“Laughing gas” is another term for nitrous oxide, a gas that is used to sedate patients during dental procedures. While laughing gas is considered very safe for patients of all ages, it is important to understand the facts about it before making a decision to allow your child to have nitrous oxide treatment. Here is…
Dental visits can be challenging for children on the autism spectrum. While some children adapt very well to the dentist’s chair, others are frightened or find the visit difficult to tolerate. There are quite a number of factors that contribute to this issue, including physical touch, lights, sounds and the introduction of new people and…
While it is not easy to get small children to follow a good dental routine, it may be next to impossible to convince teenagers that brushing, flossing and going to the dentist are very necessary to supporting their overall health. However, many studies show links between good oral health and other parts in the body…
Wisdom teeth, or “third molars,” are, for most children, the last teeth to emerge in the back of the mouth. Named for the fact that they generally appear once a child has reached adult age, wisdom teeth can actually begin causing problems much sooner than age 18. In fact, many parents wonder–could some of the…
One of the most common questions parents ask during a child’s first dental checkup is when to start fluoride treatments. The general consensus among pediatric dentists has shifted over the past few years. At one time, dentists advised parents to wait on fluoride until a child was older, but now, thanks to new understandings of…
A childhood tooth injury can be a frightening experience for both parent and child. Children suffer tooth injuries from falls, playing and sports at a relatively high rate, so it pays to be ready in case something happens. Having a plan to deal with chipped, cracked or even completely “knocked out” teeth will help you…
Every parent knows that trips to the dentist can be fraught with fear and anxiety, but for parents of children with special needs, this problem may be magnified. Depending on the cause of the fear, children with special needs may find a visit to the dentist completely overwhelming or too frightening to continue. Of course,…
Summer is such a fun time for families, especially those with children. Going to the beach, the amusement park or on trips to visit family is great; so is staying home for backyard cookouts and neighborhood fun! Of course, you also want to be sure that your children observe good dental habits while they are…
Children need good dental care starting from the moment their first teeth arrive. However, parents are often confused about how they can support the development of good dental habits while, at the same time, making dental care fun for children so they will want to continue. Here are a few easy-to-remember tips we call the…
If you are concerned that your little ones aren’t developing good dental habits, there is no reason to worry! Fostering great dental health in kids is actually quite simple if you follow the right process consistently. Here are some tips from ABC Dental on creating the right mindset and encouraging good dental habits in kids…