Dr. Guymon's blog

Baby Teeth: When Do They Come and Go

Developing healthy teeth begins during pregnancy. Your baby teeth begin developing while you are still in mommy’s tummy!

It is important for mom to get proper nutrition and avoid certain medications even before you are born to make sure you have a beautiful and healthy smile.

The basic tooth substance begins to form at an amazing age of only 6 weeks, meaning the teeth are forming before many women have even realized that they are carrying a baby. By the time baby is ready to meet mommy, their teeth are nearly ready to emerge.

It is rare and usually pretty surprising for mommy, but in some cases (about 1 in 2,500) baby is born with a tooth already showing!

Most of the time babies will begin teething around 6 months old, but not every child is the same.

Some can start as early as 4 months and some wait until much later. Baby teeth almost always come in twos.

Typically the gums will look bumpy, red, and swollen right before those shiny teeth show themselves. The bottom two middle teeth are then the first to show. Next, sometime between 8 and 13 months, the upper middle teeth and the teeth directly to the right and left of this pair will appear as well.

Once you are one year old, you could have anywhere from one to ten teeth! It is around this time that most dentists recommend you have your first dentist visit. Your dentist wants to be sure that your teeth are coming in healthy and strong. He can also explain to you and mom the best way to take care of your teeth. For example, we recommend switching to an open cup around a year old because bottles and sippy or straw cups can cause liquid to pool around your teeth. We also suggest that you only use a small smear of toothpaste until your child can spit everything in their mouth on demand, which is around three and a half years old. We all know how easy it is to accidently swallow toothpaste when brushing.

There are twenty total baby teeth that will come in and they will continue to come through until about 2 1/2 or 3 years old. The last teeth to come will be the lower and upper second molars, which are the very back teeth. Your new teeth will help you chew your food, talk correctly, and show your happiness through a beautiful smile.

Eventually, your permanent teeth will begin to push your baby teeth out. This process takes a lot longer than getting your baby teeth in. It takes about six years for all of your baby teeth to fall out and the permanent ones to grow in. In some cases it takes even longer! Normally around 6 years old, the first permanent teeth, molars, will begin to come through the gums. These teeth are very important because they help the rest of your adult teeth align correctly.

Around this same time, about five years old or in some cases even earlier, you may begin to notice some of your teeth are loose! This is an exciting time which is usually celebrated throughout the world as a great milestone in our children's lives. A good thing to keep in mind is that the earlier the teeth baby came in, the earlier they will likely fall out. As early as 4 years old, or as late as 7 years old, your first tooth will fall out. The baby teeth typically fall out in the same order that they came in.

Your permanent teeth will continue to come in and by the time you are around 13 years old, you should have around 28 permanent teeth. The last four teeth, your wisdom teeth, usually come in anywhere from 17 to 25 years old.

By the time all of your teeth have finished coming and going, you will have 32 teeth and will already be in adulthood. These are the last teeth you will have. It is important to take good care of your teeth from the time the baby teeth start appearing so your permanent teeth are healthy and strong for as long as possible. Read more about Baby Teeth: When Do They Come and Go

Don't Make This Stupidly Silly Mistake With Your Kid's Teeth

We all make mistakes, but your kid's teeth need your attention. A shocking 42 percent of kids between the ages of 2 to 11 have experienced cavities in their baby teeth. If that's not bad enough, 21 percent of kids have gotten them in their permanent teeth. This is according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. So, let's talk about the biggest mistake you're NOT going to make with your kids teeth. 

It's silly, but the biggest mistake is actually several small mistakes that add up to one big one. Are you ready for it? The biggest mistake that parents make with their kid's teeth is that they trust their kid too much. That's right, they trust their kid to brush, eat healthy, and don't give their kids the proper tools and instruction to develop good, lifelong habits. Now that you know, let's talk about how to correct this little problem.

Trusting Your Kid to Brush
Most kids haven't developed their coordination until at least 8 years of age. This means that even if your child means well, she may not be brushing properly. Your child could spend 20 minutes brushing their teeth and still fail to get the surface of their teeth clean. How is this possible? Kids need to be shown how to brush. In most cases, you may need to brush their teeth for them, or take their hand and help them get the motion just right. Your dentist can show you and your kid how to properly brush teeth, but that doesn't mean they will be able to do it on their own. 

Look, your kid probably wants to do a good job. You know they are putting in the effort, but when a child is too young, they are not yet physically capable. It only takes five minutes a night to help your child brush their teeth. By taking the time now, you can help them develop healthy habits and set them up for success. Good habits start early. Avoid costly trips to the dentist and unneeded pain by helping your child care for their teeth.

Healthy Foods Can Cause Cavities
You want your child to eat healthy foods, but here is a little secret. Healthy foods can cause cavities if you don't take care to brush after eating. Bananas, raisins, apples and whole-grain snacks may seem like healthy options for your child, and they absolutely are healthy, nutritious foods. But they also contain sugars that can get stuck between your child's teeth. Most children have gaps in their teeth as they are growing, and this can cause food to get stuck, and deteriorate creating a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. 

The obvious solution is to brush after eating snacks. But there is another way to get around this as well. Serve sugary foods with meals. When you eat a meal, there is generally more saliva. Since saliva can help with digestion and prevent foods from sticking, this can keep their teeth healthier. After the meal, make sure they brush their teeth to keep their mouth healthy and clean.

Too Much Toothpaste
There are some controversial points about using fluoride, and some parents are afraid to use toothpaste with fluoride. The American Dental Association recommends that children 6 months up to 3 years of age use a small smear of fluoride toothpaste, or about the size of a grain of rice. No child under age 3 can do that on their own. Parents, this one is all yours. For kids age 3 to 6, a pea-sized amount is recommended. Parents, this one is your as well. For children with special needs, parents should dish out the paste or at least supervise. (SE a pattern forming here?) Toothpaste with fluoride has been proven to reduce and prevent cavities, but too much of anything and it can be harmful to your health.  

Follow these basic tips for protecting your kid's teeth, and you can avoid a lot of drama, pain and disease later in life. Healthy habits started in childhood will stay with your kid the rest of their life. Encourage health-eating habits, restrict sugary foods and help your child to ensure that every brushing session is completed correctly. When your kid grows up and has a full head of healthy, vibrant teeth, they will thank you.

  Read more about Don't Make This Stupidly Silly Mistake With Your Kid's Teeth

Why You Don't Feel Pain at The Dentist: History of Numbing 

You know when you go to the dentist and they give you a gel or a shot, and suddenly, you can’t feel your mouth anymore? What they’ve just done is given you something to numb any pain. It’s also called an anesthetic. This word was created by the dad of the creator of Sherlock Holmes and means “without sensation”. Numbing has been with humans for a long time. Old writings from Egypt, Greece, China and Mesopotamia tell us that even they used things to help make pain go away.

Before we talk about the history, let’s go over how numbing works. In your body, there are millions of little nerve cells. When you touch or feel something, the nerves send signals all the way up to your brain. Once the signals get there, your brain then lets you know that what you’re touching is hard or soft, hot or cold. Nerves also alert you to painful things, like when you scrape your knee. When you’re given something that numbs you, the nerves can no longer send these signals, meaning you can’t feel anything. Even if what you have your hand on is super cold, you wouldn’t be able to tell.

Because we feel pain, it makes sense that humans would work to find something to stop it. After all, pain never feels good. In the beginning, what was used to numb didn’t actually numb. What it did was make the pain less intense. Plants like poppies and mandrakes were very popular. During the Middle Ages, a potion known as dwale was very popular. When breathed in, it would have a numbing effect on the body. Another popular choice was a sponge soaked in many different plant juices. The vapors were also breathed in.

It wasn’t until the 1700s that big advancements were being made. During what is now known as the Scientific Revolution, many scientists were hard at work discovering different types of chemicals and gasses that would eventually be brought together to form the numbing agents we use today. In 1775, Joseph Priestley published a book about different kinds of gases that he had studied. This finally led to the discovery of laughing gas, or nitrous oxide, by Humphrey Davy. If you’ve ever had to breathe it in, you’ll definitely know why it’s called “laughing” gas.

Over in Japan at about the same time, Hanaoka Seishu was hard at work trying to piece together a lost bit of Chinese history. According to the Chinese records, Hua Tuo, a famous surgeon that lived around 200 AD, had invented a numbing powder made with plants like ginseng, wolfsbane and morning glory. Unfortunately, the recipe was lost because he burned all of his notes right before his death. Seishu ended up being very lucky and managed to create one very similar. He first used it during an operation in 1805 and went on to use it 150 more times before his death.

Morphine, a very famous anesthetic, was found in poppy seeds, explaining why for thousands of years the plant was used to lessen pain. Western science continued working hard discovering and testing out new chemicals, but it wasn’t until the 1900s that things really began to look similar to today. By 1900, there were numbing chemicals that could be given with a shot, by being rubbed on the skin, or breathed in. Chemicals like morphine were in use but even weirder names started to be invented. Droperidol, alfentanil and etomidate were all great at numbing but incredibly hard to pronounce. Novocaine was invented by a German chemist in 1905 and was one of the precursors lidocaine (invented by the Swedish chemist Nils Lofgren in 1943), the most common local anesthetic in the world today.

Being able to numb your mouth has taken thousands of years to get to you today. Without the hard work of all those scientist and researchers, we wouldn’t be able to put on a silly mask and immediately feel like laughing. Read more about Why You Don't Feel Pain at The Dentist: History of Numbing

A puppy dog is a tremendous gift. The first year of a puppy’s life can bring a lot of joy to children and adults. The first year is also a year of growth and development. One area that puppy owners can easily overlook is a puppy dog’s teeth. In order to help your puppy’s teeth as it grows, here are some tips to consider.

Understanding Early Chewing
One of the most important tips I can share is that puppies love to chew anything that is close by. That is understandable when you think about babies. After all, babies love to chew and experience new things by tasting each one. Puppies are like this. Puppies like to taste shoes, fingers, toys, books and so much more. After all, a puppy wants to know what an item is like, and tasting things can help. Another reason why puppies like to chew is that it can provide mouth relief. Baby teeth can be sharp and painful inside the mouth of your puppy. In addition to this, puppies are growing permanent teeth that will last for many years. When people recognize the need for puppies to chew, they will be more understanding and willing to be of assistance. I know this tip helped me understand my puppy when she was chewing practically everything in our home. People may notice that puppies may leave behind remnants of blood on chew toys or lose a tooth from time to time. That is to be expected, and it is not unusual. 

Water Helps
Dogs like to drink a lot of water, and this is true of puppies as well. Take advantage of this by adding a water additive in a puppy’s water bowl that is designed to help improve the teeth of your puppy. An additive can include enzymes and other ingredients that can help a puppy and grown dogs reduce the amount of plaque that can occur over time. Besides this, the breath of your dog can improve dramatically. This is especially helpful when a puppy wants to lick your face. A puppy can have the protection that is needed during the early part of life with a water additive. 

Chewing Toys
As stated earlier, puppies are looking for things to chew. Instead of scolding a puppy, purchase a chew toy. Chew toys on the market today can come in many different shapes and sizes. It may help to find an item that a puppy particularly likes. I have found that a plastic hot dog that is flexible can be a wonderful chew toy. Remember that a chew toy needs to be flexible and should not be hard. A hard chew toy is not good for a puppy’s teeth. 

Chewing Snacks
You may find that it is very easy to spoil your puppy. A puppy can love whatever is fed from the dinner table or scraps from a barbeque outside. A puppy may seem irresistible when it begs or wants something to eat. Instead of giving into impulses, head over to the cupboard and give the puppy a healthy snack. There are particular bones that can be tasty and protect a puppy’s teeth at the same time. 

Brushing Teeth
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which is known as the ASPCA, it is important to brush your dog’s teeth at least once a day. Some owners may do it twice a day. Brushing the teeth of a puppy can be challenging. However, do not give up. Every time you brush, you can prevent plague and particles of food from hurting the teeth and gums of your puppy. More information about teeth cleaning from the ASPCA is found at https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/brus....

Appropriate Foods
Not all puppy food is created equal. Some food may be inexpensive, but it may not be very filling or protect the teeth of your puppy. Fortunately, there are a number of dog food producers who provide puppy food that helps preserve and protect the teeth of puppies. Not only that, but also some puppy food can help with providing the nutrients that puppies need in order to become strong, healthy dogs. Read more about 6 Things to Help Your Puppy Dog's Teeth

You probably already know just how important your teeth are. They help you talk. They allow you to chew. They give others something to see when you smile.

They even give you something to smile about when you look at yourself in the mirror.

Now take that importance and think about what it means to your child. Think about just how important those pearly chompers are to everything from your child's daily activities to their personal development when growing up.

Without a doubt, they're even more important for your children.

That's why when you notice any of the following 9 signs from your child, your child needs to see the nearest pediatric dentist as soon as possible.

1. White Spots

White spots are normal, right? Most parents think they go away with time.

Wrong! They're generally the first warning signs that a cavity is about to develop. They require quick intervention, or your child's beautiful smile may be on the way towards being tarnished.

Your dentist can perform restorative dentistry if those spots are decay and it has gone too far, or they can recommend dietary changes or dental products to help remineralize the teeth.

2. Irritated Gums

If your child complains about their gums feeling sore or irritated after they brush, then that's a warning sign that they may have gingivitis.

Should you be worried? Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease, but it is also a stage that can be reversed if treated promptly.

With improved dental hygiene, your child may be able to enjoy brushing and flossing without having to worry about irritated or bleeding gums.

3. Sensitivity to Liquids or Foods

Every child has their favorite cold or hot treat. Hot chocolate, ice cream, soup with silly shapes in it and even ice-cold milk comes to mind.

What would cause your child to stop eating the foods they enjoy? The same thing that might stop you: sensitivity in your teeth to foods that are hotter or colder than room temperature.

While this may be a problem that sorts itself out, it can also be the beginning signs of tooth decay, an exposed tooth root or a myriad of unfriendly problems. Your child's dentist can treat these problems and, worse comes to worst, give your child special medicine that decreases sensitivity so they can enjoy their favorite treats once more.

4 Full-On Decay

Tooth decay starts as small white spots that represent a thinned outer layer of the enamel. The decay then changes to a brown color and finally turns black. The last two colors represent decay that the body cannot reverse on its own.

If your child has brown or black spots on their teeth, then it's time to see your dentist. Your child may need fillings to ensure that the decay doesn't progress.

As with all things, prompt treatment of dental cavities ensures teeth will last far longer than if you waited until the last second to have your child's teeth fixed.

5. Wobbly Teeth

Does your child have a tooth that wobbles to and fro? Does it wiggle back and forth? Does it act like it wants to go?

Even though it's natural for “baby” teeth to do this as your child ages, it may not be because there's another tooth trying to grow in place. Your child may already have periodontal problems or teeth affected by trauma.

To ensure this isn't the case, schedule an appointment for your child with their pediatric dentist immediately.

6. Adult Teeth

If your child is at that age where they begin to lose their baby teeth and their adult teeth are setting in, there's a few problems that might occur.

Their adult teeth might be impacted or crooked. One or more teeth might be trying to erupt underneath other adult teeth. There may even be damage to some of the teeth due to other conditions.

That's why it's always a good idea to check things out at the dentist's office with some x-rays. Early intervention can make your child's smile better.

7. Yellow Teeth

The one color besides white, brown or black that hasn't been covered yet is yellow. It's the color that some teeth get due to the ingestion of certain foods or chemicals while teeth are developing.

If your child's teeth are yellow, then this could be a cause for concern. While yellow teeth may not be a direct threat to the health of their teeth, it does represent something that could hurt their self-esteem as they grow up.

8. White Streaks

Every child should have fluoride in their diet to ensure that their teeth can be protected from acids. What happens when your child gets too much fluoride?

A number of things can happen to their body, but the most prominent concerns the development of white streaks or splotches on their teeth. These can have a damaging effect on your child's self-esteem, which means that it's best to fix them as soon as possible.

9. Toothaches

The most obvious sign that your child needs to see a dentist is a toothache. Nobody should be forced to suffer through this kind of pain, because it affects everything from eating to trying to rest at night.

If your child experiences toothaches, then don't hesitate for one second to contact us at Tatum Pediatric Dentistry. We'll do our best to get your child in as soon as possible so that their toothache woes go away. Read more about 9 Signs Your Child Needs to See a Dentist Right Now

Even before your son or daughter gets his or her first tooth, it's time to start investing in their dental health. Good dental care helps your child avoid cavities. Starting early with brushing and flossing also helps your child develop good dental care habits. Keep in mind these ten signs that you should invest in your child's teeth so he or she can have a lifetime of good dental health.

1. Your Child Is Teething
As soon as your child starts showing signs of teething; it's time to start investing in his or her teeth. Use a clean, damp washcloth to rub his or her gums. This will get your child in the habit of having their teeth cared for from an early age. 

2. The First Tooth
As soon as your child gets his or her first tooth, it's time to brush with baby toothpaste. Use a soft bristled brush for your young child's teeth. Put a dab of toothpaste onto the brush and gently clean the tooth. You can also lightly brush the gums. Give your baby or toddler his or her own toothbrush so he or she can help brush his or her teeth.

3. A Mouth Full of Teeth
Once your child has two or more teeth next to each other that are touching on the sides, it's time to start flossing. Floss helps get out bits of food stuck between your child's teeth. Once these bits of food are out, it's easier for the brush to clean the teeth. Flossing takes less than a minute. You can buy fun flavors of floss like vanilla and bubble gum for kids.

4. Crowding
If your child's teeth are crowded together, your dentist may suggest orthodontic care. An orthodontist is a special dentist that helps make your teeth straight. The orthodontist can help make more space if your teeth are crowded together. Getting your teeth straightened makes it easier to keep them clean and healthy. You might get braces to help straighten your teeth. Braces can come in different colors. The orthodontist fits them on the front or back of your teeth. You'll visit the orthodontist about once a month to have your braces checked.

5. Pain
If one of your child's teeth hurts, he or she should go to the dentist. The dentist can check to see if there is a cavity in the tooth that is hurting. If there is a cavity, your dentist can put in a filling. Getting a filling doesn't hurt. The filling will match the color of the tooth and your child won't even notice that it is there. It's important to get any mouth pain checked as soon as possible. Filling the cavity helps make sure your tooth stays healthy.

6. Sensitivity
If it hurts your child to eat ice cream or drink hot chocolate, these are signs of tooth sensitivity or even cavities. When your child has sensitive teeth, it can be painful to eat or drink hot, cold or sweet foods and drinks. You can invest in dental care like fillings or fluoride treatments that reduce sensitivity.

7. Your Child is Embarrassed
If your child feels embarrassed about his or her smile, your dentist can help. Your dentist can help your son or daughter feel better about his or her teeth. Dentists can do polishing to make the teeth whiter or do other dental treatments to help boost your child's self-esteem.

8. Trouble Chewing
Trouble chewing is a sign that your child should see the dentist. Your dentist can help get your child's teeth aligned so chewing doesn't hurt. Good tooth alignment allows your child to eat a variety of healthy and tasty foods like apples and carrots.

9. Early or Late Tooth Loss
When you lose your baby teeth earlier or later than normal, this can cause issues for your adult teeth. Your dentist can check to see what's going on with the baby teeth.

10. Overbite
Overbite is when your top teeth stick out more than they should. An overbite makes it hard to chew, speak or smile. If you have an overbite, your dentist may recommend braces or other treatments. Braces are an investment for a lifetime of healthy and beautiful teeth. Read more about 10 Signs You Should Invest in Your Child's Teeth

Made it all worth it... Read more about Open House Thank You Card w/ Toothbrush Art

 6 Reasons Being a Brace-Faced, Metal-Mouth in School Pays Off

Wearing braces is something that many other youngsters like yourself had to do. When you first hear the news, you might not be too happy. In fact, you may worry about nicknames like "brace-face" and "metal-mouth." However, you're going to be the one with straight teeth and cool new colors in your mouth every six weeks or so. 

'Tis the Season
When you wear traditional braces, you usually have the colors changed every six weeks or so. You do not need to select colored braces, but many kids do. Therefore, you can choose colors that match up with the season. When it's time for Christmas, you can choose red and green; when Halloween is just a few weeks away, you can go for black and orange. During the summer months, you can pick your favorite shades of hot pink, orange and yellow to stand out. Your classmates will be jealous that you get to wear these fun shades.

Different Options for Braces
Upon hearing that you're going to get braces put on your teeth, you might have an image that automatically comes to mind. Maybe you saw braces on a character on television, and you didn't like how they looked, but you should know that different types of braces are available. You and your parent need to speak to the orthodontist, but you might be able to get braces on the back of your teeth or choose invisible ones, which are called Invisalign. But most importantly, you WON'T have to wear headgear during the day, and most likely not at all. That was MY fear before getting braces.

Inspiring Other Kids
Maybe you have seen a kid being bullied by others in your class, and you were the brave one who stepped in to say that wasn't okay. Even if that hasn't been the situation, you have the chance to act as a role model now. Some of the other kids in your class might be afraid to get braces, or they might think that other people are going to tease them. Since you are walking proudly into class with your own braces on, you can help other kids to feel better about theirs. 

Finished Earlier On
You're very young right now, and the sooner you get started with something, the more quickly you will be finished. You might feel out-of-place if you are the only one in your class with braces right now. However, as the years go on, you are going to notice that a lot of your friends also have braces. You can act as a guide for them and maybe even answer some of the questions that they have. When some of the other kids are just getting their braces on, you will already be finished, and you can focus your attention on other areas of health.

Visits to the Orthodontist
When you have braces, you go to a special type of dentist called an orthodontist. This type of professional is an expert in braces. He or she will change the braces when you want new colors and will walk you through the process. Also, many orthodontists’ offices cater to children. You can meet friends there, and the orthodontist might throw parties for the patients. The atmosphere at the office is one that works well for kids of your age. 

The Healthiest Teeth
Above all of the other reasons, the most important reason to have braces is that your teeth will be straight and healthy. When you are older, you might notice that many people around you have crooked teeth or that they are experiencing problems with their dental hygiene. Since you took the time when you were younger to pay attention to your oral hygiene, you will have the healthiest smile around. You should know that the health of your teeth is connected to the health of your entire body. 

Hearing that you have to get braces can be scary, but when you think about all of these benefits, you'll realize that those little squares of metal are not so bad after all.

  Read more about 6 Reasons Being a Brace-Faced, Metal-Mouth in School Pays Off

7 Signs You're Doing Good For Your Child's Tooth Care

Well, hello there! It’s time again for your fun and friendly visit to our office to see what’s going on in your mouth. Since I know you don’t have too much time to spend on your visit, I’d like to get started with you and see if Mom and Dad are really keeping an eye on you… 

Let’s begin with the seven most important things to know when taking care of your teeth. We want to be sure that your teeth stay white, healthy and free of pain. Ready? Then let’s go! 

1- How Old Do I Have To Be Before My First Visit?

Actually, as soon as you are one year old. That’s when your teeth will start coming through your gum line exposing your little teeth to bad germs in your mouth. 

2- How Many Times A Day Do I Brush My Teeth?

A lot of people say at least two times a day is good. I rather you would brush every time you eat any food or even drink any juice, milk or soda. You see, the minute you eat or drink something, it starts to turn to sugar. As you all probably know, sugar is not the best thing for our teeth, but more on sugar later on. Of course, you might not be able to brush after every single meal, especially if you’re visiting someone or at the mall. Just be sure to brush every chance you can while at home. 

3- Get To Know Your Dentist Really Well

Connecting with a dentist you feel good with helps you not to think about your next visit as something scary. You need to feel comfortable with your dentist, his other workers and his office surroundings too! 

4- How Often Do I Need To Visit?

Some say once a year, but I say about every six months. I’ll check on how straight your teeth are growing and if there are any cavities. I’ll also be checking to see if your mouth is showing signs of being a little sick in some other way. 

5- What Else Do I Need To Do Besides Brush My Teeth?

Well, you actually need to do several things, but let’s start with the foods that you eat like staying away from junk food or foods that are not healthy. Anyway, staying away from foods that are loaded with sugar is a must. 

6- What Foods Can I Eat?

Basically, fruits, veggies, breads and meats that aren't loaded with sugar. But remember, you have to brush after every meal anyway, since all food or drinks will turn to sugar and then to cavities at some time later on. To be safe, rough-skinned raw veggies like celery and carrots will act like a brush would. They’ll be scraping away food particles from your tooth’s surface and in-between the teeth while keeping them mostly clean. 

7- How About Flossing?

Flossing after every meal with a dental string will help a lot in getting at food trapped in-between your teeth. A good flossing helps because it’s kind of hard for a brush to get at everything. Let Mom or Dad check your mouth to see if there is any food left after you floss. And, be sure to rinse your mouth out several times with water.

Now A Word To Mom And/or Dad

An on-going early detection program is your best protection for your child’s oral health. Getting them used to regular visits will catch not only early signs of cavity or tooth decay but other illnesses as well. 

Finding a dentist that you and your child feel comfortable with is equally important. In addition to helping you start a program of preventive dental home care, your dentist will help you monitor habits such as thumb-sucking and pacifier habits, provide counseling on proper nutrition and give you assessments of the child’s dental development. 

Perhaps the most important of all is finding a dentist that takes his or her time to listen to their patients. Creating positive, encouraging experiences builds trust and pleasant return visits. That is our goal here at Tatum Pediatric Dentistry. Also, please remember that healthy teeth means less painful and less costly dental visits as well! Read more about 7 Signs You're Doing Good For Your Child's Tooth Care

Why Reading with Your Kids Will Get Them Into Harvard

You know that it's important to start young when you are teaching your children about oral hygiene. The same can be said about reading with your children. Open a book with your little one as early as possible and you open the door to lifelong reading. Reading with your children is more than a treat. You are giving them a springboard to success later in life.

Start Young and Make Reading a Habit
When you sit with your little one with a book in hand, reading can become a habit. Your child will become familiar with books and have insatiable curiosity, begging to know what is inside. One of the best things you can do is add reading to your night-time routine. Every night, as you get ready for bed, top it off with a book. Not only will your child settle better when it is time to sleep, you can also encourage a love of reading.

Read At Least Twenty Minutes a Day
Research suggests that twenty minutes of reading a day is all it takes to establish a solid foundation of learning. Start with your baby and keep reading through the school years. You give your child the gift of vocabulary, understanding print conventions, and what language is all about.

Reading Builds Bridges
Read with your child and you can build bridges to another world. When you give your child the gift of books, your child can go on adventures, use the imagination, and light the spark of creativity.

Reading Builds Bonds
Read to your child on a daily basis and you will have a stronger relationship. It's quality time for the two of you when the rest of the world goes away.

Reading Builds Vocabulary
When you read to your child night after night, or any time that there is a free moment, your little one is exposed to a river of words. It makes it much easier for your child to understand and learn important concepts in school.

Reading Inspires Curiosity
Each time that you open a book, you help your child to become curious. Your child will be much more likely to want to read, to want to learn, to want to know about all that life has to offer. 

Reading Creates Thinkers
As you share books with your child, you encourage your child to think. Make the books harder the older your child gets and give your child tough topics. You'll expand your child's mind, making your child think about the mysteries of life.

Reading is the Key to So Much More
It's such a simple thing, sitting with your child tucked up next to you and a book in hand. However, that book is the gateway to creating a lifelong reader. If your child isn't good at reading, everything in school will be a struggle. Read with your child and soon your child will carry the torch, reading to you. Make your child love reading. Find the books that really excite your little one and inspire your child to read more. Make each book precious and your child will learn what to do with the tools you have provided. Your child will know what to do later in life when he or she is on her own.

Read, Read, and Read Some More to Get into Harvard
The studies don't lie. When you expose your child to a steady dose of reading before the preschool years, academic success is much more likely. It might sound crazy to think about college while you are holding your one-year-old in your lap with a board book. You won't believe how fast the years will fly by and your baby will leave the nest. Set them on the right path. Start reading while your little one is a baby and make reading a habit. Keep reading as your child grows. Even as a young adult, your child will enjoy reading with you if you have proved that reading is a true adventure. Take that ride with your child and watch your young adult take off with the skills and knowledge needed to go to Harvard, any other college, and beyond.

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