Shiny Smiles Pediatric Dentistry Blog

Set Your Child Up for an Excellent Dental Exam with These Back-to-School Tips

July 11, 2025

Filed under: Uncategorized — shinysmiles @ 10:39 pm

The back-to-school season is often quite busy. In August and September, many families are in a rush to make sure their children are equipped with writing supplies, textbooks, calculators, and all the other tools necessary for a successful school year. Adjusting from summer vacation to full-time schoolwork can sometimes be stressful, and many kids let their dental hygiene fall to the wayside while getting up to speed with their new schedules. Here are a few tips to help your child ace their first dental exam of the school year.

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Are Cavities on the Menu? How to Protect Young Smiles During Lunchtime at School

June 18, 2025

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Is your child a picky eater? Do they prefer the same thing every day, or are they more adventurous and willing to try new foods? No matter what kind of eater they are, what they consume at school may negatively impact their pearly whites. While you control what is packed in their lunchbox, do you know what they buy with the money you give them two or three times each week? If you want to help them avoid missing school because they need cavity repair, keep reading to learn which foods are the best (and worst) for lunchtime.

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Making Fun of Oral Health: 5 Cool Dentistry Toys for Kids

May 15, 2025

Filed under: Uncategorized — shinysmiles @ 3:21 pm

An AI image of a child playing dentist with a plush dinosaur

Everyone knows that playtime is fun, but did you know it also has some amazing benefits, too? According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), it’s an important part of child growth that helps encourage healthy brain development, imagination, and dexterity, as well as physical, emotional, and cognitive strength. It can also help broaden children’s understanding about a certain topic and encourage them to feel more comfortable with specific subjects, such as visiting the dentist. Whether your child has developed a curiosity for oral health, is anxious about an upcoming dental visit, or you’d simply like to foster a strong foundation for a lifetime of strong teeth and gums, here are a few dental-themed toys that can help make the most of their playtime!

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Understanding the “Shark Teeth” Phenomenon in Children

March 2, 2025

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If you’ve noticed your child developing a second row of teeth behind their baby teeth, you’re not alone, and it’s not as scary as it looks. This common and usually harmless dental occurrence is known as “shark teeth,” and it’s a normal part of childhood for many kids. The term “shark teeth” comes from the way a child’s adult teeth sometimes emerge before the baby teeth have fallen out, creating a double row of teeth – much like a shark’s smile. It might look alarming, but it’s actually a sign that your child’s permanent teeth are coming in. Let’s take a closer look at why this happens and what you should do about it.

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Storytime for Smiles: Books to Ease Your Child’s Dental Fears

February 14, 2025

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Parent reading book about dental anxiety to child

A trip to the dentist can be a daunting experience for children. It’s a strange place full of unfamiliar sounds and scary-looking instruments that can lead to anxiety. Fortunately, there’s a very effective way to start breaking through these fears before they even set foot into the office—reading! Children’s books that discuss dental visits in a positive and relatable way can help de-spookify the experience and prepare your child for their dental appointment. Here are some recommended reads!

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Sickly Smiles: Safeguarding Your Child’s Teeth When They’re Ill

January 6, 2025

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Woman placing hand on sleeping boy's forehead for fever

Cold and flu season is here, and if you have a little one at home who’s caught a bug, it’s natural to want to do everything you can to help them feel better. Although heating pads and cold water can help them feel comfortable, you don’t want to forget about their dental health.

Bacteria in your kid’s mouth can flourish when they’re sick and cause oral issues like cavities and gum disease. Thankfully, you can prevent problems with these 3 tips for keeping your child’s teeth clean when they’re under the weather!

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Healthy Holidays: 3 Smile-Friendly Stocking Stuffers

November 13, 2024

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Little girl in blue shirt hanging her stocking on the mantle

November has arrived, ushering in the holiday season for families across the country. It’s the perfect time to plan your travel itinerary or purchase gifts for your loved ones. If you have children at home, you may already be looking for exciting and interesting new items to include in their stockings this year.

Although mints, chocolates, candy canes, and other sweet treats are popular choices, you don’t want to give them so much sugar that they develop cavities in the new year. Fortunately, your pediatric dentist has some creative ideas for smile-friendly items you can include instead! Continue reading to learn more about three stocking stuffers that can support your child’s dental health!

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Don’t Be Afraid of These Halloween Treats

September 16, 2024

Filed under: Uncategorized — shinysmiles @ 11:39 am

A child holding a trick or treat bucket full of candy.

Trick or treat? Well, if you’re a kid, probably treat. But before you let your child dig into that Halloween candy loot, be sure to understand which spooky snacks are safe for their teeth and which ones they should skip. Here’s a list of some common candies that are dental friendly, and a few that are a downright fright!

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A+ Oral Care: Back-to-School Tips for a Perfect Dental Exam

July 12, 2024

Filed under: Uncategorized — shinysmiles @ 4:36 pm

As the new school year approaches, it’s important to make sure your child’s dental health is in tip-top shape! A back-to-school dental exam can truly set the tone for a healthy year ahead. If you want to make sure your child is ready to impress their dentist, continue reading. You’ll find some tips to help your child create a bright, healthy smile that’s sure to earn an “A.”

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Importance of Detecting Children’s Oral Health Problems Early

June 4, 2024

Filed under: Uncategorized — shinysmiles @ 9:31 pm

Few experiences are as memorable as seeing your child’s first tooth appear. As their smile evolves from gums to baby teeth, it’s important to introduce them to dental care early. Despite being temporary, baby teeth are crucial for your child’s overall oral health and development. Regular dental visits help detect and address potential issues early, ensuring a healthy foundation for their future teeth. Keep reading to learn why scheduling dentist appointments every six months is essential, even if your child only has a few teeth.

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