Trinity Pediatric Dentistry Blog

Did you know February is Children’s Dental Health Month? While this designation may not mean much to you right now, it will by the time you are finished reading this article. As dentists encourage and emphasize the importance of preventive care and good oral hygiene habits, you may begin to wonder what you can do to help boost your child’s smile. Keep reading to learn more about this celebratory time and how you can work to improve your little one’s dental habits.

It’s almost Happy Children’s Dental Health Month. Thumb-sucking is a very common habit for babies and younger children. However, when this habit goes on too long, it can cause problems for developing smiles. This February is the perfect time to start incorporating changes to give your child’s growing grin the best chance of success. Read on to learn more about why thumb sucking can be harmful and some steps you can take to gently encourage your child to break the habit.

Dental insurance can be a valuable tool for protecting your child’s smile, but many parents are surprised to learn about dental insurance waiting periods. A waiting period is the amount of time you must wait after enrolling in a dental insurance plan before certain services are covered—but beyond this, what is their purpose, and how do they benefit you and your child? Here’s what you need to know.

As you do your Thanksgiving shopping, your child may be excited about their seasonal favorites. Stuffing and mashed potatoes are some that many kids will eat plenty of, but they will likely want to save room for dessert! It’s a sweet, tasty way to end the savory meal, but certain holiday staples can lead to cavities. Here are three you can make instead that aren’t as bad for growing smiles.

Trick-or-treating is a time for children to dress up and go door-to-door, eagerly awaiting whatever candy drops into their bucket. By the end of the night, most kids return home with a mountain of sugar just waiting to be devoured. Unfortunately, most of these treats can do serious damage to your child’s teeth. Before letting them dig in, find out which Halloween candies are good and bad for their growing smile.

Back-to-school season means that you and your child are probably both busy—and one thing on your plate is packing lunches or helping them choose healthy options during the school day! While it’s good to keep in mind foods that are nutritious and provide energy, it’s also just as wise to be mindful of what foods can do to your child’s teeth. Certain lunch items can increase the risk of cavities, while others can help protect and strengthen their growing smile. Here are some smile-friendly school lunch ideas to keep in mind.

As the summer months are coming to a close and the kids are heading back to school, it can be difficult to get back into a typical routine. As you are heading to different locations and getting into the swing of school and workdays, it is key to take some extra steps to keep your family’s smiles protected against dental emergencies. Read on to learn some tooth-healthy tips to incorporate.

When it comes to bumps and bruises, there’s a good chance your child’s injuries will heal on their own. In fact, a kiss, an ice pack, and maybe a strategically placed bandage is often all that’s required to make a full recovery. But when it comes to their smile, there are some problems that need more than just time and affection to get better. Take a chipped tooth, for example. While you may be tempted to just let this type of injury go and wait for it to be resolved on its own, the bad news is that teeth cannot self-heal.  Here’s why if your child injures a tooth, you’ll need the help of an emergency dentist to repair it.

When you head out for sports practice, you likely remember your helmet, pads, and water bottle. But have you considered adding a mouthguard to your essential gear list? Just like helmets protect your head, a mouthguard protects your teeth and mouth from injuries that can occur during physical activity.

As your child grows, so does their ability to care for their smile independently. Many parents wonder, “Is my child ready for an electric toothbrush?”

Choosing the right time to introduce an electric toothbrush can support your child’s oral hygiene while making brushing more effective and fun.