Spotlight on Mecca Slocum

In a world where acts of kindness often go unnoticed, it's essential to shine a light on individuals who embody the spirit of empathy and service. Mecca Slocum, a dedicated student at the University of Georgia, stands out as a shining example of compassion and altruism.

Recently, Mecca made waves in her community through her volunteer work with John Timothy Hansford DMD, where she dedicated her time to helping patients with care and understanding. Her commitment to serving others goes beyond the conventional boundaries of student life, reflecting a deep-rooted sense of responsibility towards her community.

One of Mecca's most notable contributions is her recent publication on autism-friendly dental care. In her article titled "Empowering Communities: Enhancing Accessibility to Autism-Friendly Dental Care," published in the Oconee Enterprise, Mecca sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals with autism when seeking dental treatment. She offers practical insights and strategies to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for these patients, demonstrating her dedication to making a tangible difference in the lives of others.

Mecca's passion for helping those in need is truly inspiring. Through her actions, she not only enriches the lives of those she directly assists but also inspires others to embrace the values of empathy and kindness.

As we celebrate Mecca Slocum's contributions, let us also reflect on the profound impact that each individual can make through acts of service and compassion. In a world that often feels divided, Mecca reminds us of the power of unity and the transformative potential of empathy. She exemplifies the spirit of selflessness that lies at the heart of a thriving community.

Let us applaud Mecca Slocum for her remarkable dedication to making the world a better place, one act of kindness at a time.

Dental Fillings for Kids: Types, Process, and Preparation

Studies have shown that 4 out of 10 children experience dental fear. Some of the biggest worries children experience leading up to the procedure include fear of the dentist's drill, fear of injections, and fear of choking on one of the instruments.

Kids are significantly less anxious about dental treatment after their first visit. But what can you do if this is your child’s first visit? We at Winder Hill Pediatric Dentistry believe that the best way to prepare yourself for a procedure is to educate yourself as much as possible.

If your child needs dental fillings, here’s what you need to know about the procedure.

Types of Dental Fillings for Children

A child’s smile is important to everyone: to them, to their parents, and us. Dr. Hansford often use tooth-colored filling materials to restore the child's smile. The material is known as composite resin and it makes any work they've done, basically unnoticeable.

If the fillings are invisible, the child won't have to worry about being teased in school or being commented on by strangers. This material works on everything from baby teeth to permanent, adult teeth. Composite resin is used by our dentists for several reasons, including:

• In comparison to other dental filling materials, it is more durable. 

• Requires less work on the tooth than standard metal fillings.

• Teeth sparkle and look healthier thanks to composite resin's translucent appearance.

• It can also be used as a fissure sealant for children's permanent molar teeth.

The material isn't necessarily great for every child. Our doctor will examine your child first to see whether the composite resin is good for them. If that’s the case, we'll look at some alternatives before coming up with the best solution.

How are Fillings Placed Inside the Child’s Teeth

Before filling any cavities, kids are allowed to get acclimated to our office. Our doctor will let them look around and sit in the chair for a couple of minutes before doing any work. If this doesn't have a calming effect on the child, our dentists have other methods.

Oral sedation or laughing gas will remedy the child's anxiety and calm them down. The area around the tooth will be numbed with an anesthetic. After that, tooth decay can be removed easily, and the filling can be put in place. 

As soon as the shape of the tooth is formed, a special blue light is placed on top of it, making it harder in mere seconds. Finally, additional adjustments can be made if the child feels like the tooth isn’t shaped right or has trouble biting. 

How to Prepare Your Child for Dental Fillings

Children are usually numbed before the procedure starts. As such, they can feel less pain when receiving a filling and also during preparation for the fillings. Of course, they still may feel a strange sensation when water is sprayed inside their mouth and all over their teeth.

The overall process is quick and mostly painless. It usually takes about two weeks for sensitivity to taper off, but it will gradually decrease over time. You need to discuss everything we mentioned in this post with your child to prepare them for the procedure.

Improve Your Child’s Smile at Winder Hill Pediatric Dentistry

Winder Hill Pediatric Dentistry provides great dental care for children of all ages. No matter how severe the case is, Dr. John Hansford will ensure that your child goes to the procedure without feeling any pain or anxiety. If the child feels a sense of nervousness during the treatment, our doctors are ready to talk and even sing to them to calm them. If you want to get in touch with one of our doctors, contact us online or call us.

Understanding Why Dental Cleanings Are So Important For Your Child’s Teeth

Just like adults, kids who are 1 year or older should see the dentist for a teeth cleaning and oral exam every six months. Let Winder Hill Pediatric Dentistry help direct you to a fitting dental home. In this blog, we’ll explain why dental cleanings are absolutely essential for your child’s oral health and wellbeing.

1. Prevent Or Identify Cavities

Did you know that cavities are the #1 most common preventable childhood disease? According to the CDC, 42% of children between the ages of 2-11 have had at least one cavity in a baby tooth, and 21% of children between the ages of 6-11 have had at least one cavity in an adult tooth.

Cavities are preventable with good at-home oral hygiene and a healthy diet. But your dentist is important in this process, too. Regular cleanings let your dentist identify small cavities or areas where a cavity may form, and take the appropriate precautions like fluoride treatments or dental sealants. 

And if the dentist does discover a cavity, they can fill it right away to keep it from getting worse, which helps protect your child’s oral health and minimizes the risk of future complications like a tooth infection. 

2. Eliminate Plaque And Tartar For Better Oral Health

Routine teeth cleanings involve the removal of plaque and tartar from your child’s teeth. Their teeth will be scraped, polished, and flossed. This doesn’t just leave their smile bright, white, and shiny. It also helps preserve their oral health. 

Tartar, in particular, is filled with harmful bacteria, and it can’t be eliminated with brushing alone once it builds up. The only way to remove it is with a visit to the dentist! 

3. Keep An Eye On Your Child’s Oral Development

As you already know, kids grow up fast! This is just as true of their mouth and jaw as it is of the rest of their body. This is another reason that six-month visits are important. Teeth cleanings, oral exams, and x-rays let your dentist track your child’s oral development, ensure that everything looks good, and take action if they notice any problems that may need to be addressed.

4. Education About Oral Health & Hygiene Concepts

At Winder Hill Pediatric Dentistry, we do more than just treat teeth under sedation. Dr. John and his clinical assistants will explain important dental concepts to parents, educate your little one on the importance of good oral hygiene, and answer any questions that you or your child may have about proper oral care and hygiene. 

Contact Greenpoint Pediatric Dentistry For Referrals To Trusted Dental Homes

Whether you’re new to the area, you’re seeking a new pediatric dentist, or you haven’t yet brought your child to the dentist for the first time, Dr. John and the team at Winder Hill Pediatric Dentistry are here to help. Contact us online or call today at (929) 324-1140 to get started right away. We provide sedation and anesthesia for many practices, and we can help refer you to dentists in Winder, Athens, Watkinsville or elsewhere in northeast Georgia.

Stay On The Nice List With These Healthy Teeth Tips

The winter holidays are a time of fun, family, and festivities. But they can also be a prime opportunity for oral bacteria to cause tooth decay and gum disease, unless you take the proper precautions! In this guide from Winder Hill Pediatric Dentistry, we’ll provide some tips that you and your kids can use to stay on the “nice” list, and avoid oral health issues throughout the holiday season! 

1. Snack In Moderation & After Meals – Not Constantly Throughout The Day!

You and your kids should try to eat sugary treats like cookies and candy immediately after you eat meals. This helps you stay consistent about how much you eat, and it also means you’ll be less likely to over-indulge, since you’ll already be quite full from your meal. Eating a meal also stimulates saliva production, which is a good thing when eating sugar, since saliva helps rinse away sugar and food particles. 

Avoid snacking on treats throughout the day. As oral bacteria snack on the sugar in your mouth throughout the day, the bacteria will excrete acid that can damage your teeth and cause cavities. Stick to a few “snack sessions” per day! 

2. Brush (Or At Least Rinse) After Eating Sugary Treats

You and your kids should both be brushing your teeth after eating sugary treats. Rinsing with mouthwash or even water is also a good alternative. If that’s not practical (you’re at a restaurant, for example), drinking a glass of water can help remove sugar and food particles if you can’t rinse. 

You may also want to keep some sugar-free gum on hand for you and your kids. Chewing sugar-free gum stimulates saliva production, which helps rinse away sugar and prevents cavities. 

3. Maintain Your Regular Brushing & Flossing Routine

The holidays can get pretty crazy for families, particularly those who are hosting other family members or who are traveling from state-to-state to visit their extended families.

It can be easy to forget about regular brushing and flossing during the hectic holiday season. But make sure that you and your kids keep up a healthy at-home oral hygiene routine! 

You and your kids need to brush twice a day for two minutes using fluoride toothpaste, and to floss once per day. In fact, brushing three times a day is a good idea during the holidays, when kids and adults alike are more prone to developing cavities! 

Don’t Forget To See The Dentist For A Holiday Checkup! 

In addition to the above tips, it’s important to bring your kids to see a pediatric dentist every six months for a checkup, and the holidays are a great time to visit Winder Hill Pediatric Dentistry. If your child is overdue for a teeth cleaning and oral exam, just contact us online or give us a call at (929) 324-1140 to schedule an appointment with Dr. John today!

Follow These Simple Steps To Keep Your Kids’ Teeth Healthy

Wondering how you can protect your child’s oral health in Winder, and encourage them to maintain a healthier mouth? Here are a few simple steps from Winder Hill Pediatric Dentistry that you can follow to make sure your kids take care of their smiles properly. 

1. Teach Them The Basics Of Proper Oral Hygiene

Make sure that your kids know how to brush properly with good technique, and that they spend at least 2 minutes brushing their teeth. You and your kids should both brush twice a day, ideally once in the morning and once after your final meal of the day.

You also should teach them to floss, and floss for them until they’re old enough to learn how to floss on their own, usually between the ages of 6-8. 

It’s also a good idea to get in the habit of using antibacterial fluoride mouthwash every day. This is particularly good after flossing, since mouthwash helps rinse away particles knocked loosed by flossing. 

2. Be A Good Role Model

Kids look up to their parents, and model their behavior. Because of this, you need to make sure you’re being a good role model for your kids and their oral health by doing the following:

• Maintain your own dental health – Brush and floss alongside your kids. This lets you keep an eye on how they’re cleaning their teeth, and shows them the importance of great dental hygiene.

• Eat a tooth-healthy diet – Eating a “tooth-healthy” diet that’s low in sugary snacks and drinks is essential for patients of all ages to maintain a healthy smile. Avoid sugar and starchy snacks, and eat mostly fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy dairy, and lean meats. Try to cut down on processed foods, too.

• See the dentist regularly – By seeing the dentist every six months, you can show your kids how important regular dental care is, and also make sure your mouth is healthy and free of cavities, gum disease, and other common dental issues.

3. Schedule & Keep Pediatric Dental Appointments

Your child should come to Winder Hill Pediatric Dentistry every six months for a consultation with one of our pediatric dentists, so make sure to schedule dental appointments regularly, and always keep your appointments after you’ve made them.

In addition to keeping your child’s mouth healthy, frequent dental appointments let your child’s dentist teach them more about the importance of good oral hygiene. In addition to this, your dentist can suggest treatments to keep their mouth healthier.

For example, if your child is cavity-prone, Dr. John may recommend dental sealants to seal up their rear teeth and prevent the formation of cavities.

4. Make It Fun – Consider Rewarding Your Kids For A Good Job! 

There are lots of ways to do this. You can implement a “gold star” system for brushing, for example, and add a star every day when your child brushes their teeth. After a month, they can get a treat like a new toy, a meal at their favorite restaurant, or even a fun outing to a park!

By rewarding your child for doing a good job, you emphasize the importance of dental health, and you also give them motivation to maintain their smile properly. 

Contact Us Today To Get The Care Your Child Needs

At Winder Hill Pediatric Dentistry, we’re always accepting new patients, and we would love the chance to meet your little ones. Contact us online or give us a call at  (929) 324-1140 to schedule a consultation in Athens or Watkinsville today, and get the help your kids need.