Midland Kid’s Dentist Blog

The teenage years are filled with growth, new responsibilities, and lifestyle changes that can impact oral health. Between busy schedules, evolving diets, and orthodontic treatments, teens often face unique dental challenges. Understanding these common issues can help teenagers and parents take proactive steps to maintain a healthy, confident smile.

Juice is often seen as a healthy choice for kids, but even 100% fruit juice can have unintended effects on their teeth. Sugar and acid in juice can contribute to tooth decay and enamel erosion, which makes teeth more vulnerable to cavities and sensitivity. Understanding how juice affects oral health can help parents make smarter hydration choices for their children.

Have you ever been told that breastfeeding is “supposed” to be painful? This and many other myths are actually just that: misconceptions. In most cases, very real problems are to blame, such as your infant having a lip- or tongue-tie. Learn the difference between the truth and misinformation so you and your baby can have a more positive mealtime experience!

Many new parents choose to breastfeed their baby due to the numerous ways it can benefit their infant’s health. For instance, it provides all the different antibodies and nutrients they need for their earliest growth and development. It also reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), asthma, eczema, and allergies.

However, did you know that nursing your child can also potentially improve their dental health? Continue reading to learn 3 facts about how breastfeeding can affect their oral health that you might not already know!

As a parent, you want your child to grow up healthy and strong — and that includes taking care of their teeth. But even with regular brushing and dental checkups, cavities are still one of the most common childhood health issues. One major culprit? Hidden sugar in drinks that are often marketed as “healthy” for kids.

A recent study found that about 62 percent of beverages marketed toward children contain added sugar, which may increase their risk of developing cavities. While packaging might feature colorful fruits or health claims, the actual ingredients often tell a different story.

Kids are full of energy, and with all that running, climbing, and playing comes the occasional bump or tumble. While most little accidents end in nothing more than a scraped knee, sometimes a child can injure their mouth or teeth. Dental emergencies are never fun, but being prepared can make a stressful situation much easier to handle.

By keeping a pediatric dental emergency kit on hand, parents can quickly take steps to protect their child’s smile until they can see a dentist.

If you are a new parent, you’re not alone if you feel apprehensive about your child’s growing smile. You may appreciate their gummy grin right now, but what should you expect when that first baby tooth erupts? When should you take them in to see the dentist? It’s normal to be unsure, but you can begin to feel at ease as you keep reading to learn the answers to these important questions.

Do you have a child at home who is prone to frequently sucking their thumb for comfort? This behavior is considered a healthy and normal coping mechanism for younger children, who might have no other means of self-soothing when they feel anxious.

However, if their habit continues after they’ve turned four or five years old, it can potentially harm their smile. Continue reading to learn 3 issues that might develop from prolonged thumb- or pacifier-sucking and how your child’s pediatric dentist can help!

For many children, a trip to the dentist can seem scary or overwhelming. The unfamiliar sounds, strange tools, and fear of discomfort often lead to anxiety or resistance. But with the right approach, you can transform dental visits from something they dread into something they actually look forward to. The key is to make the experience positive, playful, and stress-free. Here are some helpful tips to make dental visits fun and enjoyable for your kids while also setting them up for a lifetime of good oral health.

When it comes to caring for your child’s smile, there’s no shortage of advice—some of it helpful, and some of it based on myths that can actually harm growing teeth. To help you make informed decisions, we’re busting some of the most common misconceptions about children’s dentistry. Let’s set the record straight!