Want to give your kids the best start possible for a lifetime of good dental health? The most important thing you can do is train them in effective brushing and flossing. It’s more than having a nice smile and fresh breath: these hygiene tasks remove the daily buildup of bacterial plaque, the primary cause for […]
The month of February gets its name from the ancient spring cleansing ritual called “Februa.” So perhaps it’s appropriate that February is now celebrated as National Children’s Dental Health Month. Having a healthy mouth starts with good oral hygiene—a practice that’s important for everyone, but especially for kids, because the healthy habits they develop in […]
You can’t go wrong with an early start caring for your child’s teeth and gums. In fact, dental care should begin in earnest when their first tooth appears. You should begin by gently cleaning your infant’s gums and new teeth after each feeding with a clean, water-soaked washcloth or gauze pad. Once they start eating […]
There’s something universal about thumb sucking: nearly all babies do it, and nearly all parents worry about it. While most such worries are unfounded, you should be concerned if your child sucks their thumb past age of 4 — late thumb sucking could skew bite development. Young children suck their thumb because of the way […]
In the early 1900s, a Colorado dentist noticed many of his patients had unusual brown staining on their teeth — and little to no tooth decay. What he unknowingly observed was the power of a chemical substance in his patients’ drinking water — fluoride. While commonplace today, fluoride sparked a revolution — and some controversy […]
One of your teeth’s best defenses against tooth decay is its hard, outer layer made of a mineral-rich substance known as enamel. This great protector, however, has an enemy — acid — from the foods and drinks we consume as well as the acid byproducts from bacterial plaque. A high acidic level in the mouth […]
Did you know that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that all children have their first dental visit by the age of one? You might be surprised by this recommendation, since most children do not have many teeth at this age. However, it is important to start your child early on the path of […]
All during February, we are taking part in the celebration of National Children’s Dental Health Month. This annual observance is sponsored by the American Dental Association (ADA) to raise awareness of how important it is to develop good oral hygiene habits at an early age. Good dental health will promote your children’s overall health and […]
One topic we are often asked about is finger or thumb sucking and/or pacifier use — a challenge that most parents or caregivers will likely face with at least one of their children. The first and perhaps most important thing to remember is that it is totally normal for babies and young children to suck […]
