One of the reasons families choose a pediatric dentist rather than a traditional practice for their children is that pediatric specialists are trained to work with children. This training includes a wide range of special techniques to encourage cooperation. Positive reinforcement from parents and dentists is one of the most important tools we can use--before, during and after the appointment-- to make your child’s visit a success. Is Rewarding My Child for Good Behavior a Bribe? Positive reinforcement for cooperative behavior is a highly effective behavior management tool. A scientific study published in the journal respected journal Nature reinforces that positive reinforcement is one of … [Read more...]

Teeth whitening is absolutely everywhere in our culture. Teens and younger children see the perfect teeth on their favorite celebrities and other role models, along with ads for a raft of over the counter whitening products, and sometimes become concerned about the color of their teeth as permanent teeth come in. It’s no wonder that children and teens are asking to have their teeth whitened. While whitening teeth for children and teens isn’t necessarily a flat-out no, we definitely recommend a conservative approach. Here’s some good info to help parents make informed decisions about teeth whitening for young people. At What Age Is It Okay to Whiten My Child’s Teeth? Unless there are … [Read more...]

Choosing a dentist for your child can be a challenge. For some families, the choice between the convenience of a general practitioner versus the specialized knowledge and experience of a trained pediatric dentist can be confusing. Here is some information on the field of pediatric dentistry along with questions that can help you choose the right dentist for your child. Is a Pediatric Dentist Best for My Child? Not every family needs a pediatric dentist, but many parents prefer a specialized dentist for their children. Pediatric dentists are child-focused experts with special training and experience. In addition to spending the traditional four years in dental school, pediatric dentists … [Read more...]

We’re all short on time.  It’s great to take care of some things online. Orthodontic treatment just isn’t one of them. With the rise in popularity of clear aligners in orthodontics, a number of companies have popped up offering direct-to-consumer aligners. There are concerns associated with this practice--so much so that the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) has issued a consumer warning about online orthodontic treatment. Yes, the cost of orthodontic treatment can sometimes be daunting. But while it may be tempting to seek a cheaper online option, the value of getting orthodontic care from a trusted provider can’t be overstated. It simply isn’t worth the risk of trying to … [Read more...]

Freedom! That’s the word we hear from so many of our young patients when they get their braces off. First, there’s the celebratory selfie--and then the snacks! Kids often want to celebrate by eating all the foods they couldn’t eat with braces like bubble gum, sticky candy, hard candy, and popcorn. But it’s important to remind them that braces are really just the first step in the orthodontic journey. And while there’s certainly room for a little fun food every now and then, once the braces come off, dental maintenance is more important than ever. My Child Got Their Braces Off, Now What? Sometimes there’s a tendency to want to go crazy, and that’s something we want to discourage gently. … [Read more...]

A recent University of Washington study showed that up to 20 percent of the United States population avoids the dentist due to dental fears or phobias. This means that as many as 64 million people are afraid to go to a routine dental visit! But neglecting the kind of routine care that prevents problems creates the worst kind of vicious cycle in patients. For anxious parents, this is a pattern we want to break in our kids. There are a few important ways to make this happen, and most important of all are overcoming your own fears and building a comfortable and trusting relationship with your pediatric dentist. What Are The Most Common Causes of Dental Anxiety? Here are some of the main … [Read more...]

Yes! Braces are for adults too! In fact, more and more grown up smiles are improving every day thanks to adult orthodontics. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, one in five patients starting orthodontic treatment  is over the age of 18; this means more than 1 million adults are currently in orthodontic treatment. So if you’re thinking about orthodontics as an adult, you’re definitely not alone. Why is Adult Orthodontic Treatment More Popular Than Ever? There are a number of reasons more and more adults are getting orthodontic treatment. One is that it’s more socially acceptable; many of us have friends who are saying yes to braces, maybe even for the second time. … [Read more...]

With spring and summer sports upon us, and with summer camps approaching, we’d like to talk about the importance of your child wearing a mouth guard while playing sports. Many people think that mouth guards are only for high contact sports, or for high school athletes. However, the American Dental Association recommends that they be used at whatever age your child begins to play sports where they are at risk of contact with another person, or a sport with high risk of head injury. The sports for which the ADA recommends mouth guards be worn are: acrobats, basketball, boxing, field hockey, football, gymnastics, handball, ice hockey, lacrosse, martial arts, racquetball, roller hockey, … [Read more...]

Many parents make it a rule to only offer their kids healthy snacks. But once your children start going to preschool, things can change. As peers begin to have more influence, it’s not always possible for your kids to say no to sugar. And with that in mind, parents don’t always have to say no either. While sugar does feed the bacteria that cause cavities, sweet treats can be an important part of childhood. There’s no need to ban treats altogether, as long as we have information to help us take care of our teeth after enjoying something sweet! What Are the Worst Foods For My Teeth? The American Dental Association (ADA) has a great target list of foods that are tough on teeth. Here are a … [Read more...]

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...]