Sucking is normal for babies and young children. Thumb sucking habits are usually established by three months of age, with some children needing to “suckle” more than others. However, prolonged use of a pacifier or thumb can create a number of problems, such as an anterior open bite (front teeth do not meet), palatal changes and tongue protrusive posturing (tongue thrusting). Although these conditions can be corrected through orthodontics and/or surgical procedures in the future, early intervention is recommended. Pacifiers should be discontinued by 2-3 years of age. If your child has a thumb sucking habit, begin to encourage discontinuation at 4-6 years of age. Your pediatric dentist will work with you and your child to develop a positive reinforcement reward system to help lessen their dependency. If this approach isn’t successful, a thumb sucking or orthodontic habit appliance may be recommended. These appliances block the thumb or fingers from being inserted into the mouth. Treatment usually lasts 1-2 months with periodic visits to check on the child’s progress.

One serious form of decay among young children is baby bottle tooth decay. This condition is caused by frequent and long exposure of an infant’s teeth to sugar-containing liquids. Among these liquids are milk (including breast milk), formula, fruit juice and other sweetened drinks. Putting a baby to bed for a nap or at night with a bottle other than water can cause serious and rapid tooth decay. Sweet liquid pools around the child’s teeth, giving bacteria an opportunity to produce acids that attack the tooth enamel. If you must give the baby a bottle for bedtime comfort, it should only contain water. If your child won’t fall asleep without the bottle and its usual beverage, gradually dilute the bottle’s content with water over a period of two to three weeks. After each feeding, wipe the baby’s gums and teeth with a damp washcloth or gauze pad to remove plaque. The easiest way to do this is to sit down, place the child’s head in your lap or place the child on a changing table. Whatever position you use, be sure you can easily see into the child’s mouth.

The sooner you start the better! Starting at birth, you can clean your child’s gums with a soft infant toothbrush or cloth and water. As soon as teeth begin to appear, start brushing twice daily using fluoridated toothpaste and a soft, age-appropriate sized toothbrush. For a child less than 2 years of age, use a “smear” of toothpaste during brushing. For children 2-5 years-old, dispense a “pea-size” amount of toothpaste and assist your child’s tooth brushing. Remember, young children do not have the ability to brush their teeth effectively without your help!

All teeth are important, whether they will fall out or not. If teeth are not cared for, they can decay, leading to cavities, significant pain, infection, and swelling. Studies have shown that children with dental disease do not perform as well in school due to pain, lack of sleep, and malnutrition. Untreated cavities of the baby teeth can and frequently do lead to problems that affect the development of permanent teeth. Baby teeth are important for

• proper chewing and eating
• development of permanent teeth
• development of the jaw bones and muscles
• speech development

The front 4 teeth typically start falling out at 6-7 years of age while the back teeth (cuspids and molars) are not replaced until age 10-13.

We feel very strongly that every child should visit the dentist at an early age, specifically, by his/her first birthday. Getting an early start in regular dental care is an important step in teaching your child healthy lifetime habits and preventing potential dental problems. It provides us with the opportunity to detect and manage early signs of oral diseases or abnormalities before they become difficult problems. Most importantly, it plants the seed for a positive relationship between your child and the dentist. The younger the child when first introduced to the dental office, the easier it is for him/her to develop an enthusiastic and com6ortable outlook. National organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Academy of Peiatrics, andthe American Dental Association, also recommend that a child visits a dentist by age 1. When your baby is ready, we are here to give him/her the best chance for a lifetime of bright and healthy smile.

Sucking is normal for babies and young children. Thumb sucking habits are usually established by three months of age, with some children needing to “suckle” more than others. However, prolonged use of a pacifier or thumb can create a number of problems, such as an anterior open bite (front teeth do not meet), palatal changes and tongue protrusive posturing (tongue thrusting). Although these conditions can be corrected through orthodontics and/or surgical procedures in the future, early intervention is recommended. Pacifiers should be discontinued by 2-3 years of age. If your child has a thumb sucking habit, begin to encourage discontinuation at 4-6 years of age. Your pediatric dentist will work with you and your child to develop a positive reinforcement reward system to help lessen their dependency. If this approach isn’t successful, a thumb sucking or orthodontic habit appliance may be recommended. These appliances block the thumb or fingers from being inserted into the mouth. Treatment usually lasts 1-2 months with periodic visits to check on the child’s progress.

One serious form of decay among young children is baby bottle tooth decay. This condition is caused by frequent and long exposure of an infant’s teeth to sugar-containing liquids. Among these liquids are milk (including breast milk), formula, fruit juice and other sweetened drinks. Putting a baby to bed for a nap or at night with a bottle other than water can cause serious and rapid tooth decay. Sweet liquid pools around the child’s teeth, giving bacteria an opportunity to produce acids that attack the tooth enamel. If you must give the baby a bottle for bedtime comfort, it should only contain water. If your child won’t fall asleep without the bottle and its usual beverage, gradually dilute the bottle’s content with water over a period of two to three weeks. After each feeding, wipe the baby’s gums and teeth with a damp washcloth or gauze pad to remove plaque. The easiest way to do this is to sit down, place the child’s head in your lap or place the child on a changing table. Whatever position you use, be sure you can easily see into the child’s mouth.

The sooner you start the better! Starting at birth, you can clean your child’s gums with a soft infant toothbrush or cloth and water. As soon as teeth begin to appear, start brushing twice daily using fluoridated toothpaste and a soft, age-appropriate sized toothbrush. For a child less than 2 years of age, use a “smear” of toothpaste during brushing. For children 2-5 years-old, dispense a “pea-size” amount of toothpaste and assist your child’s tooth brushing. Remember, young children do not have the ability to brush their teeth effectively without your help!

All teeth are important, whether they will fall out or not. If teeth are not cared for, they can decay, leading to cavities, significant pain, infection, and swelling. Studies have shown that children with dental disease do not perform as well in school due to pain, lack of sleep, and malnutrition. Untreated cavities of the baby teeth can and frequently do lead to problems that affect the development of permanent teeth. Baby teeth are important for

• proper chewing and eating
• development of permanent teeth
• development of the jaw bones and muscles
• speech development

The front 4 teeth typically start falling out at 6-7 years of age while the back teeth (cuspids and molars) are not replaced until age 10-13.

We feel very strongly that every child should visit the dentist at an early age, specifically, by his/her first birthday. Getting an early start in regular dental care is an important step in teaching your child healthy lifetime habits and preventing potential dental problems. It provides us with the opportunity to detect and manage early signs of oral diseases or abnormalities before they become difficult problems. Most importantly, it plants the seed for a positive relationship between your child and the dentist. The younger the child when first introduced to the dental office, the easier it is for him/her to develop an enthusiastic and com6ortable outlook. National organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Academy of Peiatrics, andthe American Dental Association, also recommend that a child visits a dentist by age 1. When your baby is ready, we are here to give him/her the best chance for a lifetime of bright and healthy smile.

Sucking is normal for babies and young children. Thumb sucking habits are usually established by three months of age, with some children needing to “suckle” more than others. However, prolonged use of a pacifier or thumb can create a number of problems, such as an anterior open bite (front teeth do not meet), palatal changes and tongue protrusive posturing (tongue thrusting). Although these conditions can be corrected through orthodontics and/or surgical procedures in the future, early intervention is recommended. Pacifiers should be discontinued by 2-3 years of age. If your child has a thumb sucking habit, begin to encourage discontinuation at 4-6 years of age. Your pediatric dentist will work with you and your child to develop a positive reinforcement reward system to help lessen their dependency. If this approach isn’t successful, a thumb sucking or orthodontic habit appliance may be recommended. These appliances block the thumb or fingers from being inserted into the mouth. Treatment usually lasts 1-2 months with periodic visits to check on the child’s progress.

One serious form of decay among young children is baby bottle tooth decay. This condition is caused by frequent and long exposure of an infant’s teeth to sugar-containing liquids. Among these liquids are milk (including breast milk), formula, fruit juice and other sweetened drinks. Putting a baby to bed for a nap or at night with a bottle other than water can cause serious and rapid tooth decay. Sweet liquid pools around the child’s teeth, giving bacteria an opportunity to produce acids that attack the tooth enamel. If you must give the baby a bottle for bedtime comfort, it should only contain water. If your child won’t fall asleep without the bottle and its usual beverage, gradually dilute the bottle’s content with water over a period of two to three weeks. After each feeding, wipe the baby’s gums and teeth with a damp washcloth or gauze pad to remove plaque. The easiest way to do this is to sit down, place the child’s head in your lap or place the child on a changing table. Whatever position you use, be sure you can easily see into the child’s mouth.

The sooner you start the better! Starting at birth, you can clean your child’s gums with a soft infant toothbrush or cloth and water. As soon as teeth begin to appear, start brushing twice daily using fluoridated toothpaste and a soft, age-appropriate sized toothbrush. For a child less than 2 years of age, use a “smear” of toothpaste during brushing. For children 2-5 years-old, dispense a “pea-size” amount of toothpaste and assist your child’s tooth brushing. Remember, young children do not have the ability to brush their teeth effectively without your help!

All teeth are important, whether they will fall out or not. If teeth are not cared for, they can decay, leading to cavities, significant pain, infection, and swelling. Studies have shown that children with dental disease do not perform as well in school due to pain, lack of sleep, and malnutrition. Untreated cavities of the baby teeth can and frequently do lead to problems that affect the development of permanent teeth. Baby teeth are important for

• proper chewing and eating
• development of permanent teeth
• development of the jaw bones and muscles
• speech development

The front 4 teeth typically start falling out at 6-7 years of age while the back teeth (cuspids and molars) are not replaced until age 10-13.

We feel very strongly that every child should visit the dentist at an early age, specifically, by his/her first birthday. Getting an early start in regular dental care is an important step in teaching your child healthy lifetime habits and preventing potential dental problems. It provides us with the opportunity to detect and manage early signs of oral diseases or abnormalities before they become difficult problems. Most importantly, it plants the seed for a positive relationship between your child and the dentist. The younger the child when first introduced to the dental office, the easier it is for him/her to develop an enthusiastic and com6ortable outlook. National organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Academy of Peiatrics, andthe American Dental Association, also recommend that a child visits a dentist by age 1. When your baby is ready, we are here to give him/her the best chance for a lifetime of bright and healthy smile.

Sucking is normal for babies and young children. Thumb sucking habits are usually established by three months of age, with some children needing to “suckle” more than others. However, prolonged use of a pacifier or thumb can create a number of problems, such as an anterior open bite (front teeth do not meet), palatal changes and tongue protrusive posturing (tongue thrusting). Although these conditions can be corrected through orthodontics and/or surgical procedures in the future, early intervention is recommended. Pacifiers should be discontinued by 2-3 years of age. If your child has a thumb sucking habit, begin to encourage discontinuation at 4-6 years of age. Your pediatric dentist will work with you and your child to develop a positive reinforcement reward system to help lessen their dependency. If this approach isn’t successful, a thumb sucking or orthodontic habit appliance may be recommended. These appliances block the thumb or fingers from being inserted into the mouth. Treatment usually lasts 1-2 months with periodic visits to check on the child’s progress.

One serious form of decay among young children is baby bottle tooth decay. This condition is caused by frequent and long exposure of an infant’s teeth to sugar-containing liquids. Among these liquids are milk (including breast milk), formula, fruit juice and other sweetened drinks. Putting a baby to bed for a nap or at night with a bottle other than water can cause serious and rapid tooth decay. Sweet liquid pools around the child’s teeth, giving bacteria an opportunity to produce acids that attack the tooth enamel. If you must give the baby a bottle for bedtime comfort, it should only contain water. If your child won’t fall asleep without the bottle and its usual beverage, gradually dilute the bottle’s content with water over a period of two to three weeks. After each feeding, wipe the baby’s gums and teeth with a damp washcloth or gauze pad to remove plaque. The easiest way to do this is to sit down, place the child’s head in your lap or place the child on a changing table. Whatever position you use, be sure you can easily see into the child’s mouth.

The sooner you start the better! Starting at birth, you can clean your child’s gums with a soft infant toothbrush or cloth and water. As soon as teeth begin to appear, start brushing twice daily using fluoridated toothpaste and a soft, age-appropriate sized toothbrush. For a child less than 2 years of age, use a “smear” of toothpaste during brushing. For children 2-5 years-old, dispense a “pea-size” amount of toothpaste and assist your child’s tooth brushing. Remember, young children do not have the ability to brush their teeth effectively without your help!

All teeth are important, whether they will fall out or not. If teeth are not cared for, they can decay, leading to cavities, significant pain, infection, and swelling. Studies have shown that children with dental disease do not perform as well in school due to pain, lack of sleep, and malnutrition. Untreated cavities of the baby teeth can and frequently do lead to problems that affect the development of permanent teeth. Baby teeth are important for

• proper chewing and eating
• development of permanent teeth
• development of the jaw bones and muscles
• speech development

The front 4 teeth typically start falling out at 6-7 years of age while the back teeth (cuspids and molars) are not replaced until age 10-13.

We feel very strongly that every child should visit the dentist at an early age, specifically, by his/her first birthday. Getting an early start in regular dental care is an important step in teaching your child healthy lifetime habits and preventing potential dental problems. It provides us with the opportunity to detect and manage early signs of oral diseases or abnormalities before they become difficult problems. Most importantly, it plants the seed for a positive relationship between your child and the dentist. The younger the child when first introduced to the dental office, the easier it is for him/her to develop an enthusiastic and com6ortable outlook. National organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Academy of Peiatrics, andthe American Dental Association, also recommend that a child visits a dentist by age 1. When your baby is ready, we are here to give him/her the best chance for a lifetime of bright and healthy smile.

Sucking is normal for babies and young children. Thumb sucking habits are usually established by three months of age, with some children needing to “suckle” more than others. However, prolonged use of a pacifier or thumb can create a number of problems, such as an anterior open bite (front teeth do not meet), palatal changes and tongue protrusive posturing (tongue thrusting). Although these conditions can be corrected through orthodontics and/or surgical procedures in the future, early intervention is recommended. Pacifiers should be discontinued by 2-3 years of age. If your child has a thumb sucking habit, begin to encourage discontinuation at 4-6 years of age. Your pediatric dentist will work with you and your child to develop a positive reinforcement reward system to help lessen their dependency. If this approach isn’t successful, a thumb sucking or orthodontic habit appliance may be recommended. These appliances block the thumb or fingers from being inserted into the mouth. Treatment usually lasts 1-2 months with periodic visits to check on the child’s progress.

One serious form of decay among young children is baby bottle tooth decay. This condition is caused by frequent and long exposure of an infant’s teeth to sugar-containing liquids. Among these liquids are milk (including breast milk), formula, fruit juice and other sweetened drinks. Putting a baby to bed for a nap or at night with a bottle other than water can cause serious and rapid tooth decay. Sweet liquid pools around the child’s teeth, giving bacteria an opportunity to produce acids that attack the tooth enamel. If you must give the baby a bottle for bedtime comfort, it should only contain water. If your child won’t fall asleep without the bottle and its usual beverage, gradually dilute the bottle’s content with water over a period of two to three weeks. After each feeding, wipe the baby’s gums and teeth with a damp washcloth or gauze pad to remove plaque. The easiest way to do this is to sit down, place the child’s head in your lap or place the child on a changing table. Whatever position you use, be sure you can easily see into the child’s mouth.

The sooner you start the better! Starting at birth, you can clean your child’s gums with a soft infant toothbrush or cloth and water. As soon as teeth begin to appear, start brushing twice daily using fluoridated toothpaste and a soft, age-appropriate sized toothbrush. For a child less than 2 years of age, use a “smear” of toothpaste during brushing. For children 2-5 years-old, dispense a “pea-size” amount of toothpaste and assist your child’s tooth brushing. Remember, young children do not have the ability to brush their teeth effectively without your help!

All teeth are important, whether they will fall out or not. If teeth are not cared for, they can decay, leading to cavities, significant pain, infection, and swelling. Studies have shown that children with dental disease do not perform as well in school due to pain, lack of sleep, and malnutrition. Untreated cavities of the baby teeth can and frequently do lead to problems that affect the development of permanent teeth. Baby teeth are important for

• proper chewing and eating
• development of permanent teeth
• development of the jaw bones and muscles
• speech development

The front 4 teeth typically start falling out at 6-7 years of age while the back teeth (cuspids and molars) are not replaced until age 10-13.

We feel very strongly that every child should visit the dentist at an early age, specifically, by his/her first birthday. Getting an early start in regular dental care is an important step in teaching your child healthy lifetime habits and preventing potential dental problems. It provides us with the opportunity to detect and manage early signs of oral diseases or abnormalities before they become difficult problems. Most importantly, it plants the seed for a positive relationship between your child and the dentist. The younger the child when first introduced to the dental office, the easier it is for him/her to develop an enthusiastic and com6ortable outlook. National organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Academy of Peiatrics, andthe American Dental Association, also recommend that a child visits a dentist by age 1. When your baby is ready, we are here to give him/her the best chance for a lifetime of bright and healthy smile.

Sucking is normal for babies and young children. Thumb sucking habits are usually established by three months of age, with some children needing to “suckle” more than others. However, prolonged use of a pacifier or thumb can create a number of problems, such as an anterior open bite (front teeth do not meet), palatal changes and tongue protrusive posturing (tongue thrusting). Although these conditions can be corrected through orthodontics and/or surgical procedures in the future, early intervention is recommended. Pacifiers should be discontinued by 2-3 years of age. If your child has a thumb sucking habit, begin to encourage discontinuation at 4-6 years of age. Your pediatric dentist will work with you and your child to develop a positive reinforcement reward system to help lessen their dependency. If this approach isn’t successful, a thumb sucking or orthodontic habit appliance may be recommended. These appliances block the thumb or fingers from being inserted into the mouth. Treatment usually lasts 1-2 months with periodic visits to check on the child’s progress.

One serious form of decay among young children is baby bottle tooth decay. This condition is caused by frequent and long exposure of an infant’s teeth to sugar-containing liquids. Among these liquids are milk (including breast milk), formula, fruit juice and other sweetened drinks. Putting a baby to bed for a nap or at night with a bottle other than water can cause serious and rapid tooth decay. Sweet liquid pools around the child’s teeth, giving bacteria an opportunity to produce acids that attack the tooth enamel. If you must give the baby a bottle for bedtime comfort, it should only contain water. If your child won’t fall asleep without the bottle and its usual beverage, gradually dilute the bottle’s content with water over a period of two to three weeks. After each feeding, wipe the baby’s gums and teeth with a damp washcloth or gauze pad to remove plaque. The easiest way to do this is to sit down, place the child’s head in your lap or place the child on a changing table. Whatever position you use, be sure you can easily see into the child’s mouth.

The sooner you start the better! Starting at birth, you can clean your child’s gums with a soft infant toothbrush or cloth and water. As soon as teeth begin to appear, start brushing twice daily using fluoridated toothpaste and a soft, age-appropriate sized toothbrush. For a child less than 2 years of age, use a “smear” of toothpaste during brushing. For children 2-5 years-old, dispense a “pea-size” amount of toothpaste and assist your child’s tooth brushing. Remember, young children do not have the ability to brush their teeth effectively without your help!

All teeth are important, whether they will fall out or not. If teeth are not cared for, they can decay, leading to cavities, significant pain, infection, and swelling. Studies have shown that children with dental disease do not perform as well in school due to pain, lack of sleep, and malnutrition. Untreated cavities of the baby teeth can and frequently do lead to problems that affect the development of permanent teeth. Baby teeth are important for

• proper chewing and eating
• development of permanent teeth
• development of the jaw bones and muscles
• speech development

The front 4 teeth typically start falling out at 6-7 years of age while the back teeth (cuspids and molars) are not replaced until age 10-13.

We feel very strongly that every child should visit the dentist at an early age, specifically, by his/her first birthday. Getting an early start in regular dental care is an important step in teaching your child healthy lifetime habits and preventing potential dental problems. It provides us with the opportunity to detect and manage early signs of oral diseases or abnormalities before they become difficult problems. Most importantly, it plants the seed for a positive relationship between your child and the dentist. The younger the child when first introduced to the dental office, the easier it is for him/her to develop an enthusiastic and com6ortable outlook. National organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Academy of Peiatrics, andthe American Dental Association, also recommend that a child visits a dentist by age 1. When your baby is ready, we are here to give him/her the best chance for a lifetime of bright and healthy smile.

Sucking is normal for babies and young children. Thumb sucking habits are usually established by three months of age, with some children needing to “suckle” more than others. However, prolonged use of a pacifier or thumb can create a number of problems, such as an anterior open bite (front teeth do not meet), palatal changes and tongue protrusive posturing (tongue thrusting). Although these conditions can be corrected through orthodontics and/or surgical procedures in the future, early intervention is recommended. Pacifiers should be discontinued by 2-3 years of age. If your child has a thumb sucking habit, begin to encourage discontinuation at 4-6 years of age. Your pediatric dentist will work with you and your child to develop a positive reinforcement reward system to help lessen their dependency. If this approach isn’t successful, a thumb sucking or orthodontic habit appliance may be recommended. These appliances block the thumb or fingers from being inserted into the mouth. Treatment usually lasts 1-2 months with periodic visits to check on the child’s progress.

One serious form of decay among young children is baby bottle tooth decay. This condition is caused by frequent and long exposure of an infant’s teeth to sugar-containing liquids. Among these liquids are milk (including breast milk), formula, fruit juice and other sweetened drinks. Putting a baby to bed for a nap or at night with a bottle other than water can cause serious and rapid tooth decay. Sweet liquid pools around the child’s teeth, giving bacteria an opportunity to produce acids that attack the tooth enamel. If you must give the baby a bottle for bedtime comfort, it should only contain water. If your child won’t fall asleep without the bottle and its usual beverage, gradually dilute the bottle’s content with water over a period of two to three weeks. After each feeding, wipe the baby’s gums and teeth with a damp washcloth or gauze pad to remove plaque. The easiest way to do this is to sit down, place the child’s head in your lap or place the child on a changing table. Whatever position you use, be sure you can easily see into the child’s mouth.

The sooner you start the better! Starting at birth, you can clean your child’s gums with a soft infant toothbrush or cloth and water. As soon as teeth begin to appear, start brushing twice daily using fluoridated toothpaste and a soft, age-appropriate sized toothbrush. For a child less than 2 years of age, use a “smear” of toothpaste during brushing. For children 2-5 years-old, dispense a “pea-size” amount of toothpaste and assist your child’s tooth brushing. Remember, young children do not have the ability to brush their teeth effectively without your help!

All teeth are important, whether they will fall out or not. If teeth are not cared for, they can decay, leading to cavities, significant pain, infection, and swelling. Studies have shown that children with dental disease do not perform as well in school due to pain, lack of sleep, and malnutrition. Untreated cavities of the baby teeth can and frequently do lead to problems that affect the development of permanent teeth. Baby teeth are important for

• proper chewing and eating
• development of permanent teeth
• development of the jaw bones and muscles
• speech development

The front 4 teeth typically start falling out at 6-7 years of age while the back teeth (cuspids and molars) are not replaced until age 10-13.

We feel very strongly that every child should visit the dentist at an early age, specifically, by his/her first birthday. Getting an early start in regular dental care is an important step in teaching your child healthy lifetime habits and preventing potential dental problems. It provides us with the opportunity to detect and manage early signs of oral diseases or abnormalities before they become difficult problems. Most importantly, it plants the seed for a positive relationship between your child and the dentist. The younger the child when first introduced to the dental office, the easier it is for him/her to develop an enthusiastic and com6ortable outlook. National organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Academy of Peiatrics, andthe American Dental Association, also recommend that a child visits a dentist by age 1. When your baby is ready, we are here to give him/her the best chance for a lifetime of bright and healthy smile.