Your child uses their toothbrush twice a day. The rest of the time, it sits in a warm, damp bathroom. Germs like to grow on wet bristles. The good news is that keeping it clean is easy. After your child brushes, hold the toothbrush under running water. Wash away the toothpaste and any bits of…
Rotten teeth are teeth damaged by advanced tooth decay. In kids, they show up as brown or black spots, holes, or broken pieces on baby teeth. These teeth are common, and they can be treated. However, it is very unnerving when you see a black mark on your toddler’s tooth. You may be wondering if…
If your dentist said “crown” and you’ve been calling it a “cap,” you’re both talking about the same thing. Parents tend to say cap; dentists write crown on the treatment plan. Either way, it’s a small tooth-shaped shell that slips over a weakened tooth and shields it from further damage. The name, then, is the…
Power chain braces are small elastic loops that connect the brackets on your teeth. They help close gaps and move teeth into the right position. Your orthodontist may add power chains when there are still spaces between your teeth. They help bring teeth closer together as your treatment progresses. If your child is getting power…
Children have 20 baby teeth that usually appear between 6 months and 3 years of age. A baby teeth chart shows the names of these teeth, where they are located, and when they typically come in. Your baby’s first tooth is a little milestone. One day, you notice a tiny white edge on the gums,…
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…
