Dix Hills Family Dentistry Blog

Getting kids to brush their teeth can sometimes feel like a daily challenge, but new research suggests that the way parents respond to their child’s brushing behavior can make a meaningful difference. A study published in the journal Child Development found that children were more likely to brush regularly — and spend more time brushing — when parents praised them for doing so. Even more interesting, the type of praise given played an important role in how effective it was.

Understanding how to use positive reinforcement can help your child build strong, confident brushing habits that benefit their smile for life.

Some parents assume that it doesn’t matter if their child develops cavities in their baby teeth because they eventually fall out. However, tooth decay is contagious and can affect their jawbone as well as their adult teeth before they arrive.

Thankfully, it can also be avoided with proper prevention. For instance, brushing and flossing twice daily regularly removes plaque and bacteria that can cause oral issues. But some kids avoid habits that feel like chores, like cleaning their mouths. Continue reading to learn 3 helpful hints that can help make dental care fun so they’re more likely to participate!

Although seemingly everyone wishes they had a sparkling, bright smile, very few people come by them honestly. Teeth are naturally tinted more ivory than snowy, so you may need a professional whitening service with your dentist to achieve the perfect shade.

Then, it’s only natural to want to do everything you can to preserve your recent cosmetic enhancement. In addition to brushing and flossing twice daily, you can avoid these 3 common foods that might cause additional discoloration!

Eating with dentures for the first time can feel like learning how to chew all over again. Whether you’ve received a full or partial set, adjusting to your new dentures takes time, patience, and a few practical strategies. The good news? Most people can return to eating their favorite meals once they’ve gotten used to their new dental appliance. If you’re just beginning your journey with dentures, here are 7 helpful tips to make eating more comfortable and enjoyable.

If you’ve ever had a tooth infection, you may have experienced a great deal of pain along with it. But what happens if your tooth hurts for a while, but the pain goes away? Does that mean your tooth is healed, or that you no longer need to see the dentist? Here’s why a vanishing toothache doesn’t necessarily mean you’re in the clear, and when you should see an emergency dentist, no matter what!

With so much information out there geared towards people striving to be more health conscious these days, it can sometimes be difficult to separate fact from fiction.  If you’ve done your research (or not), you may have heard a vicious rumor out there that root canals can cause cancer. While thankfully this isn’t true, the rumor is doing a lot of damage. Here’s the truth about this procedure, and why it may be more beneficial than you think!

Dental implants are the most successful solution to replace missing teeth. You can enjoy their benefits, even if you’ve had lost teeth for many years. It’s never too late to invest in dental implants. However, you may require a little prep work if you’ve been living with tooth loss for some time.

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In the long run, dental implants often turn out well. Their success rate after ten years even sits at around 95%! Still, maybe you want an extra edge to ensure your implants work. The good news is that there’s a simple way to improve their odds: get more vitamin D! As it turns out, this nutrient helps implants function more effectively. Your Dix Hills dentist will even explain why. To that end, read on to learn how vitamin D can make dental implants successful.

February is well-known for Valentine’s Day, but that’s not the only reason to celebrate this month. It is also National Children’s Dental Health Month, and there’s nothing more precious than your little one’s smile. Did you know that every baby tooth is influential in their oral health and development? Although they are only in place for a few years, losing a primary tooth too soon can cause serious problems for their dental health down the road. It can even affect their adult teeth. Here are a few fun facts you should know about children’s dental health to keep your little one’s smile problem-free.

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No teenager ever likes to feel like they’re still “sitting at the kid’s table” when it comes to anything, including dental care. However, there may be some advantages that only a board-certified pediatric dentist can offer to their still-developing mouths. But what’s the difference? Read on to learn more about how pediatric dentistry may be the right choice for your teenager.