Maggie Davis & Associates Pediatric Dentists Blog

August is here, which means that students around the country are wrapping up their summer plans and preparing to head back to school. As a parent, you play an essential role in helping set them up for success this year. Whether you’re buying new school supplies or helping them pick the perfect wardrobe, there’s plenty to do to prepare for the new year.

In all the business, you don’t want to forget about your child’s oral health! Dental emergencies can happen at any time, whether at home or at school. While it’s impossible to predict precisely when they might find themselves in an urgent situation, there are things you can do to prevent one. Keep reading to learn 3 precautions you can take to protect and preserve your child’s smile as they start the fall semester!

You want what is best for your child, so when it’s time to find an oral healthcare professional who can take care of their growing smile, you have options. While many parents choose a general dentist who provides children’s dental services, others opt for a specialist – someone who is trained to care for developing teeth and gums. Before you decide, consider these 3 reasons why your child should be seen by a trusted pediatric dentist.

It can be hard to protect your child’s teeth from cavities caused by poor brushing habits. Whether they still don’t understand the importance of oral health, or they can’t quite reach every surface of the tooth easily, giving kids some extra help protecting their teeth can go a long way towards preventing decay.

Thankfully, dental sealants can provide an added layer of protection to some of those harder to reach spaces, helping to ward off cavities and keep tooth enamel strong. In fact, according to the CDC, kids without sealants have on average three times more cavities than kids who do have them.  If you’ve been considering getting dental sealants for your child, here’s some important information to help you make your decision.

School is nearly out for summer vacation, so your kids are likely eager for sunny sun. They may try diving into the nearest swimming pool as soon as possible. Still, you should be cautious about where your family takes a dip. Swimming in a pool can harm teeth if you don’t act carefully. Luckily, your Palm Harbor pediatric dentist will help you reduce the risk. Read on to learn about chlorine, how it affects teeth, and ways to protect smiles from pool water.

As a parent, you’re attuned to your child. You know when they are really crying and when they’re faking it. You can pick up on the subtle clues that something may be off with them. When they complain to you about their teeth, you are naturally concerned. But what should you do about it? Check out these helpful actions you can take.

As a parent, ensuring your child’s dental health is important. After all, a healthy smile affects far more than just the way their teeth look! From the moment their first tooth appears, it’s best to emphasize oral care and lay a foundation for the future. But there are so many aspects of children’s dental care that get overlooked! Read on to learn five facts about your child’s tiny teeth you should know.

Baby teeth fall out after a few years, but they are invaluable for your child’s overall wellness and development. They also act as placeholders for their permanent teeth. Brushing and flossing help keep their mouth healthy, but regular dental checkups are equally important. Besides a visual examination, their pediatric dentist will also review panoramic X-rays. This allows their dentist to see every detail of their mouth in one image. Not only can they spot tooth decay, but they can also see their unerupted teeth. Here’s why this glimpse into the future is an important piece for your little one’s oral and overall health. 

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It can be difficult to hand over the reigns of caring for your child to a healthcare professional, whether it’s a pediatrician or pediatric dentist. An important key is to build a trusting relationship with them, and it’s an added bonus if they’re also a parent, as they’ll likely view situations more from your point of view. When you take your little one to visit the pediatric dentist, especially when they’re younger, it can be an anxiety-inducing event. However, there are some unique benefits that you and your child could enjoy by visiting a female pediatric dentist that would make the overall experience a more positive one.

Some dentists adamantly state that patients must use fluoridated toothpaste in order to maintain healthy teeth. However, there are a number of people who have some questions and concerns about fluoride. Is there an alternative substance that is equally good at preventing tooth decay?  Here at Dr. Maggie Davis & Associates, we sometimes suggest the use of hydroxyapatite toothpaste as part of our holistic approach to pediatric dental care. What is hydroxyapatite, and how might it protect your child’s smile? This blog post explains.

Having a reliable dentist for your child’s healthcare is advantageous, especially when dealing with the intricacies of the dental field. Delving into the subject on your own might give the impression that dentistry is intentionally complex. Take, for instance, two seemingly similar procedures: frenotomy and frenectomy. Although they share similarities, they are distinct and cater to different patients. If you’re interested in understanding these treatments and their differences, here’s some valuable information for you.