Did you know that approximately one in five children suffer from canker sores? Those statistics from KidsHealth.org highlight a real need to educate parents on proper care for the small ulcers that can develop inside the mouth.

The pediatric dentists at Pedodontic Associates in Hawaii recommends parents practice the following advice to soothe their children’s canker sores, which can cause pain for up to 14 days:

• Schedule An Appointment With A Dentist: One of the pediatric dentists at Pedodontic Associates will be glad to examine your child’s mouth, especially if he or she has frequent sores inside the mouth. A dentist can help determine what, if anything, is causing the ulcers aside from genetics.
• Avoid Certain Foods: Foods that are acidic, spicy, or salty can make the pain worse.
• Use A Different Toothbrush: If your child isn’t using a toothbrush with soft bristles, make the switch as soon as possible.
• Don’t Use Products With SLS: Mouthwashes and toothpastes often contain sodium lauryl sulfate, which is a synthetic detergent that can aggravate sores inside the mouth.
• Increase Intake Of Vitamin B12, Iron, Or Folic Acid: There has been a correlation detected between children deficient in these vitamins developing more canker sores than children high in the vitamins.

Having provided dental care to Hawaii’s children for more than 25 years, the professionals at Pedodontic Associates focus on prevention as well as early detection and treatment of dental disease.

If you’re looking for the best pediatric dentists in Hawaii, call Pedodontic Associates at (808) 487-7933 in Aiea, (808) 735-1733 in Honolulu, or (808) 877-0066 in Kahului to schedule an appointment for your children today. You can also learn more about the practice online.