When people think about the daily operations of a dental office, most people think about the dentist as handling the bulk of oral healthcare. While their expertise is certainly invaluable, they’re far from the only ones who will help you get the care that you need.

Dental hygienists are a crucial part of any checkup or restorative treatment. In fact, they’re probably the person you’ll spend the most time with when you visit your dentist! If you want to learn more about what these oral health professionals can do for you, here’s what you should know about the core responsibilities of a dental hygienist.

While many athletic activities such as boxing, football, and hockey are well-known for causing dental emergencies, swimming isn’t typically thought of as particularly threatening to your smile. While it’s unlikely that you’ll dislodge any teeth by performing a cannonball off the diving board, the chlorine in swimming pools can damage your enamel if you’re not careful. Here’s how to cool off this summer while keeping your teeth safe from harm.

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.

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!

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!

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!

Healthcare 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.

(more…)

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.

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.

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.