Wash Park Pediatric Dentistry Blog

Even adults can find new experiences nerve wracking, so kids can break down with anxiety over going to the dentist. However, starting healthy habits like regular dental visits early in life can pave the way for lifelong oral health. But how do you calm your child’s anxiety about dental visits? You can approach it like many other new experiences for kids: through reading them books and stories! In fact, here are examples of the types of books you can read to your little one and get ready to have their visit.

Whether you plan to or not, as a parent, you probably will choose to share little “white lies” with your child at some point to bring them hope, help them feel excited for growth, or simply entice them to make better choices. Next to Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, you have the Tooth Fairy, who is attached to a special rite of passage—losing baby teeth. While this scenario, especially if blood is involved, could be frightening for a young child, the kind Tooth Fairy transforms fear into laughter and excitement. How did this tradition and myth start? Does every culture around the world celebrate baby tooth loss the same way? Find out here!

As every parent knows, babies don’t come with instructions as infants. Each one is unique and has different needs, personalities, and issues. Needless to say, it can be challenging to figure out what works for your baby! For some, a pacifier soothes crying, assists with sleep, and reduces the ear pressure they feel during travel on planes, but pacifiers can come with some less than favorable impacts too. For instance, pacifiers can complicate breastfeeding, form a dependency for the baby, and carry infectious germs. But does this little convenient product negatively affect a baby’s oral development? The answer is more complicated than a simple yes or no.

For many surgical or beyond-the-surface procedures, making patients completely unconscious is best for everyone. Not only does it bring peace to the patient, but also the doctor and others in the building don’t have to hear terrified or painful screaming or moaning, and the patient doesn’t have traumatizing memories. In fact, many people say they would prefer to be knocked out completely for medical and dental treatment to wake up a feel groggy for a few hours over staying awake throughout.

Concerning dental work for your child, they—and perhaps even you—may initially hope they will be put to sleep for certain procedures, but that may not be the best option for them. Here is a realistic and helpful explanation of how sedation dentistry works and of which solution is appropriate to use when.

Safety first. This isn’t just a required policy meant for construction environments or driving—it’s one of parents’ main mottos for raising little ones! From researching age-appropriate toys and product recalls to teaching stranger danger and using the right car seats, you probably worry about your child’s health and safety daily, including when they visit the dentist. If your anxious child needs sedation to stay still and calm, are these chemicals and medications safe for young bodies? Learn more about sedation dentistry options and how your pediatric dentist can put your own worries—as well as your child’s—to rest.

While some kids will happily do daring, dangerous things without realizing the risks, others will have a meltdown even while attempting the simplest, safest tasks. However, children’s fears usually come from something!

When dealing with dental phobia, understanding your child and the origin of their fear can help you know how to help them overcome it. With the help of a pediatric dentist, your child can look forward to less stressful dental appointments and enjoy better oral health.

In theory, as humans grow older, they become wiser. They learn, and their brains develop, so logically, teens should be better off than younger children with more experience and knowledge, especially in terms of their dental health. However, up to 60 percent of teens have had at least one cavity by age 19, and about 13 percent currently have undiagnosed tooth decay. Without treatment or correction, teenagers can experience pain, additional damage to their smiles and confidence, and set themselves up for a lifetime of dental trouble!

Why are cavities still prevalent in teenagers? What can be done to help kids in this age group thrive? Keep reading to find out!

Waking up for feedings in the middle of the night, napping during the day, wearing diapers, eating mashed foods—these are all things that babies eventually outgrow. As they develop, they learn coordination, control, and skills to function better in the world. So, when a friend suggests that your baby who has a hard time breastfeeding and thriving might have a tongue-tie, you wonder whether this issue is something else that will go away on its own. When it comes to a lip or tongue-tie, don’t try to postpone treatment! Keep reading to learn more about this problem and why it needs to be addressed sooner than later.

Developing mentally and physically, kids eventually outgrow certain childish things, especially clothing and toys. At some point, usually by the time they become teens, they feel too grown up for a nursery-themed bedroom, their favorite stuffy to snuggle at night, or their parents’ frequent hugs and kisses. As they get closer to adulthood, you may wonder if your teenager is too old to visit a pediatric dentist, but here are some important reasons why they still need to go to this specialist until they turn 18.

Whether it’s a baby tooth that just had a rough start or a permanent tooth that wasn’t properly cared for, a dental crown is a second chance for decayed or injured teeth. Without this porcelain prosthetic, your child’s tooth would have to be removed entirely when most of it is still salvageable. But what happens if their dental crown comes out? What steps should you follow? Read on to find out!