Garland Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric dentistry may feel like a modern concept, but caring for children’s oral health has been evolving for more than a century. As understanding of child development, behavior, and preventive care grew, dentistry began to recognize that children have unique dental needs. This realization led to the creation of pediatric dentistry as its own specialty, designed specifically to support healthy smiles from infancy through adolescence.

Understanding where pediatric dentistry began helps explain why seeing a specialist can make such a difference in a child’s dental see.

Plenty of parents have a hard time helping their anxious kids through dental visits, whether they’re having a routine checkup and cleaning or a more complex procedure. However, if you have a child with autism, you may have additional unique challenges to contend with.

Fortunately, many pediatric dentists are experienced in working with children who may require certain accommodations for their visit to be successful. Continue reading to learn 3 tips that might also help your little one through their next dental appointment!

As a parent, it’s natural to notice every little detail about your baby’s mouth, especially when feeding challenges or speech concerns arise. One issue that often comes up in early childhood is a lip or tongue tie—a condition where a short or tight band of tissue (called a frenulum) restricts the movement of the lip or tongue. Many parents wonder if these ties will simply stretch or disappear as their child grows. The truth is a bit more nuanced. Let’s take a closer look at what lip and tongue ties are, whether they can resolve naturally, and when it might be time to seek treatment.

As the hustle and bustle of the new school year kicks off, you may be starting to get back into the groove of things. Your child may not be excited that summer is closing, but it’s time for them to get back to classes and pass each test they have! Aside from helping them with homework, did you know that keeping up with good oral health can set them up for academic success? Keep reading to learn what you should know.

If you’ve recently discovered that your child needs a frenectomy to release a lip or tongue-tie, one of the first things you may ask their pediatric dentist is how long the recovery will take. Knowing what to expect when pursuing this type of treatment is important, even though it is a fairly quick process. As you think about your child’s upcoming procedure, keep reading to learn more about their at-home recovery.

For many children, a trip to the dentist can feel intimidating. The unfamiliar environment, new faces, and strange tools can create anxiety that makes appointments stressful for both kids and parents. Fortunately, one of the best ways to prepare your child is through storytelling. Children’s books can explain what happens at the dentist in a friendly, familiar way while showing characters they can relate to overcoming their fears. Here are 5 excellent books to help your child feel more comfortable about visiting the dentist.

Watching your child grow comes with so many special moments, but some milestones are a bit tougher than the others. The eruption of two-year molars is one of those not-so-fun parts of growing up. These final baby teeth play an important role in your child’s oral health, but they can also bring some discomfort and crankiness. Keep reading to learn more about these molars and when you can tell they are on their way, plus some tips on what you can do to help your child feel better as they come in.

Depending on what type of food they eat, enjoying a snack may be your child’s favorite time of day. As a parent, you want to help them make healthy choices, but it often requires having them try things they might cringe at or dismiss altogether. Before you give in to their pleas for sugar (and starch), consider how some healthy snack recipes could have them asking for more.

As a parent, you want to give your child the best: healthy meals, safe environments, and of course, a bright smile. But even the most well-meaning caregivers might be unknowingly contributing to their child’s dental problems through something seemingly harmless: the drinks they buy. Cavities are one of the most common chronic conditions in children. While brushing and flossing are essential, what your child drinks every day plays a huge role in their oral health. So, let’s break down the most common kids’ beverages and their impact on those little teeth.

Children are notorious for not always wanting to brush their teeth. To be fair, two minutes is a long time to be doing something that’s, frankly, kind of uninteresting. If you want to encourage them to be more consistent with their oral hygiene habits, you’ll have to make brushing and flossing seem fun and exciting! Keep reading, and you’ll find several ideas for doing exactly that.