Dental Blogs
Does mercury in the silver fillings in your mouth pose any long-term health risks? Does fluoride, in spite of everything we've been told since childhood, actually cause more harm than good? What does the latest research reveal about tobacco use on your overall oral health?
This section is dedicated to the latest information about these and other oral health topics, pulled from authoritative sources such as the American Dental Association.
Learn about latest news from the .
Click on the blogs below to learn more:
- When Should I Replace My Child's Mouth Guard?
- What Causes Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?
- How to Take Care of Your Child's Teeth as They Grow
- How Do I Stop My Child from Teeth Grinding at Night?
- How Can I Calm Down My Child at the Dentist?
- 7 Facts About Your Child's Mouth Guard
- The Importance of Dental Care for Babies
- How Do Sealants Work?
- How Diabetes Can Affect Your Child's Teeth
- What to do for Your Child's Traumatic Dental Injury
- How Your Child's Diet can Affect Their Teeth
- How to Help Your Child Overcome Fear of the Dentist
- What Ages do Pediatric Dentists Treat?
- Does Your Kid Need a Sports Mouth Guard?
- 5 Ways a Pediatric Dentist Prevent Cavities in Children
- What is Hospital Dentistry for Children?
- Does My Child Need Emergency Dental Care?
- 3 Types of Children's Sedation Dentistry
- Does My Child Need a Pediatric Dentist?
- Is Laughing Gas Safe For My Child?
- 3 Reasons Your Child Might Need Dental Sealants
- 3 Ways Fluoride Protects Your Child’s Teeth
- Dental Hygiene Tips for Toddlers
- Where Do I Go for a Dental Emergency?
- What Happens if You Don't Removed Wisdom Teeth?
- Is a Crown Falling Out a Dental Emergency?
- How Long are Dental Sealants Supposed to Last?
- How Do I Choose a Pediatric Dentist?
- Does My Child Need Wisdom Teeth Removal?
- Your Child's Teeth Are Not Tools
- How Do Space Maintainers Work?
- How Do I Get My Child to Like the Dentist?
- Does My Child Need Baby Tooth Extraction?
- The Link Between Sugar and Cavities
- Encouraging Healthy Dental Habits for Children
- When Should My Child First See a Pediatric Dentist?
- How to Care for Baby Teeth
- Are Baby Teeth Really all that Important?
- Why do Children Need Oral Cancer Screenings?
- How are Dental Crowns and Fillings Different
- 5 Tips to Relieve Your Child’s Dental Anxiety
- What Happens During a Teeth Cleaning?
- What is Special Needs Dentistry?
- How to Prevent Tooth Decay This Summer
- How Pediatric Dentists Treat Childhood Cavities
- Importance of a Child’s First Dental Visit
Where Do I Go for a Dental Emergency?
Our emergency pediatric dentists are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Yet, there are times when it makes more sense to take your child to the hospital emergency room than our dentists. If your child has a life-threatening condition, you'll need to visit your local ER as soon as possible. Otherwise, our dentists will be able to provide the emergency dental care your child needs.
When Should I Replace My Child's Mouth Guard?
Does your child play a contact sport? If so, our pediatric dentists will recommend they wear a sports mouth guard to prevent injury. For example, a football mouth guard reduces your child’s risk of needing chipped tooth repair the next time they’re tackled on the field. While custom mouth guards offer a superior level of protection to those sold in sporting goods stores, they aren’t invincible.
What Happens if You Don't Removed Wisdom Teeth?
Not all teenagers need their wisdom teeth extracted. Yet, about 85% of Americans will need wisdom tooth extraction at some point during their lives. Our pediatric dentists monitor wisdom teeth as they form in your child's jaw at around age 10. We then track the trajectory of wisdom teeth to determine if they need extraction. Continue reading to learn how our wisdom teeth removal dentists protect oral health.
What Causes Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?
Does your child fall asleep with their bottle in their mouth? If so, this habit increases your child's risk of baby bottle tooth decay. Even breast milk has natural sugars in it that will sit on your child's teeth if you don't brush. As soon as your child gets their first tooth, you'll need to brush with fluoridated toothpaste. Our pediatric dentists can help you come up with the best oral hygiene routine for your child.
Is a Crown Falling Out a Dental Emergency?
Losing a crown isn't a dental emergency. Yet, you still need to schedule an appointment with one of our offices to get your child’s crown replaced on their tooth. While you wait for your child to see one of our dentists, it's important to protect their tooth so it stays intact. Continue reading to learn what you'll need to do if your child loses their dental crown.
How to Take Care of Your Child's Teeth as They Grow
Children need the right pediatric dental care so they can maintain healthy smiles for life. How you take care of your child's teeth and gums now can affect their oral hygiene habits years later. For this reason, it's important you call our pediatric dentists. Our pediatric dentists will be able to take care of your child's teeth so they can maintain a healthy smile.
How Long are Dental Sealants Supposed to Last?
Our pediatric dentists may recommend sealants to protect back teeth prone to cavities. It's not uncommon for children to neglect brushing their back teeth. It's also not uncommon for back teeth to have deep pits and grooves that collect plaque. Over time, this invisible film of bacteria hardens into tartar. Dental sealants cover the chewing surfaces of teeth so your child can avoid cavities.
How Do I Stop My Child from Teeth Grinding at Night?
Do you hear your child grinding their teeth at night? If so, you'll need to schedule an appointment for your child to see one of our pediatric dentists. The sooner you call, the sooner we'll be able to make a night guard for your child. A night guard is an oral appliance your child wears while they sleep to stop teeth grinding.
How Do I Choose a Pediatric Dentist?
You should schedule your child's first dentist appointment before their first birthday. Yet, how can you choose the best pediatric dentist for your child? Finding a pediatric dentist doesn't have to be stressful when you know what questions to ask. Continue reading to learn our expert tips for choosing a pediatric dentist.
How Can I Calm Down My Child at the Dentist?
The last thing you want is for your child to melt down in the dentist's chair (or out in the waiting room). Yet, there are things you can do as a parent to help your child get used to the idea of seeing the dentist. Our pediatric dentists know that children can feel anxious during their first visit.
Does My Child Need Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Your child will get their wisdom teeth in their late teens to early twenties. Yet, our pediatric dentists will start to see wisdom teeth form in your child’s jaw around age 10. Not all patients need wisdom teeth removal, but those that do need immediate attention to avoid abscesses and other complications.
7 Facts About Your Child's Mouth Guard
Does your child play a contact sport? If so, you'll want to ask our pediatric dentists about getting a mouth guard. A sports mouth guard is an oral appliance that fits over your child's upper teeth. That way, your child doesn't knock out a tooth by accident the next time they're tackled or knocked to the ground.
Your Child's Teeth Are Not Tools
Everyone is tempted to use their teeth as tools from time to time. However, using teeth for tasks like opening containers or carrying things is dangerous for the overall health of your teeth. This goes doubly for children, whose teeth are not as strong as adult teeth and who can pick up bad habits easily by seeing examples at home or school.
The Importance of Dental Care for Babies
Our pediatric dentists in Livonia, Canton, and Dearborn, MI, are frequently asked about oral care for baby teeth. At Children’s Dental Care, it’s our mission to provide you with the best care possible for your little ones. To help you succeed, our pediatric dental team has put together this guide on how to care for baby teeth from the time your child is born through toddlerhood.
How Do Space Maintainers Work?
Our Dearborn; Canton; and Livonia, MI pediatric dentists may recommend space maintainers after baby teeth removal. Like the name suggests, a space maintainer is an oral appliance that keeps an empty socket open so adjacent teeth don’t move toward the space. If your child recently had baby tooth extraction and isn’t expected to have permanent teeth erupt anytime soon, call our pediatric dentists today to learn if space maintainers are needed.
How Do Sealants Work?
Dental sealants can be an effective way to reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease in children. As kids grow, it’s important that they learn the proper way to clean their teeth with adult supervision. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control, tooth decay is still a common problem among American children.
How Do I Get My Child to Like the Dentist?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends you take your child to see a dentist no later than their first birthday, preferably within 6 months of their first tooth erupting. Getting your child used to seeing our pediatric dentists is one of the best things you can do to help your child enjoy a lifetime of good oral health.
How Diabetes Can Affect Your Child's Teeth
If your child has diabetes, their health is likely at the forefront of your mind. But did you know that diabetes can also have an effect on your child’s teeth? At Children’s Dental Care, our pediatric dentists have experience in dealing with the oral health effects of diabetes.
Does My Child Need Baby Tooth Extraction?
Aren’t sure if your child needs baby tooth extraction? You’re not alone. Many of our patients’ parents are concerned about how tooth extraction will affect their children’s oral health. Fortunately, our pediatric dentists in Canton, Dearborn, and Livonia are here to help! We understand that you want what’s best for your child.
What to do for Your Child's Traumatic Dental Injury
As a parent, you hope that your child never has to experience the pain of dental trauma. However, with how much children like to run around or roughhouse, this can sometimes be unavoidable. The best thing you can do as a parent is make sure that you are prepared to deal with dental emergencies when it unexpectedly happens.
The Link Between Sugar and Cavities
Ever since you were a kid, your local teeth cleaning pediatric dentist has warned you that too much sugar will rot your teeth and cause cavities. While this is true more often than not, that’s not all there is to it. Excess sugar usually does lead to oral health problems, but it is not the direct cause of cavities.
How Your Child's Diet can Affect Their Teeth
To keep your children’s teeth healthy and strong, make sure that you are fueling them up with the right foods. If you would like to learn more about how your child’s diet can affect their teeth, please be sure to contact a teeth cleaning pediatric dentists at Children’s Dental Care. Did you know that what we eat has an impact on our oral health?
How to Help Your Child Overcome Fear of the Dentist
While it’s not uncommon for people to dread a dentist appointment, children may need extra help getting over their fear of the dentist. At Children’s Dental Care, our pediatric dentists advise parents to start dental treatment for children early so that they accept trips to the dentist as a normal part of life.
Encouraging Healthy Dental Habits for Children
Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly is a great way to safeguard the health of not only your mouth, but your entire body. Passing on these healthy habits to your children is a great way to give them the tools to live a healthy life.
When Should My Child First See a Pediatric Dentist?
Has your child gotten their first tooth yet? Our pediatric dentists and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend your child start seeing the dentist once they get their first tooth or no later than their first birthday. During your child’s first appointment with us, our goal is to introduce them to our office so they feel comfortable receiving pediatric dental care.
What Ages do Pediatric Dentists Treat?
Pediatric dentists treat babies, children, and teenagers up to age 18. We recommend your child see a pediatric dentist for specialized care while they’re still growing. Unlike a general dentist, a pediatric dentist undergoes at least two extra years of training after dental school to learn how to work with children and those with special needs.
How to Care for Baby Teeth
It’s a myth that baby teeth aren’t important. Even though baby teeth are eventually replaced, they’re still needed for learning how to talk, eating, and saving space for adult teeth. While your child will need to see a pediatric dentist after getting their first tooth or before their first birthday, you should already be taking steps to protect their oral health.
Does Your Kid Need a Sports Mouth Guard?
Does your child play contact sports? If so, it’s important you talk to their pediatric dentist about getting a custom mouth guard. Unlike the mouth guards you can buy at the sporting goods store, a custom mouth guard from your child’s pediatric dentist offers a superior level of protection and comfort.
Are Baby Teeth Really all that Important?
Are baby teeth really that important? Yes! While baby teeth are eventually replaced, they’re important for helping your child learn how to talk and eat. Baby teeth also save space for permanent teeth, which erupt through the gum line as early as 6 years of age.
5 Ways a Pediatric Dentist Prevent Cavities in Children
Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease for American children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fortunately, your child’s pediatric dentist is able to help prevent cavities so your child can maintain a healthy smile. Dentistry for children includes preventive care (like dental sealants) so your child doesn’t end up needing a filling, dental crown, or extraction.
Why do Children Need Oral Cancer Screenings?
While it’s rare for children to get oral cancer, it’s not impossible. Our pediatric dentists do everything in their power to protect your child’s oral health so they can grow strong and healthy. If you spot red or white patches (or other abnormalities) in your child’s mouth, call us as soon as possible to schedule an appointment for your child.
What is Hospital Dentistry for Children?
Does your child have a disability preventing them from getting the pediatric dental care they need? Does your child need extensive dental work? If you answered “yes” to either of these questions, your child’s pediatric dentist may recommend they receive treatment in a hospital. Continue reading to learn why we may recommend hospital dentistry for children and how you can help your child the day of their appointment.
How are Dental Crowns and Fillings Different
Tooth decay is the #1 chronic disease for American children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fortunately, our pediatric dentists are able to treat cavities so your child can continue showing off their toothy grin. Continue reading to learn the differences between dental crowns and fillings for children.
Does My Child Need Emergency Dental Care?
Not all accidents need emergency dental care, but those that do depend on you finding an emergency pediatric dentist in time to repair your child’s tooth. Fortunately, our pediatric dentists understand that toothaches or abscesses can’t always wait until the next business day. Continue reading to learn what your child’s dentist considers urgent and non-urgent emergencies.
5 Tips to Relieve Your Child’s Dental Anxiety
Does your child have dental anxiety? While it’s normal and expected for young children to feel apprehensive, it’ll be up to you and your child’s pediatric dentist to set a good first impression. Our pediatric dentists have years of experience treating children and are here to offer their professional tips for how to relieve your child’s dental anxiety.
3 Types of Children's Sedation Dentistry
Does your child dread going to the dentist? While most children grow out of dental anxiety, some may benefit from being sedated so they can receive the dental care they need for a healthy smile. Our pediatric dentists offer laughing gas, oral sedation, and IV sedation.
What Happens During a Teeth Cleaning?
Your child should have their first dentist appointment before their first birthday or within 6 months of getting their first tooth, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. The best way to protect your child’s healthy smile is to make sure they get the pediatric dental care they need.
Does My Child Need a Pediatric Dentist?
Yes! We believe that all children benefit from seeing a pediatric dentist. Unlike general dentists, a pediatric dentist has had additional training after dental school to take care of babies, children, teens, and those with special needs. We understand that you want the best dental care for your child, which is why we recommend taking them to a pediatric dentist.
What is Special Needs Dentistry?
Everyone smiles in the same language. Unfortunately, it can be difficult finding a pediatric dentist with the experience to treat a child with special needs. If your child has a medical, physical, developmental, or cognitive condition that prevents them from getting the pediatric dental care they need, schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible.
Is Laughing Gas Safe For My Child?
Does your child have a dental phobia? If so, you may want to consider asking their pediatric dentist about the benefits of nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide (also called laughing gas) helps patients of all ages relax in the chair so they can get the pediatric dental care they need.
How to Prevent Tooth Decay This Summer
Summer means your child will be eating more popsicles, ice cream, and other sweet treats that cause cavities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tooth decay is the most common chronic disease affecting American children. Fortunately, our pediatric dentists have a few tricks up their sleeves to help your child avoid a mouth full of cavities.
3 Reasons Your Child Might Need Dental Sealants
Even if your child brushes and flosses daily, they could be leaving behind plaque on back teeth. If tooth decay is a recurring issue for your child, their pediatric dentist may recommend dental sealants. A tooth sealant covers pits and divots on the chewing surface responsible for trapping plaque.
3 Ways Fluoride Protects Your Child’s Teeth
Did you know that the most chronic childhood disease in the United States is tooth decay? The good news is that childhood cavities can be easily prevented by taking your child to a pediatric dentist every 6 months and asking about fluoride treatments.
Dental Hygiene Tips for Toddlers
If you are a first-time parent, it can be stressful learning the right ways to help your child grow up happy and healthy. We understand and are ready to help. Below, you will find information on how to properly care for your toddler’s emerging teeth.
How Pediatric Dentists Treat Childhood Cavities
It’s important to know how your child’s pediatric dentist treats cavities so your child can enjoy a beautiful healthy smile.If your child has a toothache, you may want to schedule an appointment with your emergency pediatric dentist in case they need a filling.
Importance of a Child’s First Dental Visit
Dental anxiety and fear usually begin during childhood and tend to worsen with time if not taken care of. This is why a child’s first dental visit is so important. It paves the way for how your child will feel towards teeth cleanings and other dental services their entire life.
Pediatric Dentistry