Linda A. Steele, DDS Blog

If your child feels anxious about an upcoming dental appointment, you might be looking for ways to help them understand the process and know what to expect. Luckily, this is a common problem for parents to deal with, so many authors have produced children’s books to walk kids through the whole experience from start to finish. This removes a lot of uncertainty from the process and helps kids feel more comfortable at the dentist’s office. Here’s a list of children’s books about the dentist’s office to help everyone in your household have a bit more peace of mind.

As a parent, you know that the teenage years come with unique challenges like body changes and personal maturity development. One aspect that should not be overlooked is oral health! While your teen may feel like they’re ready to visit a general dentist, that may not always be the right move for them. Continue reading to learn how a pediatric dentist can still help your teenager with their smile.

Try as you might, it’s impossible to predict when an accident might happen. That said, there are things you can do to protect yourself should anything occur. This is particularly true for athletes engaged in intensive activity in close proximity with others because one blow to the face can be powerful enough to knock out one or more of your teeth. Fortunately, your dentist can fit you or anyone in your family with a mouthguard to shield them so that you can feel confident that no matter what, your smile is safe. Keep reading to learn more!

While the importance of brushing twice a day and flossing daily is well-known, children with emotional, behavioral, physical, or intellectual disabilities may face challenges in maintaining these habits. They might need extra assistance due to difficulties in remembering or limitations in fine motor skills. Explore four tips in special needs dentistry to ensure the oral health of your child’s teeth and gums.

Thumb-sucking is a common soothing mechanism for infants and toddlers, and if you’re a parent yourself, you’ve probably enjoyed those brief moments of reprieve when your child has calmed down thanks to their thumb. However, when this habit persists, it can lead to various dental and developmental issues. Continue reading below to learn a little more from your trusted pediatric dentist about how prolonged thumb-sucking can cause problems for your little one, along with some tips for stopping it.

Children can expect to lose their first set of teeth naturally, but needing a baby or adult tooth extracted can be an unpleasant surprise. While undesirable, sometimes dental emergencies can make tooth extractions necessary for children. Read on to learn about what dental issues can require the removal of a child’s tooth and how you can help your little one be prepared for the procedure.

If you’re the parent of a young child who hasn’t yet grown all their adult teeth, it might come as quite a shock if one day you notice your little one actually has sprouted two rows of teeth! It can be intimidating if you don’t know what this means or why it’s happening. How worried should you be? Do you need to contact your child’s dentist right away? Keep reading to learn more about this condition and what you can do.

Up to 11% of children are born with a lip tie or tongue tie. This is when there’s an overly restrictive band of tissue that’s preventing the child from moving their lips or tongue properly. Many parents have heard of them, but they don’t always fully understand these conditions. You shouldn’t let misinformation prevent you from taking proper care of your child’s mouth; your pediatric dentist is here with the truth behind 4 tongue and lip tie myths.

If you have a young child, you should know that their first baby teeth will usually make their grand entrance around 6 months of age, although sometimes signs of teething start sooner than this. In any case, you’ve got your work cut out for you; helping your little one to navigate this process isn’t always easy, especially knowing that they’re uncomfortable! Keep reading to learn more from your pediatric dentist about the teething process and some obvious signs that it’s occurring, along with some ways you can soothe your child’s pain and help them through this journey.

Are you concerned about your child’s brushing and flossing technique and are considering an upgrade to an electric toothbrush? A proper oral hygiene routine is essential for maintaining your child’s dental health, and an electric toothbrush can offer several advantages over a manual one. You may be wondering: at what age is it time for your little one to make the switch? Keep reading as we explore the benefits of using an electric toothbrush for children and why it may be a wise choice to enhance their oral care routine.