Your Child’s Sippy Cup: Is it a Friend or Foe?
Shaped like your child’s favorite action heroes and in every vibrant color imaginable, sippy cups seem like an innocent way to prevent spills. But with increased cavities and speech issues abound, pediatric dentists have recent research suggesting that what was once a friend is now a foe.
Of course, sippy cups can play an ...
Continue Reading →How to Care for Your Infant’s Oral Health
Teeth or no teeth, your infant’s oral health should always be a top priority. But, how are you supposed to care for your baby’s teeth? There are numerous steps to take and each serves an important purpose in preparing your baby for a future smile he or she will be glad to show off.
First: Caring for Your Baby’s Gums
Although your baby is born without ...
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Toothbrushes 101: How to Choose and Care for Your Toothbrush
When it comes to taking care of your teeth and keeping your smile looking great, your toothbrush plays an essential role. But, how much thought do you actually give to your toothbrush when selecting one or caring for it over time? Probably not much!
Choosing the right toothbrush, caring for it, and knowing when to replace it are all essential components of great ...
Continue Reading →A Child’s First Visit to the Dentist
It can be shocking to many parents, if not perplexing: many dentists now recommend you schedule your child’s first visit before he or she turns one. Before you brush it off as a bit of overzealous advice, you should know it’s supported by the American Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry—and with good reason!
Besides setting your child on a lifelong path of smart ...
Continue Reading →Baby Teeth and Bad Hygiene: What’s There to Lose?
Don’t fall for it, parents! Just because baby teeth are temporary doesn’t mean they don’t matter. Despite what naysayers and wishful thinkers might have you believe, forgetting to care for primary teeth comes at a steep price for your child.
If you’re questioning whether it’s worth wrangling your little one into a dental routine now, these facts prove that adopting good habits early on ...
Continue Reading →Xylitol: The Sweetener You and Your Dentist Will Love
Consider this a major score for your sweet tooth: dentists are taking back that hard and fast rule that gum and candy rot your teeth! A sweetener called Xylitol makes it possible to enjoy such treats guilt-free, while actually fighting cavities along the way.
For those who have long kept the candy aisle off limits or ...
Continue Reading →Understanding Pediatric Fluoride Treatment
It’s undeniable that fluoride has played a major role in the decline of dental cavities in the United States. However, what isn’t so clear to many parents is whether or not fluoride treatments are safe and/or beneficial for children.
After all, children receive fluoride on a regular basis from many different types of foods and even water. Through these sources alone, minerals lost due to plaque, bacteria, and sugars ...
Continue Reading →Taste Loss: Could It Be a Dental Problem?
Most people know that poor oral hygiene results in cavities and gum disease, but did you know that it can also cause taste loss? From salty to sweet, spicy to savory – failing to take proper care of your mouth can impede your ability to taste and enjoy just about any type of food set before you. Dentists call this condition “dysguesia”, and if you haven’t heard about it, here’s what you should ...
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Oral Yeast Infections: 
Yes, They’re Common – and Contagious!
The last thing you would think to talk to your dentist about is a yeast infection! But when it appears in your mouth, or in that of your child, he or she is the first person you should call… and the sooner, the better. Oral yeast infections (or “thrush”) are actually quite common, and also contagious if you’re not careful. Here’s ...
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Nature vs. Nurture: Dental Problems Parents Pass Down To Children
Parents, in particular, want to know: does DNA predetermine dental health? It’s the classic nature vs. nurture question that 
dentists get asked often, but the answer doesn’t simply boil down to one or the other. The scary truth is that many dental problems are indeed “inherited”–but not from genetics alone! Harmful habits that run in the family can also play a huge ...