Informative Dental Blogs

Are your little one’s permanent teeth finally coming in? If so, it’s an exciting time! But have you noticed that their teeth are coming in a bit yellow? Here’s what you need to know about adult teeth and their coloring.

Throughout the years, our ancestors have used various methods to remove particles from in-between their teeth. But flossing didn’t take its widely-known form until 1815. This is when New Orleans dentist Dr. Levi Spear Parmly created a thin, waxen silk thread to allow his patients to comfortably and easily clean the spaces between their teeth.

At Tots to Teens, our highly qualified team works hard to care for your children and their smiles as they grow and develop. One of the most common questions we get from patients and their parents is: “When do kids start losing their baby teeth?” Today, we want to answer this question and give parents some ideas on how to prepare for that inevitable first wiggling tooth.

At Tots to Teens Pediatric Dentistry, we strive to make your child’s dental visits as stress-free as possible. Part of this involves answering their questions using kid-friendly language. A common question we get, “What’s that sticky substance painted on my teeth?” Read on to learn about this treatment, called a fluoride varnish.

When your child is in pain, you want nothing more than for the pain to stop as soon as possible. At Tots to Teens Pediatric Dentistry, we want the same thing for your children. Occasionally, we determine that oral surgery is the best option for your child.

Many babies and young toddlers suck their thumbs or other fingers. It’s a natural self-soothing technique that helps them relax or fall asleep. It’s not a good habit to maintain forever, though. So how do you help kids kick the habit?

Honey can be found in the cabinets and pantries of most American homes, often stored in an adorable bear-shaped bottle. This viscous, golden substance is the result of hard-working honeybees. When you spot a honeybee on a flower or plant, it is harvesting nectar and sap to take back to its hive.

As a parent, you have a responsibility to help your child develop habits that promote a healthy body. This includes teaching them good oral healthcare habits, such as brushing their teeth twice a day, flossing every day, eating a balanced diet, and visiting the dentist for teeth cleanings and checkups.

Tooth decay occurs when the bacteria in your mouth eat your dietary sugar and produce acidic byproducts. This acid eats away at the crystalline mineral structure of teeth, causing areas of weakness. Permanent areas of damaged enamel manifest as small holes called cavities.

Any time your child has dental surgery, it is critical to follow our post-operative tips and instructions to ensure a smooth recovery. As your child heals, you should carefully monitor their pain level and their surgical site so you can quickly detect any abnormal changes and signs of infection.

Did you know that children sometimes need root canal therapy, or pulpal therapy? Your child’s baby teeth and permanent teeth can get infected just like an adult’s teeth.

If you weren’t born with a perfectly straight smile, you’re certainly not alone. There are many patients who turn to braces in order to fix the alignment of their teeth. Thankfully, modern orthodontics make the process comfortable, efficient, and affordable! Let’s dive into the details.

Do you have metal braces straightening your smile? Treatment time varies from person to person but most patients wear their braces for 18-24 months. For older patients or those with more severe misalignment, straightening takes longer. While your smile is transformed, can you get dental cleanings?

By the time your child turns three years old, they will most likely have all their baby teeth. These teeth act as important placeholders for your child’s underlying permanent teeth and allow them to learn how to eat, speak, and smile with confidence.

After orthodontic treatment, patients are given metal retainers or clear aligners to help keep their teeth from shifting out of their new positions. These retainers and aligners need to be worn consistently every single day in order to work properly — which means that they have to be thoroughly cleaned in order to keep your mouth healthy!

It’s becoming more and more common these days for children to get braces. While you can certainly get braces at any age, it can make a big difference to sort out any alignment issues sooner rather than later.