Dr. Maggie Davis' Blog

Time is flying by. It feels like just yesterday that your baby was a newborn waking up every two or three hours, but now they sleep for longer stretches. That is, until now—they’ve started to wake up several times and are fussier than they typically are.

What could be wrong? What does this symptom mean? It could be a sign that your baby is teething. In fact, there are several ways you can tell that you’ve entered this exciting new stage of development. Keep reading to learn about the most common symptoms of teething and what you can do to help your baby.

As a parent, one of the many things you need to show concern for is your child’s hygiene—children are just as susceptible to oral health issues as adults! That said, encouraging proper cleaning methods and praising your child for practicing good hygiene is crucial for them to establish healthy, life-long habits. Keep reading to learn more from your pediatric dentist in Palm Harbor about why and how you should praise your child for brushing their teeth.

If your child is like other kiddos, they can’t get enough time playing in the water. Whether in the pool or on the beach, they love to cool down from the summer heat by taking a dip. While having adventures and fun in the sun, it can be easy for your child to forget to drink water throughout the day; however, staying hydrated is important in countless ways for their well-being!

How can you tell if your child has had sufficient water intake? You can monitor them and look out for these signs of dehydration!

Your kids seem to ask you for a banana split twice a week, but they are still learning about how important it is to prioritize dental health, after all. As they grow, you are trying to set a good example to help them learn how to make wise dietary choices that benefit their teeth and general health. With children’s oral health in Palm Harbor in mind, keep reading for food tips from a pediatric dentist.

It’s easy to see why making sure your child brushes their teeth is important. Flossing, on the other hand, may not seem as essential. However, flossing is a crucial part of a person’s oral health. If your child starts cleaning between their teeth early on, they’ll naturally have a healthier smile as they grow older. Teaching your child how to floss isn’t exactly the most exciting thing in the world, but a little creativity can go a long way. Here are three simple tips from a pediatric dentist in Palm Harbor on getting kids to floss!

Is your child nervous about their upcoming dentist appointment? That is completely understandable. It is normal for children to feel anxious about new things, especially when they aren’t sure what to expect. After all, anxiety is a common issue that adults face as well. Fortunately, there are plenty of books out there written to help ease kids’ worries and educate them about their upcoming children’s dentist visits. The selections below will help make their upcoming appointment go smoother for them, you, and their pediatric dentist!

If your child has a toothache, the most likely way their pediatric dentist will fix it is with a filling. But, if the cavity has reached the interior part of the tooth (the pulp), then they may have to perform either a pulpotomy or pulpectomy. While these treatments may sound unfamiliar, they can easily be thought of as a root canal for kids. They are quite different from the procedure performed on adults, but an important similarity they share is that they are both virtually painless. What’s the difference between a pulpotomy and pulpectomy, and why would your child ever need one? You’ll find the answers to these questions and more in today’s blog.

If your child has a tongue-tie in Palm Harbor, you may not be aware of it until you begin to develop problems while breastfeeding or attempt to offer a bottle. Most issues arise during infancy, but many do not arise until a child grows older and has difficulty eating, breathing, or speaking clearly. If you want to get ahead of the game and avoid these potential problems, find out why it’s beneficial for your little one to undergo a tongue assessment.   

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 in Palm Harbor from your pediatric dentist. What are the tooth fairy’s origins and how do rodents often play a prominent role?

Want to better protect your child’s smile but are unsure about the information you read online or hear from others? It can be hard knowing what is true versus what is false, especially in a field you may know nothing about. Fortunately, a pediatric dentist is here to debunk three myths about children’s dentistry in Palm Harbor.