• Take Your Children to the Dentist While They’re Young

Many general and pediatric dentists suggest that you bring your youngsters for a dental check-up as soon as their first tooth appears. You can even take them with you during your own dental appointment. By doing so, you’ll be able to help your kids familiarize themselves not only with the clinic but also with the dental procedures.

You can also take pictures every time you bring your children to their tooth fairy and show the images to them when they’re older. Seeing such photos might help them be more confident about revisiting their dentist.

• Avoid Negative Words When Talking to Your Child

Inform your kids about your plan for a dental visit ahead of time. Telling them about it at the last minute might only add more stress. When explaining what might happen at the clinic, try to avoid negative words like hurt, pain, and shot, as these might only scare them even more. Focus instead on the benefits of the dental appointment.

You should also avoid explaining every detail of the dental appointment with your kid, as it might only cause more confusion to them and add to their anxiety. Try to keep it as simple as you can.

• Don’t Bribe Your Kids With Rewards

Sometimes, parents tend to make promises of rewards to their children just to get them to agree to a dental visit. While this might work for some kids, other children might only feel more anxious about going to the dentist. You can plan to treat your child after the appointment, but don’t use it as a bribe. It might be best to leave the reward as a surprise instead.

Set Up a Dental Appointment With Pillar Dental Today!

If you need more tips on how you can help your child cope with dental anxiety, reach out to Pillar Dental today! We have an experienced and reliable general dentist who is more than willing to assist you.

The post Tips on How To Help Your Child Manage Dental Phobia appeared first on Pillar Dental.

However, keeping your taste buds happy can sometimes be worrisome for your teeth and gums. Fortunately, there’s a way to enjoy the holiday festivities without compromising your white, healthy smile. Follow these four simple dental tips to keep your mouth and teeth healthy this Christmas season.

Avoid Too Many Sweets

It’s the season to be jolly, especially for lovers of sweets, such as candy canes, gingerbread cookies, and cake. However, it’s important to remind yourself that consuming too much sugar can be a disaster for your dental health.

Still, you don’t have to avoid them altogether; it’s Christmas, after all! The smart move is to control your intake of sweets and always brush your teeth after consuming them. That way, you’re limiting your teeth’s exposure to sugar and avoiding the risk of tooth decay.

Drink Water

Speaking of sugar, you’d want to stay away from it no matter if it’s in solid or liquid form. That means you should also avoid sweet drinks such as sodas, juices, and energy drinks. Instead, it’s advisable to drink water with fluoride to keep your pearly whites protected throughout the holidays.

Keep a Routine

The holidays can disrupt your schedule, but you must always stay on track no matter what. Christmas or not, you must always brush your teeth twice a day to maintain the health of your teeth and gums.

To make sure your brushing routine isn’t hindered, keep a toothbrush, a small tube of toothpaste, and some floss in your purse or bag. That way, you can freshen up after meals, no matter where you are.

Honor Your Dental Appointment

If your dental appointment falls during the holidays, don’t skip it. On top of that, scheduling a post-holiday checkup and cleaning is also highly recommended. After all, keeping your teeth and gums healthy is one of the best gifts you can give yourself.

Teeth Whitening in South Dakota

Do you want to schedule a post-holiday dental checkup and teeth whitening in South Dakota? Pillar Dental should be on top of your list! Don’t hesitate to contact us today  to book an appointment!

The post White Christmas: Keep Your Teeth Healthy During the Holidays appeared first on Pillar Dental.

Needless to say, dental implants can be beneficial to many individuals. However, some people think that the procedure is uncomfortable and painful, which makes them nervous about undergoing surgery.

Should you decide to get implants, there’s really nothing to worry about. Here are three reasons why you shouldn’t be nervous about having artificial tooth implantation.

The Operation Is Quick and Precise

This surgery is considered a minor procedure, as your dentist will plan out the placement details even before you enter the clinic. For that reason, the operation only lasts for one to two hours.

For more complex cases, a dental implant specialist in Sioux Falls performs a CBCT scan prior to the surgery to analyze the bone condition. This will help your dentist determine exactly where to place each implant and create a surgical guide for the procedure.

You’ll Be Under Local Anesthesia

You’ll be happy to know that this surgery is actually painless and one of the easiest dental operations to perform. In fact, implantation is easier than tooth extraction in most cases.

The dentist will perform this procedure with local anesthesia. A local anesthetic keeps you conscious, but the implant site and surrounding tissues will be numb. If you still feel anxious to proceed even with anesthesia, your dentist can administer a sedative or anti-anxiety medication before proceeding with the surgery.

You’ll Experience Minimal Post-Operation Discomfort

One of the most dreaded things about dental procedures is the pain and discomfort that patients feel afterward. With dental implant surgery, however, you won’t have to worry about that, too.

Thanks to today’s innovative techniques and advanced technologies, individuals who get implants only experience minimal discomfort. On top of that, the operation causes minimal tissue disruption, as dentists precisely stitch the incised tissues.

Visit a Dental Implant Specialist in Sioux Falls

Are you considering getting dental implants? Look no further than Pillar Dental! As sedation dentistry specialists, we guarantee that there’s nothing you should be worried about undergoing artificial tooth implantation.

You may also reach out to us for other procedures, such as one-appointment crowns or Invisalign clear braces installation. Call us today!

The post Dental implants? Don’t be nervous about them! appeared first on Pillar Dental.

Like any other health emergency, serious concerns involving the mouth and teeth need to be cared for as soon as possible. As such, it’s crucial to learn how to respond to them to prevent aggravating the injury any further. Being aware of the right course of action can determine the outcome of your treatment and recovery.

Dealing with dental emergencies can be traumatic, but there will always be a solution to any long-term problem. Listed below are some common dental emergencies, along with the best ways to deal with them.

Chipped or Broken Tooth

The enamel that covers your teeth is the hardest tissue in the body, but its sturdiness has its limits. Accidents, sports injuries, and bad chewing habits can result in a broken tooth.

Should this happen to you, rinse your mouth with warm water, and place a cold washcloth over the injured area. If there’s bleeding, apply pressure on the surface using a gauze. Finally, call a dental professional for an emergency appointment.

Knocked Out Permanent Tooth

Falls or sporting accidents may result in the loss of a permanent tooth. If this happens, look for the tooth and clean it. Touching the crown of the tooth, put it back in place into the socket. The bone will reattach to the root once it’s correctly repositioned.

If you cannot put the tooth back in, secure it into a cup of fresh milk to preserve it. Regardless, contact a dentist that uses advanced dental technologies in Sioux Falls immediately.

Excruciating Toothache

A severe toothache can indicate the presence of an infection in the mouth. Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater to sanitize it. It’s also recommended to apply a cold compress to your cheek if it’s swelling. Call a dental professional as extraction is likely necessary.

Set an Appointment

If you’re dealing with a tooth- or mouth-related emergency, reach out to Pillar Dental immediately. Our experts utilize advanced dental technologies in Sioux Falls to treat tooth and mouth problems.

We specialize in sedation dentistry and cosmetic dentistry. You may also come to us for one-appointment crowns or Invisalign clear aligners. Call us today.

The post Dealing With Dental Emergencies appeared first on Pillar Dental.

The post How Dental Clinics Are Sanitized: What You Need to Know appeared first on Pillar Dental.

That said, it’s crucial to take the right steps to ensure that you’re doing what’s optimal for the health of your mouth. This includes using the proper dental care products and being aware of your lifestyle choices and habits. For your reference, listed below are some best practices to maintain healthy teeth and gums.

Brush Regularly and Properly

Since we were kids, we’ve been told to brush, brush, brush after every meal. But what we were not taught enough is that the way we brush is as important as the frequency.

It’s important to remember that brushing isn’t supposed to be rushed. To effectively remove plaque, move the toothbrush in gentle, circular motions. Take your time and make sure that everything is covered.

Use the Right Products

Regardless of your preference in flavor, the thing that matters most when selecting your toothpaste is its fluoride content. This substance is a powerhouse when it comes to oral health because it’s the best protection against tooth decay.

In addition, flossing once a day is also essential to get rid of food chunks that might have gotten stuck between your teeth. In fact, some experts believe that flossing is as important as brushing.

Finally, consider using a mouthwash as well. Variants that contain anti-bacterial components can help prevent plaque buildup and gingivitis.

Limit Consumption of Sugary Food

Maintaining proper oral hygiene includes making conscious decisions in your diet. While it may seem difficult, it’s best to avoid sweets as consuming too much sugar can lead to tooth decay. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), people should limit sugar intake to a maximum of 50 grams per day.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Some people only visit their dentist when their tooth starts aching. However, experts recommend seeing a dentist once every six months for some general dentistry services. This enables a medical professional to check for signs of cavities, gum disease, as well as other oral health concerns.

Orthodontist in Sioux Falls, SD

Turn to Pillar Dental if you’re looking for a trustworthy dental clinic in Sioux Falls, SD. We provide excellent general dentistry services, from tooth fillings to advanced dental procedures. Call us today!

The post Best Practices for Healthy Teeth and Gums appeared first on Pillar Dental.