Children’s Dentistry

Kids Can Get Gum Disease Too

It would be comforting to think that gum disease only affected adults, but adolescents and even pre-adolescents are at risk as well. In fact, the condition is so common among teenagers that we call it Localized Juvenile Periodontitis (LJP). What causes gum disease and Localized Juvenile Periodontitis? We usually think [...]

The Battle of the Thumb

What's Wrong with Sucking Your Thumb? Most parents of preschoolers are engaged in the "battle of the thumb." The thumb usually wins hands down. Continuous pressure on teeth from sucking can affect bone growth or even change the shape of the roof of the mouth. Upper teeth are sometimes pushed [...]

Your Kids & Their Teeth

As modern dentistry continues to improve, children can expect entirely different dental experiences than Mom and Dad remember from childhood. Fluorides and sealants have virtually eliminated rampant decay problems. For kids nowadays, dental care is be a piece of cake. Baby teeth do grown-up duty Primary teeth work hard. Those [...]

Can a Musical Instrument Affect Teeth?

Ever think of asking your dentist which musical instrument you should play? Few people do. But especially for young people, an early dental analysis—before selecting a musical instrument—can be important. Surprisingly, some instruments—woodwind or brass—can actually help some children who have an overbite problem. Yet, the same instrument can make [...]

What Did You Say?

We've all heard young children speak "baby talk." Sometimes it can sound endearing—or it may be a speech defect. In early infancy, babies begin to make vowel sounds, usually mastered by age three. Consonant sounds are more difficult and come a little later on. By the eighth birthday, most children [...]

Baby Pacifier Pros and Cons

Is putting baby to bed with a pacifier the way to Sleep Heaven? Or the start of a dangerous habit? Moms, doctors, even dentists have passionate opinions on both sides. As usual, the truth lies pretty much in between. A study published in a recent issue of General Dentistry indicates [...]

Baby Teeth and Teething

Being mammals, we sport two sets of teeth, the primaries and the permanent. Assuming Mom has already lent strength to her baby's teeth during pregnancy—beginning from week seven of prenatal life—teeth grow through two stages. In the first permutation, teeth take shape; in the second, the cells are actually transformed [...]