The Dental Specialists Pediatric Dentistry Blog

Small children across the world suck on their thumbs to calm their anxieties. This behavior is beneficial as it can be an early step in your child’s learning to regulate their own emotions. While there is nothing wrong with it at earlier ages, after a certain point, it can cause significant dental health issues. Here’s some information from your dentist about what harm thumb-sucking can do if it continues after the toddler stage.

Good dental hygiene is a cornerstone of overall health, and it’s essential to start instilling these habits in our children from a young age. When it comes to oral health, prevention is key. In this article, we’ll explore when children should start brushing and flossing, breaking down the journey into three crucial stages: the early years (0-2 years), toddler to preschool age (2-6 years), and school-aged children (6+ years). By understanding the timing and techniques involved at each stage, parents can help set their children on a path to a lifetime of healthy smiles.

If you’re someone who is conscious of your oral health, you’re probably extremely thorough with your preventive care. You may brush often, floss consistently, use mouthwash, and spend time at the dentist’s office getting regular checkups.

However, there are other aspects of prevention that you may not know quite as much about. For example, dental sealants may provide you with a little bit of extra defense against cavities, but many people don’t fully understand what they have to offer. Here’s what you should know about them.

Adults are generally quite aware that they should be brushing their teeth twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. The overwhelming majority of us know this because they were made to do so as children. However, ingraining this necessary habit in children can be a challenging task. Along with regular dentist appointments, good hygiene is key to lasting oral health. Here’s a guide to help you get your kid hooked on proper dental care.

For many parents, pacifiers can be a lifesaver. In addition to helping babies soothe themselves, they are also a great way to keep your child from reaching for other objects to put in their mouth. However, pacifiers sometimes get a bad reputation because of the risk of dental issues in the future. Is this something you should be concerned about for your child? Here’s what you should know.

When children go to see their pediatric dentist for a checkup and cleaning, the question most commonly posed to parents is if they want their child to receive a fluoride treatment. Known to protect tooth enamel and lower the risk of dental decay, it is a highly effective form of preventive care. But what about silver diamine fluoride? What makes it different and a preferred option for dentists? Does it work to lower the risk of cavities? Read on to hear from a pediatric dentist who can explain.

Before your little one came to you, you never realized how something so small could be so powerful. Your baby stole your heart and means the world to you. The fact that they grow so fast encourages you to enjoy every moment you can with your tiny miracle and take care of them.

Unfortunately, as the baby gets older, parents may become more relaxed especially when it comes to caring for their child’s baby teeth. In fact, some parents wonder whether getting a filling on a decayed baby tooth is even worthwhile when it will fall out anyway. In this post, you’ll learn the value of baby teeth and why they are worth saving as long as possible.

Are you concerned that your child’s teeth may be at risk for cavities and tooth decay? You’re not alone. Many parents worry that adequate brushing and six-month checkups and cleanings may not be enough to protect their children’s smiles. The truth is that one key element can work to protect their pearly whites as they grow – fluoride. Read on to find out when children should start using fluoride to safeguard their smiles.

Just this year, a new study conducted by New York University and published in JAMA Network Open showed that not only can FDA-approved silver diamine fluoride treat cavities, but it can prevent them from developing just as well! Not only is this preventive treatment non-invasive, but it can help preserve temporary teeth and prevent premature tooth loss that can lead to future development of orthodontic problems. Read on to learn more about the study and how SDF could benefit your child’s oral health.

There are few things in life as sweet as seeing your little one grow. There is so much joy in experiencing all their “firsts”. From the first step to the first tooth, it is an exciting time for your baby and you! However, with growth, there can be a bit of discomfort. As children’s smiles develop, there can be some teething pain. Tools like teething rings can bring some ease to the process. But are they safe for your child’s oral health? Here’s what to know.