Smiles University Pediatric Dentistry blog

The short answer is that it depends on the tooth. A crown that works well on a back molar may not be the right choice for a front tooth, and the reverse is also true. At Smiles University Pediatric Dentistry, we consider which tooth needs repair, how much of it is damaged, and how much chewing force it handles before we recommend a material. Here’s what we use and why.

If your child needs a crown, the first thing worth knowing is that there’s more than one way to do it. The version that involves numbing and drilling isn’t always the one we use.

Parents ask this all the time, and it’s the right question with the wrong unit. For an adult, a crown lasting ten or fifteen years is the goal. For a child, the goal is different: the crown needs to last until the tooth falls out on its own. That’s usually somewhere between two and eight years, depending on which tooth it is and how old your child is when we place it. A crown on a five-year-old’s back molar has a job that ends around age eleven or twelve. It doesn’t need to last forever. It needs to make it to the finish line.

At Smiles University Pediatric Dentistry, we like to call fluoride “nature’s cavity fighter”—and for good reason. While conversations about fluoride continue among researchers and dental professionals, current evidence consistently shows that fluoridated water poses no harm to children’s emotional development, behavior, or executive function. So, when it comes to protecting your little one’s smile, a common question we hear is: “How early is too early for fluoride?” Read on to learn what our team recommends.

Cavities are still the most common oral health issue affecting children today, but the good news is that modern pediatric dentistry offers more ways than ever to prevent and manage them. Two treatments that often come up in conversation are dental sealants and silver diamine fluoride (SDF). While they may sound similar, they actually serve very different purposes. At Smiles University Pediatric Dentistry, we use both as part of a comprehensive approach to keeping your child’s smile healthy. Here’s how each one works.

At Smiles University Pediatric Dentistry, we love creating an atmosphere that’s welcoming, fun, and full of excitement for our young patients. Still, we know that certain instruments and techniques can feel unfamiliar or even a little intimidating to children. One great way to ease those worries? Bring the dentist’s office into playtime! Using dental toys at home is a wonderful way to help your child see dentistry in a fresh, positive light, long before their next appointment.

Parental Involvement: The Key to Lifelong Dental Health

At Smiles University Pediatric Dentistry, we have a critical recommendation for parents: Help your child brush their teeth until at least age 8. This guidance is rooted in the understanding that children develop fine motor skills gradually, and effective tooth brushing requires precision and consistency.

“Your child needs a tooth extraction,” may not be what you expect a pediatric dentist to say during your child’s dental appointment, but the reality is that this kind of procedure happens more often than you might realize. Whether it is because a baby tooth is refusing to fall out on its own, serious facial trauma, or severe dental decay, removing your child’s tooth may be the most beneficial way to secure their oral health as they grow older, but what will recovery be like? Is there anything you can do as the parent to help them heal quickly? Actually, there is.

Pediatric dentistry, or pedodontics, is a specialization recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA) that focuses on treating oral healthcare problems found in young patients (i.e., infants, children, and teenagers). At Smiles University Pediatric Dentistry, we are pleased to carry on the art form of improving these growing and developing smiles, so they will continue to thrive once they reach adulthood. But did you know that this unique specialty has only been around since the early 1900s? Keep reading to learn how it all began and why you should schedule your child’s next appointment with a pediatric dentist.

While children love the sweet taste of fruit juice, this popular beverage can pose serious risks to their developing teeth. Despite the many colorful options lining grocery store shelves, water remains the healthiest choice for keeping your kids hydrated and their smiles bright. Here’s why making the switch matters for your child’s oral health.