Can Children Get Gum Disease?

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Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is usually a more prominent concern for adults than for younger patients. That’s because the conditions that lead to it can often take years to develop enough to show symptoms, or to become a significant threat to your oral health.

However, that does not mean that children are immune. Though not as common as cavities, gum disease is a product of inadequate hygiene and dental care, and in some cases, children can become at-risk for gum disease before reaching adulthood. (more…)

filed under: General Dentistry, Gum Disease

Worried About Your Kids’ Smiles? Teach Them Great Dental Care

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Do you feel like it’s an almost daily struggle to get your kids to take proper care of their teeth? If so, you are not alone. Many parents get frustrated while trying to teach their kids proper oral hygiene, which could explain the troubling statistics surrounding children oral health in this country. According to the National Children’s Oral Health Foundation, 17 percent of American children are not receiving the oral care they need. So, while it may not always feel fun, it is important to teach your kids to care for their smiles from a young age, so they can enjoy healthy smiles as they grow!

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filed under: Children's Dental Services, Preventive Treatments

How Do I Know If My Kid Has a Cavity? Part Two

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Now that you know common symptoms of a cavity, like grey lines, discomfort and sensitivity to hot or cold foods, are you wondering what to do if your kid develops one? It can still be difficult to diagnose a cavity, at home, especially if your children are not very observant or good at telling you when they experience dental symptoms like these. That is yet another reason regular dental checkups are so important. By taking your children to see the dentist every six months, you reduce their chances of developing cavities, in the first place. Just as importantly, though, you also increase the chance of catching any cavities that do exist, early, which can mean the difference between simple and extensive restorative treatment.

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filed under: Restorations for Kids, Tips/Advice

How Do I Know If My Kid Has a Cavity? Part One

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Most parents know that one of the biggest threats to their kids’ oral health is cavities. They can be caused by a number of factors, including a diet too high in sugar, poor dental hygiene, or simply genetics. Due to all these reasons, dental decay is quite common, in children as well as adults. However, that does not mean that cavities are inevitable. It just takes a lot of work to properly prevent them, through a healthy diet, regular dental checkups and also great dental hygiene, at-home. What should you do if your kid does develop a cavity, though? As a parent, it’s especially helpful to know the warning signs of a cavity, so that if your child does develop one, you will know how to react, so that his or her oral health can quickly be restored!

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filed under: Preventive Treatments, Tips/Advice

Celebrate This Easter with Smile-Friendly Treats

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With Easter just around the corner, are you busy making last-minute plans to fill your kids’ Easter baskets with goodies, and their holiday with glee? If so, it can be tempting to fill the basket with chocolates and other candies. Sweet treats are readily available, inexpensive, and most kids love them, which explains why they’re considered gift staples in many households. Unfortunately, all that sugar can have a negative impact on kids’ teeth! In fact, sugar is a main contributor to the development of cavities, which can require restorative treatment. So, if you would like to elicit smiles without endangering them, this Easter season, here are some great alternatives to sweets that won’t pose harm to those precious smiles!

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filed under: General Dentistry, Preventive Treatments

Does Your Child Need a Dental Crown?

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You might think that restorative dental crowns are only necessary for adults. But crowns can actually be incredibly helpful for kids with dental issues, as well. Crowns are generally used to help protect damaged teeth, often helping to prevent infection, or worse, the need for an extraction. Though often associated with permanent teeth, dental crowns can even be used to protect damaged baby teeth, which can be helpful in allowing the permanent teeth to grow in safely and in a more proper alignment. So if your child is in need of restorative dental treatment, because of a dental issue like a cavity, trauma or some other problem, be open to the possibility of a dental crown, as a form of restoration. (more…)

filed under: General Dentistry, Restorations for Kids

Could Sugar-Free Gum Help Protect Your Kids’ Smiles?

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Every parent wants to help his or her children keep their teeth and gums as healthy as possible. It’s why great parents teach their kids how long to brush their teeth, and how to properly floss between each tooth. They also take their kids for regular preventive dental checkups, and even attend cleanings, themselves, to set a good example. But according to a recent study, there is something else parents could be doing to help their kids keep their smiles in great shape, and it’s something most kids will even enjoy! It’s chewing sugar-free gum, as an extra step of preventive care! (more…)

filed under: Preventive Treatments, Tips/Advice

Does Your Child Need Emergency Dentistry? Part Two

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Even if you know your child needs to visit the dentist as soon as possible, due to a dental emergency, that doesn’t mean there is nothing you can do in the meantime. In fact, there are likely a few simple steps you can take to help preserve your child’s damaged tooth and to make sure their restorative dental treatment is as effective as possible. Just remember, your most important job, as a parent, is to reassure your child that everything is going to be okay, and to let them know the dentist is going to help. (more…)

filed under: Dental Emergencies, Tips/Advice

Does Your Does Your Child Need Emergency Dentistry? Part One

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Emergency situations are never fun, particularly as a parent. It’s hard to see your child suffering, regardless of the cause or situation. Fortunately when it comes to dental emergencies, there are often some simple steps you can take to help care for your child and keep him or her calm. You can also increase the likelihood of a positive dental visit, by simply knowing what to do in case of a dental emergency. While you should certainly call 9-1-1 for extremely serious or threatening medical situations, many dental problems can be best addressed by an emergency visit to the pediatric dentist.

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filed under: Children's Dental Services, Dental Emergencies

Oral Health and Its Connection to the Body: Part Two

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Now that you know oral health is important to the entire body, are you curious what more you could be doing to help keep your kids’  smiles and the rest of their bodies healthy? Well preventive dental care is key, both through daily hygiene, at-home, and also regular dental checkups and cleanings. Combined, these are the best line of defense against dental problems, and the subsequent risks to a person’s overall health, that could potentially be caused by issues like gum disease. So, if you want to keep your kids’ smiles looking their best, and just as importantly, help them take better care of their entire well-being, here are a few more tips preventive dentists think people should know! (more…)

filed under: General Dentistry, Preventive Treatments