Tooth Clues - The Dental Detective for Kids

During your child’s regular six-month visits, their pediatric dentist in Leesburg not only completes a cleaning for them, but also works to ensure that you are advised and educated about the many preventable and manageable oral health conditions children face. Read on to learn about four frequent dental concerns that affect children and how you can help prevent or treat them as a parent.

Being a parent means asking important questions, like whether dental sedation is safe for your child. Your pediatric dentist in Leesburg will understand your concern and thoroughly address all of the questions you have, helping you feel comfortable and confident investing in nitrous oxide, oral conscious medication, intravenous (IV) sedation, or general anesthesia. Read on to learn more about the ins-and-outs of children’s dental sedation and whether it is safe for your little one.

Routine dental visits like checkups and cleanings are just as important for children as they are for adults. However, what most people do not understand is just how different it is to treat a younger patient. While family/general dentists are happy to see all ages, they don’t have the same extensive knowledge and hands-on training with infants, children, and teens that pediatric dentists do. Read on to learn more about the four key differences between these two types of dentists and why the best decision you can make is to take your child to a pediatric dentist!

The last day of school for Loudoun County Public Schools is June 14^th, which means summertime is just around the corner! Whether you have a fun beach vacation planned or are looking forward to relaxing with your child at home, this shift in their schedule and diet could lead to unexpected surprises, like cavities. However, with the proper preventive steps in place, you can rest assured that your favorite smile stays happy and healthy. Read on for four easy-to-implement dental hygiene tips for summertime.  

With the summer quickly approaching and sports camps in the near future, safety is key. The National Youth Sports Safety Foundation estimates that over three million teeth are knocked out every year during youth sporting events. In order to save your favorite smile from the same fate, reliable protection is a must. Below, you can learn more about the different types of mouthguards for children and how they can help minimize the chances of an unexpected visit to your pediatric emergency dentist.

Nobody hands you a guidebook for what to do in your child’s first year of life. Besides, every baby varies so greatly, no one-size-fits-all instruction manual would be helpful! However, certain important visits, like early vaccinations and their first dental appointments, are crucial in order to help them grow to be healthy and strong. The problem is many new parents are not sure when they should start scheduling routine examinations with a pediatric dentist in Leesburg. Read on to learn the recommended age for early dental visits and what you can expect during them. 

As a parent, navigating the facts and fiction of what you hear on the internet, in parent blogs, and from others can be difficult. It can blur the lines between what you know to be good for your child, and what others believe is right. Finding the truth among all of this can be difficult, especially when it comes to hot topics like dental X-rays for children. While some deem dental X-rays unsafe, professional organizations and pediatric dental experts acknowledge how crucial they are to ensure smiles develop properly and without complication. Below, you can learn the truth about dental X-rays to make an informed decision that is best for your child.  

The new year is here, and you are likely starting to get back into the swing of the school year now that your child’s winter break is over. One of the best ways to start them off on the right foot is by scheduling their routine dental checkup and cleaning early in the year. This can not only ensure that you are able to get the most out of your dental insurance benefits, but it can also provide you with peace of mind that your favorite smile is happy and healthy. Read on for four reasons why January is the best time to schedule your child’s first bi-annual preventive visit.

Nobody hands parents a how-to book on navigating the basic, everyday tasks for their child’s life. From dropping them off on their first day of school to teaching them how to brush their teeth, many parents learn how to navigate these lessons and moments by speaking with their support systems and pediatric experts.

Building healthy routines, especially good oral hygiene practices, can help your little one avoid cavities and other serious problems down the road. Getting them enthused about brushing and flossing is a great way to encourage them to be self-motivated to keep their smile’s health on the right track. Read on to learn how you can do just that.

Lip and tongue ties have become more commonly diagnosed among both babies and children. In fact, the Mayo Clinic estimates that up to 10 percent of all newborns are born with ankyloglossia (the clinical term for tongue ties). This occurs when the frenum, which is a small strip of soft tissue that connects the lips to the gums or the tongue to the floor of the mouth, is overgrown or is too thick. It can impact the ability for newborns to nurse and can lead to speech and airway issues. If you have just found out that your baby has a lip or tongue tie, filter out the noise of these four common myths and make the best decision for your favorite smile.