It would be comforting to think that gum disease only affected adults, but adolescents and even pre-adolescents are at risk as well. In fact, the condition is so common among teenagers that we call it Localized Juvenile Periodontitis (LJP). What [...]
What's Wrong with Sucking Your Thumb? Most parents of preschoolers are engaged in the "battle of the thumb." The thumb usually wins hands down. Continuous pressure on teeth from sucking can affect bone growth or even change the shape of [...]
As modern dentistry continues to improve, children can expect entirely different dental experiences than Mom and Dad remember from childhood. Fluorides and sealants have virtually eliminated rampant decay problems. For kids nowadays, dental care is be a piece of cake. [...]
Eating & Drinking Don't let it continue throughout the day. Limit to 4 or 5 periods. This especially includes apple juice, raisins. Residual fruit sugars easily damage baby teeth. Restricting unlimited contact between food and teeth is the most important [...]
Ever think of asking your dentist which musical instrument you should play? Few people do. But especially for young people, an early dental analysis—before selecting a musical instrument—can be important. Surprisingly, some instruments—woodwind or brass—can actually help some children who [...]
Kids' teeth—paying special attention to them lays a firm foundation for a lifetime of healthy teeth. They're milestones in your child's development, those first teeth. You mark the date in the baby book when the first baby tooth works its [...]
What does a student facing exam pressure have in common with a World War I soldier—or an 18th-Century British sailor? More than you might think. Kids surviving on junk food and stress are at risk of two retro tooth-and-gum woes: [...]
We've all heard young children speak "baby talk." Sometimes it can sound endearing—or it may be a speech defect. In early infancy, babies begin to make vowel sounds, usually mastered by age three. Consonant sounds are more difficult and come [...]
Is putting baby to bed with a pacifier the way to Sleep Heaven? Or the start of a dangerous habit? Moms, doctors, even dentists have passionate opinions on both sides. As usual, the truth lies pretty much in between. A [...]
Being mammals, we sport two sets of teeth, the primaries and the permanent. Assuming Mom has already lent strength to her baby's teeth during pregnancy—beginning from week seven of prenatal life—teeth grow through two stages. In the first permutation, teeth [...]
