Kids and Drinking Straws: Yes , No, Maybe
There are a lot of important decisions that you make about your child’s teeth. You can help them learn to brush properly, and use early office visits to establish a friendly dental routine. You help them eat a healthy diet, so teeth have nutrients to grow strong. Decisions about drinking straws are a small part of helping your child establish an overall healthy and happy smile routine. We share some thoughts from a dental point of view, about the yes, no and maybe of using a straw. (more…)
Your Child’s Baby Teeth: 3 Things To Remember
One of those moments you wait for excitedly is when those baby teeth show up. You know it’s coming soon but when? While the anticipation can feel fun, it can also cause a bit of worry or frustration for parents. Whether you’re not sure what to expect, you’re comparing your kiddo to another child, etc., we encourage you to remember some important details, so this event can continue to be a milestone you feel happy about.
Let’s Talk: Toothbrushing Apps!
As you have probably already discovered, when you announce to your kids, “Time to brush your teeth!” it doesn’t always go over so well. Or, you receive a somewhat neutral if not cold reception. What you’d love, of course, is to hear your kids clapping with glee. This seems unlikely. That is, until you become familiar with toothbrushing apps that can give your dental hygiene sessions the 180 that you’ve been dreaming about on a daily basis!
Chewy, Sticky Snacks: Navigating This Childhood Favorite
The second your child points to the chewiest, stickiest candy selection in the world as the ideal treat of the moment, you know that you’ve got your work cut out for you. Just one glance and all you see is tooth decay, damaged braces, and a tired jaw. What’s a parent to do when all you’re really attempting to accomplish is to let your kid have fun, while you keep everyone’s oral health in check? It’s not always easy, of course, but we do have some ideas that may make this common conundrum easier to handle!
Are Those Bleeding Gums You’re Seeing?
Usually, you don’t see what appear to be traces of blood in the sink when your child spits during dental hygiene. You don’t see blood on your child’s gums either. So, what to think about it when you do notice bleeding? Is it really blood, you wonder? Should you rush your child in to see us? While we certainly don’t suggest panicking, we do suggest you follow some simple steps, so you’re certain your child’s oral health is A-OK!
Kids’ Smile Care: Set Yourself Up On This 3-6-9 Month Schedule
Every time you turn around, you find that you should be scheduling this visit every so often, you should be replacing that product within such-and-such amount of time, and you should probably begin getting ready for some other monumental moment within some other particular frequency of time. It can be enough to make your head spin! To help you feel like you’re on track and you’ve got mile markers for ease with kids’ dental care, try considering a 3-6-9 approach!
Chewing Gum: Why Offer Your Kids Gum With Xylitol?
No matter what you do, you will probably find yourself faced with kids who are asking (or begging and pleading) for gum. Fortunately, we live in a world in which gum is not limited to the full-of-sugar stuff that tastes exceptional but that is also known for contributing to oral health problems like tooth decay. Instead, the suggestion is to offer your kids (and yourself) sugarless chewing gum because it’s still fun and it’s much safer. To take this a step further, we encourage you to consider chewing gum with a sweetener called xylitol. Learn more!
Your Summertime Checklist: Review For Smile Protection!
We like to offer up information-packed, concise review checklists on occasion as we approach new seasons, since you likely already have a million other details on your mind. For summertime, your kids have their minds set on one thing: Having fun! While you certainly want to enjoy yourself, too, you get the added bonus of being responsible to ensure everyone remains healthy and safe (and that includes promoting smile health along the way). Let’s offer you that refresher you need, so you’re good to go once summer is in full swing!
Helpful Smile Tips: Grocery Shopping With The Kids
When you go to the store alone, you can breeze through with your list, get everything you want, and leave. You don’t ever hear, “Can I have this, please?!” as your child begs for some sort of candy that is definitely not on the list for smile health. So, you may wonder to yourself, how to approach shopping when you’ve got your kiddos in tow without dealing with an hour-long battle of the wills? We can offer at least a few potentially helpful tips!
Making Your Infant Feel Safe And Secure At Their First Visit
Your own dental visits may keep a straightforward focus on your oral health needs, but pediatric dental care can require a slightly different approach. Of course, your pediatric dentist is committed to protecting the health of your child’s smile, but they also need to make sure they create an environment that feels safe and supportive. This need for a supportive environment is especially important when you bring your infant in for their first checkup. Because a new place, and new people, can be overwhelming, your pediatric dentist will strive to provide the most comfortable possible experience. As your child grows up, these early visits can make them feel more relaxed, and more at ease with trips for routine dental exams. (more…)