Like many parents, you may be concerned about your child’s thumb sucking, finger sucking or pacifier use. You may wonder if it is harmful, at what age it should stop or what could happen if your child does not stop. You can rest assured that sucking is one of an infant’s natural reflexes. They begin to suck on their thumbs or other fingers while they are in the womb. Infants and young children may suck on thumbs, other fingers, pacifiers or other objects. It makes them feel secure and happy, and it helps them learn about their world. Placing a thumb or another finger in the mouth provides ..read more

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) has recently put together a wonderful resource for parents who may have serious questions about their child’s teeth/dentist. We highly recommend you visit this website – as it is a great tool for parents who may be getting ready to make their first dental check-up for their child or a parent who wants to prevent cavities in their child’s teeth. http://www.mychildrensteeth.org/education/ If you look under the tab “Education and Resources for your Family,” you will see great links to frequently asked questions by parents at the pediatric d ..read more

DID YOU KNOW that dental disease (cavities and gum disease) is the most common childhood disease – FIVE times more common than asthma? If that’s not surprising enough, here are some more startling statistics: 47.4% of 3rd graders in Virginia have or had a (untreated or treated) cavity experience. Students miss as many as 51 million hours of school each year because of dental problems. Adults miss 164 million hours of work each year because of dental problems. Excellent oral health is considered a very important aspect of maintaining good overall health. Dental disease (cavities and gum dis ..read more

The experience of breastfeeding is very special for many new moms as they consider that time a valuable bonding experience between the mother and newborn child.  Moms who are able to breastfeed also benefit for other reasons: they gain overall health benefits, oral health benefits, and cost-savings benefits.  This blog will help explain the many benefits, for both mom and child, of breastfeeding. It is important to remember that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that “exclusive breastfeeding, defined as giving an infant only breast milk – no water, no formula, or no other liqu ..read more

Digital advances in Pediatric Dentistry are amazing. Not only do they provide for patient comfort, they create opportunities for Pediatric Dentists to provide better treatment. Digital X-Rays The cutting-edge technology of digital X-rays, also known as digital radiography, enables the Pediatric Dentist to take crisp X-ray images of the teeth, supporting bone and gums and download them instantaneously into the computer without delay, thus eliminating the need for environmentally-harmful film and chemical development. It also allows dentists to magnify and enhance images to review specific den ..read more

Active children always seem to be injuring themselves in one way or another. Most of the time, the injury is minor, like a bruise or a scrape. However, sometimes the child needs to see a doctor or a dentist, such as in the case of a broken or loose tooth. Pediatric dentists are especially trained in the management and case of tooth trauma on young teeth. Here is a brief guideline offered by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry of the types of trauma children’s teeth can incur, and how you as a parent can help minimize the damage and long term effects. Knocked Out Tooth If a child’s to ..read more

Managing your children’s oral health involves a daily reigeme of eating healthy, brushing and flossing to help stop bacteria from building up in the mouth and to stop cavities from forming, which is the ultimate goal. At World Pediatric Dental we strive to do everything we can as your children’s dentist to prevent tooth decay from forming in your child’s mouth. We get asked by parents the right toothbrush, toothpaste and floss to use for their children, but  not many ask about mouthwash. (If you have not asked us which toothbrush/toothpaste/floss  are best for your child ask us the next time ..read more

  PEDIATRIC DENTISTS HELP MAKE YOUR CHILD FEEL SAFE Taking care of a child’s dental needs is very different than those of an adult. Our pediatric dentists at World Pediatric Dental understand this and with their skill and training are very successful in helping your children both relax and feel comfortable while also offering the best dental care for your kids in San Antonio. If you live in Stone Oak, Dominion, Schertz, Helotes and the surrounding areas of San Antonio, your child can get the dental work they need with several kinds of dental procedures done by our pediatric dentists. In ..read more

Once cavities form it is time to come in and see your pediatric dentist because cavities that do not get treated can result in significant pain for your child, loss of teeth and even the spread of infection. The great news is you can prevent most cavities from ever forming with good dental care, regular visits to your kids dentist and with fluoride. Throughout this blog post I will go into more detail about how through the use of fluoride you can help maintain strong and healthy teeth for your children. What is fluoride and why is it important? Mom and Daughter Smiling World Pediatric Dental ..read more

What is a dental sealant? A dental sealant is a special, plastic coating that is applied to the tooth to protect it from decay. When teeth are treated with sealants, they are less likely to get cavities. Sealants can be applied quickly and painlessly. This is one of the main reasons your pediatric dentist recommends sealants for your child. What causes tooth decay? Teeth are covered with a sticky film of bacteria called plaque. This bacteria changes sugar into harmful acids that attack the hard layer on teeth called enamel. Over time, these attacks may break down the enamel and cause tooth ..read more