Trinity Pediatric Dentistry Blog

Watching your baby’s gummy smile gradually change over time to include tiny teeth can be bittersweet, but they don’t last long! Before you know it, your child is running up to you with their tooth in hand, eager for what the Tooth Fairy will bring. It might feel a bit like whiplash with how quickly it all happens, so why not learn about the typical timeline for baby teeth – when they erupt and when they fall out – and how you can protect their growing smile.

Children’s mouths are constantly developing, and sometimes a small band of tissue can interfere with that process. Known as a frenum, this tissue connects the lips, cheeks, or tongue to surrounding structures. When a frenum is unusually tight, thick, or restrictive, it may limit normal movement. A frenectomy removes or releases the restrictive tissue and may help improve oral function.

But how do you know if your child might need one? Here are five signs worth discussing with their dentist.

An estimated 8 million children are living with an untreated tooth infection at any given time. Worse yet, in addition to causing pain and sensitivity in the affected tooth, this condition can easily spread throughout the mouth and body! In fact, if left untreated, it can infect neighboring teeth and can even be fatal. Here’s a closer look at two important treatments, a pulpotomy and a pulpectomy, that your pediatric dentist can perform to eliminate dangerous oral infections and restore your child’s healthy, pain-free smile!

You may already know that taking your child to visit their pediatric dentist for a standard checkup and cleaning every 6 months can help prevent common dental concerns, such as cavities and gum disease. But you must also help them keep their mouth clean between visits.

For instance, brushing and flossing twice daily helps remove plaque and bacteria that cause disease, decay, and bad breath. But plenty of kids avoid engaging in anything that feels like a chore, and dental hygiene is no exception. Continue reading to learn more about how praise might help encourage your child to clean their teeth!

Now that May has arrived, families around the country have begun making their summer preparations. Whether you intend to take your kids on a trip to explore a new city or register them for camp, it’s important to remember that the germs in their mouths don’t plan to take a break.

Scheduling a routine dental visit before the start of summer can provide much-needed peace of mind, so you and your family can make the most of your time together. Continue reading to learn about 3 reasons to contact your pediatric dentist to book an appointment sooner rather than later!

For caregivers of children with autism, the dental chair can feel like one of the biggest hurdles in an already full day. It’s not the child’s fault—dental offices are just full of stimuli, from whirring instruments to the smell of antiseptic and the taste of fluoride. If you’re a caregiver looking for solutions, keep reading. You’ll learn more about the oral health challenges children with autism face, and how to help them overcome these barriers.

It’s almost time for St. Patrick’s Day. Now that March is in full swing, this special holiday will be here before you know it. It is the perfect excuse to get together with your family to enjoy a meal. Implementing some green foods as snacks and sides is a great way to feel festive this time of year. Here are some options that can also benefit your child’s oral health.

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.