Most parents know that candy and sweets aren’t exactly great for their child’s teeth. But many are surprised to learn just how much sugar and carbohydrates can affect a growing smile! Understanding how these foods impact oral health can help you make smarter snack choices and protect your child’s teeth for years to come. Here’s what you should keep in mind, along with some sensible, smile-friendly substitutes.

Since their mouths are still seeing quite a bit of growth, children’s dental care often focuses on prevention so that future issues are nipped in the bud before they have the chance to worsen. And of all the dental problems out there, few are as pesky and annoying as cavities affecting the back teeth. Fortunately, they can often be avoided entirely with the help of dental sealants! Here are a few common questions about dental sealants, along with their answers, so that you can be sure you’re prioritizing your child’s ongoing dental wellness.

As parents, we all want to help our children build strong, healthy habits. We want them to eat the right diet, get enough sleep, study so they’ll perform well at school, and above all else, practice good personal hygiene—especially when it comes to their smiles. One of the simplest ways to support great brushing habits is choosing the right toothbrush, but many parents wonder when the time is right to upgrade their child’s brush to an electric one. Here’s what you need to know about electric toothbrushes compared to their manual counterparts and when it might be the right time for your child to make the switch.

Getting kids to brush their teeth can feel like a daily challenge that gets old very quickly! That said, the good news is that there’s one key difference maker that can help your child to brush on their own more effectively: praise. Believe it or not, positive reinforcement is one of the most effective ways to motivate children, and by doing so, you’re helping their smile to develop healthily. Here’s what you need to know, and some useful tips to keep in mind.

It’s normal to want to protect your child from anything that might seem unnecessary, unfamiliar, or potentially harmful. However, many parents wonder whether dental X-rays fall under this category. The truth is, X-rays have immense value when it comes to pediatric dentistry, and they play a very important role in ensuring that your child’s growing smile remains problem-free! Here’s what you need to know.

Hearing that your child needs a tooth extraction can sound alarming, but the truth is, children’s tooth extractions are much more common than most parents realize. From stubborn baby teeth that won’t fall out on their own to severe cavities or crowding issues, there are several perfectly normal reasons why your child’s dentist might suggest this procedure. However, the good news is that with your help, your child can usually bounce back fairly quickly and make a very smooth recovery! Here’s what you need to know and how you can help.

Many parents give their young child a bottle of milk or juice to help them fall asleep some nights, but did you know that this habit can actually harm their teeth? The condition is called baby bottle tooth decay, and it’s one of the most common dental problems in infants and toddlers. However, understanding what it is—and how to prevent it—can help protect your child’s smile from the very start and moving forward!

Losing a baby tooth is an exciting milestone in your child’s life—it marks a new stage in their dental development! And for many children, the Tooth Fairy tradition helps make this moment even more special. If your child has just lost a tooth, here are a few creative and fun ways to welcome the Tooth Fairy into your home while keeping your little one excited about their growing smile and the importance of preventive dental care.

Packing the right school lunch for your child doesn’t just help to fuel them up for their day—it also plays a big role in protecting their smile! Certain foods can help strengthen teeth and fortify oral health, while others can increase the risk of dental issues like cavities and gum disease. Understanding these differences can help you, as a parent, make better lunchbox choices for your kiddo. Here are some examples of foods that you should think twice about packing for your child’s lunch, along with some sensible, smile-friendly alternatives.

The road to a lifetime of healthy, happy, smiling begins at a young age—even before all of the teeth have arrived! However, children don’t always have things down pat when it comes to routine oral care; some even skip important habits, not knowing that it puts their teeth at risk of unpleasant issues. Continue reading to learn about three dental habits that your child or teen might not be handling themselves; their smile’s future is at stake!