Three Tips for Buying the Right Toothbrush for Your Kids Choosing a toothbrush is somewhat like deciding on a new cereal for your family. Too many options, and very little information on the package that aids in helping you make an informed decision. We’re here to help with the top three concerns you need to address when choosing a toothbrush for your kids. And, as you might imagine, not one of them deals with the cartoon character on the handle, the color, sparkles, or the latest whiz-bang bristle and handle gadgetry. Match the brush to the mouth: When it comes to toothbrushes, one size does not fit all. A small mouth requires a smaller brush, and a bigger mouth a larger brush. A good frame

What in The World Is a "Baby Root Canal"? Within each tooth there exists what is known as the “pulpal chamber” which houses the tooth’s nerve center. This nerve center is called the “pulp,” and it contains the blood vessels, connective tissue, and reparative cells that keep the tooth “vital,” (or, alive). When a child experiences tooth trauma or decay so severe it threatens the integrity of the tooth, a therapeutic pulpotomy (or, baby root canal) is often recommended to save the tooth. Why Is It Called a Baby Root Canal? The use of the term “baby root canal” is actually a bit misleading because with a therapeutic pulpotomy, the removal of pulp stops just before the tooth’s root structures be

Are Dental X-rays Safe for Kids? Because children’s mouths are growing and changing constantly, and a visual inspection alone cannot tell our pediatric dentists everything they may need to know about your child’s mouth, eventually every child will need a dental X-ray. But are dental X-rays safe, and should your child have them taken? What are the Facts Surrounding X-rays? You can rest assured knowing that today’s dental X-rays are safer than ever before. So safe, in fact, that the amount of radiation that a child is exposed to in a bite-wing X-ray (image of the back molars) is roughly equivalent to the amount of radiation they are exposed to in the environment on a daily basis. And Edmond Pe

Spring Cleaning - For Your Child's Healthy Smile! “Spring cleaning” should be part of every child’s routine, especially when it comes to their teeth! Even with regular daily brushing and flossing, routine cleanings, or “prophylaxsis” (literally “preventive treatment of disease”) at the dentist should be an important part of your child’s spring routine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported the first rise in 40 years of children with cavities in their baby teeth — with kids ages 2 to 5 bearing the largest increase. In the case of professional teeth cleaning, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure — and a twice-annual examination, check-up, and cleanin

My Child Needs Crowns? Really? While the idea of outfitting your young child with a mouthful of stainless steel might seem unfortunate, saving decaying primary teeth through the application of stainless steel crowns is often necessary to preserve the integrity of a child’s bite and early facial development. As we’ve covered previously, preserving your child’s primary teeth – even though they’ll fall out eventually – is more important than one might assume. Let’s take a look at why your dentist might recommend stainless steel crowns for your child, and what happens during the appointment. Why Your Child Might Need a Crown As with any damaged or decayed permanent tooth that requires a crown to

Different Techniques for Flossing When it comes to dental floss, what’s the best kind? Well, if you ask a dentist, they’ll tell you the best dental floss is the floss you’ll actually use. That could be Teflon floss, dental tape, nylon floss, waxed floss, and flosses with or without flavors – there are a lot of choices! There are also a number of ways to get your flossing done that don’t have you wrapping a long string of floss across your fingers and deftly maneuvering your hands in such an enclosed space. Enter the oral irrigator, the vibrating flosser, and the dental pick! Which might be best for your kids? Dental Pick: If you’re prone to ignore flossing, you may want to consider a good ol

Should Your Child Do More Than Just Brush and Floss? As an adult, your oral care routine tends to remain fairly static for a large part of your life. Brush and floss. Rinse, perhaps, if you’re fond of it. And, unless you need prosthetics, that’s about all you’ll ever do. But, what about your kids? Toddlers? Adolescents? What sort of routine should they follow? Is it the same as yours? And, should it change from time to time? Since it’s February, and Children’s Dental Health month is upon us, let’s take a quick dive into “what’s-what” from toddlers to teens when it comes to oral care. Infants/Toddlers: Use a warm washcloth or gauze pad to wipe your child’s gums after feedings. While most inf