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...]

With Halloween just behind us, your children undoubtedly got their hands on of tons of candy--probably a little too much for most parents! Saying no to candy altogether probably isn’t realistic, and it could be counterproductive, since we don’t necessarily want to make sweet treats forbidden fruit. After all, most dentists agree that a little bit of candy at this festive time of year won’t hurt, as long as we hang onto our good oral care habits. The most important thing is setting sensible limits and making Halloween a limited-time splurge rather than an ongoing extravaganza that lasts until the end of the year. Donating candy is a great way to get sugary treats out of the house, and … [Read more...]

The kids are back in school and out on the playing field. If your child is involved in a contact sport, you may be wondering if they need a mouthguard to protect their upper and lower teeth as well as their jaw and gums. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), kids of all ages, genders and levels of competitive play can benefit from mouthguards. In fact, 39 percent of all dental injuries are sports related, and many of these injuries could be avoided or diminished if a mouthguard is worn. Why are Mouthguards Recommended? According to the National Youth Sports Foundation for Safety (NYSFS), dental injuries are the most common type of orofacial injury sustained during sports … [Read more...]

While drilling and filling remain the standard treatment for cavities in both adults and children, young children now have another choice for managing tooth decay. Many dental offices, including NOVA Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, now have access to a simple liquid treatment that can stop and prevent cavities in baby teeth. Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is a new treatment that stops tooth decay in its tracks. And while it’s not a substitute for removing and filling cavities, it can keep decay at bay until baby teeth fall out. For many families, SDF is a faster and less expensive alternative to traditional treatment. In this post, we’ll explore the ins and outs of SDF, explaining … [Read more...]