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Our team at our office understand that the sights, sounds and sensations at a dental office can be unsettling for some children. One effective technique that we use to comfort your child is to offer the gas nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide is a common anesthetic used during many dental procedures.

What is Nitrous Oxide?

Nitrous oxide is an oxide of nitrogen which has a slight sweet odor and taste. During medical or dental procedures, the gas is mixed with oxygen then inhaled through a mask that covers your child's nose. Within minutes, your child should feel calm and experience an overall sense relaxation. Most children are enthusiastic about the administration of nitrous oxide and report feeling like they are dreaming. Children will be able to breathe on their own, move their limbs, and be conscious enough to hear and respond to our dentist's questions such as, "Did you remember to brush your teeth today?" Of course they did! All our patients are great brushers! The effects of nitrous oxide disappear shortly after the mask is removed and the drug is quickly eliminated from their body.

Is Nitrous Oxide Safe?

Recreational use of nitrous oxide for its euphoric effects can be dangerous, however, the drug is combined with oxygen at dental offices. This ensures oxygen reaches the brain and prevents dangerous side effects or hypoxia. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recognizes nitrous oxide inhalation as a "safe and effective technique to reduce anxiety, produce analgesia, and enhance effective communication between a patient and healthcare provider."

Nitrous oxide is non-addictive and non-allergic, however, it may cause nausea in up to ten percent of patients. The drug is not recommended for children with some medical conditions such as chronic pulmonary disease. We recognize that all patients are different and encourage you to talk with Dr. Bob Maley about whether nitrous oxide would be a good option for your child.

Our team wants to help all patients in St. Paul, MN to overcome dental anxiety, so please, give us a call at our office.

Cheese, as our team at our office will tell you, is one of the healthiest snacks for your child’s teeth. In addition to providing large amounts of much-needed calcium, cheese also helps fight cavities. Cheese helps stimulate the body’s salivary glands to clear your child's mouth of debris and protect them from acids that weaken them. This means cheese disrupts the development of cavities, especially when eaten as a snack or at the end of a meal. Calcium and phosphorous found in cheese reduce or prevent decreases in the plaque’s pH level and work to re-mineralize the enamel of your child’s teeth, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

We hope this helps! If you or your child have any questions about cheese or calcium, or want to schedule an appointment, please give us a call!

Did you know the month of May is designated National Physical Fitness and Sports Month? After all, there isn't a better time to celebrate physical activity as when the warm weather and sunshine makes its way back into our lives!

Now that the flowers are in bloom and the weather has warmed up, it's easier to go outside and soak up the sun. After spending the winter working out in gyms or doing crunches at home, exercising outdoors can be a lot more enjoyable as well. Whether you enjoy hikes, jogging, or biking, spring gives us a chance to smell the grass, take in the rays, and enjoy the blue sky—all senses that we just can't duplicate at the gym.

If jogging or biking isn't your cup of tea, we encourage you to try a sport! Sports have some amazing qualities that we often overlook. Team sports like baseball and soccer, and individual sports like golf and tennis can improve your coordination and agility, in addition to building determination, confidence, drive, hard-work, pride, leadership, and time management.

At our office, we always encourage our patients to stay fit by exercising or participating in sports. However, we want to remind you to always wear a mouthguard or other form of facial protection when playing sports. To learn more about how often your child should exercise, or to ask us about obtaining a mouthguard, please give us a call!

Our team at our office would like to offer some tips regarding the sometimes dreaded task of brushing a toddler’s teeth.

Much of the trick lies in the positioning. Before you begin, make sure you are in a position of control. This protects both you and your child from injury. Consider how well you can see. If you cannot see clearly, the quality of brushing drops significantly. For instance, if your child is standing, you are likely to see only the bottom teeth well.

Our team finds that the best position for brushing and flossing a toddler is when your child is calm. Have your child lie down on his or her back with arms out to make a T. Sit down just above the head and lightly place your legs over your child’s arms. Using a circular motion, brush all sides of the teeth.

It may sound odd, but approaching the routine this way can make brushing time a cinch! After you’re done, give your child the toothbrush and let him or her have a turn. The benefit of doing the brushing and flossing first is that it gives an example, which your child is more likely to repeat when you’re done.

Different methods work best for different families and children. These practices need to be performed with kindness and care. Be gentle and make this time a happy learning time. Don’t forget to bring your child to our St. Paul, MN office for regular dental checkups and cleanings. Dr. Bob Maley can advise you on ways to implement portions of these tips in a way that may work bests for you and your child.