What is a pediatric dentist?
First, let’s cover the training a general dentist completes Before I explain how someone becomes a pediatric dentist, I should first describe what a general dentist’s training entails. In the United States, the typical track toward a dental degree involves completing four years of undergraduate training followed by four years of dental school. Unlike medical […]
When should my child see the dentist for the first time?
At what age should a child first see the dentist? The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that a child establish a dental home within six months of his or her first tooth coming in or by the first birthday, whichever comes first. If you’re a parent, fellow dentist, pediatrician, or any other primary […]
How to help a child stop a thumb sucking or pacifier habit (Part 1)
What is non-nutritive sucking and when can it cause a problem? Non-nutritive sucking and its effects Sucking on a pacifier, thumb, another digit, a blanky, or a stuffed toy all fall under the broad label of non-nutritive sucking (NNS). The child is not sucking on the bottle or at the breast, i.e., the act of […]
Doggy dangers with xylitol products
What is xylitol? Xylitol is one of many sugar substitutes commercially available. It’s considered natural because it’s derived from trees or other plant fibers. Although it’s not a zero-calorie sweeter, xylitol does boast 40% fewer calories than regular sugar (sucrose). It first arrived on the scene in the 1960s, and in the 1970s, whispers began […]
