Most kids lose their first baby tooth around age 6, and they lose all 20 baby teeth by about age 12 or 13. We will be honest. We love this stage. A wiggly tooth gets announced at breakfast, poked at all day, and checked in the mirror every night. Kids feel very grown up about…
If your child snores, breathes through their mouth, sleeps restlessly, or has a narrow upper jaw, you may wonder whether their dental development and breathing could be connected. In some children, they can be. Airway expansion uses orthodontic treatment to widen a narrow upper jaw. This can improve the way the upper and lower teeth…
Frenotomy and frenectomy are procedures used to release or remove a restrictive frenulum, the small fold of tissue that connects structures inside the mouth. They may recommend these procedures for children with tongue-tie or restrictive lip or oral frenulum attachments. The main difference is how much tissue the dentist treats. A frenotomy cuts or releases…
Dental emergencies can happen at any time. A fall, sports injury, toothache, or broken tooth can scare your child. Knowing what to do can help you stay calm. It can also protect your child’s teeth and prevent further problems. At Palm Valley Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, our Pediatric Dentists provide emergency dental care for children…
A dental resource center gives parents one place to find helpful information about their child’s dental health. It can help you learn how to care for your child’s teeth, understand dental problems, explore treatments, and know when your child needs to see a dentist. Your child’s dental health changes as they grow. From their first…
Every parent wants their child to have a healthy smile. Sometimes, children also have concerns about how their teeth look. A chipped tooth, tooth discoloration, uneven teeth, or gaps can affect a child’s confidence and make them feel uncomfortable when they smile. Cosmetic dentistry can address some of these concerns. However, children have developing teeth…
Your child’s smile changes a lot during the early years. First, those tiny baby teeth begin to appear. Then, they slowly fall out and make room for permanent teeth. Many parents assume that baby teeth do not matter much because they eventually fall out. That is not true. Primary teeth help children chew food, speak…
The best time to care for your child’s smile is from the very beginning. Pediatric dentistry is dental care for babies, children, and teens. A pediatric dentist helps keep your child’s teeth and gums healthy with regular checkups, cleanings, cavity prevention, and early treatment as they grow. Many parents are unsure when to schedule their…
Do your child’s front teeth stay apart when they close their mouth? Maybe you notice a small gap between their upper and lower teeth. Your child may also struggle to bite into certain foods. These signs can point to an open bite. An open bite is a type of bite problem that affects how the…
Does your child’s upper jaw look narrow? Maybe their teeth appear crowded. Maybe their bite does not fit together properly. Or perhaps their orthodontist has mentioned that the upper jaw needs more room. Parents hear the words “palate expander” in these situations. But traditional expanders are not the only option. For some older children and…
Your child should see an orthodontist by age 7, even if every baby tooth still sits in place. This applies to orthodontics for children, kids, and teens alike, since each stage builds on the one before it. Most parents in Scottsdale notice a warning sign first: crowded teeth, an uneven bite, or a jaw that…
Children love to play, explore, and stay active. Along the way, cavities, chipped teeth, and dental injuries can happen. These problems are common, but they do not always mean your child needs a tooth extraction. Restorative dentistry focuses on repairing damaged teeth and helping children keep healthy, functional smiles as they grow. If your child…
