Elite Dentistry, FAMILY DENTISTRY IN AVALON PARK ORLANDO

It is CHILDRENS DENTAL HEALTH MONTH – Should your Child do More than Just Brush & Floss?

As an adult, your oral care routine tends to remain fairly static for a large part of your life. Brush and floss. Rinse, perhaps, if you’re fond of it. And, unless you need prosthetics, that’s about all you’ll ever do. But, what about your kids? Toddlers? Adolescents? What sort of routine should they follow? Is it the same as yours? And, should it change from time to time? Since it’s February, and Children’s Dental Health month is upon us, let’s take a quick dive into “what’s-what” from toddlers to teens when it comes to oral care.

Infants/Toddlers:

• Use a warm washcloth or gauze pad to wipe your child’s gums after feedings. While most infants don’t begin sprouting teeth until around month six, you’ll still want to keep their gums free of oral bacteria that can develop from normal feeding.
• Before your child’s first birthday, visit the dentist for an initial check-up
• Around month six, and with the arrival of a child’s first teeth, ask your dentist if it’s the right time to start tooth brushing. For tips on how to take this not-so-fun first step in oral care, check out our article on toddler tooth-brushing training tips!

Pre-schoolers:

• By this age, your children will be brushing like a mad person. Be sure they learn not to brush too hard. Teach by example, and they’ll keep this good habit their entire lives.
• Once a child starts to have teeth that touch, you can introduce flossing. This is extremely variable, and not really related to age, so work with your dentist on this one.
• Begin experimenting with disclosing tablets so your child can see how effective their brushing is as they learn to wield a brush on their own.

Grade-schoolers:

• Brushing and flossing should be the norm by this time in a child’s life. Experiment with a variety of floss options to find one that works for your child. Rotate between floss picks as well, to what works for your kids.
• Once a child learns to spit (this time varies widely) an alcohol mouth rinse could be used if warranted. Ask your dentist, but at this age, there isn’t often a need.

Teens:

• Everything changes when kids become teenagers. Orthodontic appliances of all sorts come into play, and oral care can start to seem like a burden. Kids also start consuming high carbohydrate and acidic beverages, and some experiment with tobacco products, so brushing and flossing are obviously required, and mouthwashes can be used particularly for kids with braces.
• Proper prosthetic care is important to keep one’s mouth smelling and feeling fresh, so, yes … brushing the retainer becomes part of the routine.
• Once again disclosing tablets are a good thing to play around with, because with orthodontics it’s difficult to clean everywhere.
• Aggressive brushing at this time can contribute to early gum loss because of the physical interference of braces, and lesser area to maneuver in small mouths, so be sure your kids are getting up-to-date lessons on brushing techniques from their dentist.

So, as you can see, setting an oral care routine for your little ones is mostly about prepping them for brushing, the middle years are about getting them into the habit of doing things on their own, and (to a degree) the teenage years are, at least a little bit a fallback to having to be a bit of a watchdog on your kids behalf. They’ll gladly, and sometimes vehemently disagree with you as to how to take care of their teeth … your fun is in learning how to encourage, support and provide foresight without being too much of a parent while doing it! And, we all know how easy that is, right?!

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On behalf of Dr. Mark Ashy and the team at Elite Dentistry, we want to welcome you to our close-knit family dental practice in the heart of Avalon Park. We’re proud to serve patients of all ages in Orlando, FL with gentle family, general and cosmetic dentistry. With families of their own, Dr. Ashy and the team are committed to providing an experience above the rest, where patients can enjoy being taken care of in the good hands of a family-oriented dentist. Call us today at (407) 584-3056 to schedule your next visit to the dentist!

Our team is excited to announce that we were selected as the 2022 Neighborhood Favorite by Nextdoor!

Meet the Team

DR. MARK ASHY

Dr. Mark Ashy has always felt a special connection to his hometown in Orlando, Florida, where he first discovered his interests in math, science, and working with people. He attended Orlando West Orange High School, and with a Valencia scholarship he accomplished a pre-med undergraduate degree in Nutritional Science from the University of Florida. He earned his degree in dentistry from the University of Florida College of Dentistry.

“Nutritional science has a huge connection with our health, translating who we are based on all aspects of our wellbeing. As a family dentist it helps me understand how things work in the body, and when patients come in with unusual symptoms, they can get the special attention they need.”

After opening Elite Dentistry in 2005, Dr. Ashy has enjoyed raising his family with his wife, their twin girls, and their son, the youngest in the family. As a local family dentist in Avalon Park, he enjoys bringing family values into the office, where each patient can feel welcome to come over and have a soothing, friendly experience.

“One of the things I enjoy most about what we do here, is when we see kids, and then ten, maybe twelve years later–you’ll pop that picture in front of them of their very first visit and say, ‘Hey, I remember this little guy!’”

Year after year, Dr. Ashy has had the fortune to get to see his patients change and grow. When he’s not in the office, you’ll find him spending quality time with his own growing family! He’s proud to be the neighborhood dentist you can bring your family to.

MARILISA – Office Manager

Marilisa has been in the dental profession since 2002, and started with Elite Dentistry in 2017. She was a formally trained dental assistant and then transitioned to the front office. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach or traveling to new places with her husband and children.

BRITTANY – Insurance Coordinator

Brittany has been part of the Elite Dentistry team since early 2020 as part of our front office. Born and raised in Central Florida, Brittany grew up in a dental office following her mom’s footsteps. On the weekends, she and her husband enjoy watching their kids play on the ball field or racing on the dirt bike track.

TAYLOR – New Patient Coordinator

Taylor joined our team in 2022. Born and raised in Colorado, she decided to spread her wings and take off as a flight attendant for a few years before landing here at Elite Dentistry. Her kind demeanor and natural willingness to help others transfers over and is what she loves doing here at our office as well. Taylor now enjoys living in Orlando and taking advantage of what our beautiful city has to offer.

LEXI – Patient Care Coordinator

You will find Lexi greeting you with a warm smile when you walk into our office. Lexi has been with Elite Dentistry since 2021. She enjoys preparing new recipes, listening to live music, and discovering new places.

KATHEE – Dental Hygienist, CRDH

Kathee is our most tenured hygienist, starting in our office back in 2006, just a year after opening our doors. Her warm and friendly personality will make you feel comfortable while under her care. Kathee loves traveling and spending time with family.

KELLY – Dental Hygienist, CRDH

Kelly is one of our hygienists and has been part of our team since 2016. She graduated from UCF with her undergrad before pursuing dental hygiene. With her gentle touch, she will make you feel at ease while taking care of you. Kelly loves spending time with her husband, little girl, and their dog Ruby.

LAURA – Dental Hygienist, RDH

Laura is our hygienist that lives by the Avalon Park motto: Live, Learn, Work and Play. Not only has she been part of Elite Dentistry since 2010, but she is also a resident of the community. She loves her profession and taking care of her patients. When she’s not at the office, she enjoys going to community events, Disney, and the beach with her husband, and kids.

ERICA – Dental Assistant, EFDA

Erica is Dr. Ashy’s lead dental assistant. She has been with Elite Dentistry since 2020 and loves to help improve smiles. In her free time, she enjoys paddle boarding and spending time outdoors with her family.

KAYLA – Dental Assistant, EFDA

Kayla joined our staff in August of 2021, as a dental assistant. Kayla enjoys meeting new patients and helping them improve their confidence through their smile. When she’s not in the office, Kayla loves spending time playing outside with her boys.