Thumb sucking and pacifier use is one of the most common concerns we hear in our practice, so we thought we’d take some time to put the parents of Ashburn’s minds at ease. Thumb sucking and using a pacifier is totally normal up to a certain age, and usually goes away by itself as your child begins to eat solid foods. Let’s discuss why children suck their thumbs and use pacifiers, and when it becomes a cause for concern. When babies are breast or bottle feeding, their tongue moves forward between the space in their upper and lower jaw as they swallow so that a seal is created with their mouth, and milk comes out of the nipple. Thumb sucking and using a pacifier can be soothing to babies … [Read more...]

With so many advances in dental technology and so many new prevention tools available, you’d think that cavities in children would be on the wane. But cavities – especially in little kids – are actually on the rise. Here’s a crash course in Cavities 101 to help parents understand what cavities are and how to prevent and treat them. What Is a Cavity? A cavity is a tiny hole in the tooth that forms when acids attack your tooth enamel. To treat cavities, your dentist usually needs to drill away the decay and fill in the area with a metal or composite material to protect the healthy tooth. However, there are some new treatments for cavities in very young children that don’t involve drilling … [Read more...]

So you’re playing with your kids at the playground and BOOM!...they fall face first and there’s blood. First, rule out that an emergency room visit isn’t needed, and that the oops has only impacted their teeth. Keep calm, assess the situation, and call us at (703) 729-7005 Here is some information on the most common types of dental injuries, and how they’re handled. Knocked Out Tooth If your child has completely knocked out a permanent tooth, it’s important to get to a dentist as soon as possible. The sooner we can see your child, the better the chances of a full recovery. Do your best to retrieve the tooth by touching it by the crown only, not the roots. If it has been on the ground, … [Read more...]

Baby teeth are only temporary, so they don’t need a lot of attention, right? Wrong! Baby teeth used to be considered disposable since they do eventually fall out. But research shows that taking care of baby teeth is incredibly important – for children’s development, oral and overall health. With tooth decay in toddlers on the rise, the dental community is underscoring that healthy baby teeth are crucial, and they most certainly need special care. Why Do Baby Teeth Matter? A 2014 report by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) found that tooth decay in young children is at “epidemic” proportions. With long-term sippy cup use and sugary drinks on the rise, dentists and families … [Read more...]

In addition to brushing and flossing twice a day, you can also take extra steps to protecting your children’s teeth. The molars are the most susceptible to cavities for two reasons. First, their chewing surface has more pits and fissures than the rest of the teeth. This can make it more difficult for toothbrush bristles to clean the chewing surface. Second, the majority of chewing is done with your molars, increasing the chances of food and bacteria getting stuck and causing decay. To protect your children’s molars, NOVA Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics can apply sealants when they come in; usually around 6 years old and 12 years old. A Sealant is a BPA free plastic material that is … [Read more...]

News flash! Flossing is not just for grown-ups. Flossing is important because it removes plaque and food that is between teeth. Brushing can only go so far, and flossing does the rest of the job. It’s not only good for your mouth, but helps prevent bad breath too, which makes morning cuddles with your kiddos much more enjoyable. Even if your kids’ teeth aren’t touching, you can still work on forming the habit from a young age. To help your children understand why flossing is important, we suggest doing the following: put the pads of your two index (pointer) fingers together. Show them that you can brush all around the tops of those pointer fingers, but no matter how well you brush, the … [Read more...]

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, and we’re excited to kick things off with some tips on brushing teeth. We made a Love Your Teeth coloring sheet, that you can download and print (download PDF coloring page) for your kids as we go over one way you can love your teeth each week in February. Creating good oral health habits for your children should start as soon as they wake up. Before breakfast, you should brush your teeth with your kids. When children learn good habits, modeling the behavior can be beneficial. Let them watch you, and then work with them on their skills. To start, make sure you’re using a soft bristle toothbrush. If your child can spit their … [Read more...]

 Our patients and their families typically become incredibly proficient at caring for their braces and appliances, and we can usually handle any questions or concerns at regularly scheduled appointments. But sometimes emergencies arise - especially with newer patients. Our team is available to connect with you day or night to help you handle orthodontic emergencies - when your child is in severe pain or when there’s a problem you or your child can’t fix. But there are usually simple steps parents can take to keep your child comfortable until you can get them into the office. Is NOVA Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics Available During an Emergency? At NOVA Pediatric Dentistry & … [Read more...]

Gum disease is often a condition we associate with adults and bad habits. But children can (and do) get gum disease, too. If left untreated, it can cause big problems once little ones hit puberty. But the good news is that gum disease is easy to prevent with basic oral care practices like brushing and flossing. And just like preventing cavities, good gum habits we develop in childhood stick with us as adults. Is Gum Disease Common In Children? Gum disease is caused by the same dental plaque that causes cavities. Plaque is a clear film that builds up on teeth, and children have a natural propensity to produce plaque, fueled by carbohydrates found in milk, juice and higher sugar … [Read more...]

We all know that flossing is an important part of oral hygiene for adults, but how important is it for children? Do they need to floss if they are going to lose their baby teeth eventually? The answer is yes, absolutely! Starting good flossing habits early is important, and it just may be an incentive to get parents to floss, too. Is Flossing Important for Children? The Centers For Disease Control and American Dental Association have both confirmed that flossing is an essential part of oral health. This applies to everyone--starting in preschool. As soon as your child’s teeth are close enough together for plaque to build up, it’s time to get flossing! Even though baby teeth will … [Read more...]