our blog
TOOTH DECAY – NO WAY!
Your child’s dental hygiene starts from day one, as soon as that first tooth erupts! Tips to inhibit tooth decay in your little ones: Avoid letting your child walk around using a bottle of juice or milk as a pacifier. Avoid prolonged use of pacifiers and do NOT dip the pacifier in honey, sugar, or syrup. Begin teaching your child to drink from a cup at around 6 months of age. Try to stop using a bottle by age 12 – 14 months. Limit juice to fewer than 6 ounces per day during meals. Whether you are breastfeeding or...
read moreIS IT SUMMER YET?
While it isn’t officially summer yet, the beginning of June kicks us all into summertime gear! Summer means a lot of things; swimming pools, lemonade stands, family vacations, popsicles, the list is pretty long. Most of all, at least for us Oregonians, summer means sunshine – that alone is enough after being rained on for nine months! Sunshine equals hot temperatures and hot temperatures equal cold treats. We have gathered together a couple of healthier alternatives to the traditional cold treats of sugary popsicles and ice...
read moreMEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND TIPS
It’s Memorial Day weekend! A fun time to gather with friends and family celebrating and realxing. With all the fun activities, comes all the delicious party food. One of the most popular items consumed during the Memorial Day holiday is actually the worst for your child’s teeth. What is it, you may ask? The answer is SODA! Soda gets continuously sipped, providing a steady supply of pure sugar to your kiddo’s vulnerable teeth. This holiday, opt for water. And just in case you think water is far too boring, here are a couple of ideas to...
read moreSIGNS YOUR CHILD ISN’T BRUSHING THEIR TEETH
If there’s one thing that parents often wish for, it’s eyes in the back of their head. At least that’s how the expression goes. As a parent, what you really mean is that you wish you could keep close watch over your children, protecting them at every turn and optimizing their well-being. Tooth brushing is often the first responsibility you give to your child and it is also frequently the task your child may choose to use to assert his or her independence. When your little ones are home all day, it’s easy to monitor their dental care habits;...
read moreHOORAY FOR TOOTHPASTE!
We’re lucky that we know so much now about taking care of our teeth. Long ago, as people got older, their teeth would rot away and be very painful. To get rid of a toothache, they had their teeth pulled out. Finally, people learned that cleaning their teeth was important, but they didn’t have toothpaste right away. While you’re swishing that minty-fresh paste around your mouth, think about what people used long ago to clean teeth, before toothpaste was invented: Ground-up chalk or charcoal mixed with soap Lemon juice Ashes...
read moreSPRING CLEANING FOR YOUR TEETH
Spring has Sprung! Spring cleaning is a ritual that we all try to take part in this time of year. Getting things tidied up and cleaned out is a great feeling everybody relates to. As the weather turns, flowers bloom and the sunshine starts brightening things up, it feels so good to make a fresh start yourself! As you’re cleaning stuff out and freshening things up, we’ve got a few tips on how to refresh your child’s smile! Replace your child’s toothbrush As a general guide, it’s a good idea to replace your child’s...
read moreTEETH GRINDING IN CHILDREN
What’s That Sound? When you look in on your sleeping child, you want to hear the sounds of sweet dreams: easy breathing and perhaps an occasional sigh. But some parents hear the harsher sounds of gnashing and grinding teeth, called bruxism. Many children grind their teeth with a loud, grating sound while asleep. Teeth grinding is very common, particularly in toddlers and preschoolers. In most children, it goes away by 6 years, but some continue to grind their teeth into adolescence and even adulthood. Teeth grinding doesn’t mean that...
read moreHappy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!
Today is Dr. Seuss’ birthday. We love him around here and want to recognize and honor his special day. Read on to learn a little more about him. Geisel in 1957, holding The Cat in the Hat, which inaugurated his Beginner Books Theodor Seuss Geisel (March 2, 1904 – September 24, 1991) was an American writer and cartoonist. He was most widely known for his children’s books, which he wrote and illustrated under the pseudonym Dr. Seuss. He had used the pen name Dr. Theophrastus Seuss in college and later used Theo LeSieg and...
read moreDOES MY CHILD NEED TO SEE A PEDIATRIC DENTIST?
It’s a common question: “Why does my child need to see a pediatric dentist instead of a regular dentist?” While it seems to make sense to have your child just visit the family dentist, a pediatric specialist understands the perspectives and needs of children. Not only that, but there is a few years more training involved. Here’s some insight into the subject. SPECIALIZED TRAINING Pediatric dentists are trained to address the unique physiologic, emotional, and social needs of their young patients. Whereas most dentists are able to...
read moreACTIVE KIDS, HEALTHY TEETH
A handy guide to have on hand! This highly-visual, easy-to-follow guide can be printed and posted to refrigerators so family members and babysitters know what to do should a tooth be chipped or knocked out. Print in English Print in Spanish Resource: Article published by the American Academy of Pediatric...
read moreTREAT TIME AGAIN – THE HOLIDAYS
5 Great Ideas for Dealing With Holiday Treats Back in October, we talked about setting up a Treat Time of day. it’s worth mentioning again now that the holidays are upon us. December is here, the mounds of Halloween candy that children have stored in various location around the house are probably starting to dwindle. But even though the candy is disappearing, the holidays are just around the corner — a fun-filled days of family, friends, food, parties and lots of sugar-laden treats. 1. Holiday Treats & Candy vs. Cavities: Don’t...
read moreTHE TURKEYS ARE COMING!
Everyone knows there’s more that one way to prepare a turkey. But did you know you could create one with veggies? And we don’t mean tofu! With Thanksgiving right around the corner, as we all know, that means lots of delicious foods. But if you are like most people, serving up the traditional meal, not all the dishes on that list are tooth-friendly. Foods like pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes covered in clouds of toasted marshmallows and soft buttery rolls, to name just a few. While opting out of serving these...
read moreBABY AND BRUSHING
Teaching Toothbrushing When should you start brushing baby’s teeth? Dr Dunne recommends cleaning gums with gauze to remove plaque beginning when teeth first appear, usually around six-to-seven-months. Try the following brushing tactics. Model good dental hygiene Let baby watch you brush. Show excitement, capitalizing on “just like mommy and daddy.” Around his first birthday, get baby his own toothbrush and enjoy side-by-side brushing just for play. If you first get baby to enjoy imitating toothbrushing, it will be easier for you to get down...
read moreTIPS FOR BUSY PARENTS
This time of year can prove to be so busy establishing school, and all that goes with it, back into the routine of things again. Maybe you’ve settled into a nice routine with your family by now or maybe you’re still mourning the end of lazy summer days and figuring out how to deal with homework, after-school activities, household duties, work schedules, the list goes on. If you are like many parents these day, there is a lot to juggle. Here are a few helpful tips for busy parents to make things just a little easier: Start Off The School Year...
read moreSNACK TIME
It’s that time of year again…school snacks are in season. Pack healthy snacks in your child’s lunchbox like fruit, veggies, cheese and nuts instead of refined carbs and sugary treats. Your kiddos will have more energy and super-charged brain power, not to mention very happy teeth!
read moreKIDISM OF THE MONTH
Over the years I have heard so many wonderful words of wisdom, hilarious stories and all kinds of fantastical tales from my sweet patients. As well as engaging and entertaining conversations, like the one I am sharing here. I call them “Kidisms”, prepare to smile… So the enthusiastic 5-year old with a stuttering habit says to his dad, “S- s-s-s-so guess what flavor toothpaste I’m gonna have? W-watermelon. And it’s gonna be made of cherry!” 5 is the best! – Dr....
read moreTOOTH TIMELINE
From Teething pain to a winning smile. Figuring out teeth may be easy for some, but for others, it can be a real task. If you need any help with this tooth “puzzle”, be sure to let us know. Just give us a call or send an email. Sincerely, Dr. Dennis Dunne A rough timeline of when baby teeth fall out and permanent ones come in: BABY Even before your baby was born, tooth buds were developing under his/her gums. Some babies are even born with teeth! 4 to 7 months Teething begins. Your baby’s gums may be swollen...
read moreCHILD’S FIRST DENTAL APPOINTMENT
New parents often ask, “When should my child first see a dentist?” The short answer is “first visit by first birthday.” That’s the view of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. We, here at Dr.Dennis Dunne’s office, agree. The idea of such early dental visits is still surprising to many new parents. However, national studies have shown that preschool-aged children are getting more cavities. More than 1 in 4 children in the United States has had at least one cavity by the age of 4. Many kids get...
read moreDO YOU HAVE A DENTAL HOME?
As apparent as it may sound, a dental home is vitally important to the well-being of children. What is a dental home, you may ask? It is as obvious as it sounds, yet more uncommon than it seems. A dental home is an ONGOING relationship between the dentist and the patient–in this case–the child and parents. It includes ALL aspects of oral health care. This is achieved COMPREHENSIVELY, and CONTINUOUSLY. It is accomplished utilizing all means that are accessible and coordinated in a family-centered way. For example, a child that is...
read moreCOMMON DENTAL PROBLEMS
There are a number of problems that affect the oral health of children, the good news is, most are common, many are not serious, and all have a solution. Here we discuss a few of those issues. Sucking Habits Sucking is a natural reflex and infants and young children may suck on thumbs, fingers, pacifiers and other objects. It may make them feel safe and happy or provide a sense of security at difficult periods. Since thumb sucking is relaxing, it may induce sleep. Thumb sucking that persists beyond the eruption of the permanent teeth can...
read moreTAKING THE FEAR OUT OF FLUORIDE
Cavities used to be a fact of life. But during the past few decades, tooth decay has been dramatically reduced.
read moreBABY BOTTLE BLUNDER
One serious form of decay among young children is baby bottle tooth decay. This condition is caused by frequent and long exposures
read moreSUGAR WOES
Sugar does, at times, seem more like a demon than the fun and enjoyable treat that we so often associate with the white stuff.
read moreTHE BENEFITS OF XYLITOL
It’s true. A tablespoon here, a few packets there, a cube or two with your afternoon tea. It adds up faster than you might imagine.
read moreTHUMBSUCKING
You may be concerned about your child’s thumbsucking and wonder if it is harmful, at what age your child should stop,
read more
