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Your child’s dental health is a crucial part of his or her overall health and wellbeing. Poor oral healthcare in children can lead to pain, infections, loss of teeth and bone structure, and potentially serious general health issues. Finding the best pediatric dentist for your child is an important part of helping your child achieve…

We all know that sweets like cookies and candies are bad for kids’ teeth, but what about savory snacks, like chips? Or healthier snacks, like raisins? Parents are often surprised to learn that these types of snacks can lead to tooth decay, too. Read on for a list of snacks that many parents don’t realize…

Imagine washing a reusable straw coated in smoothie. Would you scrub the outside but then put the straw away in the cabinet without bothering to clean the inside? Of course you wouldn’t. If you did, bacteria would grow and your straw would get pretty gross. Now think about your child’s teeth. Would you brush your…

If you’re pregnant, you know that your lifestyle choices can affect your baby’s health. Your OB/GYN has undoubtedly recommended that you take prenatal vitamins, limit caffeine and avoid alcohol. But has your doctor also told you that maintaining good oral hygiene is important for your baby’s health? Poor dental health in pregnant women has been…

While it may seem tempting to just wait and see if the pain disappears on its own or to try out home remedies for toothaches, we generally advise against both of these routes. Toothaches are typically a sign that your child is suffering from a dental injury or infection. Making an appointment with your child’s…

You have undoubtedly heard that eating candy can lead to cavities, but did you know that some kinds of candy are more likely to lead to tooth decay than others? At Hurst Pediatric Dentistry, we understand that candy is part of the fun of Halloween. Fortunately, you and your child can reduce the risk of…

Everyone experiences bad breath from time to time, but what if bad breath is the norm for your child and not just an occasional occurrence? Bad breath in children can cause embarrassment and social anxiety, and it may even serve as a warning sign that your child is suffering from a bigger health issue. If…

When your baby starts teething, it can be an exciting milestone. Those first teeth are not only adorable, they will eventually help your baby chew foods and speak clearly. Unfortunately, it’s often an uncomfortable process when babies start getting teeth. To make matters worse, the teething process is different for every baby, so it is…

If you feel unsure about how and when to brush your baby’s teeth, you are not alone! At Hurst Pediatric Dentistry, we regularly receive questions about brushing. When do you start brushing baby teeth? How do you brush baby teeth? What do you do if your child hates brushing teeth? Parents should begin cleaning their…

A mother and her newborn struggle with breastfeeding; a child is unable to pronounce certain sounds; there is a large gap between an adolescent’s two front teeth. What do all of these people have in common? They could be experiencing problematic effects of a tongue-tie or lip-tie.  What are Tongue and Lip-Ties? Underneath the tongue,…

Do you have an infant who loves sucking on a pacifier? Have you ever worried that the pacifier will affect your baby’s teeth? If so, we have good news for you: if your child is still very young, the pacifier sucking habit likely will not cause dental problems. Sucking is a natural reflex for infants…