when biting or chewing, while misaligned teeth can prevent food from being broken down evenly. Gum discomfort or infections may also contribute to a reluctance to chew thoroughly. When food enters the digestive tract in larger chunks because it was not adequately chewed, the stomach and intestines must work harder. This can result in digestive discomfort or even nutritional imbalances because nutrients may not be absorbed efficiently. Dental Care Promotes Proper Chewing and Digestion Addressing dental concerns through regular visits to your child’s pediatric dentist allows for early detection and treatment of issues such as cavities, misalignment, and gum disease. The dentist may suggest treatments or preventive measures, such as dental sealants, orthodontic evaluation, or improved oral hygiene practices at home. The mouth is the gateway to the human body, and it needs to be well cared for! If you notice that your child is struggling to bite and chew properly, now is the time to consult a qualified dental professional. Meet the Practice Dr. Adrienne Archidiacono-Jeanis, affectionately known as Dr. A, is a board-certified pediatric dentist in Aledo, TX. She and our team can identify and address many of the dental issues that hinder proper chewing and digestion. To learn more about us or to request a consultation for your young one, contact our office at 817-406-2025.
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 As a conscientious parent, you have probably already taught your child about germs — microscopic critters that can cause illness if they are allowed to go unchecked. That is why handwashing is so vital! But the importance of managing microorganisms goes even further than that. You also have to be mindful of your child’s oral microbiome! What is the oral microbiome, and what is its importance? This blog post explains what you should know.
What Is the Oral Microbiome? The oral microbiome refers to the community of microorganisms living in your child’s mouth. These tiny organisms include bacteria, viruses, and fungi. While some bacteria are harmful, many are beneficial and support oral health. The balance of good and bad microorganisms can change due to diet, hygiene habits, or illness. Managing this microbiome can play an important role in supporting your child’s oral and overall wellness. The Importance of the Oral Microbiome in Oral and Overall Health A healthy microbiome is important! When the helpful bacteria in your child’s mouth are allowed to thrive, they support important functions, such as aiding in the remineralization of tooth enamel and fighting off dangerous infections. On the other hand, if harmful bacteria are allowed to flourish, a number of problems can result. For example, your child might experience:
How to Help Your Child Maintain a Balanced Oral Microbiome You play a key role in shaping your child’s oral microbiome! By encouraging good habits and providing age-appropriate education, you can set them up for a lifetime of balanced oral bacteria that support their body’s wellness. Here are some important steps you should take:
The human oral microbiome is amazing! Help your child manage the microorganisms in their mouth so their smile can thrive for the long haul. Meet the Practice Dr. Adrienne Archidiacono-Jeanis is a highly skilled pediatric dentist who is proud to serve families in the Aledo and Fort Worth area. She loves to help young smiles thrive, and she is always pleased to answer parents’ questions on how they can support their children’s oral health. To learn more about her or to request an appointment with our team, contact Aledo Pediatric Dentistry at 817-406-2025.  You want your child to have a healthy smile, so you may be making efforts to teach them the importance of regular brushing and flossing. Certainly, those habits are vital! However, you might accidentally overlook another practice that could play a role in keeping your child’s smile in great shape: tongue scraping. In this blog post, you will learn why it is so important and how you can assist your child with it.
The Benefits of Tongue Scraping Keeping your child’s tongue clean via scraping can offer several benefits:
Kids can usually start scraping their tongue around age 5. Before then, you may simply need to clean their tongue with a cloth. Here are some tips for effective tongue scraping for children:
Meet the Practice Dr. Adrienne Archidiacono-Jeanis, known as Dr. Adrienne, is happy to work with families throughout the Aledo area. She strongly encourages tongue scraping due to its significant benefits. If you have questions about how you can make your child’s oral hygiene routine as effective as possible, she and our team would be pleased to speak with you. Contact our office at 817-406-2025.  Praise is powerful! When it is used as a training tool for kids, it can improve their self-confidence and encourage the development of good qualities and habits. The influence of praise even reaches into children’s oral health. In this blog post, you will discover helpful information on why and how you should praise your little one for brushing their teeth.
Why Is Praise So Important?A study conducted by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania had the goal of determining how parental praise influenced children’s persistence in brushing their teeth. The participants in the study came from a variety of ethnic backgrounds and income levels. One of the researchers stated, “Our work is the first to show that fluctuations in parent praise relate to fluctuations in child persistence.” Of significance is the fact that the study found that children showed more persistence in brushing when they received more praise about their efforts and fewer concrete instructions on how to brush. Most of the praise consisted of parents saying things like “very good,” “nice job,” or other phrases along those same lines. How to Praise Your Child for Brushing Their TeethHere are a few tips to help you deliver effective praise to your child:
Meet the Practice Dr. Adrienne Archidiacono-Jeanis, affectionately known as Dr. Adrienne, loves to serve families in the Aledo area. As an accomplished pediatric dentist, she is eager to work with kids of all ages and personality types. If you would like her advice on how you can encourage good habits in your child, contact our office at 817-406-2025.  If you have recently discovered that your child needs a frenectomy to treat their lip or tongue tie, you might understandably be a bit nervous about the road ahead. After all, your little one has to undergo surgery! The good news is that a frenectomy is a minor procedure, and the healing process is easy for most patients. How long will it take for your child to recover, and how can you help them during their post-op period? This blog post provides some helpful information. Recovery Timeline If your child is still an infant, they will likely be able to breastfeed immediately after their procedure. Even though they might cry more than usual for a few days or be extra fussy, they should heal rapidly. In fact, complete healing usually takes just a few weeks. If your child is a bit older, you are still looking at a recovery period of a few weeks. In the meantime, you may need to be careful to limit your child’s food choices so they do not eat hard, crunchy, or very hot foods that might irritate their sensitive oral tissues. Help Your Child Heal Here are a few more tips to help your child enjoy an easy and smooth recovery after their frenectomy:
Prevent Reattachment Your child’s oral tissues might try to reattach even after a frenectomy has removed their lip or tongue tie. You should do your best to prevent that from happening. Their dentist can show you exercises and stretches that can keep your child’s body from undoing their surgery. For example, you might need to run a clean finger under their tongue or behind their lip. Older children can perform exercises on their own, but they might need adult supervision and frequent reminders to comply with post-op directions. The frenectomy recovery process is not too scary! Before you know it, your child should be back to feeling like their normal self. Meet the Practice Dr. Adrienne Archidiacono-Jeanis is a skilled pediatric dentist who is proud to serve families in Aledo and Fort Worth. She uses a gentle soft tissue laser to perform frenectomies; laser-based treatment tends to be easier and have a shorter recovery time than procedures performed with conventional instruments. To learn more about this service, contact Aledo Pediatric Dentistry at 817-406-2025.  You have probably heard of “the terrible two’s,” which refers to the behavioral issues that toddlers often go through between the ages of 2 and 3. What you might not know about this challenging time is that your child’s teeth might be contributing to the problem! Let’s talk about the two-year molars, what you can expect, and how you can provide comfort to your precious little one.
 As a parent, everyone looks to you for the answers, even when it comes to topics that you may not have any idea about, like children’s oral health and development! Throughout your baby’s key growth and developmental years, you may notice that they become fussy, drool more, or even try to put everything in their mouth. Know that this is completely normal, and having a basic idea of how their smile is changing can help ease some anxiety that you may feel about their new habits. Read on to learn four children’s oral health and development facts that every parent should know! #1 Children Should Visit the Dentist by the Time They Turn One The American Dental Association as well as the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend that children begin visiting their pediatric dentist by the time their first tooth grows in or by their first birthday—whichever happens first! Having your child visit the dentist from an early age will not only help them establish a positive relationship with their dental healthcare team, but it will also allow you to learn about their oral development from a knowledgeable professional. #2 Even Without Teeth, Dental Hygiene Is Important Even if your baby doesn’t have any teeth, maintaining a good at-home oral hygiene routine is important. By running a clean, damp cloth along your baby’s gumline at least twice a day, you can help prevent the accumulation of oral bacteria by clearing away natural sugars they’re attracted to that are left by breastmilk and formula. #3 Sharing Germs Can Also Increase Cavity Risk Although you may think it’s harmless to share utensils or food with your little one, this can lead to the transfer of germs that can not only cause you both to become sick, but also lead to oral health problems like tooth decay. In fact, a study published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research found that an estimated 71 percent of cavities in children are spread by the exchange of bacteria from parent to infant. #4 Cavities Are Preventable Most people will get a cavity in their lifetime, which is why many people think that this common oral health problem is just a fact of life and not a preventable issue. Fortunately, your child’s pediatric dentist can offer several practical tips and treatments to keep decay at bay, including non-invasive and protective dental sealants and fluoride treatment. Ultimately, helping prevent the development of cavities can allow your child to have a better overall experience with the dentist by minimizing their need for more extensive treatments. About the Author Dr. Adrienne Archidiacono-Jeanis is the owner and board-certified pediatric dentist at Aledo Pediatric Dentistry. As a parent herself, she understands how important and helpful it can be to have a pediatric dentist on your team that takes the time to explain and listen to you, which is why she’s proud to offer extremely kid- and parent-friendly care. For questions or to schedule a checkup and cleaning for your child, visit Aledo Pediatric Dentistry’s website or call 817-406-2025. 
What Is Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste?
“Hydroxyapatite” is a word you may not hear too often, but it is actually a very common mineral. In fact, it is a type of calcium phosphate that composes more than 95% of tooth enamel. Hydroxyapatite toothpaste was first developed by NASA in 1970. Their goal was to help astronauts recover from mineral loss in their teeth and bones after spending time in the zero-gravity environment of space. Since then, it has made its way into mainstream usage. In fact, hydroxyapatite toothpaste is now considered the gold standard of oral care in Japan. It is thought that hydroxyapatite toothpaste works by directly filling the tiny pores on demineralized portions of tooth enamel. It attracts calcium and phosphate, thereby further promoting the structural integrity of teeth. Hydroxyapatite vs. Fluoride: Is One Better than the Other? Both hydroxyapatite and fluoride can be beneficial for teeth, but hydroxyapatite offers at least two distinct advantages: In one double-blind study in children, hydroxyapatite toothpaste was found to be slightly more effective at stopping the progression of cavities than fluoride products. Hydroxyapatite is completely bioavailable, meaning that it is safe for even very young children to use. There is no need to worry if they swallow it! In contrast, swallowing large amounts of fluoride can lead to systemic symptoms. It can also cause dental fluorosis (a type of discoloration on the teeth). Choosing Your Child’s Toothpaste If you choose to use hydroxyapatite toothpaste for your child, it is important to remember that the size of the hydroxyapatite molecules affect how well the toothpaste works. If the molecules are too large, they will not have any benefits. Therefore, you should choose a produce that uses microcrystalline or nano hydroxyapatite. RiseWell, along with other great companies, such as Boka, Happy Tooth, and Dr. Jen’s, are some of Dr. A’s favorites to recommend. (Our practice has no paid affiliation with any of these brands.) Fluoride is not the only way to keep your child’s smile strong! Talk to your dental care team to learn more about the marvels of hydroxyapatite toothpaste. Meet the Practice Dr. Adrienne Archidiacono-Jeanis is a board-certified pediatric dentist who is proud to serve families in the Aledo area. She is passionate about helping kids to establish the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles, which is why she chooses to offer RiseWell hydroxyapatite toothpaste in our practice. To learn more about Dr. Adrienne or how our team may be able to serve you, contact Aledo Pediatric Dentistry at 817-383-2576.  Keeping your child’s smile healthy starts with what they eat! Many popular snacks are packed with carbs and sugars that can lead to sticky plaque buildup and cavities. But don’t worry, you can still meet their demands for tasty treats while keeping their oral health intact! Read on to find three delicious snack recipes that are not only healthy but also gentle on your child’s smile.
Apple Cheddar Quesadillas This pairing may seem strange at first, but it’s actually a fun take on a traditional New England favorite. Apples are high in fiber and water, which helps clean teeth as your child chews. Pairing these with some creamy calcium-rich cheese is a fantastic match. They’re also incredibly easy to prepare at any time. First, warm up some flour tortillas. Next, cut your apples of choice into small chunks and place them into a pan with some sharp cheddar cheese. Then, let the mixture melt and cook together for a couple of minutes before placing on a tortilla, folding it over, and cutting it into slices. Yogurt-Dipped Berries Nothing is better on a hot day than a cool treat, but instead of sugary popsicles, you can serve your child these super-poppable dipped berries. These will be their next favorite snack guaranteed! To start, add some flavorful Greek yogurt and a teaspoon of honey to a small bowl. Next, use a toothpick to dip each berry in the mixture before placing it on a parchment paper-lined tray. After freezing them for a couple of hours, they’re ready for munching! These berries are high in protein, calcium, and various vitamins that will strengthen your child’s smile. Crunchy Veggie Sticks and Hummus Ditch chips for this crunchy, savory snack. Carrots and cucumbers are great for teeth because they help stimulate saliva production, which washes away food particles and bacteria. Hummus, made from chickpeas, is a protein-packed dip that won’t harm enamel. You can either make this one at home from scratch or pick up a dip and pre-cut sticks from your local grocery store. Either way, you’ll be ready to kick the unhealthy, overprocessed carbs in potato chips and serve up something better. These snacks are a great way to show your child that healthy eating can be both tasty and fun! By swapping out sugary, cavity-causing foods with these wholesome alternatives, you’re protecting their smile and helping them create a healthy relationship with nutritious food. About the Author Healthy kids are happy kids and Dr. Adrienne Archidiacono-Jeanis loves to help them learn more about their smiles. She’s a board-certified pediatric dentist with specialty training from the University of Texas Houston. Over the years, she’s dedicated her career to quality dental care for kids and education for children and their parents! To schedule an appointment for your child at Aledo Pediatric Dentistry, call (817) 406-2025 or visit our website to learn more!  We got a new laser y'all! Imagine going to get a cavity filled and not needing a SHOT! This cold laser temporarily numbs the tooth we work on without using local anesthesia, also known as the dreaded shot and post droopy face feeling after the dentist! It also helps with post-operative sensitivity and healing. Our younger kids really benefit from this because with a numb cheek and mouth often times kiddos will bite their lip or cheek accidentally and can cause trauma to their mouth!! We are so thrilled to be able to offer this to our community! It also helps us perform better lip and tongue tie releases with faster healing, cold sore and ulcer removal and many more benefits! Call our office for more information and to book your kiddos appointment!
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Dr. A, BS, MS, DMD, MSDArchives
November 2023
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