The Age 1 Dental Visit

Wednesday, May 2, 2012 by Michelle Stafford, DDS

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) both recommend that children be seen at Age 1 for their first dental visit. At the first visit, your pediatric dentist will generally complete a lap-to-lap exam to ensure there are no abnormal development issues or pathologies that you need to be aware of,… Read the Rest >>

February – National Children's Dental Health Month!

Friday, January 28, 2011 by Michelle Stafford, DDS

Every parent wants to have a healthy and happy child, and one of the ways to ensure your child’s health is with an age-appropriate dental exam. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that “dental visits should begin no later than one year, or with the appearance of a child’s first tooth.” Getting your child… Read the Rest >>

Get it done in Year ONE!

Friday, January 21, 2011 by Michelle Stafford, DDS

There isn’t a mom I know that doesn’t keep a checklist of some kind – whether it’s mental, electronic, or on paper (or maybe all three for those of us that really don’t want to forget!). As moms and (for some of us) career women, there are pediatrician visits, vet visits, the grocery list, the… Read the Rest >>

There are MONSTERS under there!

Friday, January 7, 2011 by Michelle Stafford, DDS

Your child may have anxiety about a new experience like visiting the dentist. How can you help them overcome their fears in a healthy way?

Pediatric Dentist vs. General Dentist – What’s in a name?

Thursday, September 9, 2010 by Michelle Stafford, DDS

What’s in a name? Key differences between a general dentist and a pediatric dentist.

Pediatric Dentist vs. General Dentist – What's in a name?

Thursday, September 9, 2010 by Michelle Stafford, DDS

What’s in a name? Key differences between a general dentist and a pediatric dentist.

First Visit Blues?

Monday, August 2, 2010 by Michelle Stafford, DDS

Your child’s first dental visit should be a positive and exciting adventure!  While many family dental practices welcome young ones, there are many benefits to visiting a pediatric dentist.  Just as pediatricians specialize in working with children for medical visits, pediatric dentists have an additional two years of schooling to treat children and identify possible… Read the Rest >>

Why do dentists prescribe fluoride?

Wednesday, July 14, 2010 by Michelle Stafford, DDS

Why do dentists prescribe fluoride? A dentist prescribes fluoride for children to help strengthen and protect growing adult teeth. Fluoride is given as a prescription from your doctor as a substitute when a child is not drinking fluoridated water. When fluoride is ingested it binds to the growing teeth and makes them more resistant to… Read the Rest >>

Fruit Snacks: Healthy or Harmful?

Friday, July 9, 2010 by Michelle Stafford, DDS

Even though Fruit snacks can be a healthy snack and quite convenient; they are very hard on our teeth. The stickier they are the worse they are for teeth. Certain candy: such as Laffy Taffy, Skittles, Caramels and more are sticky and gooey and stay into the grooves of the back teeth. Unfortunately fruit leathers,… Read the Rest >>

How do I get my child to stop sucking their thumb?

Tuesday, June 29, 2010 by Michelle Stafford, DDS

Thumb sucking can be a hard habit to break for children. There are many reasons to break the thumb sucking habit between age 2.5 and 3 years.  During thumb sucking the mouth and teeth start conforming to fit around the thumb. A child sucks their thumb to soothe themselves, this is often an unconscious habit…. Read the Rest >>