Did you k
now that the most common chronic disease found in school-age children is tooth decay (or cavities)? While brushing twice a day and flossing daily are the best ways to prevent cavities, dental sealants are another preventative tool that can help reduce the risk of children developing cavities. Dental sealants are a protective barrier placed on the chewing surfaces of teeth that help to seal out plaque and acids from the deep pits and grooves of teeth, preventing them from forming cavities. In an October 2016 report released by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the importance of sealants for school-age children was affirmed when they found that “school-age children without sealants have almost three times more cavities than children with sealants.” More recent studies have found that sealants reduce the risk of developing cavities on molars by nearly 80%. [Read more…]
Why Baby Teeth Matter
As parents, there is nothing more special than seeing our child smile. While the baby teeth that make up those smiles may only be temporary, it is important to remember that they serve a very important role in our child’s health and development and must be meticulously cared for until they fall out. [Read more…]
Preventing Jack O’ Lantern Smiles
When we think of October, many of us think of Halloween. Children dressing up in costumes, trick or treating, and, of course, the Halloween candy! But there is more to celebrate in October than just Halloween. It is also National Dental Hygiene Month! So to help you make it through Halloween with healthy teeth and good oral hygiene, here are our five favorite tips: [Read more…]
Back-to-School Dental Emergencies
In
our dental practice, we sometimes see young patients being rushed into our office with injuries to their teeth from school-related activities. The injuries we have seen have ranged from a small chip on a tooth from a fall on the playground or hallway to teeth being completely knocked out by a Lacrosse stick or even another child’s head. So, what are you as a parent to do when you get that call from the school? [Read more…]
Finding a GOOD Dentist for Your Family
As a mom of three, I know the pressures we moms feel in making decisions for our kids’ health. We buy organic when possible, we try to make sure our kids get outside and aren’t glued to their electronics all weekend, and we research online and among neighbors w
hen trying to find healthcare providers like pediatricians and dentists. But how do you really know if a dentist is “good?” Do you seek the opinions of neighbors and co-workers? Co-workers and neighbors can be good resources for recommending a dentist based on the dentist’s personality, gentleness, and appearance of the office, but may not always know if the work being done is of high quality. However, word-of-mouth recommendations are a good place to start. Reading online reviews next to be sure that others have the same great experience is important as well. [Read more…]
The Importance of Early Orthodontics (Braces)
In my practice parents often ask me if it is better to wait until their child’s baby teeth are all out before seeing an orthodontist. They tell me that they “don’t want to have to do braces twice.” But seeing an orthodontist early on, by the age of 7, can often help many children avoid complicated orthodontics later, as early intervention may prevent teeth from erupting improperly and can aid in the proper formation of the jaws. [Read more…]
BACK TO SCHOOL DENTAL TIPS
As another summer ends and a new school year approaches, many of us parents begin the task of preparing our children for their first day back to school. We shop for the necessary school supplies, we update their wardrobes, and we ensure they have the immunizations and booster shots necessary to continue in school. Children should also have a dental exam before returning to school to ensure they have a healthy mouth and the tools they need to maintain it.
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Kids in the Dental Office
My dental practice treats everyone from toddlers to the elderly, and though we have a passion for cosmetic dentistry, children are usually the most fun and interesting patients.
I have had many enlightening experiences as kids surprise me with their perceptions of what is occurring during their dental appointments. After I extracted the tooth of a 7-year-old boy, the mother asked her son as they left our office, “Has your tooth stopped hurting yet?” to which her son replied,”I don’t know. The dentist has it.” In treating young patients I have learned that………… [Read more…]
The Dangers of Thumbsucking
Sucking is a natural instinct with which we are born. Babies and small children use fingers, pacifiers, and other objects to soothe and comfort themselves. Sucking is a normal, healthy part of our early development, but prolonged sucking – past the age of 4 – can cause a host of dental problems and may even indicate medical issues. [Read more…]
Snoring in Children – WARNING!
Overnight guests in our home have joked about my husband’s snoring. His sleep study results call him a “heroic snorer” meaning he can snore in any position, but his snoring has not been found to be connected to sleep apnea or breathing issues. When children snore, however, it is no laughing matter. A child may snore occasionally when he or she has a cold or is “stuffy,” but when a child snores regularly for more than just a week or two and is not ill, it may be a warning sign of sleep-disordered breathing which can lead to dental, behavioral, and health issues. [Read more…]