Joliet Pediatric Dentistry

Getting your child to brush their teeth twice a day can sometimes feel like a battle. Between bedtime resistance and busy morning routines, even a two-minute brushing session can become a challenge. But what if one small change in how you respond could help make toothbrushing easier? Research suggests that praising your child may encourage them to stick with the task longer and build positive habits over time.

If you haven’t heard of nitrous oxide, you may be familiar with its more commonly used name: laughing gas.” Dental anxiety affects people of all ages and can make attending the dental office stressful. Fortunately, nitrous oxide is available to help children feel more at ease in the dental chair. Continue reading to learn more about nitrous oxide, how it works, and if it’s suitable for children.

Try as they might to convince you otherwise, your teen is not yet an adult. Still, they aren’t exactly a child either. This can be very confusing when deciding whether to take them to a general or a pediatric dentist.  However, although they may already have all their permanent teeth, and may even have developed (and in some cases, removed) their wisdom teeth, it is still recommended to bring them to pediatric dentist until they’re at least 18 years old. Here’s why.

As a parent, you might be all too aware of how busy life has gotten! Not only are you caring for yourself, but also for your child. This means you’ll be juggling appointments, like routine pediatric dental checkups and cleanings. While you might be tempted to skip these visits if nothing is wrong, here are four reasons they are crucial for kids and how they can detect oral health issues early.

As a parent, you may be watching over your child and making sure they don’t find themself in any pain. From falling on the playground to tripping over their feet, you may be right there to pick them back up. However, if they have a dental cleaning coming up, you might wonder how you can be there for them. After all, your own visits might cause a bit of discomfort, so here’s why they may experience some themself and tips to help them out.

What your child eats at school can play a big role in their dental health. While it’s easy to focus on nutrition and taste, certain foods can increase the risk of cavities and other oral issues. By making thoughtful choices when packing lunch or selecting cafeteria options, parents can help protect their child’s smile while still providing meals they enjoy.

Putting your baby to bed with a bottle may seem comforting, especially during nighttime wake-ups. However, this common habit can lead to a serious dental issue known as baby bottle tooth decay. Understanding what causes it and how to prevent it can help protect your child’s smile from the very beginning.

Good oral hygiene habits start early and helping your child learn how to care for their teeth sets the stage for a lifetime of healthy smiles. Many parents wonder when their little one should begin brushing or whether flossing is necessary for baby teeth. The truth is, the earlier your child becomes familiar with daily oral care, the easier it will be for them to maintain these habits as they grow. Here’s a helpful guide to when and how to get your child started.

Did you know that the American Dental Association recommends taking your child for a routine dental checkup and cleaning every six months? This allows their provider to catch and treat any areas of concern before they can progress.

Despite this, an estimated 19% of children haven’t seen their dentist in the past 12 months. If it’s been a while since your kid’s last appointment and you’re unsure what to expect, you might hesitate to schedule their next exam. Continue reading to learn about 4 things that usually happen during these routine appointments so you can set your mind at ease!

To all of our patients and newcomers visiting our website, we are so excited to welcome you to our new blog! Here, we want to help inform and educate you and your family about a variety of topics. From at-home oral healthcare to our pediatric services to seasonal tips and tricks, you can find it all here! Read on to learn more about Joliet Pediatric Dentistry, our pediatric dentists, and what makes our pediatric dental office stand out!