A Child's First Dental Appointment

At the dental office of Dr. Dennis Morehart, we are proud to serve the families from our community, and we want them to know it’s just as important for children to have regular dental visits.  A child’s first dental visit should be scheduled when the first baby tooth appears, or around the child’s first birthday.  Baby teeth eventually come out, but their growth and development is important for overall oral health for the child and the development of their adult teeth.

Baby teeth should be brushed and cared for like adult teeth, and it’s important to monitor their growth and development.  Missing any tooth for too long can change the development of surrounding teeth and compromise the structure of the jaw bone, but regular checkups can keep a child’s tooth development right on track.  Our dentists are skilled and experienced in administering dental care to children.  If your child has seems nervous about seeing a dentist for the first time, we recommend going through a brushing routine with them at home, and talking about the dental visit before you arrive.  Once we get your child’s oral health off to a great start, we offer a full range of services for child patients including dental cleanings, fluoride treatments and sealants.

We love to see good oral hygiene habits formed early and make lifetime patients out of kids from our community!  To learn more about dental care for your kids, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.

Sealants for Pediatric Patients

Almost half of all children and adolescents in the United States have had cavities in their permanent teeth.  At the dental practice of Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS, we take great pride in serving the families from our community, and want to see kids get on track for a lifetime of great oral health!  Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS applies sealants for pediatric patients to protect their back teeth during the years many kids experience their first cavity.

Molars first come in at around 5-7 years of age, with a second set coming in between the ages of 11-14.  These teeth have pits and grooves on the chewing surface that trap food and bacteria.  The best time to have a sealant placed is when the molars first come in to make sure they are protected early.  The process of getting a sealant is quick and simple for your child.  The plastic resin is applied to the back molars with a little brush.  This resin fills any pits and grooves on the surface of the tooth, then hardens.  The surface of the molars is now protected from bits of food being stuck, so bacteria cannot multiply and cause decay, and tooth enamel is protected from plaque and acids.  Sealants can effectively prevent cavities for up to ten years and can be reapplied of necessary.

To learn more about sealants and all the services we provide, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.

FDA Issues Warning on Teething Tablets

Dr. Dennis Morehart has treated generations of patients and continues to run a family practice in Enid. As such, our office is concerned by the Food and Drug Administration’s recent warning regarding a popular product for teething babies. On January 27, 2017, the FDA advised consumers to immediately dispose of Hyland’s teething tablets because they contain inconsistent levels of belladonna.

Also known as deadly nightshade, the herb Atropa belladonna has been used since ancient times as a sedative and remains popular among practitioners of homeopathy. However, it is also famed as a poison and causes respiratory failures and seizures. Homeopathic products usually do not require FDA approval prior to being marketed, and in 2010, The Standard Homeopathic Company, the manufacturer of Hyland’s teething tablets, pulled the product after the FDA complained that the dosage of belladonna extract varied considerably between tablets. Hyland’s was reintroduced shortly after, but was pulled again in October of 2016 for the same reason. At the time, the FDA was pressuring Raritan Pharmaceuticals, another homeopathic company, to recall belladonna products distributed at CVS.

No human fatalities have yet been proven to have been caused by The Standard Homeopathic Company’s products. However, investigations are ongoing, and the FDA warns that belladonna is not safe for children under two.

Dr. Dennis Morehart, Master of the Academy of General Dentistry, operates Enid Dental Care at 2411 Heritage Trail, Ste #4, Enid, Oklahoma, 73703. To schedule an appointment, call 580-237-2213 or visit EnidDentalCare.com and fill out a contact sheet.

Baby Tooth Care Tips

Baby teeth may be small, but they’re important. To help prevent the buildup of plaque bacteria that can lead to decay, Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS recommends regularly cleaning your newborn’s gums with a damp washcloth following feedings. It’s important to start cleaning your child’s teeth before they come in to jumpstart a healthy smile.

Wipe the gums off after each feeding with a warm, wet washcloth or a dampened piece of gauze wrapped around your finger. In addition, take measures to prevent baby bottle tooth decay, a disease that causes severe, swift decay of baby teeth. To help prevent it, do not put your baby to bed with a bottle of formula or a sugary drink, such as juice. The possibility of tooth decay is directly related to the number of times that sugar comes in contact with the teeth. Your child’s baby teeth act as placeholders for adult teeth. Without a healthy set of baby teeth, your child risks having trouble chewing and speaking clearly as they get older.

If you have questions about pediatric oral care, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.

Getting Kids Motivated for Oral Care

Taking care of your teeth is essential for your overall health, even baby teeth. While some kids do not quite understand the importance of good oral hygiene, they should still know how to do a good job. Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS wants to encourage all of his pediatric patients to get a head start with creating a routine home oral care plan. Take some of these tips for getting your child excited about taking care of their mouth.

The first thing that can get kids interested in their dental health is letting them pick out their own dental supplies. There are so many fun flavors for both toothpaste and floss. Then let them pick a toothbrush that they will be excited to use. Bright colors and cartoon characters can motivate kids to pick up their toothbrush. They may even enjoy a toothbrush that plays music. The music makes the job entertaining plus it keeps track of their time brushing so that they spend enough time.

Another way to entice kids into taking good dental care is to brush your own teeth with them. For little kids, this helps them see what they should do. Make sure to floss in front of them, as well!

Chore charts help for those who need a little extra motivation. These can be simple; such as brushing twice per day and flossing once per day for so many days in a row gets your child a trip to the park or their favorite dinner.

Starting your kids on a good dental hygiene habit young means they will likely keep a good routine in adulthood. To schedule your family’s appointments with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS, call our Enid, OK dental practice at (580) 237-2213 or visit our website, www.eniddentalcare.com. 

Calming Kids' Dental Fears

When kids are afraid of going to the dentist, if that fear is not overcome, unfortunately, it can sometimes lead to dental anxiety that continues into adulthood. Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS here in Enid, OK wants all of his patients to feel relaxed and happy during their dental appointments. Take these tips for helping kids feel better about dental visits.

Kids feel safe when they are in familiar territory, which is one reason why you should begin taking your kids to the dentist at a young age. Anyway, kids should begin seeing a dentist as soon as their first tooth appears, or at least by the age of one. If they start as young as possible, kids will feel familiar with the appointments and be less nervous.

For young kids who have never been to the dentist or do not remember going, try creating a pretend dental appointment at home. Have them lie back on a sofa and open up wide while you take their toothbrush and rub each tooth. Pretend to examine the teeth and mention how healthy their mouth will be after the real appointment.

Taking your kids to your own appointment is another way to get them familiar with the building and the staff. Again, familiarity is key, plus your kids can see that you are fine and there is no reason to fear their own dental appointment.

Keeping healthy baby teeth is vital for healthy adult teeth. To schedule your family’s cleaning and examinations with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS, call our Enid, OK dental office at (580) 237-2213 or visit our website, www.eniddentalcare.com.