StarSmilez will be getting two new characters in 2012! Everyone at StarSmilez is thrilled about our new additions and we want you to be too! We are always excited to get feedback from our customers and want your help in naming our new additions. Submit your ideas for your chance to win one of our new characters for free! Enter as many times as you want with as many names as you want! There are 2 new pieces for you to choose from:

To submit your entry, please send an email to amanda@starsmilez.com with the following information:

Take the fright out of holiday candy with these oral care tips. Most children love the holidays and all the pies, candy and cookies.Whats not to love? however tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease, it is important to teach your child early about the damage that too much candy can inflict on their teeth and gums and what you can both do to help prevent it.

Here is a great video by Dr. Janna Davis that will help explain how to brush your child’s teeth. You can find this video and many more on MyStarSmilez

This question has many different answers, depending on who you talk to. Why? Removal of wisdom teeth is predominantly a practice philosophy rather than an exact science. Meaning, there is much leeway, discussion and debate among all types of dentists as to what is the best treatment of wisdom teeth is.

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt and are the teeth furthest toward the back of the mouth. They are also referred to as “third molars,” and will frequently never appear in mouth. This can be due to lack of space in the mouth or simply because many people are born without them. Often times, there is no room for the wisdom teeth to erupt, leaving them trapped in the jaw or only partially erupted.

Most dentists would not recommend any child under the age of  6 to use mouthwash, and children that are under the age of twelve should only use mouthwash under adult supervision. The reason for this is the risk of the child swallowing the mouthwash. This can be dangerous if it is swallowed in large amount and can lead to something called fluorosis, a condition where long-lasting spots or streaks appear on the teeth.

So why should children use mouthwash at all? A fluoride mouthwash used on a daily basis can help strengthen teeth against cavities. It can be especially useful for older children with braces. The mouthwash is a great fluoride rinse that can help prevent acid that may build up under the braces.

It’s bound to happen; your child will lose their first tooth. This is an exciting time, but it can also be scary. Hopefully this will help you handle it with confidence and make it as fun as possible.

Permanent Teeth

There is a set of molars that will grow before your child loses any teeth. They are the first adult teeth that your child will have. They should come in between the ages of six and seven and will grow behind the baby teeth, in the back of the mouth.

We are supposed to replace our toothbrushes every 3 months, when there is noticeable wear or when we have an illness. So on average, a person will go through around 5 or more toothbrushes a year. It has been reported the amount of toothbrushes that end up in landfills every year equals 25000 tons. Below are some ways to reuse and recycle your toothbrush.

Just recycle it-Some toothbrushes are now made with handles from recyclable plastics. These can be put in your recycle bin at home and will then be melted down and made into other things like outdoor furniture. Next time you go buy a toothbrush, look for the recycle symbol on the packaging.

The hard outer surface of your teeth is the tooth enamel. It protects your teeth against decay.  It also protects the softer, more vulnerable part of the tooth inside. Tooth enamel is the hardest mineral substance that we have in our bodies. It is even stronger than bone.  Enamel is semi-translucent. The layer underneath is white, which makes the enamel white. However, coffee, tea, wine, cigarettes, and other food and drinks can stain your enamel, making it dingy, yellow, or gray.  Acids from the food we eat can weaken and soften the surface of our teeth. This is known as enamel loss. Foods that contain sugars and starch produce an acid that can destroy the enamel. It can also be chipped or cracked. Conditions that cause vomiting or acid reflux can also damage tooth enamel. When stomach acid gets into the mouth it can eat away at tooth enamel. Another cause of tooth enamel damage is teeth-grinding. Enamel can not grow back on its own and therefore, the damage is permanent. Cavities can from, and the teeth can become more sensitive.

Did you know that by kindergarten age more than 40% of kids have tooth decay.   Parents can sometimes neglect early oral health thinking that baby teeth are not important.  Below are 5 steps to ensure correct oral health becomes a lifetime habit for your little one.

It Starts Early

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, your child should see a dentist by their first birthday.  Introducing your child to the dentist at an early age can create a trust and confidence between your child and their dentist.  Regular visits and cleaning should be continued as per your dentist.

Why are baby teeth important? Your child needs those baby teeth healthy to chew their food, speak, and keep the space needed for their adult teeth to grow in properly.  Sometimes when a baby tooth is lost, the teeth next to it can move into the empty space. When the adult teeth try to grow in, there is not enough space.  This can cause teeth to be crooked and or crowded.