Every February, we support National Children’s Dental Health Month. There is a strong emphasis on proper dental hygiene for kids during the month. As children grow, they rely primarily on their parents to learn what is right and wrong and what to do and avoid. So, as a parent, it’s your responsibility to show your children what healthy dental habits are. 

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), children should go to the dentist when their first tooth grows in or before their first birthday. When starting healthy habits early, your children are more likely to have better dental hygiene throughout their lives. As with adults, children should visit the dentist twice yearly to ensure that their teeth, gums, and mouth are healthy. This is increasingly important as children lose their baby teeth and their permanent adult teeth come in, especially if they see cavities, tooth decay, or inflammation. If these issues persist, your dentist may recommend a quarterly dental checkup instead of a bi-yearly visit. 

When instilling proper dental hygiene into your children, you get a reminder, too! Make flossing a family activity and consider offering rewards for positive dental visits, such as movie nights or game nights. 

Practicing healthy oral habits will also transfer to healthy habits in other areas of their lives. When children are consistently working on ways to better their health and life, you will see more positive choices in their future. For example, daily flossing and brushing can lead to better study habits and help around the house – especially when healthy and positive habits are reinforced and rewarded! 

Silver Diamine Flouride (SDF)

A relatively new technique in America is silver diamine fluoride, and it prevents cavities from growing, forming, or spreading. SDF is applied directly to the surface of teeth, whether on a specific tooth in which a cavity has started to develop or on all teeth as a preventative measure.

This procedure is easier and less invasive than drilling for cavities and can help those with anxiety about the dentist, especially children. This technique is generally performed yearly, if at all. While there are many positive aspects to this procedure – it’s easy, painless, and a helpful cavity solution – there are also negatives. The main drawback to this procedure is that black staining around the areas where SDF was applied has been known to turn black. It’s unknown whether this is a temporary or permanent change. 

Before recommending SDF treatment, each dentist will consider your (or your child’s) specific scenario. However, due to the adverse aesthetic risks, although harmless, many dentists still prefer the traditional technique of getting cavities under control.  

If you’re looking for the best dentist in Knoxville, whether for children or adults, you’ve found it with Cakmes Dental Studio. We’re more than happy to start your children on their dental health journey and can answer any questions you or they have along the way. Give us a call today to schedule their first appointment!

If you’re new to Knoxville, or if you’ve lived here for years and are still looking, finding the right dentist is an important decision to make. Cakmes Dental Studio is a family dental practice that is home to Dr. Nick and Dr. Steven Cakmes, a wonderful father-son duo who love their job and their patients. If you’re looking for the best dentist in Knoxville, TN, look no further than Cakmes Dental Studio for all of your dental needs – from general dentistry to cosmetics, and more.

There are many qualities, qualifications, and personality traits to consider when searching for the right dentist. Your dentist should have incredible attention to detail, they should be trustworthy, they should have intimate knowledge of teeth and gums, and they should have impressive manual dexterity. 

Dr. Nick and Dr. Steven possess all of those qualities and are both experts in their field. When it comes to general dentistry, they are skilled in many services – from cleanings to tooth-colored fillings, crowns and bridges to dental implants, root canals, tooth extractions, and more, you won’t find a better dentist to handle your procedure. 

Cakmes Dental Studio takes it a step further with cosmetic dentistry services, such as veneers, teeth whitening, and aesthetic contouring. Dr. Nick and Dr. Steven’s attention to detail is unparalleled. As dentists, they know that even the smallest details can make the biggest difference, and that is why they are so good at what they do. They know every detail of every project or procedure they tackle, and the results make that obvious. 

Whether you’re looking for bi-yearly cleanings, help with a crooked tooth, teeth whitening for summer, or anything else, Dr. Nick and Dr. Steven are here to answer your questions and fix your problems. 

Dr. Nick and Dr. Steven love their patients, many of whom have been treated for years, or even decades, and their patients love them back (check out the reviews to see for yourself!). Not only do they have the proper schooling and knowledge of every detail of dentistry, but they are also quite passionate about it. They attend conferences, seminars, and more, to ensure that they are always learning, staying up to date with best practices, and providing the best for their patients. 

If you’re looking for a wonderful dentist in Knoxville, TN, know that the superb dentists and staff at Cakmes Dental Studio are all you need. Their skills, work ethic, and personalities combine to create the perfect dentist, twice over! We are blessed to create an environment in which our patients feel happy, calm, and satisfied with their cleanings, procedures, and more. If you’re looking for a lifelong dentist, schedule an appointment today. 

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, which serves to remind parents, caregivers, and healthcare workers why taking children to the dentist and helping them maintain proper dental health is so important. Developing positive habits at a young age will follow children as they age, ensuring that they keep happy, healthy smiles all their lives. 

Children should be taken to the dentist as soon as their first tooth grows in or before their first birthday, according to the American Dental Association (ADA). This allows the dentists to identify any potential areas of concern, such as tooth or gum decay. The dentist will also help teach caregivers how to properly clean their child’s teeth. Children’s teeth should be brushed twice a day for around 2 minutes each time. The amount of fluoride toothpaste will depend on the age of the child but can vary from just a smear to a pea-sized amount. 

Some children may not want to brush their teeth every morning and evening. However, there are several ways that you can make teeth cleaning more enjoyable. One great way to get children excited to brush their teeth is to make brushing and flossing a fun routine that they can look forward to. For example, try letting your child pick out their own toothbrush (just make sure it’s ADA approved!). You could also try playing a song for 2 minutes which can help reinforce the amount of time that should be spent brushing.

Education is key to help children understand why taking care of their oral health should be a priority. If you’re unsure about where to start, the ADA has worksheets, activities, and a planning guide that can help caregivers and teachers promote good oral health to children. 

Just like with adults, preventative care is the best way to maintain proper oral health in children. In addition to brushing and flossing, it’s a good idea to limit your child’s intake of sugary foods and drinks. It may be shocking to learn that around 42% of children ages 2-11 have some amount of tooth decay. Water is always the best drink option, as most town water sources contain fluoride which helps contribute to healthy teeth. Regular checkups are also essential for addressing any concerns early on.

At Cakmes Dental Studio, we’re committed to providing you and your family with the best dental care possible. If you have any oral health needs or concerns, feel free to get in contact with our office. You can visit our website or call us at (865) 584-6163 for any questions you may have or to set up an appointment.

Since 1981, the entire month of February has been designated for promoting the importance of children’s dental health. So, this year we are celebrating the 39th anniversary of encouraging and helping raise awareness of the dental health of children. The National Children’s Dental Health Month is a project that was created by the American Dental Association (ADA), Oral B, and Crest. This campaign’s slogan and goal is, “brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth for a healthy smile.”

Some may find it surprising that many people actually believe that the health of children’s teeth and gums is not relevant until their permanent teeth grow in. This is not true in any way. As soon as a child’s baby tooth grows in, it is at risk of getting a cavity. Although they will, in fact, lose these teeth, cavities in children’s baby teeth can be very painful for the child and financially painful for the parent. 

Once children’s permanent teeth come in, they are at a high risk of getting cavities. Did you know that, according to the CDC, 9 out of 10 cavities occur in children’s back teeth? Dental sealants are proven to be extremely effective in preventing many of these cavities from forming. Sealants are applied to the back teeth, and the application is completely painless. Consult your family dentist today to explore sealant options for your child. You will not regret this decision.

At Cakmes Dental Studio, we love celebrating this month because we see so much opportunity to positively influence children. We encourage parents to never waste a moment by instilling excellent brushing and flossing habits in their children as soon as they are able to brush their teeth on their own. During these adolescent years, kids are sponges. Set (at least) one day of the week to brush and floss together! Children learn so much simply by watching and listening to others, so it is important to act quickly and set a good example. Also, many habits are developed during these years, so encouraging great brushing and flossing habits can be extremely effective in maintaining your child’s dental health throughout their entire life. 

Contact Cakmes Dental Studio to schedule an appointment for you and your child today. We would love to help you and your family celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month!