Blog Articles

When your baby’s first teeth come in, the first thing you probably do is reach for the baby book. After all, this is a momentous occasion!

A lucky kid will never have a cavity, but cavities aren’t the only dental problems kiddos can be forced to endure. There are plenty of dental health problems little ones face, even before they’ve lost their baby teeth.

Gummy candies are loved by millions – and what’s not to love?

Thumbsucking may have been a convenient self-soothing technique when your child was a baby, but now that he or she is getting older, it’s time to kick the habit.

It’s not at all uncommon for children to grind their teeth, particularly during the night. Upwards of 20% of children have the habit at some point in their childhood.

Lately xylitol has been getting a bad rap — it can be toxic to dogs, even in small amounts — but it has many medical uses for humans that are extremely important, and it prevents tooth decay.

Dr. Scott Andersen and Dr. Tab Imdacha are excited to announce the opening of an additional pediatric dental office in September at the Legends Professional Plaza in Spring, TX.

There’s much more to oral health than simply brushing and flossing. In fact, the food you eat plays a large role in getting a healthy mouth.

When it comes to your kids’ dental health, you’ve likely got the basics covered. Some of the earliest things you probably taught your kids were how to brush, rinse and maybe even floss.

“Mom, I have a loose tooth!” Where has the time gone? It probably seems like just yesterday your child’s very first tooth poked through and you were so excited about the big milestone.

You’re not alone if you cringe every time your daughter decides she wants to play catcher in a pickup game of softball or your son jumps on the sofa like he’s in Cirque du Soleil.

Since most dental professionals recommend getting a new toothbrush every three or four months, the average person will go through several in just a few years.

The risk of obesity and tooth decay is rising among children and younger teenagers due to regular intake of high-sugar sports drinks. Something that most people seem to forget is that plain water is sufficient.

If your child is struggling with fear and anxiety about going to the dentist, there is hope. Start with one of the best past times for children—reading books.

Brushing twice a day for 2 minutes is essential for your child’s good dental health, according to the American Dental Association (ADA), but getting your kid to brush for 4 whole minutes each day can be quite a feat.

Gummy candies are a treat that millions of children and their parents love. Unfortunately, they are also one of the worst candies for your teeth.

The very first trip to the dentist might make your child – and even you – a little nervous. Luckily, Dr. Andersen and Dr. Tab know this and will take extra steps to ensure that your child’s first experience with dental care is a positive one.

Some parents may be surprised to learn that, according to The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, a child is ready for her first pediatric dentist  visit when she’s a year old, or when she has her first baby tooth.

Summertime calls for time spent outside in the sun. Whether at the pool, at the ballpark or just in the street, your kids are going to want a frosty (probably sugary) drink to cool down.

Summertime is the time for fun and games, summer camps and recreational sports for your kids. Unfortunately, these activities can also result in injuries to your child’s teeth and mouth, resulting in the need to visit a pediatric dentist.

We know, we know … summers are for relaxing! They don’t call them the lazy days of summer for nothing … BUT summers are also the best time to schedule your kid’s dental checkups.

Ahh, the Tooth Fairy. Love her or hate her, almost every parent has a Tooth Fairy story.

February is National Children’s Dental Health month, so what better time to connect with your kids and teach them the importance of oral health?

Baby bottle tooth decay is typically caused by frequent, prolonged exposure to drinks that contain sugar. As the name implies, a bottle filled with milk, formula or juice is often the main culprit.

Unfortunately, cavities are extremely common in children. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, statistics show that an average of 1 in 5 children (ages 5-11) have at least one untreated cavity.

Trick or treat, smell my feet…define something “good” to eat?

Hopefully you’ll never have to deal with a dental emergency, but as they say, kids will be kids. They rough-house, they play sports and “forget” to wear their mouth guards and they eat all sorts of things that are hard on their teeth.

Everyone knows that sugar is bad for your teeth. We try to keep our kids away from the obvious culprits, like soda and candy, but what about the food and drinks out there that aren’t so obvious?

To a small child, visiting an unknown place can be scary. Strangers are strange. Add a weird chair, people poking in your mouth and loud noises – its no wonder some kids are afraid of the dentist!

According to the National Children’s Oral Health Foundation, tooth decay is the number one chronic childhood illness. Often we tend to overlook our children’s oral health needs – after all, those aren’t their permanent teeth anyway, right?

As with brushing, it’s important for kids to develop proper flossing habits early on. Flossing helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease by removing the pesky food and plaque that settles between the teeth.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring element that is found in the Earth’s crust, as well as bodies of water all over the world.

Even though they are small and will be replaced by permanent teeth, baby teeth (or primary teeth) play an important role in the overall health of young children.

We’ve all heard people joke about toddlers – referring to two year olds in the ” terrible twos” or a three year old acting like a “threenager” – and if you’re a parent you know there’s good reason for it.

Many babies and toddlers suck their thumbs or fingers. In fact, it’s a completely normal, healthy way for small children to self-soothe and comfort themselves.

Did you know that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) has written a Guideline on Adolescent Oral Health Care?

Have you taken your children to the dentist recently only to be told that they aren’t brushing well enough? How long should they brush and how often? What IS well enough?

“They’re just baby teeth, right? They’re gonna fall out anyway! Dental care is not necessary at this young… it’s just another way for dentists to make more money off of us.”

Many kids are afraid of going to the dentist. Whether it’s the fear of the unknown, or perhaps a previous bad experience, the anxiety can make the experience uncomfortable for everyone involved.

The short answer: yes.

Most people, kids included, feel better when they smile – and rightfully so. Science proves that smiling or laughing provides multiple benefits to overall health at any age.

A pediatric dentist is a dentist that treats kids! That’s the simple explanation.