Carolina Complete Dental Blog

Teens & Tobacco: Know the Risks

March 27, 2023

Goose Creek dentists Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams of Carolina Complete Dental Care discuss the risks of tobacco and related products to the oral and overall health of teenagers. Today, Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams of Carolina Complete Dental Care want to give teens the bottom line about tobacco use: there is no such thing as a “safe” or “safer” tobacco product. Every tobacco product contains nicotine in varying amounts—and not only is nicotine addictive, but it can also harm the brain. (Many people don’t realize the brain continues developing until the mid-20s or even early-30s.)

Cigarettes are usually made of tobacco and chemical additives in a paper casing. Inhaled smoke from a lit cigarette contains more than 7,000 harmful chemicals; at least 70 of them are linked to cancer. Smoking cigarettes damages almost every organ of the body and leads to diseases like oral cancer and lung cancer, heart disease and stroke.
The “vaping” of e-cigarettes has become increasingly popular in recent years. These devices heat liquid into an aerosol that is then inhaled by the user. Many believe this aerosol is innocuous, but it actually contains many chemicals that are unsafe to breathe. Most e-cigarettes also contain nicotine.
Smokeless tobacco is tobacco that is not burned and includes chewing, oral and spitting tobacco, dip, chew, and snuff. Smokeless tobacco has high levels of toxic chemicals, and users are at high risk of oral cancer.

Oral cancer is one of the fastest-growing cancers worldwide, and Carolina Complete Dental Care wants all their young patients to enjoy long, healthy lives. Get in touch with us at Carolina Complete Dental Care with any questions about tobacco use and oral health today.

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Social Stories: Support for Kids with Autism

March 13, 2023

In this blog article, Carolina Complete Dental Care discusses Social Stories™ and how they help provide emotional support to autistic kids with the goal of improving their dental (and other) experiences.

A social story about going to the dentist follows specific criteria and story elements to reinforce a safe, detailed description of a dental visit in a way that is both meaningful and comfortable for children with autism or related challenges. This short story tool outlines the relevant social cues and common responses when visiting Carolina Complete Dental Care for an appointment. The story also explains what happens in that situation and why those things occur.

The physical form social stories take can vary. Some are simple verbal messages that you’ll share with your child as you would any other story. Some are printed materials with or without drawings or photos, while others may be in video form.

We’d love to help your child learn about their health and good oral hygiene habits. If you need a compassionate dentist in Goose Creek, get in touch with Carolina Complete Dental Care today!

Special Needs Dentistry: Everyone Deserves a Healthy Smile!

February 27, 2023

Goose Creek dentists, Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams of Carolina Complete Dental Care talk about how dental care can be customized and comfortable for children with special needs. The Americans with Disabilities Act defines disability as a “physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.” (Specific examples of major life activities addressed by the ADA include functions such as caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing and learning.)

Disabilities may be congenital (present from birth) or develop later in life. If your child is living with a disability, you know how deeply important access to quality, compassionate medical care is, and that includes oral healthcare. At Carolina Complete Dental Care, we want to help every person we treat develop and maintain a healthy, happy smile, and we believe being inclusive of children with special needs is an essential part of this mission.

There is much to be considered when customizing care for individuals with special needs, from ramps, entryways, office furniture, space, and atmosphere, to the technology we use and the amount of time scheduled for appointments. Carolina Complete Dental Care considers all of it and more to provide quality and compassionate care for kids with special needs. Tailored treatment plans may include sedation and anesthesia, which can really improve dental experiences for our patients with special needs as well as those with dental fears and phobias.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Carolina Complete Dental Care with your questions, concerns, or comments, or just to schedule an appointment to come in and see us!

Grandparents, Grandkids & Dental Care

February 13, 2023

Goose Creek dentists Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams of Carolina Complete Dental Care discuss grandparents and their role in dental hygiene for their grandchildren. Carolina Complete Dental Care has been thinking about how much things have changed in the world of dentistry since today’s grandparents were growing kids themselves. Grandparents today are often very involved in the daily lives of their grandchildren—they may live close by, provide financial assistance, or assume childcare responsibilities for working parents. Since oral hygiene and dietary habits are established in childhood, it’s important that grandparents’ dental education is on point.

There are a lot of basic facts that grandparents may or may not know about dentistry, such as:

Definitions of dental terms
The availability of specialized toothbrushes and toothpaste for kids
Sending kids to bed with juice, milk, or formula in their bottles can contribute to tooth decay
That oral health is systemically linked to overall health
The important role of baby teeth in future dental development
The advantages that fluoride treatments and dental sealants may provide
The capabilities of modern technology in dental diagnoses and treatments

If your child’s grandparents are part of your family’s daily routine and you think they could use a refresher on their dental knowledge, contact us at Carolina Complete Dental Care and bring the whole family to your next appointment—we’d love to meet all of you!

Why Are My Child’s Teeth Bumpy?

January 27, 2023

What are mamelons teeth?

If you’re a new parent, whether your babe’s teeth are just emerging or they’re starting to fall out, you might wonder, “What are those bumps on their front teeth?”

Mamelons teeth appear in the front of the mouth (the incisors) both on top and bottom and are characterized by bumpy ridges. These ridges are completely natural and form as a result of enamel fusing together during the development process under the gums.

Mamelons typically don’t last very long, as they’re quickly worn down with biting and chewing motions. If bite problems prevent mamelons from being worn down, your child may require orthodontics, or we can file them down for a smoother smile.

Get in touch

If you have any questions or you’re ready to schedule a visit with your Goose Creek dentists, Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams at Carolina Complete Dental Care, contact us today to schedule a visit!

Can Children Have Gum Disease?

January 13, 2023

Goose Creek dentists, Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams at Carolina Complete Dental Care talk to parents about some of the most common oral health problems children may experience. The smallest smiles in your family are as vulnerable to oral health issues as you are—likely even more so! Your oral hygiene regimen may already be thorough enough to keep your teeth free from cavities and your gums safe from gingivitis, but young ones typically need help brushing and flossing for years before their skills match yours.

Carolina Complete Dental Care wants to assist you on your mission to keep your child’s smile healthy, so we’re here to fill you in on what we see often, but want to help you and your little ones avoid.

Get in touch with us.

If you have any questions or you’d like to schedule a visit with Goose Creek dentists, Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams to ensure your child’s smile is developing healthily, contact Carolina Complete Dental Care today!

Why Do Kids Need Space Maintainers?

December 27, 2022

Goose Creek dentists Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams of Carolina Complete Dental Care discuss reasons some children need space maintainers for dental health. If your child loses a tooth too soon or needs a baby tooth extracted due to decay, Carolina Complete Dental Care may recommend space maintainers to support their dental health.

Space maintainers are custom-made acrylic or metal dental appliances that can either be removable or cemented into the mouth. Their purpose is to keep the space open for the future permanent tooth or teeth. Baby teeth are essential to the development of permanent teeth, jawbones and muscles, which guide those adult teeth into the place absent baby teeth once were.

If there is no space for permanent teeth to grow, teeth can shift drastically enough for orthodontics to be needed. Not every child with premature baby tooth loss needs space maintainers, but a consultation with Carolina Complete Dental Care is advisable to see if a space maintainer is the best solution.

Carolina Complete Dental Care can also advise you about best practices for eating habits and oral hygiene for fixed space maintainers. Your child should be seen regularly by their dentist or orthodontist to monitor the space maintainer’s progress and keep their professional cleaning appointments with Carolina Complete Dental Care.

If you think your child may need a space maintainer, get in touch with Carolina Complete Dental Care today!

Oral Hygiene for Families on the Go

December 13, 2022

Goose Creek dentists Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams of Carolina Complete Dental Care suggest some easy oral hygiene tips for kids and busy families on the go. Today’s families seem to be busier than they were in the past—lots of homework, extracurricular activities, and hopefully, some quality time spent with the family. Here are a few ideas from Carolina Complete Dental Care to make consistent oral hygiene a little more convenient:

Brushing teeth in the shower: as hard as it is to get your teenager out the door for school, this just may work—even though it probably won’t save water! And speaking of water…
Water bottles everywhere: in backpacks, purses, and cars. Anything you or your child drinks that isn’t water—in other words, any liquid that tastes good—is either acidic or will turn into the acids that cause tooth decay. Teach kids to swish and spit with water after food and non-water beverages.
Gum with xylitol for a treat: Xylitol has been shown to prevent cavities. Read those labels, you may be pleasantly surprised!
Dental travel kits for the car: fill them with water, extra toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, healthy snacks, and reusable straws. (Why straws? They help sugar from coating kids’ teeth.)
Interactive toothbrushes: fluoride toothpaste is a lot more fun if your toothbrush speaks like a favorite movie character, makes cool noises, or plays a song.

If you’re looking for a dentist that sees kids in the Goose Creek area, make an appointment with Carolina Complete Dental Care today!

Pacifier Pros & Cons

November 27, 2022

Goose Creek dentists Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams of Carolina Complete Dental Care discusses pros and cons of pacifier use for infants and effects on dental development. To binky or not to binky? Pacifier use for infants has been a subject of debate as long as they’ve been around. Carolina Complete Dental Care shares some pros and cons below.

Pros

Pacifiers can soothe a fussy baby. Whether your child has a strong sucking reflex or has difficulty falling asleep, a pacifier can be an effective step towards entering Dreamland. (Unfortunately, sleeping through the night is not affected by pacifier use.)

Pacifiers are distracting. If baby has to have a shot, a binky can help to forget the poke.

Pacifiers can reduce SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) risk at naptime and bedtime. If breastfeeding, wait until baby is 3-4 weeks old and you’ve got a regular nursing routine.

Cons

Pacifiers may increase ear-infection risk. However, babies 0-6 months old are at the highest risk of SIDS and the lowest risk of ear infection, which is the age babies usually want a binky most.
Prolonged pacifier use can lead to dental problems. Carolina Complete Dental Care wants you to know that normal pacifier use during the first few years of a child’s life rarely affects the teeth, but prolonged use can cause bite misalignment or postpone teeth coming in as they should.

If you have more questions about pacifier use or just need a quality dentist for your little one, contact us at Carolina Complete Dental Care today!

Is My Child’s Oral Hygiene Routine Sufficient?

November 13, 2022

Goose Creek dentists, Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams at Carolina Complete Dental Care tell parents about what an ideal oral hygiene routine for children includes. A child’s happy, healthy smile is a source of pride and joy for parents—and dentists, too! For this reason, you’ll likely spend a good deal of time helping them develop superb oral hygiene routines to ensure they keep their teeth for life.

When you’re just getting started, you may have a lot of questions. We recommend bringing your baby into the dentist as soon as their first tooth emerges, and we can show you how to care for their smiles as they grow and change including brushing and flossing techniques, fluoride, and more.

Looking for more guidance?

If you have any questions or you’d like to schedule a visit for your little one to see Goose Creek dentists, Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams at Carolina Complete Dental Care, contact us today!