Tongue-tied?

  Lingual frenectomy is a surgical procedure to release the lingual frenulum and can have various functional improvements. 1. Speech Improvement: Lingual frenectomy can help improve speech articulation, especially in cases where your child is having difficultly pronouncing certain sounds like “l,” “r,” and “th.” 2. Feeding and Swallowing: For infants and young children, a Read More

What happens  if my Child Falls and Bumps their Teeth?

For children, aged 0-6 years, oral injuries account for about 20% of all physical injuries. Unintentional falls, collisions, and everyday activities are the most common reasons for Traumatic Dental Injuries, especially as your child is learning to crawl, walk, and run. Most Common Finding: Discoloration is a common complication following traumatic injuries occurs about 50% Read More

#1 Cause of Cavities during Quarantine

Since returning to our normal hours in June we have seen an increase in dental decay. The most obvious reason for this is SNACKING. With children being home more there has been an increase in the amount of screen time and increased exposure to the pantry.  Studies have linked screen time with low fruit and Read More

Tips for Teething

Teething sucks. There is no other way to put it. Teething in infants can start as early as 4 months old and can sometimes can last until the age of 3. Common symptoms of teething include irritability, flushed cheeks, heavy drooling, ear tugging, sleeplessness, and loss of appetite. I currently have 8-month-old twins going through Read More

5 Common Myths about Baby Teeth

Myth: Your child’s first visit to the dentist should be by their 3rd birthday Fact: The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that your child’s first visit to the dentist should be by their 1st birthday. By the age of 3 about 10% of children have an oral health issue and by kindergarten an estimated Read More

What is Oral Conscious Sedation

Pediatric Sedation Dentistry at Growing Smiles At Growing Smiles in Floral Vale we specialize in a technique known as oral conscious sedation. Sedation is recommended for children requiring dental treatment who are young, nervous, have special needs, and/or require multiple dental visits. Unlike general anesthesia, children are still able to breathe on their own and Read More

Sports Drinks are a Hidden Cause of Cavities

Tooth Decay From Sugar in Beverages During the summer it’s important to stay hydrated, but sports drinks can be a hidden cause of your child’s cavities. In a single 12 oz Gatorade (the smallest they make) there is 21 grams of sugar. To put that in perspective the American Heart Association only recommends that children Read More

Treatment of White and Brown Spots

ICON resin infiltration is a new treatment aimed to improve the appearance of white spots (decalcifications) or white/yellow/brown developmental spots on smooth tooth surfaces. Treatment is completed without no injection or drilling. Causes of Brown Spots on Teeth Decalcifactions may  be  caused by the accumulation of plaque which could lead  to a cavity. Patients in Read More

The Importance of Dental X-rays

Kids Dental Xrays Are Important Dental X-rays are a diagnostic tool used by dentists to diagnose oral diseases and monitor dentofacial development. We understand that because your child is being exposed to radiation that you may be hesitant to consent to treatment. At Growing Smiles in Floral Vale we take every precaution when treating your Read More

What to do about loose baby teeth.

Children eventually get 20 primary teeth. 10 teeth on top and 10 on the bottom. These teeth hold the place for the permanent teeth and are replaced around the age of 6. Typically the lower incisors are the first teeth to become loose. As the permanent tooth begins to erupt the roots of the primary Read More

Dental Tips for New Parents

     On January 28th my wife Abby and I welcomed our first child Noah. We learned quickly that being a new parent is a challenge and there are so many questions to be answered. At Growing Smiles in Floral Vale, we are here to help new parents create a healthy smile that will last Read More

The Importance of Baby Teeth

Why it is necessary to treat baby (primary) teeth? There is a common misconception that baby teeth are not important because these teeth fall out, and, as a result, treatment in these teeth can be avoided. However, treatment of baby teeth is essential for children. Why Are Baby Teeth So Important? Primary teeth are important Read More

Why does my child grind their teeth at night?

Teeth Grinding In Children Is Common This is one of the most common we questions we get at Growing Smiles in Floral Vale.  Tooth-grinding or bruxism is defined as “the habitual nonfunctional forceful contact between occlusal (biting surface) tooth surfaces than can occur while awake or asleep.”  According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Read More

Zirconia Crowns Repair Badly Broken Teeth in Kids

Dental crowns are tooth shaped coverings that are typically placed on severely decayed teeth or teeth that have fractured due to trauma. Crowns are cemented over the remaining tooth structure restoring the tooth to its original shape and function. Zirconia crowns are particularly useful when children damage their teeth on the playground, in a sporting Read More

Why are My Child’s Teeth Coming in Yellow

This is one of the most common questions I get from parents of 6 and 7 year-olds. Even though there are multiple reasons why your child’s permanent teeth are yellow, the most common reason is the intrinsic color difference between the permanent teeth and baby teeth. What Causes Yellow Teeth in Kids This yellow appearance Read More

How Thumbsucking and Pacifiers Affect Babies Teeth

The effects of thumb sucking and pacifier use. Most parents get concerned when they see their infant or toddler sucking their thumb or using a pacifier. According to the Academy of Pediatrics almost 100% of babies will engage in nonnutritive sucking and typically begins around  the 29th week of gestation. Nonnutritive sucking has many benefits Read More

White Spot Lesions on Primary (baby) Teeth

White Spots on Baby Teeth Should Not Be Ignored As you can see on the picture below, the black arrow indicates  “white spots,” which first appear as dull white bands on the smooth surface of the tooth.  While the red arrow indicates a cavity where the lesion has a progressed. White spots are often one of Read More