Castle Rock Smiles Blog

4 Reasons Why There’s Fluoride in Drinking Water

March 5, 2024

Filed under: Uncategorized — drbenzley @ 3:12 pm
person drinking fluoride in drinking water

Fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral, can be found in various elements of our environment, including soil, water, air, rocks, and plants. Moreover, it’s a common ingredient in numerous dental products like toothpaste and mouthwash. Interestingly, fluoride is also present in many public water sources. You might be curious as to why this mineral is intentionally added to your drinking water. If so, read on as we delve into four compelling reasons why fluoride is incorporated into your water supply and how its presence can positively impact your dental health.

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Mouthguard Mania: When Does My Child Need One?

February 5, 2024

Filed under: Uncategorized — drbenzley @ 3:22 pm
Nose to chin view of a child wearing a blue mouthguard

If you’ve ever watched a professional football game, you may have noticed that in addition to wearing a helmet, many players also wear a mouthguard. These oral appliances serve to protect an athlete’s teeth from injury. They’re not exclusive to football; you’ll see them used in various sports and martial arts.

Some schools, leagues, and organizations require that their participants wear them as a safety measure, especially for children and young adults. If you’re wondering whether your child needs one for their after-school activities, keep reading to learn more about mouthguards and when it’s a good idea to have one!

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Tooth Extraction Terror: 4 Tips to Alleviate Your Child’s Anxiety

January 8, 2024

Filed under: Uncategorized — drbenzley @ 6:32 pm
Wooden tooth being pulled out of a row by toy wooden forceps

If your child has an upcoming appointment to have a tooth extracted, it’s natural for them to feel daunted. No one looks forward to sitting in the dentist’s chair to have their pearly white pulled especially at a young age. Many patients worry that it will be overly painful or that they won’t be able to sit still for the entire procedure if they feel squeamish. If you’re looking for ways to help your kid cope, keep reading to learn 4 tips to overcome their fear!

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Toddler Trouble: How a Lip Tie Impacts Your Child’s Oral Health

December 11, 2023

Filed under: Uncategorized — drbenzley @ 6:55 pm
Toddler eating baby food with an orange spoon

As a parent, it can be very exciting to watch your child grow and develop from infancy into a boisterous, bouncing toddler. There are so many momentous ‘firsts’ to look forward to at this stage, like their earliest steps as they learn to walk or their transition into eating solid foods. If your little one has a lip tie, however, they might also experience their first oral issues, too. Keep reading to learn more about how this condition impacts your child and what you can do about it!

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Myth or Fact: Breastfeeding is Supposed to Be Painful

November 30, 2023

Filed under: Uncategorized — drbenzley @ 10:23 pm

Mother sitting in chair nursing an infantHealthcare professionals and pediatric dentists support breastfeeding to foster the health and development of infants. Besides the benefits of nursing, you might have also heard that breastfeeding is painful. Successful nursing doesn’t happen overnight, but it should be pain-free. It’s normal to have some minor issues along the way, like pain. While some discomfort can be caused by poor latching, it can also be a sign of a lip or tongue tie. Here’s what you need to know to determine if your nipple pain is a symptom of a more serious problem.

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Tiny Teeth, Big Sensitivity: How to Help Your Child with Sensitive Teeth

October 13, 2023

Filed under: Uncategorized — drbenzley @ 12:48 am
Children smiling with sensitive teeth while holding hands

As a parent, it can feel like you’re naturally plugged into every nuance of your child. You can tell when they’re feeling something, whether it’s an emotion or a physical ailment. When it comes to their oral health, tooth sensitivity can be a cause for concern. It can appear in various ways, from discomfort during meals to sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures.

If you want to learn the reasons behind sensitive teeth in your tots and see how you can help them with their discomfort, continue reading.

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The History of Fluoride & Your Child’s Teeth

December 8, 2022

Filed under: Uncategorized — drbenzley @ 9:22 pm
child receiving fluoride

Everyone knows that fluoride is a natural mineral that dentists use to better protect teeth. When it comes to young smiles, children often need this added barrier because of the high potential for cavities. But if you’re wondering how fluoride was discovered and eventually became the go-to safeguard for dentists to use to combat decay, read on.

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Pulp Therapy: Why Baby Teeth Are Worth Saving

November 4, 2022

Filed under: Uncategorized — drbenzley @ 2:35 pm
little girl getting pulp therapy to save her baby teeth

As an adult, when you have a bad cavity, you get a root canal to retain your permanent tooth. But what happens if your child gets a bad cavity in one of their baby teeth? Depending on how severely the decay has damaged the tooth, they could need either a pulpotomy or a pulpectomy to rescue it from extraction. But is it really worthwhile to preserve a baby tooth? Keep reading to learn the difference between these procedures and why you should make every effort to save your child’s growing smile through pulp therapy.

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Why Praising Kids for Brushing Their Teeth Matters

October 4, 2022

Filed under: Uncategorized — drbenzley @ 10:16 pm

Every parent knows what it’s like to try to make a child brush their teeth who doesn’t want to. There are a lot of items on the market designed to help in this regard, such as fancy brushes, apps, toys, etc. But research has shown that the best tool actually won’t cost you a thing – encouragement! Keep reading to learn from a pediatric dentist in Castle Rock why you should praise your child for handling brushing teeth on their own and how you should go about it.

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4 Things Nursing Mothers Should Know About Oral Health

September 30, 2022

Filed under: Uncategorized — drbenzley @ 9:48 pm
Woman breastfeeding baby

There are all sorts of different decisions to be made as a parent, including whether you opt for breastfeeding, formula, or a combination of the two. If you choose to do so, there are countless benefits of breastfeeding your baby. In fact, breastfeeding can help to protect them against short and long-term illnesses and diseases. Continue reading to find out some interesting oral health facts that nursing moms should be aware of.

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