Wylie Children's Dentistry Blog
What Are Reasons for Children’s Tooth Extractions?
April 4, 2022
A baby tooth extraction occurs when a dentist surgically removes a primary tooth. If you’ve been told your child needs to have a tooth pulled, you may be wondering why. After all, their primary teeth are going to fall out anyway. The truth is this is one of the most common pediatric dentistry procedures. Continue reading to learn from a pediatric dentist in Wylie reasons why children’s tooth extractions are sometimes necessary and get some aftercare tips.
(more…)Your Questions about Dental Sealants – Answered
March 12, 2022
When it comes to taking care of your child’s teeth and preventing cavities, brushing and flossing are crucial – but even with excellent dental hygiene, your little one may need a little more help to keep bacteria from building up in the nooks and crannies of the teeth. Dental sealants offer a wonderful method for preventing cavities. Keep reading to learn more about how they work, and why they are a crucial ingredient for every child’s healthy smile.
(more…)What Are Surprising Tooth Fairy Stories Your Child Hasn’t Heard?
January 4, 2022
Remember how exciting it was as a child to leave a newly lost tooth under your pillow before bed and wonder what president would be on the bill in the tooth’s place when you woke up? Those were great times. The tooth fairy is quite famous with a legend that extends well beyond the United States. Read on to learn some international tooth fairy stories from your pediatric dentist in Wylie. What are the tooth fairy’s origins and how do rodents often play a prominent role?
(more…)What Can I Do to Protect My Child’s Teeth During Flu Season?
November 4, 2021
Trying to keep your children from getting sick becomes more difficult than usual during cold-and-flu season when winter rolls around. Understandably, when they are sick it can distract you from things you might normally be on top of, such as making sure they brush their teeth.
The average child will get 6-8 colds per year with most of them coming during the winter. After all, children are more prone to disease, as they constantly touch everything and chew on more than they should.
Imagine needing to take them to the dentist for a cavity while they were sick. No adult wants to endure that, either. Keep reading for some tips on kids’ oral care during cold-and-flu season from your pediatric dentist in Wylie.
(more…)How to Maximize Your Children’s Dental Insurance Coverage
October 14, 2021
If you’re a parent with dental insurance, chances are that your child’s dental care is also covered under that plan. However, because kids have different oral health needs from adults, you might not be fully aware of how children’s dental insurance coverage works. Regardless of a patient’s age, one thing that most dental insurance plans have in common is that they reset at the start of a new calendar year. If you haven’t used all of your child’s benefits by December 31st, the leftover coverage disappears! To help you avoid wasting money, it’s crucial to take advantage of your little one’s dental insurance benefits. Read on as a pediatric dentist tells you how!
(more…)4 Facts About Children’s Dental Health Every Parent Should Know
September 30, 2021
How can you keep your child’s smile cavity-free throughout the years? At what age should you bring your little one to the dentist for the first time? Are your child’s baby teeth really that important? If you’re like most parents, these are just a few of the many questions you have pertaining to your child’s oral health. Wouldn’t it be great if you were handed a guidebook on caring for growing smiles? While that doesn’t quite exist, here’s a close second: facts about children’s dental health that every parent should know.
(more…)Why Optimal Oral Health Leads to Academic Success
August 5, 2021
Ensuring your child is fully equipped and ready for the start of a new school year is important. You want them to study hard, make good grades, and have an enjoyable time making memories with their friends and teachers. But did you know that many students who suffer poor oral health also struggle academically? A children’s dentist is here to explain why regular dental checkups and cleanings and maintaining positive dental habits can lead to educational success throughout the year.
(more…)Ages and Stages: 0-2 Years Old
October 20, 2015
Dental care for babies is important, even though the first teeth don’t actually break through until the 6-8 month mark for most babies. Gum care can be done simply by wiping them with a soft cloth after you feed your baby. If you didn’t know already, you can actually start brushing when the first tooth breaks through at least twice a day with a tiny bit of fluoride toothpaste and a soft brush.
We realize that swallowing a great amount of toothpaste can be very dangerous for your infant if fluoride is present, but just a tiny bit has been proven safe and is actually now recommended as the standard practice by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. This amount would be equivalent to the size of a grain of rice.
Try to never put your baby to sleep with a bottle in his or her mouth or use sippy cups or bottles in the course of the day. The sugars from milk and juice (yes, even breast milk) can cause cavities and tooth decay. We can discuss this further with you when you bring your baby in for his or her first appointment.
We prefer to see your child when the first tooth breaks through, but try not to wait until after the first birthday at the very latest.
Ages and Stages: 6-11 Years Old
This stage of your child’s life is roughly where the tooth fairy comes in. Baby teeth are prone to be lost in front and back.
When the teeth begin to touch one another, it is recommended to start flossing habits. The back teeth, gumline, and the molar grooves are where children neglect most often and in these molar grooves are where the overwhelming majority of cavities develop in the permanent teeth.
You can always opt for a dental sealant to help combat this issue along with helping to strengthen your child’s good dental habits overall. For those parents with children who are into sports, mouthguards are highly recommended (required in some cases), especially for contact sports like football or baseball where contact with another child or getting hit in the mouth with the ball is a distinct possibility.
Ages and Stages: 3–5 Years Old
At about 3 years of age, your child should have all of his or her baby teeth in place. Since statistics show that close to 50% of kids have their first cavity before their first day of school, preventive measures should be taken.
We realize every child is different, but try to make sure that bottles and sippy cups are a thing of the past beyond one year of age. Fluoride toothpaste should be used (pea-size for a 2 year old, slightly bigger for ages 3-5), and sugary snacks between meals should be given sparingly.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) says that no more than 6 ounces of juice should be given in a day. Those sucking habits like use of a soother or thumb-sucking should be stopped before age to prevent facial development issues and bite problems (buck teeth for example).
Kids this age are likely trying to be independent, wanting to brush their own teeth and all, so let them do it but keep close supervision to ensure they do it right and stay with it.