What are your "dental" new year resolutions?

January 3rd, 2024

New Year, new me?

With each new year comes new resolutions! We came up with a few to help you start off the year with great dental health for your child!

  1. Regular brushing routine: Our guidelines recommend that parents help their child brush 2x/day for 2 minutes each time. We know how hard it can be to do this, especially for our youngest patients. The most important thing is to establish a regular brushing routine - such as bath, brush, book, bed. Having a regular routine that your child can get used to brushing is much better than pushing for brushing 2x/day.
  2. Healthy food choices: It's always easy to say: "we have to eat healthier!" Healthy food choices doesn't have to mean no sugar, no sweets ever. What's more important is how often your child is consuming these sweet treats. Having the treat ocassionally as a dessert or special occasion is much healthier for your teeth than having it every day throughout the day. The more we expose our teeth to sugar, the more likely your teeth may develop cavities!
  3. Don't forget to see your dentist at least 2 times a year! Regular check ups not only have keep your child's mouth healthy and cavity free, this helps establish a healthy habit that your child will hold on to when they are adults. Children who had great experiences at the dentist as a child are more likely to continue to seek dental care when they are older!

We wish everyone a wonderful new year!

Holiday gift ideas that make your dentist happy :)

December 16th, 2023

Need help with last minute holiday shopping? Here are a few of Dr. Norman and Dr. Cat's favorites! :)

1) Children's toothbrushes - You can make brushing fun by having your child choose a toothbrush with their favorite character! Our Drs. daughter LOVES Bluey, so what better toothbrush to choose? Make sure that toothbrushes are age appropriate with soft or extrasoft bristles and don't forget fluoridated or hydroxyapatite toothpaste!

2) Electric toothbrushes - For those children old enough for electric toothbrushes, having your child pick their favorite character or color brush will make brushing so much more exciting! You can also get a brush that is associated with a phone app or timer to make sure your child brushes for the full 2 minutes (always make sure brushing is supervised in younger children!) 

3) Biodegradable and plastic-free floss picks - We find that floss picks make flossing super easy for parents and kids! We favor environmentally friendly floss options!

4) For our youngest children - our favorite "brush" is the banana! It works as a great teether, it can help sooth gums, and is safe for infants to hold on their own (the protective handles prevent children from pushing the whole brush in their mouth). This is a great introduction to brushing even before teeth come in the mouth!

5) And of course - we can't forget our favorite toy options! For children who are nervous of going to the dentist, these dentist playsets help familiarize children with the dental setting, making going to the dentist a less scary place!

We hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!

*Disclaimer: We do not endorse, sponsor, or have any financial obligation to any of the products shown in this post.

Flossing is a dance move right?

November 6th, 2023

Flossing is more than just a super cool dance move - Flossing is an important part of maintaining good oral hygiene, and it's especially important for children. While brushing is important for removing plaque and bacteria from the surfaces of the teeth, flossing is the only way to remove things from between the teeth.

Flossing should be started as soon as the child has teeth that are touching each other. This is usually around the age of 2-3 years old. Parents or caregivers should help their children floss to ensure that they are doing it properly. As the child grows older, they will be able to floss on their own.

Flossing may be difficult for some children, especially those with small mouths. In these cases, it may be helpful to use floss holders to make the flossing easier. Also, there's special floss picks made just for braces that make flossing much easier as well!

We understand that flossing can be a difficult habit to establish, but we are here to help with any questions you may have to help build healthy routines!

How do I help my child not be scared to lose their teeth?

May 31st, 2023

Losing baby teeth is a normal process and it is an exciting part of growing up! But because this is a new process, it can also be a little scary for children. They may worry about the tooth falling out and causing them discomfort, or worried about losing their teeth forever. As a parent, you can help make the experience less scary and more fun for your child!

One way to make losing baby teeth less scary is by explaining the process to your child in a way that they can understand. You can show them pictures of the process to help them understand what's happening. You can also explain that losing baby teeth is a sign that their adult teeth are growing in and a part of growing up!

Another way to make the experience less scary is by creating a fun and positive atmosphere around the event. You can make a big deal out of your child's tooth falling out, celebrating with a special treat or even throwing a "tooth-loss party." You can also involve your child in the tooth fairy tradition by letting them put their tooth under the pillow and leaving a small gift or note in return.

It's also important to remind your child that losing baby teeth is not painful, and if there is any discomfort, it is usually mild and short-lived. You can also remind them that their dentist is always available to help if they have any concerns.

Additionally, you can help your child by teaching them good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing and flossing, to keep their teeth and gums healthy, preventing any discomfort or infection that could happen when a baby tooth comes out.

And as always, we are always available to help with any concerns you may have!

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