Protecting Your Smile: What To Do For Trauma To The Teeth

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Summer is full of outdoor fun and sports, but dental injuries can happen when you least expect them. Keep this quick reference guide handy in case your child experiences an injury to a baby or adult tooth.

If A Baby Tooth is Knocked Out:

1. Call your pediatric dentist immediately. We may need to take an x-ray or provide care to prevent pain or infection.

2. Apply a cold compress to the area to reduce swelling.

3. Do NOT replant the tooth. Replanting a baby tooth can damage the developing permanent underneath.

If A Permanent Tooth is Knocked Out:

1. Find the tooth. Rinse it gently in cool water. Do not scrub or use soap- this can damage delicate root fibers.

2. Reinsert the tooth back into the socket as soon as possible. If you cannot reimplant it, place the tooth in Save-A-Tooth solution, milk or the child’s saliva. Do not store it in plain water.

3. Call your pediatric dentist immediately. Prompt care is essential for the best chance of saving the tooth.

If A Tooth is Chipped or Broken:

1. Call your pediatric dentist as soon as possible.

2. Find and save the broken fragment. We may be able to reattach it.

3. Apply a cold compress to the area to reduce swelling.

The best way to protect your child’s teeth during sports and physical play is by wearing a mouthguard. You can find boil-and-bite versions at most sporting goods stores, or we can create a custom mouthguard in our office for the best fit and protection.

Open House and Doctors Appreciation Party!

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What an unforgettable night! Our Smiles For Kids Open House and Doctor Appreciation Party was filled with gratitude, celebration and so much excitement for what’s ahead. Surrounded by the BEST pediatric dental team, family and friends from near and far, and our incredible Houston-area dental and medical colleagues, we are deeply thankful and inspired for the future!

Guests were treated to a special surprise sneak peek and unveiling of our new office look and SFK logo! More details on that coming VERY soon! 😉

We couldn’t have asked for a better evening. Thank you everyone for supporting Smiles For Kids Pediatric Dentistry!

Sincerely, Dr. Theriot

Preparing for Summer: Healthy Snacks for Happy Smiles

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Summer can make it tough for parents to maintain good nutrition. With kids home and temperatures rising, it’s tempting to grab quick and frequent snacks, but many of those options are loaded with sugar and acids that harm teeth. Keep your child’s smile healthy by focusing on three key factors:

  1. Acidity – Acidic drinks weaken enamel.

  2. Sugar Content – Sugar fuels cavity-causing bacteria.

  3. Stickiness & Duration – The longer food stays in the mouth, the higher the risk.

Best Drink Choices - Skip juices, sports drinks, and sodas, which are high in acid and sugar. Instead, opt for water or regular milk!

Healthy Snack Picks

  • Go for cold, refreshing, and non-sticky foods, usually found in the outer aisles of the grocery store:

    • Fresh fruits like apples, pears, watermelon, and berries

    • Dairy options like cheese and yogurt

    • Protein sources such as nuts and sandwich meats

    • Homemade fruit popsicles or ice cream (melts quickly, lowering cavity risk)

What to Avoid:

  • Sticky snacks: gummies, fruit snacks, dried fruit

  • Processed sugars: crackers, Goldfish, cookies

  • Hard candy & lollipops (prolonged sugar exposure)

This summer, keep kids’ teeth strong and healthy by making smart snack choices. A little planning can go a long way in preventing cavities while still allowing for fun, tasty treats. Have questions? Give us a call at Smiles For Kids!

Happy Mother's Day!

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Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at Smiles For Kids! Today, we celebrate all the incredible moms - biological, adoptive, foster, stepmoms, grandmothers, and mother figures who fill the world with love and care. We’re especially grateful for the amazing moms in our patient families and on our team. Wishing you a day full of joy, laughter, and special moments with the ones you love!

What’s the best type of floss to use?

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It’s important to floss daily because food, plaque and debris get trapped in between the teeth where the toothbrush cannot effectively clean. This plaque collects cavity-causing bacteria. That’s where floss does the job!

Let’s talk about the three different types of floss:

  1. Regular dental floss is the gold standard and most affordable option! Using the C-shaped technique with regular floss physically scrapes plaque and debris off the side of the teeth, inbetween and underneath the gums. The CONs to regular floss are that it can be difficult to use around metal appliances and dental work, and hard for parents to use if they’re trying to stick big hands into little mouths.

  2. Floss picks (like those disposable ones) are a great option for kids that have limited dexterity or parents that are trying to fit big hands into little mouths. They are easy to use and can be tossed in the trash after each use.

  3. Water flossers (like WaterPiks) are a good additional tool for patients that have appliances like braces, expanders, etc. A pressurized water stream helps to spray plaque and debris out from underneath brackets and wires. It can also reach in areas where traditional floss is difficult to get into. The CONs are that these flossers can be quite expensive, require electricity, and can get messy spraying water all around the bathroom!

The best approach is to find a method that you will consistently use, as regular oral hygiene is crucial for maintaining a healthy smile!

Dental X-rays

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At Smiles For Kids, we are committed to balancing the need for diagnostic x-rays with minimizing radiation exposure. We use advanced technology to ensure the lowest possible radiation exposure, including digital x-rays, which emit significantly less radiation than traditional film x-rays, protective thyroid collars and lead aprons, and taking x-rays only when necessary, based on risk factors and AAPD guidelines.

Why are x-rays important?

  • Early Detection/Preventative Care: Help identify problems like cavities between teeth, infections, and issues with tooth development that might not be visible during a regular checkup. Early detection helps to avoid more extensive and costly treatments later on. 

  • Monitor Growth and Development/Identify Potential Problems: Essential for tracking the growth and development of a child's teeth and jaw, ensuring proper alignment and eruption of permanent teeth. We can also identify if there is enough space for permanent teeth to erupt, if baby teeth are falling out correctly and if cysts or abnormal lesions are forming. 

  • Treatment Planning: Help Dr. Theriot plan necessary treatment, such as fillings, crowns, extractions, or early orthodontic intervention, by providing a clear view of the underlying structures.

Typical X-ray Schedule

Below gives you an idea of our recommended x-ray schedule based on the America Academy of Pediatric Dentistry guidelines, ensuring optimal care while prioritizing safety:

  • Ages 3 and Under: We do not typically take x-rays before age 3. At age 3, we take a set of baseline x-rays called an FMX to check for decay, pathology, infection, extra or missing teeth, and monitor the development of permanent teeth under baby teeth.

  • Ages 3-7: Bitewings are taken to check for cavities in between the teeth and see how deep a chewing surface cavity may be. Children with spaces between back teeth, excellent oral hygiene, a healthy diet, and no prior cavities may not need these type of x-rays again for about 12-18 months. Children at higher risk for cavities (back teeth touching, sugary/acidic diet, poor oral hygiene), we recommended them about every 6-12 months. Periapical x-rays are taken below the roots and bone only on an as needed basis to check and monitor previous trauma, infections, abnormalities, missing teeth, etc. depending on the severity of the issue.

  • Ages 7-12: A panoramic x-ray is taken not to detect cavities but to provide a “zoomed out” view of jaw growth, developing permanent teeth, extra or missing teeth, and potential orthodontic needs. If normal, the next panoramic x-ray is taken around age 12 when all primary teeth have been lost and permanent teeth have erupted. Bitewing frequency in this age group decreases, typically every 12-18 months, since permanent teeth enamel is thicker than in primary teeth. Again, we look at cavity risk factors.

  • Ages 13-17: Most teenagers require bitewings every 12-24 months, but frequency increases with poor oral hygiene, developing cavities, high-sugar/acid diets, or orthodontic appliances are in place. A panoramic is taken again around age 17 to check wisdom teeth development and determine if an oral surgeon referral is needed.

If you have any questions or concerns about x-rays, their necessity, indications, or safety, please contact our office anytime at 713-461-1509.

Children's Dental Health Month School Presentaions!

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We had a great time visiting many schools and daycares in the Memorial and Spring Branch area teaching kiddos all about visiting the dentist, brushing and flossing, and healthy foods for our teeth and bodies!

The schools were so excited about their goody bags full of toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss and 2 minute timers!

If you would like us to visit your school, please call us at 713-461-1509 or email us at drtheriot@smiles-for-kids.com!

February is Children's Dental Health Month!

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Check out these important facts:

  1. Tooth decay is the most common childhood disease.

  2. 3 out of 5 children are affected by tooth decay.

  3. It is 5 times more common than asthma.

  4. 51 million school hours are missed due to oral disease.

  5. It is recommended to see the pediatric dentist by your child’s first birthday!

  6. Brush your child’s teeth twice a day for 2 minutes. Then floss to clean in between the teeth. Parents should help with brushing until they can clearly write their own name.

  7. Fluoride helps to make enamel stronger and protects teeth against cavities by fighting acid & erosion.

  8. Avoid sticky snacks like gummies and crackers because those will linger on the teeth longer. Instead, try yogurt, cheese, fruits and veggies!

  9. Water is the best drink for your teeth AND your body!

To learn more about Children’s Dental Health Month, and to download some fun activity sheets and coloring pages, visit: ADA.org!