Sucking Habits
It is completely normal and healthy for your baby or young child to suck on a thumb, finger or pacifier. It’s not something you need to be alarmed about or discourage. Sucking is a natural reflex. It’s
Sippy Cups and Your Child’s Teeth
As soon as teeth appear in the mouth, decay can occur. One of the risk factors for early childhood caries (sometimes called baby bottle tooth decay or nursing mouth syndrome) is frequent and prolonged exposure
What is Fluoride?
Fluoride is one of the best ways to help prevent against tooth decay. A naturally occurring mineral, fluoride combines with the tooth’s enamel to strengthen it. In many municipal water supplies, the right
What Brushing Techniques Can I Show My Child?
You may want to supervise your children until they get the hang of these simple steps: Use a pea-sized dab of an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste. Take care that your child does not swallow
Sipping, Snacking and Tooth Decay
Many parents across the country will issue a common refrain at dinnertime tonight: ―You’d better eat that–it’s good for you! There’s another old favorite in the parental arsenal of dietary admonitions: ―Don’t eat that—it’ll
2013-2014 Fit Family Challenge Participants
The participants of the Fit Family Challenge for the year 2013-2014, were presented with Certificates of Completion and then surprised with new bikes and helmets! The children were obviously excited and one young man talked about how this would
What to Do if My Child Chips, Breaks or Knocks Out a Tooth
With any injury to your child’s mouth, you should contact your dentist immediately. The dentist will want to examine the affected area and determine appropriate treatment. If your child is in pain from a broken,
Are You Prepared for a Dental Emergency?
Thousands of dental emergencies—from injuries to a painful, abscessed tooth—take place every day. Would you know what to do if your child broke a tooth or had a tooth knocked out while playing outdoors?
Caring for Your Infant’s Mouth
Your baby doesn’t have teeth, but you should still clean his or her mouth. It is a good idea to get in the habit of cleaning your baby’s gums soon after birth. Although there
Space Maintainers
Baby teeth aren’t just for chewing. Each one also acts as a guide for the eruption of the permanent tooth that replaces it. If a baby tooth is lost too early, the permanent tooth loses its guide.
Sealants and Resin Restorations
A sealant is a protective coating that is applied to the chewing surfaces (grooves) of the back teeth (premolars and molars), where four out of five cavities in children are found. This sealant acts
