Did you know most children entering kindergarten are required to have a dental exam?  A child’s oral health is just as important as any other health requirement. Many people are unaware of the effects poor oral care can have on a child’s overall well-being. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say tooth decay affects children in the United States more than any other chronic infectious disease. Tooth decay left untreated can cause pain and infections that may lead to problems; such as eating, speaking, playing, and learning. For example, bacteria build up on teeth make gums more proneto infection. In...

July is National Ice Cream Month, so let’s take a moment to honor this scrumptious cool summer treat. Whether you prefer sorbet, ice milk, sherbet, gelato, frozen custard, frozen yogurt, etc… it is all delicious! As a dentist who treats children, it always comes back to sugar, sugar, sugar. Obviously, sugar is the main cause of tooth decay.  The more sugar you consume, the more cavities you get! Unfortunately, most ice creams are very high in sugar. The sugar content averages around 21g per half cup serving!  That’s far more than even sugary cereals. That being said, ice cream is one...

The Importance of Baby (Primary) Teeth Many people assume or have been told that baby teeth don’t matter because they’re just going to fall out anyways.  Nothing could be further from the truth! The primary, or “baby,” teeth play a crucial role in dental development. Without them, a child cannot chew food properly and has difficulty speaking clearly. Primary teeth are vital to development of the jaws and for guiding the permanent (secondary) teeth into place when they replace the primary teeth around age 6. Strong teeth allow a child to eat and maintain good nutrition. Healthy teeth allow for clear...

Sports Injury Preventions   Think mouth guards are for wimps? Think again.  Wearing a mouth guard can not only prevent major oral injuries such as tooth and jaw fractures, but has been shown to reduce concussive brain injuries.                     Who should wear Mouth guards? All athletes in most sports In sports with heavy contact (i.e. football, hockey, basketball, lacrosse, basketball) a custom mouth guard should we worn at all times In other sports (i.e. field hockey, baseball, softball, soccer) a mouth guard is strongly recommended and even mandated in most organizations Why should a mouth guard be worn? Injury prevention 36% of...