Arlington Heights Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry Blog

Getting kids to brush their teeth can sometimes feel like a battle. Between morning routines and bedtime struggles, parents often wonder how to make oral hygiene stick. A recent study published in Child Development offers promising insights: children are more likely to brush consistently and spend more time doing it when parents praise them for their efforts—especially when praise focuses on their actions rather than personal traits.

Understanding the type of praise that motivates can help children develop lifelong oral health habits.

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As February rolls around, it marks the start of Children’s Dental Health Month. There’s no better time than now to help your family develop good oral habits and educate them about the importance of taking care of their smile, especially for kids. However, you may wonder how you can instill a great routine in your little one, so here are four tips that you can try out for the season.

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You might think of your crooked, gapped, or overlapped teeth as more of an aesthetic issue than a real oral health concern. However, the truth is that it can be harder to keep them clean if they’re not aligned properly, which increases your risk of cavities, gum disease, and damaged enamel.

Although clear aligners continue to gain popularity as a more discreet alternative to standard orthodontics, that doesn’t mean they’re the best solution to meet everyone’s unique needs. Continue reading to learn more about 3 reasons to choose traditional braces instead!

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For many children, visiting the dentist can feel overwhelming. Fear, anxiety, or certain special needs can make routine dental care challenging without additional support. That’s where pediatric sedation dentistry comes in. By helping kids stay calm and comfortable, sedation allows dentists to complete important treatments safely and efficiently. But how do you choose the right sedation dentist for your child? Here are some helpful tips to guide your decision.

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A knocked-out tooth can be scary for both you and your child. Whether it’s the result of a fall, sports injury, or accident at home, acting quickly can make a big difference. The first step is to stay calm and call your child’s dentist immediately.

An emergency dentist for children can assess the situation and provide the right treatment to protect your child’s smile. In the meantime, here’s what you should know about handling the situation.

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You’ve finished your orthodontic treatment – awesome! But just as you were celebrating not having clear aligners or metal braces to worry about, your orthodontist handed you something called a “retainer.” What are you supposed to do with it?

A retainer will help you avoid needing retreatment by making sure your teeth stay in their new positions. Besides wearing it as instructed, you’ll have to take good care of it so it can do its job! Follow these 4 maintenance tips, and you’ll be a pro in no time.

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Every year, countless kids get started with orthodontic treatment. This is a common procedure that can set young people up for a lifetime of sound oral health. Are you wondering if your precious little one needs braces? This blog post may give you a rough idea of whether your child could benefit from treatment.

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Braces are often thought of as a rite of passage for most teenagers – so if your dentist has informed you as an adult that you might benefit from a second round of orthodontic treatment, you may be feeling a little puzzled, or even disheartened. However, rest assured, it’s perfectly normal for adults and older patients to need braces again; and believe it or not, the process is often easier if you know what to expect! Here are four things you should keep in mind if you’re about to get braces again as an adult.

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The brackets and wires that make traditional braces are durable but can become damaged if you aren’t careful. If this situation happens to you, you should take all the necessary steps to have the issue addressed as seen as possible. You don’t want to backtrack your orthodontic treatment. Continue reading to learn about the steps you should take to if you find yourself in this situation.

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Teeth are fascinating. Even though they may seem firmly planted in your child’s jaw, they can still sometimes drift out of alignment, even if there’s not much available space for them to move to. This can happen due to a variety of reasons but can thankfully be corrected with the help of orthodontics. Here are a few common reasons your child’s teeth may have gradually moved, and what you can do to correct it.

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