Valentine’s Day is here and there is a lot of candy making the rounds this week. It’s once again time to remind all our patients to be extra careful when choosing those candies and treats!

All those sweet, sour and sticky candies may taste great, but these treats are known to damage teeth, as well as braces if you’re wearing them! Did you know sour candies can be acidic to your teeth, and actually wear down the enamel that protects them? This can cause tooth decay and cavities! Sour and fruity candy, such as Starburst and Skittles, are the worst for your teeth since these candies have a low pH value, which is known to ruin enamel.

We recommend softer treats, such as soft chocolate or peanut butter cups, or melt-in-your-mouth foods. Those who indulge should make sure they brush and floss between teeth, as well as at the gum line.

Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at Dr. Steven Demetriou's office!

Grind, grind, grind. If you live with a teeth grinder, you may be familiar with this unpleasant sound. Did you know teeth grinding, or bruxism, is common in children as well? In fact, three out of 10 kids grind or clench their teeth, usually in response to losing teeth, jaw growth or other discomforts, such as allergies or infections. Teeth grinding is typically a passing phenomena as most kids outgrow it by the time they reach their teenage years. An important thing to remember is that kids frequently grind their teeth in response to stress, and taking measures to reduce or eliminate stress can help solve the problem.

The first step of recovering from teeth grinding is noticing the problem. Symptoms of teeth grinding include:

• Sensitivity in the teeth
• Tightness or pain in the jaw
• Dull headaches, earaches, or facial pain
• Chipped, worn down, or loose teeth

If your child is a teeth grinder, we may be able to help. Please give us a call or ask Dr. Steven Demetriou and team on Facebook!

For the past 62 Februaries, the American Dental Association, or ADA, has sponsored National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. National Children's Dental Health Month began as a one-day event in 1941 in a Cleveland clinic. In 1981, however, the program was extended to a month-long celebration known today as National Children’s Dental Health Month.

Each February, Dr. Steven Demetriou and thousands of dental professionals focus on the preventive oral care of America's children. Dr. Demetriou and our staff want you to remember developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Has your child visited our office the past six months? If not, it’s time to give us a call and schedule an appointment!

While Dr. Demetriou and our team strive to offer a comfortable experience for all our patients, we realize that fear or anxiety while visiting the dentist can affect a lot of people anyway. For patients who need extra comfort and relaxation during their dental visit, we are pleased to offer sedation dentistry.

Does your child feel nervous or stressed about their upcoming dental treatment? Well they are not alone; in fact, almost 30 percent of the population experiences "dental phobia" when faced with visiting the dentist!

The reasons for patients' fear of the dentist can be numerous, but are usually due to a traumatic experience during their childhood. This overwhelming anxiety can cause one to avoid modern dental care, resulting in poor oral hygiene and possible mouth-related issues such as gum disease.

If your child experiences one or more of the following, they could benefit from sedation dentistry:

* High fear of dental care
* Complex dental problems
* Traumatic dental experiences
* Fear of needles and shots
* Trouble getting numb
* Sensitive teeth

If your child suffers from a dental phobia, sedation dentistry may be the answer. Please give us a call for more info about sedation dentistry, and we'll be more than happy to answer your questions.