Castle Rock Smiles Blog

Many teens get braces as they’re transitioning from middle to high school. During this time, they’re likely trying out for varsity athletic teams to begin their sports careers. As a parent, you’re concerned about how they’re going to protect their teeth from impact if they have bulky braces that prevent a sports mouthguard from fitting. Read on to learn more about customized mouthguards from your dentist that are meant to provide the best possible protection for your little one. 

Whether it is a pacifier or thumb sucking, it is likely that your child picked up on one of these two ways to “comfort” themselves at an early age. Although cute and sweet when little, over time, these bad habits can have a negative impact on their oral health, most especially their teeth. To find out what can happen as a result of these coping and comforting mechanisms, hear from a pediatric dentist who will also be happy to share what you can do to keep your little one happy while protecting their teeth.

There’s nothing greater than watching your baby’s gummy smile morph into an adorable mouth of teeth. And while the pictures will keep you smiling for a lifetime, you may be wondering, “when should my baby get their first tooth?” If you’re worried that a tooth should have already come in, let a pediatric dentist explain exactly what and when to expect those first primary teeth to come through.

Sometimes it seems like there are far too many options out there for choosing your child’s toothbrush. Depending on how old your child is, their toothbrush needs may vary in size and shape, not to mention which color or cartoon character they want featured on their brush! That’s why your children’s dentist has created this guide on how to pick out the right toothbrush for your little one.

Does your child bite their fingernails? It’s not an uncommon habit among kids. Like hair twisting and thumb sucking, children use it as a means of self-soothing when they’re nervous, scared, unsure, or bored. However, unlike other self-soothing habits formed in childhood, children are more likely to continue nail biting as they get older. According to recent studies, around 50% of children between the ages of 10 and 18 chew on their fingernails. Thankfully this habit will usually go away on its own without any long-term effects. However, in the case of overaggressive or frequent nail biting, especially when your child’s teeth are developing, it can cause serious damage. Here’s how chewing on fingernails can hurt your child’s teeth, and how you can help your little one break this bad habit before the damage is done.

Has your son or daughter recently lost a tooth? We all know that the tooth fairy is expected to leave money under your child’s pillow in exchange for the lost tooth. However, instead of doing what everyone else does, why not mix it up with these fun alternative ideas for tooth fairy visits? Read on to learn three ideas for tooth fairy visits that don’t involve money.

Many kids look forward to the holidays all year, especially since there are so many delicious goodies around. Unfortunately, it’s also a time when pediatric dentists frequently hear, “My kid has a cavity” from parents. But don’t worry, you won’t have to turn into a total Scrooge to keep your child’s smile healthy! In fact, there are 5 simple tips you can use to keep sugar from taking such a toll on their teeth and help them stay cavity-free over the holidays. 

Parenting is incredibly rewarding, but it goes without saying that it can be challenging at the same time. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with the responsibility of teaching your little one everything from good manners to how to take care of their teeth and gums. And it’s not uncommon for parents to have a daily battle getting their kids to brush their teeth. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “How do I brush my kid’s teeth?”, reading this blog will be a big help. And the first tip for instilling good oral hygiene habits is to make it fun! Keep reading below for 5 great ways to make brushing easier and more enjoyable for your child. 

Calling your emergency dentist for your little one is something that no parent ever wants to do, but sometimes it’s necessary. One way to make sure this process goes smoothly is to plan ahead. While a child dental emergency isn’t always preventable, there are some things you can do to minimize your stress in the situation. Continue reading below to learn what steps to take.

Do you need a professional with knowledge and expertise in special needs dentistry? Getting dental care that’s tailored to your little one can help you feel confident and comfortable about their future smile. You may not have known, but certain oral health problems are more common in children with special needs, which is why routine visits and a proper at-home oral hygiene routine can do such wonders. Read on to learn about how dental health varies with children that have special needs and what you can do as a parent to combat these issues at home.