March 19th is the first day of Spring! What could be more fun than celebrating spring by crafting with the kiddos, bringing some of their bright and happy creativity to life?!
Flowers
Flowers are one of the first things you think of when you think SPRING! Whether it’s our few blooms appearing or the colorful spring blossoms most florists have for Easter and Mother’s Day, flowers are a beautiful example of spring. Check out these flowers that all ages can make and enjoy!
Here is a simple but cheery art piece that you can do with your infant or toddler to share with your loved ones. The flowers and vase are foot and hand prints dipped in paint, stamped on white paper, then cut out and glued to a sheet of construction paper. Use green paper to make the leaves, or maybe even their fingerprints!
This example shows painted footprints easily placed on a painted stem. You can view these ideas and dream up your own “spin!”
Sweet Little Lambs, Baby Chicks, and Bunnies…Lots of Bunnies!
This season is all about new birth! We see many lambs, chicks, and bunnies this time of year, whether in the stores or on the farms. Let’s look at some adorable little animals you and your kids can craft.
This little lamb is the sweetest! Some cotton swabs, glue, paper, clothespins, and a pen are all you need to bring these babies to life and you can even make a whole herd to play with. This may be more appropriate for older kiddos, as it may take more patience and skill - or use cotton balls instead of cotton swabs for younger children.
Or what about this cute baby sheep made from bubble wrap, white paint, black paper, and googly eyes? Glue this to a colorful sheet of bright paper or put a magnet on the back for a fridge decoration!
This paper plate chick is a quick and easy craft that your preschooler would love to post on your door or window. A yellow paper plate, fuzzy feathers, orange paper, and eyes (googly or drawn on) make this one jump off the page. Cute and fast!
Crafting this happy little chick uses the same type of instructions as the flowers above! Your kiddo will love the vibrant colors and exciting, happy hand prints.
Bunnies, lots of bunnies! These EGG-cellently created little hoppers can sit anywhere. Some colorful pipe cleaners, a pom-pom, and an inexpensive plastic egg can be made into these darling rabbits! They can even be filled with treats, coins, or paper sayings like a fortune cookie.
Cardboard paper towel or toilet paper tubes can make cute little decorations as well! They can hold name cards or napkins at Easter dinner, be a stand-up place for Easter eggs, or maybe be used as a finger puppet for a cute spring skit. Decorate them with paint, pom-poms, felt, or tissue paper to make bunnies galore! Let your child use their imagination to dream up their own little nest of bunnies.
Wouldn’t these sweet rabbits make great gifts for mom or grandma? Picture them sticking out of a potted plant or flower your children give their loved ones for spring! These are made with a wooden spoon, and anything you and your little ones would like to use to craft their fabulous faces. Felt, fabric, paint, or markers can make terrific, even fashionable, decorations for anywhere. Stir up some oohs and ahhs with these cuties!
Spring is Buzzing!
Hear that buzzing, fluttering, or humming noise? You will! Gather up the kiddos and create your own swarm, covey, or army of insects and birds. Brighten and decorate your home and garden for springtime with some or all of these creations!
You can keep these beautiful ladies all summer long with some smooth stones and outdoor paint for a colorful accent to your potted plants or flower gardens! These bugs will keep an eye out for sneaky critters wanting to invade your growing spot!
How about gorgeous butterflies? Here are a few different designs to make your heart all aflutter!
This first craft uses coffee filters painted with watered-down acrylic paints, colorful beads, and a simple one-piece clothespin. A butterfly wall hanging can be made just by attaching these supplies to a stick or dowel rod. Hang them from the porch, on a window, or from the ceiling in a bedroom to inspire!
A plain white piece of cardstock, a popsicle stick, and a colorful pipe cleaner combine to make this fluttering butterfly. Use watercolor paint to decorate the cut out shape, add the popsicle stick body, and attach the pipe cleaners for the antennae. Embellish this beauty with sequins or glitter for a sparkling effect.
Too sweet to swat away! This egg carton bee craft is simple and adorable. Paint the carton sections yellow, wrap the indented parts with black yarn, and add googly eyes, crimped paper antennae and white cardstock wings. Add a skewer or a popsicle stick to this little buzzer to decorate any plant!
Chirping birds are a sound many associate with the beginning of spring! Check out these little birdies that your child can construct and enjoy all season! A brightly colored pencil is the foundation of this quirky craft. Add a contrasting pipe cleaner, some googly eyes, feathers, and a felt or foam yellow nose, and you have a fun and useful tool to make the spring seem like it will go on forever!
Spring - The Season for Rejuvenation!
Just the mention of springtime can help clear the mind of cold weather and cloudy skies. Everything and everyone begins anew!
Enjoy crafting with your children! We hope these activities will spark their interest and make the upcoming months exciting and fun. Our team at Jungle Roots Dentistry looks forward to seeing your smiling faces!
Good oral health begins with good nutrition. The foods we eat have vitamins and minerals that help our teeth be stronger and better able to do their job – chewing and breaking down our food to be absorbed in our digestive tract. Certain vitamins and minerals are necessary for a healthy mouth and gums.
Of course, you can take these dietary supplements in pill or liquid form, but the better way to incorporate them is to eat foods loaded with vitamins and minerals! Let’s talk about some of these essentials and the foods where you can find them.
ESSENTIAL VITAMINS
Vitamin D - Vitamin D is vital to ensure the absorption of calcium. Sunshine is essential to get plenty of vitamin D, as your body makes this vitamin naturally when exposed to its rays! Good food sources are:
Vitamin C - This vitamin has prevention qualities that keep your teeth from becoming loose, protect against gingivitis (early gum disease), and boost your immune system. It is found in many citrus fruits, as most people know, but did you know some veggies, like potatoes and leafy green veggies, also have vitamin C?
Vitamin A - Vitamin A helps keep saliva production active. Saliva supports cavity prevention and healthy gums. Those people suffering from dry mouth have a greater risk of mouth sores, bad breath, and gum disease than others.
You can find vitamin A in:
B Vitamins - B Vitamins are necessary for wounds to heal, especially B12. Any sores or swelling in your mouth can be helped by incorporating foods rich in B vitamins. If you are a vegetarian, you may need to take a supplement as many of the foods containing them are animal sources, such as:
Vitamin K - You do not hear about this vitamin as often as others. Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting and helps protect the strength of your bones - including your teeth and bones around the mouth and jaw. You may see bleeding in your gums if you are deficient in vitamin K. Think green when you think of major sources of this vitamin:
ESSENTIAL MINERALS
Calcium - Calcium is one of the most essential minerals you can incorporate into your diet for bone health and strong teeth. If you have a calcium deficiency, you are more susceptible to periodontal disease, and the potential for tooth loss is more prevalent. Calcium is a mineral that is easily added into your diet. Some of the primary sources are:
Don’t forget to add vitamin D to assist in calcium absorption!
It is important to be aware that too much calcium from supplements can be detrimental to your health if you have heart issues or certain other conditions. It is best to discuss the dosage with your physician before adding any supplemental calcium.
Phosphorus - Another mineral that supports calcium absorption is phosphorus. These two minerals can work together to remineralize teeth over time. This can mean less sensitivity to hot, cold, sweet, and sour and give you a whiter smile! You can get dietary phosphorus without a supplement by eating:
Magnesium - This mineral works with calcium to build hard tooth enamel and bone density. Adding magnesium-rich foods can complement your calcium intake. Look for magnesium in:
Potassium
Potassium, like vitamin D, helps to improve your bone and teeth density. It works with magnesium to protect your blood and keep it from becoming too acidic, preventing the extraction of calcium from your bones and teeth. Some good sources of potassium are:
Healthy Mouths Mean Healthy Bodies!
Nutrition is an integral part of overall health and begins in our mouths! Getting the proper amount of healthy food and supplementing with certain vitamins and minerals is crucial to being our healthiest selves. The food sources we have discussed can help us get to that goal. What goes in the mouth, or the “gateway to our bodies,” is vital to living our most happy and productive lives. Take care of your body by first taking care of your mouth and everything that goes into it!
From ancient fillings and gold dental appliances to identifying diseases and food by the DNA they left on teeth, archeologists are learning all sorts of fascinating things about ancient people from examining their teeth. Let’s explore some interesting discoveries of these scientific excavations!
Interesting Finds
*The oldest known dental fillings were found in Italy in a pair of 13,000-year-old upper front teeth (incisors)! Marks on the teeth show that they were drilled all the way into the pulp chamber. The fillings were made of bitumen (a semi-solid form of petroleum) with bits of plant fiber and hair that could possibly have been part of the fillings. The earliest filling known before this discovery was a beeswax filling, found in a 6,500-year-old jawbone from Slovenia.
*Ancient Egyptian writings explain 11 different ways to treat ailments of the mouth! Mummies have also been found with linen fillings that may have contained cedar oil or fig juice that would have been used as a medicine.
*In a neolithic graveyard in Pakistan that is believed to be 7,500-9,000 years old, researchers found 11 molars that had been drilled with flint tools. The drilled areas had been smoothed a bit, showing that they had been used for chewing. Hopefully, they had some form of filling - or that could have been painful!
(AP Photo/Luca Bondioli, Pigorini Museum, Rome)
*Even kids can make important discoveries! In 2015, a 16-year-old volunteer archaeologist dug up a large adult tooth. This excavation was from a site in southwestern France where the soil explored is said to be 550,000 – 580,000 years old. The tooth is the oldest fossil found in Europe. Before this find, the oldest was believed to be 450,000 years old. The tooth owner lived in a cave, and scientists have found many fascinating facts about this person from the Paleolithic era. They lived when the climate was dry, cold, and windy and hunted and ate horses, reindeer, bison, and rhinoceros.
*Anne d'Algre was an aristocrat in the 1600's in France. Four hundred years after her death, scientists found her grave during the excavation of the area near the Chateau de Laval in 1988. Her skeleton, with her teeth intact, was preserved well enough that they were able to determine some interesting facts about this woman. She had an artificial ivory tooth of ivory from an elephant, not a hippopotamus, which was the popular choice in that era. She also suffered from periodontal disease that was loosening her teeth, and had a dental prosthetic of gold wire that held her teeth together! A doctor, Amboise Pare, who designed similar prostheses for French kings of that era, felt that “toothlessness” affected a person’s speech. Dental scientists state that this treatment would have been more harmful to her teeth as the prosthesis of gold wire would have pulled on the teeth on each side of the artificial tooth. It was essential to socialites of her time to have a nice smile, so even if the wiring caused pain, she would have endured it to "save face."
(Image from Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports)
DNA, Diet, and Immunity
Would it surprise you to find that your dental plaque has DNA? That's what scientists found when researching the teeth of humans that died over 3,000 years ago in the Bronze Age and Iron Age. Harvard Professor Dr. Christina Warinner, Ph.D., and those in her lab analyzed the dental calculus (hardened plaque) in human teeth found in the Mediterranean and South Asia regions. Scraping the hardened dental plaque of the teeth of ancient humans allows scientists to see traces of what they ate.
Warinner said, “Your dental plaque records a lot of things about you. It has your DNA. It says a lot about your immune system. But it also contains traces of food debris… It's just this sort of kitchen sink of information about your life.”
Interestingly, they showed these two locations were probably connected by trade routes. People in the Mediterranean were eating exotic foods that came from South Asia, such as bananas, turmeric, and soybeans. They also learned that wheat, sesame seeds, and dates were common food staples.
Another group is making discoveries about ancient diseases from bacteria found on teeth. Scientists initially thought that the civilizations in the late third millennium BCE in the Eastern Mediterranean and Near East declined due to social and climate factors. Archaeologists have found that infectious diseases may also have had something to do with the lost societies. These researchers identified two bacterial strains in the teeth of these ancient human remains that cause typhoid fever and were responsible for at least three pandemics in ancient Europe. This research explains another reason the civilizations in other parts of the world may have become extinct.
Another scientist is looking at the teeth of people who lived along the Nile River between 6000 BC to AD 1500. She found that females in that area were more likely to have dental disease than males, and gum disease, abscesses, tooth loss, and even dental wear were different between males and females. This could mean that they had different diets or prepared food differently.
Letting Our Teeth Tell the Story
There is one final thing to mention that we learned from the past. In all of the stories and archaeological finds, one thing seems evident. Even though our ancestors didn’t have modern toothbrushes, toothpaste, or floss available, they seemed to have better oral hygiene than our generation. Most archaeological finds from ancient excavation sites have shown fewer oral bacteria strains due to the early human diet. They ate more fibrous foods and chewed sticks and stalks, helping scrape debris from their teeth and build strong jaws. Through the centuries, we have added refined sugar, carbohydrates, and grains to our food, and the result is that the plaque on the teeth of humans has absorbed more bacteria. This bacteria has caused more susceptibility to dental hygiene issues, including a buildup of plaque and tartar on the teeth, cavities, and even gingivitis.
This doesn’t have to be our future! It is possible to have a healthy mouth and teeth. At Jungle Roots Dentistry, we want to educate and provide treatment to help your kiddos begin a lifetime of optimal dental health. Philipp Stockhammer, an archeologist from Munich, said, “Anyone who does not practice good dental hygiene will still be telling us archaeologists what they have been eating thousands of years from now.” We really do not want the scientists of the future to find our teeth showing signs of decay and oral disease!
Is it okay if your little one’s teeth start erupting with spaces between them?
The short answer - usually spaces are okay, and can actually be a good thing! Here is some helpful information about the development of primary and permanent teeth and what causes different types of spaces.
Teeth Formation
A complete set of baby teeth is formed while your child is still in the uterus. When they are born, 20 little pearly whites are just sitting there under their shiny pink gums! Teeth erupt at different ages for every child. Their unique pattern and eruption rate depend upon many of your baby's individual DNA and other distinct characteristics. It also depends on how the gums and teeth are taken care of when they come in. In fact, the oral health of primary or baby teeth can impact your child's tooth development and the formation of their adult teeth.
Usually, a child has all of their primary teeth by the age of three. The significance of these teeth is vital as they help them when chewing and talking, and they are "place-holders" for their adult teeth. Because we usually have 20 primary teeth and 32 adult teeth (including wisdom teeth), there may be gaps where your child's baby teeth do not touch to allow room for all the adult teeth.
The usual sequence of baby teeth eruption is as follows (but remember that every child is different and some may come in earlier or later or in a different order):
Forty percent of children have spaces between their baby teeth. These gaps are typical and help greatly with the following factors:
Occasionally, spaces may be caused by missing teeth. Some children or adults have gaps due to tiny teeth. However, most babies have gaps between their primary teeth, which usually close when their adult (permanent) teeth come in.
Technically Speaking
Diastema is the medical term describing a gap between any of your child's teeth. It is most common in the upper front teeth but can happen between any of them. Diastema does not affect the function of your child's mouth or their oral health. In some cultures, a gap in the front teeth is a distinction of beauty.
The band of connective tissue that attaches the top lip to the upper gum is called the fraenum. You will easily see this structure if you lift your child's top lip (or your own). If the fraenum is oversized, it is the most common cause of gapped front teeth. The lingual fraenum connects the tongue to the bottom of the mouth. This fraenum can cause a gap in the front teeth of the lower jaw if it is restrictive and may cause tongue tie.
Gaps can be a result of heredity. Sometimes, the jawbone size is naturally large, and your kiddo's teeth look small compared to it. Their teeth are naturally spaced farther apart because of this. Once their adult teeth erupt, teeth will be closer together.
Children using a pacifier or sucking their thumb for a prolonged time can change the shape of the roof of their mouths and also cause teeth alignment problems.
Filling the Gaps
If a gap in baby teeth is due to a missing tooth (either because the child was born that way or because the tooth came out due to injury or decay), we may choose to leave it until adult teeth come in. We may also recommend a space maintainer, depending on your child’s individual situation. If the missing tooth is an adult tooth, we have options to fill the space and create the healthiest bite for your child.
Gaps in your child's baby teeth are generally not an issue and allow plenty of room for their adult (permanent) teeth to erupt and grow. The temporary gaps can positively impact how their smile fully develops. You can access the entire tooth for brushing and flossing on every side, and the dentist can examine every surface more easily. Starting these practices with your child early in life makes it seem routine and establishes sound oral hygiene habits.
Making your child's oral health a priority can affect how their entire body develops. Maintaining their teeth, beginning when their primary set erupts, can set the stage for a beautiful smile and healthy teeth and gums for a lifetime.
If you are concerned about spaces in your child’s mouth or have any other dental questions, we are happy to discuss them with you. It is our privilege to partner with you to keep your child’s mouth healthy!
Hydroxylapatite. Say it three times, fast!
Hydroxylapatite is a compound, or mixture, of minerals that make up your tooth enamel. These are calcium, phosphate, and hydroxide.
Although teeth are part of a human (or animal) body, these minerals are also found in other places throughout nature and are studied in geology and chemistry! So, let's have fun learning some fascinating facts (and seeing interesting photos) about these important minerals.
Calcium
This is calcium in nature. It looks like water that has flowed over the rocks and frozen, but it's actually calcium deposits from the minerals in the water that have held together to make these formations!
This is also calcium in nature! Calcium is vital in the construction of coral, making these beautiful formations. It is the eighth most plentiful element in the ocean.
Some interesting facts about calcium:
Some of the best sources of calcium for the human body:
Phosphate (Phosphorus)
This is an old Phosphate Mine!
The pure elemental form of phosphorus is not found on Earth in its free state. Phosphorus is unstable, which means it cannot exist in its natural form and must bind to other elements. Its primary forms are white phosphorus and red phosphorus. Phosphate (found in teeth) is a combination of one phosphorus atom bound to four oxygen atoms.
Here are some fascinating facts about phosphorus and phosphate:
Some of the best sources of phosphate for the human body are found in milk, chicken, fish, eggs, nuts, and beans. Did you notice that many of these are also listed as excellent sources of calcium?
Hydroxide
Some of the best sources of phosphate for the human body are found in milk, chicken, fish, eggs, nuts, and beans. Did you notice that many of these are also listed as excellent sources of calcium?
Hydroxide is used in many ways:
Hydroxide is the third of the main minerals in hydroxylapatite in the enamel of the teeth.
Minerals in Our Teeth
Calcium, phosphate, and hydroxide are the three elements that make up the hydroxylapatite in your tooth enamel, and hydroxylapatite makes up about 95% of the enamel. The minerals bind together and form small crystal-like substances. These crystallites are super strong! The other 5% of the enamel consists of water and proteins.
Just like the skeleton protects parts of the human body (the skull protects the brain and ribs protect your heart and lungs), enamel protects our teeth. Your tooth enamel is the strongest part of your body, even more dense and harder than your bones. The minerals in the enamel are what give your teeth this protection. The enamel protects the dentin and pulp, the innermost layers of your teeth, from damage.
The enamel covering the teeth is different from bone. It is not alive and growing and cannot be repaired strictly by the body. But, you can make your existing enamel harder and more resistant to erosion, and it can even absorb minerals after some have been lost. This is called remineralization.
One of the most important things you can do to prevent erosion of your tooth enamel is to keep acidic substances, bacteria, and plaque out of your mouth.
The good news is that some foods you eat can protect your teeth! Any of the food sources of the minerals mentioned above can help strengthen the minerals in the teeth, as those foods provide one, two, or all three minerals.
A dog's teeth are prone to decay, as they easily form plaque. Just like with humans, a high-carb diet can cause cavities to form over time. Bacteria and other germs can build up and cause disease. Did you know that dogs need to have their teeth brushed every day - and they have special toothbrushes and toothpaste to protect their teeth?! They also benefit from a dental exam and cleaning at least once a year. If cavities get too far advanced, the vet may need to remove diseased teeth for your dog to comfortably eat and chew like they did before.
In addition to eating healthy foods, brushing twice daily with toothpaste, flossing at least once daily, and keeping your dental checkups and cleanings will help prevent the buildup of plaque and harmful bacteria and reduce the risk of your child’s teeth losing enamel. If you have any questions about protecting enamel, we are always happy to have a conversation about it! We love helping you and your family keep your healthiest smiles!
How do our pets get their nutrition? They eat with their mouths, just like us! Did you know that pets need healthy mouths, too? Their teeth are designed specifically for the foods that each animal consumes. Although the office has a theme, Jungle Roots Dentistry is only for human animals! For fun, though, let's talk about our pets at home. We will get to the "meat and potatoes" of the matter, whether our pets are carnivores or vegetarians!
Kittens are born without teeth. They do not need them as they will be nursing and getting their milk from their mother. Within the first month, their "milk" teeth come in. At eight weeks of age, a kitten should have 26 teeth. When they age to around three months, they start to lose their "kitten teeth," replacing them with adult teeth.
When a cat is six months old, they usually have all their adult teeth, a complete set of 30! No matter the breed, all cats have the same number of teeth. They do not chew their food; they tear and shred it to make it a size they can swallow.
Believe it or not, cats don't get cavities! They can have other dental diseases like gingivitis, and sometimes their teeth reabsorb below the gum line. This condition is called feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions (FORLs). If you notice your cat loses their appetite, drools a lot, has bad breath, or blood in their saliva, it may be time to have a veterinarian check their teeth.
Our dogs also are born without teeth. They get baby teeth that fall out, and permanent teeth replace them. By the age of 3-7 months, all their 42 adult teeth are in. The upper jaw has 20 teeth, and the bottom jaw has 22.
A dog's teeth are prone to decay, as they easily form plaque. Just like with humans, a high-carb diet can cause cavities to form over time. Bacteria and other germs can build up and cause disease. Did you know that dogs need to have their teeth brushed every day - and they have special toothbrushes and toothpaste to protect their teeth?! They also benefit from a dental exam and cleaning at least once a year. If cavities get too far advanced, the vet may need to remove diseased teeth for your dog to comfortably eat and chew like they did before.
Bunnies have a total of 28 teeth when they are full-grown. The bottom incisors are longer than the top, and the bottoms rest behind the top teeth when their mouths are shut. The third set of incisors, the “peg teeth," are just behind the front top teeth. These incisors bite off the bunny's food, then their tongue moves it to the back to be chewed.
Did you ever notice that a bunny grinds its back teeth from side to side when chewing? That is because the "cheek teeth" do not meet. The bottom is wider than the top, so they must grind their food in this way.
One unique aspect of a bunny's teeth is that the incisors continue to grow throughout their lives. They need fibrous foods to keep their incisors from extending too far. If incisors get too long, a bunny cannot eat and may have other dietary problems. Your bunny may need a vet to shorten their incisors if they become too long. Don’t worry - it doesn’t hurt!
Hamsters are born with 16 teeth that they keep for their lifetime. They have two incisors on the top and two on the bottom of the front of their mouth, continually growing. The hamster cuts off, grabs its food with its incisors, and immediately pushes the food to the back of the mouth, where their cheek teeth grind it down.
Hamsters have a special enamel on their teeth, which darkens the older they get. This enamel begins below the gumline and can be yellow or brown. It is usual for them to have this discoloration.
Because hamsters love to chew, you should give these little ones some wood to gnaw on. The wood helps their incisors stay sharp and keeps them from overgrowing. It is essential to feed them a diet of seeds and pellets formulated especially for them. They can have fresh produce as well, but sparingly.
Lizards have fascinating teeth. The kind of lizard you are talking about determines the type of teeth. Most lizards are carnivores (meat eaters). Small lizards can eat insects such as crickets and ants, while giant lizards can kill and eat a large animal as big as a cow!
A lizard uses their teeth for eating and fighting. When eating, they use them to rip the flesh from the bones and others to grind down the food before swallowing it. LIzards have acrodont and pleurodont teeth. (Crocodilians, which are also reptiles, have a different type of teeth called thecodont teeth.)
Only a few lizards have both. The pleurodont teeth are in the front, and the acrodont teeth are in the back of the oral cavity. They grab the food, tear it with the pleurodont teeth, and then move it to the back of the mouth. Here, the acrodont teeth grind and chew it into small pieces to swallow. Some types of bearded dragons have both acrodont and pleurodont teeth.
When you make a "fish face," do you use your teeth or just your lips? Just the lips, right? Well, all fish have teeth. Yes, that's a fact. The location of the teeth in the fish depends on the species and diet. Fish lose and regrow teeth all of the time.
We don't need to worry about most fish we keep as pets. Their mouths are often too small to cause harm to humans!
So, what kind of teeth does your pet have? It depends on the type of pet you have at home! Like the staff here at Jungle Roots Dentistry care for human teeth, your veterinarian can care for your pet's teeth. They can give you tips to keep your pet's mouth healthy, like we do here for yours. We would love to hear about your favorite pet and its fascinating teeth at your next appointment!
At Jungle Roots Dentistry, we often hear a question from parents of children just getting their first teeth: When should my child start using toothpaste? We will answer this question, what ingredients should be used (and are safe!), and more!
As soon as a child’s first tooth erupts, their tooth needs to be brushed! This is the same time to schedule an appointment with our office to begin your child’s journey of oral health.
Children under 3 years of age who still swallow toothpaste should use fluoride-free toothpaste that is only the size of a grain of rice. Once they can consistently spit out toothpaste, then you can transition them to the same amount of toothpaste with fluoride. A child aged 3-6 should only use a pea-sized amount. This is much less than the heaping amount you see on TV!
Help them learn to spit out the paste and not swallow it while or after brushing. The good news is, that even if a child swallows the entire amount, it will not be harmful in these measurements. It is important to brush your children's teeth until they can adequately do it themselves, and then continue to supervise your child to ensure that they are forming a habit of brushing thoroughly and not using too much toothpaste.
Fluoride is one of the best minerals to prevent the erosion of your tooth enamel. It is naturally found in water, soil deposits, and many foods. Topical fluoride that is in toothpaste is the most effective way to get it the right amount where it needs to be - on your teeth.
Fluoride sticks to the calcium ions near the surface of the teeth, and this "shield" of ions makes it hard for bacteria to stick to the teeth, while the binding effect also slows down any enamel erosion. It can also strengthen tooth enamel that has been weakened by early decay.
Fluoride also prevents dental caries (cavities) as it limits the amount of acid in the mouth and decreases the development of harmful bacteria. Regular use has dramatically decreased the incidence and severity of cavities (tooth decay) in the United States.
Some people are concerned about fluoride’s safety. It is true that any natural substance can be harmful with too much exposure, and fluoride is no exception. However, the quantities of fluoride that would need to be ingested to be harmful are much higher than the amounts recommended for brushing teeth.
To learn more about fluoride, exactly how much is safe, and why people still get cavities even when they use fluoride toothpaste, see our past article here.
Dental fluorosis occurs when a child’s teeth are still forming under their gums and happens because the child has been overexposed to fluoride, usually through regular overconsumption of it in water or toothpaste over a long period of time. Most municipal water supplies carefully monitor the level of fluoride if its added in the water system, so overexposure that way is a very small risk.
The spots caused by dental fluorosis are cosmetic and can look like white flecks or brown patches on the teeth. It may cause pitting of the teeth or uneven surfaces. Although the appearance of teeth is impacted, the function and health of the teeth are not negatively impacted. In fact, the fluorosed teeth are actually more resistant to cavities because the teeth had overexposure.
Fluorosis can be treated. Ask our staff about treatment if your child seems to be troubled or embarrassed because of this.
Xylitol was originally named after xylose (wood sugar). It’s a sugar alcohol that comes from plants like birch and beech trees. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved xylitol use and its safety in 1963.
Replacing sugar with xylitol in gums, candies, sugar-free snacks, and other oral products, e.g., toothpaste, is beneficial to overall health. Many sugar-free food products have xylitol as their sweetener. Xylitol is processed by the human body differently than sucrose, the ingredient in all types of sugar, maple syrup, and honey. It allows you to taste sweetness with 40% fewer calories than sugar. It does not cause a sudden increase in blood sugar as sugar does, and so does not create an insulin spike.
In the mouth specifically, normal sugars allow and encourage bacteria to grow. Acid is produced, and this can erode the enamel of the teeth. This erosion allows cavities to form. When you consume xylitol instead of sugar, the bacteria cannot grow and form plaque or produce acid. It reduces levels of mutans streptococci (MS) bacteria strains in human plaque and saliva. MS bacteria causes dental caries, and xylitol has properties that counteract these strains.
The bacteria starve to death as they try to break xylitol down like they would break down other types of sugar. When xylitol is consumed regularly, the quantity of cavity-causing bacteria decreases (and the creation of plaque is slowed), making room for beneficial bacteria. pH levels are also higher in the mouth after exposure to xylitol, and in this environment, calcium and phosphate in saliva are more easily absorbed by teeth.
There are no risks associated with xylitol use. It has a cool, sweet taste that may leave a fresh sensation in the mouth and lips! For an in-depth look at xylitol, see our past article here.
One important note: Xylitol is very toxic to dogs. If you feel that your pet has ingested sugar-free gum, mints, or other products containing xylitol, please contact your veterinarian.
We recommend using fluoride and xylitol-based toothpaste, once your child is old enough. When used in proper amounts, fluoride and xylitol are both safe and effective ways to clean and protect your teeth. They both discourage acid and plaque build-up and protect the teeth from dental caries.
Brushing and flossing twice daily with fluoride and xylitol toothpaste is something you can teach your children at home. When they are old enough not to swallow sugar-free gum or mints, this is a great way to get the xylitol they need to help counteract plaque and acid production throughout the entire day. Bring them for a regular appointment every 6 months, or call sooner if you have a concern regarding their oral health. When their first tooth erupts, schedule an appointment to start your child on the road to a healthy smile! We would be happy to be your child’s dental home!
Yay, Christmas Time! Some of the most incredible and exciting days of the year! We get in the holiday spirit at Jungle Roots Dentistry by thinking of all the fantastic things to do in and around Phoenix. This area has oodles of activities for families wanting to spend time together, see terrific shows, and participate in fun projects. Your entire family can experience the excitement of spectacles of lights, cheerful sharing, and melodic sounds. We want to share some of the highlights coming up this festive season!
SPARKLE AND SHINE!
Some light displays and tree-lighting events:
Glendale Glitters is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year! Downtown Glendale lights up the night with the tree lighting on November 24th, then music, visits with Santa, and a candy cane tree path to follow for shopping both evenings. The light display will stay up until January 1, 2024.
When: November 24th and 25th, 2023
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE!
Nearly four million lights! A 200-foot-long tunnel! The tallest floating tree in North America! Find all these things and more at the Valley’s “favorite holiday tradition.”
When: November 22, 2023 – January 14, 2024
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Cost: $30 -$35 general admission
Children ages two and under are FREE!
Fantasy of Lights Street Parade and Tree Lighting
Kick off the season with the magic of a street parade, tree lighting, and much more! Downtown Tempe hosts the event once again this year!
When: November 24, 2023
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
SANTA STOPS HERE!
Lots of photo ops for the entire family, Santa sightings and festivals, and music at its best! Check out the local holiday fare and soak up what the Phoenix metro area offers this time of year.
Enjoy the 3rd annual progressive holiday walking tour of downtown Phoenix with family-friendly celebrations all day! Experience Phoenix’s arts, history, and culture through performances, food, and fun for the kiddos and grown-ups alike!
When: Saturday, December 9, 2023
Time: See the website for times at various locations.
Cost: FREE admission
Hometown Christmas Parade – The True Star
Founded to share the “reason for the season” and support Hope for Hunger Food Bank, this Glendale tradition is now in its 10th year!
When: Saturday, December 9th, 2023
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Cost: FREE admission
The Avondale Civic Center Complex turns into a winter extravaganza! Visits from Santa, food, treats, entertainment, and a holiday light show are just some of the activities.
When: Saturday, December 2, 2023
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE admission
Family Fun Holiday Fair and Marketplace
Scottsdale hosts this event for family fun at the Arizona Boardwalk. All can have a white Christmas within the marketplace’s Snow Blizzard, and music, food, bounce houses, and Santa will be there!
When: Saturday, December 17th and Sunday, December 18th
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE admission
JOY TO THE WORLD!
Phoenix brings musical joy to the entire family. Check out these shows to raise your spirits.
The Phoenix Symphony – Handel’s Messiah
A holiday tradition!
When: December 14th at Camelback Bible Church
December 15th at Mesa Arts Center
December 16th and 17th at Pinnacle Presbyterian Church
Times: December 14th, 15th, and 16th – 7:30 p.m.
December 17th – 3:00 p.m.
Cost: Seat prices vary. See website for details.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – The Musical
Herberger Theater is the place for “reindeer games!” Bring the kids for an evening of fun with the floating Sam The Snowman telling the age-old tale, teaching us that we are unique because of what makes us different!
When: November 18th – December 24th 2023
Time: Most shows are at 1:00 p.m. and at 4:00 p.m. Check the website for dates and times.
Cost: Seat prices between $15 - $50. Check the website for specific pricing.
SNOW FOR ALL!
Snowfall in the Desert! Immerse yourself in snowflakes!
“A Living Snowglobe” in the desert! Desert Ridge Marketplace has snowfall every evening!
When: November 22nd – December 31st 2023
Time: 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m,
Cost: FREE admission
Snowfall all day long! On Christmas Eve, it will snow every hour, on the hour! It starts at 11:00 a.m. and ends at 8:00 p.m.
GET INTO THE ACTION!
Physical activities in the wintertime can be invigorating! Here are some things to involve your entire family while burning excess energy over the holidays.
Skate under the stars at the Plaza at Mesa City Center on 6,000 square feet of real ice!
When: Opens November 24th at 6:00 p.m.
Times: Monday through Friday - 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday – noon to 10:00 p.m.
Special Holiday Hours for December 24th and December 31st – noon to 4:00 p.m. Closed Christmas Day
Cost: $10 for one-hour sessions (skate rental included).
Glendale Santa Hustle - Jingle All the Way
The Westgate Entertainment District is the spot for going the distance and showing off your running skills! You and your kiddos can participate in one of the three foot races scheduled for that day. Kids get a Santa hat and beard, race bib, finisher medal, and a long-sleeved Santa shirt directly from Santa himself! Adults get a full-zip hoodie, a Santa Hustle embroidered fleece headband, and a finisher medal that jingles and spins just for finishing the race. Sign up, create a group to run, and make it even more fun.
All proceeds from this event go to the Glendale Firefighter Charities.
When: Sunday, December 3, 2023
Times: Kid’s Dash - 7:30 a.m.
Half Marathon – 8:00 a.m.
5K – 8:15 a.m.
Cost: Kid’s Dash - $22.20, including sign-up fee
Half Marathon – $75.19, including sign-up fee
5K - $53.99, including sign-up fee
CHRISTMAS ON THE EXPRESS!
These rail excursions will surely put your entire family in the Christmas mood!
Just like that magical train, the kids can wear their pajamas to meet Santa! The Light Rail car will be the perfect spot for songs and treats. Make memories zooming down Merry Main Street on the Santa Express!
When: December 8th- 9th and December 15th-16th
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE! To help keep the ride free for all, kindly donate to the Mesa Santa Express.
The Grand Canyon Polar Express
The train leaves the station in Williams, AZ, and journeys to “the North Pole!” Enjoy hot cocoa and chocolate chip cookies while listening to the story of the Polar Express! Santa and his reindeer will be there, and they have a jingle bell for every girl and boy. Total round-trip time is approximately 90 minutes.
When: Excursions begin November 10th
Time: 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Adult - (ages 16+) $58 - $97 plus taxes and fees
Child – (ages 2-15) $39 - $67 plus taxes and fees
There is also a combo rate for accommodations at the hotel, meals, and the train ride. See website for details.
HANUKKAH
Hanukkah begins the evening of Thursday, December 7th, 2023. Celebrate the Festival of Lights with your family, starting with a handcrafted menorah!
At this family-friendly workshop, create your one-of-a-kind design to cherish for ages to come!
When: Sunday, November 12, 2023
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Cost: $50
CELEBRATE THE SEASON!
We at Jungle Roots Dentistry wish you the happiest holidays! As your dental home, we strive to make every day a memorable one. We realize the days leading to the end of the year may be stressful, but we encourage you to relax with your family and celebrate the season with the rituals of the past and the new experiences of today! We hope you will try to attend some of the happenings in and around the Phoenix area and make some new memories!
‘Tis the season to show off your best smile!
Some people think tooth decay can’t happen in infants and toddlers. This is not true! Once the first tooth erupts, little ones' teeth can be impacted by conditions that lead to decay. Although their intake is mostly mother’s milk or formula initially, they still can get harmful bacteria in their mouths and even form cavities. As they mature, they can start eating and drinking things that allow plaque and other harmful bacteria to thrive in their mouths. What are the five most common mistakes leading to tooth decay in your child? Let’s find out!
Brushing?! For a baby?! Yes. Why do we do this? Believe it or not, all your child’s teeth are present when born. They just haven’t come to the gum’s surface. As soon as teeth begin to surface, they need to be cared for. At first, it can be as simple as wiping their gums and budding teeth with a soft cloth after their feedings and at bedtime, before you put them down for the night. Introducing a soft toothbrush when their first tooth erupts is ideal. Using a soft-bristle toothbrush, brush lightly until all the surfaces are clean twice a day. Until your child knows how to spit things out, you should use only a rice-sized portion of fluoride-free toothpaste. When your child has mastered the skill of consistently spitting out their non-fluoride toothpaste, then you may introduce a quarter pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Please rub the toothpaste into the bristles of the brush before you begin and have the parent be in charge of the brushing when using fluoridated toothpaste initially.
It will be easier to develop a brushing routine if you begin when they are this small. As they grow, make sure they see you brushing. Toddlers love to mimic, and when they see it’s essential for you, they will know it’s important for them!
As soon as your child gets two teeth side by side, that touch one another, it is time to introduce flossing into the routine. Gently floss each side of the tooth, all the way down to the gums. This helps prevent cavities and gum disease. Most of the effort in flossing is side to side, not forced down into the gums. Flossing should not be painful! As with brushing, let them see you doing it, too. When they are old enough to comprehend, explain that we need to remove germs and food particles between their teeth to keep them healthy.
Until a child can brush and floss independently, you will need to brush and floss their teeth for them. Then, supervise until they can do the job well. For many children, this will be sometime between 8 and 11 years old. Kids will usually be able to brush well a year or two before they can floss well enough to be completely independent.
Unfortunately, cavities that are often associated with bottle feeding (baby bottle tooth decay) can also be caused by sippy cups when they contain anything other than water. It is important not to let your child go to sleep with a sippy cup with anything but water in it. Drinking milk or fruit juice in a sippy cup at bedtime allows sugars to gather on a child’s teeth and other mouth surfaces, which can lead to cavities.
Another issue arises when little ones sip on juice or milk all throughout the day. These both have natural or even added sugars! Frequent sipping allows sugary liquids to wash over the teeth, creating optimal conditions for cavities to form.
Your child should visit the dentist when their first tooth erupts from the gums. Usually, this is between 4-10 months. Occasionally, a baby will be born with a tooth or two, and this is completely normal. When you meet with the dentist, they can look at how the teeth are coming in and give instructions and tips to keep your kiddo’s mouth as healthy as possible. After the first visit, it is best for most children’s developing mouths to have checkups every six months. It is also a great idea to find a “dental home” - a place where your child can feel safe and comfortable. When children have a safe, comfortable dental home, with positive early experiences, it can set them on a path to a lifetime of good dental health.
Sugar is not a bad thing, but too much sugar is a problem for general health and dental health. Unfortunately, sugar is hidden in many foods, so it is easy to consume much more sugar than is healthy. Additionally, sugar is not just found in the white, grainy powder you put in desserts. Carbohydrates break down and become sugars. The sugars can cause plaque to form on the teeth and lead to cavities and even gum disease.
It does help to sip some water after eating or drinking to rinse food and sugars from the teeth. It also helps to brush and floss regularly - but even these steps won’t prevent cavities if a person consumes a lot of sugar.
It is recommended that children under 2 not have any sugar, and those over 2 should have no more than 6 teaspoons a day. Juice is a big culprit - for example, 8 ounces of apple juice can meet or exceed the recommended amount for an entire day!
We want to help you prevent any issues with your child’s mouth, especially cavities, so we emphasize education and prevention. Dr. Culp may choose to watch and wait before treating, but if your baby or child’s teeth have signs of decay, they do need to be evaluated. Our professional associates can also help fix a problem with your little one’s mouth using techniques that allow your child to feel safe. We have made it our mission to provide the highest quality care at a facility your child feels comfortable (and even enjoys!) coming to. We would be honored to become your child’s dental home – the place you trust and return to for your child’s dental needs.
It’s said that Halloween is now the most decorated holiday, even more so than Christmas! We are sure your little ones, and maybe the not-so-little ones, are excited about dressing up for trick-or-treating or school parties. Here are some fun ideas for treats, decorations, and activities for the upcoming fall season!
Halloween Food!
Tasty Halloween-themed foods can be great at any meal. Think of ghost or pumpkin-shaped pancakes for breakfast. Pumpkin and gingerbread mixes are even available to “autumn up” those morning flapjacks!
For lunch, use a cookie cutter to make the shape of a pumpkin, apple, or Halloween character from a peanut butter sandwich. A whole orange or clementine could also be decorated like you would decorate a pumpkin. For older children (not young enough to be at risk of choking), frozen grapes in their drinks can act as ice and look like eyeballs!
Simply wrapping a packaged cheese stick with tissue or crepe paper can make a quick ghost or mummy, too. Use a marker for the eyes and either wrap the paper around it for the mummy or add a small bow for the ghost.
Halloween-themed party snacks are always fun! Look at this fruit tray that would surely be a hit at any party. What kid wouldn’t want to decorate fruit to look like ghosts, Frankenstein, a monster’s mouth, or candy corn!
This Veggie Skeleton is easy and exciting to create, and even small kids can help by putting the shape together after you cut all of the ingredients. Munching down on a pepper rib will be fun!
Or what about making these cute mummies on a slice of squash or zucchini? You could also use an English muffin or rounds of pizza dough for the base. The mozzarella bandages and olive eyes help to bring out their personality, don’t they?
Your kiddos can help put together any of these easy snacks. This could even be an activity within your party agenda. Make a tray with the ingredients, let them be creative, and the adults could even get caught up in the fun as the decorating gets going!
It is a good idea to have the adults or teens do the cutting and peeling. Melted chocolates can also get hot enough that they should be temperature tested before little children do the dipping.
Non-Candy Treats
Pre-packaged snacks are always best for school or for giving out at your front door, but it doesn’t need to be sweets you share. Halloween pencils, themed erasers, stickers, and glow sticks are only some of the great ideas for giving. Mini squishy characters like ghosts, pumpkins, mummies, etc., are trending this year.
Now for the Activities!
If you are hosting the party or hanging out with your kids, here are some ideas for do-it-yourself decorations and fun games!
Capture the Cone
Decorate a traffic cone with paint or colored tape, then use an inflatable ring to toss it over the pointed end. Transform the traffic cone into a witch’s hat, a mummy, a piece of candy corn, creepy mushrooms, or even a ghost. Let the little ones use their imagination! Whichever child can make the ring go over the cone from the farthest distance wins the game.
Mr. Bones
Craft a drawn skeleton or get a paper cut-out to place on a poster board, and then give each child a bow to pin on the skeleton’s neck for his bow tie. You can blindfold the child and see if they can get the tie on Mr. Bones in the right place!
Hanging Eyeballs!
Kids of all ages may like to make these Hanging Eyeballs for a door decoration or to hang on the fridge. They are easy to make with crayons or colored markers, and you can construct them from inexpensive paper plates.
Local Events and Activities
The autumn season brings a sense of comfort when just thinking about it. Warm and cozy clothing, shorter days, and the beautiful colors of the outdoors make almost everyone want to slow down and take it all in. Now is the time for families to get together and take advantage of the cooler weather.
Here are some suggestions for fun fall family activities that the whole family can enjoy! We’ve added a few links to events near us.
Visit Phoenix has a great list of fall events, including Fall Festivals, Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes, and even beautiful scenic drives. Check it out!
Schnepf Farms Pumpkin and Chili Party
This fun event runs Thursdays through Sundays throughout October. Enjoy the Schnepf Roller Coaster, Swing Ride, Flying farmer, Jumping Pillows, Lil farmers play yard, Ropes Course, Zip lines, Pig Race, Bonfires, Live entertainment, Dog Show, Carousel rides, Giant board games, Shops, a 4-acre corn maze, a 10- acre Celebrity corn maze, Amusement rides, and more. Click Here to learn more.
Canyon Lake on the Tonto National Forest on the Apache Trail
Now that temps will start getting lower, it’s the perfect time to enjoy some of the phenomenal hikes that Phoenix has to offer.
And last but not least, don’t miss the Arizona State Fair 2023!
That’s Fall, Y’all!
As we enter this season of celebrating harvest and Thanksgiving, we would like to thank you for making us your dental home, and hope you enjoy this wonderful time of year!
