Okay, we realize you might think an article on safe toys is silly … aren’t all toys created with children in mind? Well, things get recalled and sharp edges can hurt. As with most safety-related concerns, real knowledge lies in the areas you never thought to question. For example, did you ever think to consider the danger of easy-access battery compartments? How about the danger of balloons – which cause one third of all toy-related deaths in children? There is a lot to know. Read more

Should Your Child Use Mouthwash?

Choosing a mouthwash can be a lot like deciding on a new cereal – the choices seem endless and can be confusing enough to forgo choosing anything at all. So how does one decide? And, really, aren’t all mouthwashes essentially the same? Well, the fascinating thing about mouthwash is – they’re actually not all the same, and deciding on one that will work well for you isn’t merely a matter of choosing your favorite color. Let’s cut through some of the confusion. Read more

Can Gummy Vitamins Harm Your Child’s Teeth?

Kids hate vitamins – we know. That’s why if you ask parents, gummy vitamins will rank as one of the best kid inventions of all time. Kids love ‘em! Kids want more of ‘em! Kids steal them and bring them to school! Wait. What? Yes. Gummy vitamins are a fantastic way to get your kids into the habit of healthy supplementation. Unfortunately, being sticky as all get-out (and enjoyably sweet), they come with a few side notes from us dental-folk. We’ve got a few suggestions that’ll help you administer these tasty health bombs, so your kids reap the benefits while minimizing the negatives. Read more

5 Brushing Habits You Can Safely Drop

Since we’re in the habit of sharing good habits with both adults and children, this one is for both of you – why not nip a bad habit in the bud, right? Chances are, the way you brush your teeth today is the way you brushed as a child: fast, slow, a little water, lots of water, mouth closed, mouth open – and so on. There are a ton of variations to good brushing, and unless you’re the child of a dentist or dental hygienist, you likely picked up a few you can safely discontinue as an adult. We’ll offer a few suggestions you might find useful, and at least one that’ll help you save on your water bill! Read more