If you’re a parent to a toddler, you may be starting to think more carefully about the quality of their oral health. As their baby teeth start to come in, oral hygiene and visits to the dentist become increasingly important.

Eventually, you’ll have to cross a fairly large hurdle—starting to brush your child’s teeth. Getting a rowdy toddler to sit still for two minutes at a time can sound like a tall order, but it’s definitely doable. Here’s a step-by-step guide for how to make brushing your child’s teeth as easy as possible.

Dental sedation is commonly used to alleviate dental anxiety and discomfort during lengthy procedures, for additional pain relief, or for patients with sensitive gag reflexes. While it is typically used for adults, parents may wonder if sedation dentistry is a safe option for their children. Keep reading as we discuss the safety and benefits of sedation dentistry for children, offering insight into how it can help them feel more comfortable during their dental visits.

The tongue, upper lip, and lower lip all have a small piece of tissue known as a frenulum that prevents them from moving too far. Sometimes, a child might have a frenulum that’s too tight, leading to tongue-tie or lip-tie. These conditions can be treated with a frenectomy, but how will you know that the procedure is even necessary in the first place? Here are 5 warning signs you can look out for.

As a parent, you might think pacifiers are lifesavers. After all, they make babies quiet, sleep, and otherwise manageable. Still, the truth is that a pacifier can harm how your baby’s teeth develop. You should thus use the item responsibly to avoid future issues. Luckily enough, your local Papillion dentist can give you the facts to do so. Here is a summary of how pacifiers can harm infant oral health and tips for using them well.

As you might know, some toys entertain and educate. In other words, these kinds deliver a fun experience even as they teach crucial ideas! However, were you aware that dentistry toys are a good example? Indeed, such playthings help kids learn about oral health. Let your local Papillion dentist give you the scoop if you want more details. Here is a summary of four dental-themed toys that offer lessons on teeth and gums.

When bands of tissues behind the upper lip or underneath the tongue are restricted, it can create problems that leave you and your baby frustrated and unhappy. You may wonder, “Are lip and tongue ties common” or are you alone in this fight? A local pediatric dentist is here to explain the history and why they seem more common than before.

Up to a certain point, it’s normal for children to suck on their thumbs. But even though it’s a common habit in youngsters, thumb-sucking is actually accompanied by oral health issues if it’s left to continue for too long. Here’s more from your dentist in Papillion about the potentially negative effects that thumb-sucking can have on your child’s oral health, along with some tips for helping them break the habit.

When your baby was born, you knew you wanted to breastfeed them. Although it took some getting used to, you two have found your rhythm and are making it work. Someday soon, you will feel a slightly sharp pinch, indicating that their first tooth is erupting. Before you come to this important stage in your baby’s development, you need to know certain oral health facts that will protect your infant’s smile.

The baby teeth come loose and fall out on their own when the permanent teeth are ready to start coming in. This is a completely normal part of growing up; you went through it, and your little one will have to go through it too. However, did you know that sometimes baby teeth need to be removed by a dentist? The following post explores why children’s tooth extractions might be necessary as well as some tips for preparing your child for the procedure.

Does your child still make a big deal out of being asked to brush their teeth? You’ve done your best to explain to them how important it is, but they aren’t quite there yet on being motivated to do it without you urging them along. You may be considering upgrading their manual toothbrush to an electric one to get them excited about brushing, but are you unsure whether your child is ready? Read on to learn more from a pediatric dentist in Papillion about electric toothbrushes for kids and at what age you can make the switch.