At the turn of the 20^th century, the pacifier came along—and this device has garnered quite a reputation for being a lifesaver for parents struggling to soothe their fussy babies! However, did you know that despite their inherent usefulness, pacifiers have the potential to negatively impact dental development? Here’s more from your trusted pediatric dentist about this curious connection along with some ways to safely break the habit and ensure that your little one’s teeth come in correctly.

As a parent, you know why wearing a mouthguard is important for your little athlete. However, you may be struggling with how to best explain it, especially if they aren’t fond of the idea. Whether your child participates in soccer, karate, football, or something similar, then here’s why they need to wear a mouthguard during sports.

If your child has special needs, you’re likely very aware of all the potential health complications you must protect them from—and many of these issues can stem from a lack of oral hygiene or professional dental care! This means that you need to be taking your child to their dentist regularly; however, you might have concerns about the level of care they’re able to receive, given their circumstances. Fortunately, sedation dentistry is able to allow dentists to easily provide an outstanding level of care for all patients, regardless of their needs. Keep reading to learn more!

Tooth sensitivity is something that most of us deal with at some point throughout our lives—and it can happen for a variety of reasons and affect smiles of all sizes, shapes and ages! That said, if your child is dealing with oral sensitivity, you might be wondering what the cause of the issue is and how it can be effectively handled. By understanding tooth sensitivity, it becomes easier to prevent and treat! Here’s more from your pediatric dentist about some of the common causes of tooth sensitivity in children and how the issue is generally treated.  

At your child’s biannual visit to the dentist, you know to expect the examination and cleaning. While these are two essential components of preventive care, there are other measures their dental team may take to protect their teeth from decay, like fluoride treatments. To learn more about how fluoride affects your child’s teeth, keep reading!

If you have a little one on the way, congratulations! During this exciting time, you probably already know that it’s of upmost importance to take care of yourself for the good of your baby’s development. While you’re probably doing everything you can to eat well and exercise, are you taking care of your oral health? Making sure your teeth and gums are healthy throughout your pregnancy is an important part of caring for your infant while they’re in the womb. Read on to find out how and why your oral health during pregnancy matters!

Your child’s teeth do so much more than complete their smile; they also help them chew and speak! So, you can see why it’s so important to care for them properly. Unfortunately, your little one may be vulnerable to decay, infection, and other dental concerns if they have a mental or physical disability. The good news is that awareness is the first step toward a healthier smile. To learn five common oral health problems for children with special needs (as well as a few tips for keeping their teeth and gums healthy), keep reading.

With each birthday, your teen may be distancing themselves more and more from anything “kiddish.” Their once colorful and toy-filled room may begin to transition into a space filled with movie and band posters. They may even want to visit a general dentist instead of a pediatric dentist. Before you accommodate their request, there are a few things you should consider. To learn what they are, read  on!

Ice cream, popcorn, corn on the cob, fresh fruit… these are just a few summer foods that are often included at pool parties, family barbeques, and at-home movie nights. Sadly, your braces don’t love these treats as much as your tastebuds do. In fact, hard, crunchy, and sticky foods can increase your chances of experiencing an orthodontic emergency! Don’t worry – there are plenty of options that are delicious and braces-friendly. To learn what they are, read on.

Have your child’s friends and classmates begun orthodontic treatment? Initially, you may think your little one is too young to do the same. They have to have all of their adult teeth anyway, right?

Actually, Phase 1 Orthodontics is designed specifically to help children with a mixture of adult and baby teeth correct common orthodontic issues, including spaced-out, crooked, and otherwise misaligned teeth. Of course, not every child needs braces during their elementary school years. To learn more about what makes a patient a candidate for Phase 1 Orthodontics, read on!