Coral Kids Dentistry & Braces Blog

Getting a picky eater to try new foods can feel like an uphill battle for parents. Whether your child refuses vegetables, avoids fruit, or only wants sugary snacks, encouraging healthier eating habits takes patience and creativity. Introducing nutritious foods is about more than supporting your child’s overall development. It also plays an important role in protecting their teeth and gums. If you’re at your wit’s end with your little one, try these 5 tips to help your picky little eater explore more smile-friendly foods.

As a parent, you probably want to make choices that support your child’s health. But when you’re standing in the beverage aisle, colorful packaging and cheerful characters can make it difficult to tell which drinks are actually nutritious. Some beverages marketed specifically toward children may contain surprisingly high amounts of added sugar, which can contribute to tooth decay.

A 2019 report from the University of Connecticut’s Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity found that drinks containing added sugars or low-calorie sweeteners accounted for 62% of sales of children’s drinks in 2018. The researchers also found that many of these beverages used fruit imagery and nutrition-related claims that could make it harder for parents to identify healthier choices.

If you’ve ever mentioned breastfeeding pain to someone and heard, “That’s normal—your nipples just need to toughen up,” you may have wondered whether you simply need to push through it. But while some tenderness can occur during the early days of breastfeeding, ongoing or severe pain deserves attention.

Unfortunately, myths about nursing can sometimes leave parents feeling guilty or like they’re doing something wrong. Let’s take a closer look at a few common misconceptions and when it may be time to seek additional support.

A big milestone for kids is losing their baby teeth. For many, it marks the start of visits from the tooth fairy. This magical character helps make something scary into a fun experience as growing smiles develop. Your family might have their own traditions, but they may differ from what children do in other countries. Here are a few customs from around the world that you might consider trying.

As a parent, you might be doing everything in your power to ensure your teen stays protected from any harm. You might remember back to your younger years and know the unique challenges that come with this stage of life. A great way you can help them is by learning what things they might face, especially in regard to their smile. Here are four problems that they might run into with their oral health and tips to support them.

It’s completely normal for children to feel nervous before a dental appointment, especially if they don’t know what to expect. For some kids, even hearing the word “dentist” can lead to worry or fear. As a parent, you want to help your child feel calm and confident, but finding the right words isn’t always easy.

Thankfully, children’s books can be a wonderful tool for preparing little ones for dental visits. Stories about friendly dentists, brave characters, and positive experiences can help make the idea of going to the dentist feel much less intimidating. Reading together also gives your child a chance to ask questions and talk openly about any fears they may have.

If you’ve noticed a second row of teeth forming behind your child’s baby teeth, you’re not alone. This phenomenon—often called “shark teeth”—can look alarming, but it’s actually quite common in children. In most cases, it’s a normal part of dental development and nothing to panic about.

Although every child is unique, most of them reach certain dental developmental milestones at similar times. For example, most kids begin growing teeth around 6 months old and have a full set when they’re between 2 and 4 years old. Then, many of them start losing their primary teeth when they’re about 5 or 6 years old to make room for their adult teeth, which have begun to grow.

It’s natural for kids to feel a little anxious about losing their baby teeth. Continue reading to learn 3 creative ways to welcome the tooth fairy with your child and help soothe their frayed nerves!

Some children are born with excessive tissue that restricts the movement of the tongue or lips, which can lead to difficulties feeding and speaking and may set a kid up for a variety of health and quality-of-life issues. Thankfully, your pediatric dentist is trained and equipped to address this issue in a painless and sanitary manner that can help a child remain healthy and live comfortably. Here’s a quick look at what lip and tongue-ties are and why it’s probably necessary to have your family’s dentist resolve them.

If you want to build a sturdy house, the first thing you need is a strong foundation. That same concept applies to your child’s smile: if you want to provide them with the essentials for a lifetime of excellent oral health, it’s important to protect their teeth and gums from the start. Here are six reasons why visiting the dentist is so important for children as they grow!