Getting your child to eat healthy foods may be a challenge depending on how picky of an eater you have on your hands. However, a healthy diet is crucial to your child’s overall health - including their teeth and gums. A daily routine of brushing and flossing is necessary, but your child may still face tooth decay or other oral issues without proper vitamins and minerals in their diet. If you’re having trouble knowing what your child needs for a healthy smile, Charlotte Pediatric Dentistry can help. Vital Vitamins for Good Oral Health Just like your child’s immune system needs Vitamin C or thei ..read more

You’ve heard it said time and again, “visit your dentist twice a year for a check-up and a cleaning,” but how important is it for your child to come and visit us at least twice every year? Very, and here’s why! Learn Better Oral Health Habits Regular visits to their pediatric dentist get kids in the habit of taking care of their teeth. At Charlotte Pediatric Dentistry, we are dedicated to teaching every child that comes through our doors how to best care for their teeth. Not only do we teach our young patients how to properly brush and floss their teeth, but we also make sure to inform parents ..read more

As your children grow and develop, it’s important to teach and continually encourage healthy dental hygiene habits. This is crucial because if your child does not take care of their dental health, they could be at risk for periodontal disease. What is periodontal disease? Periodontal diseases, also called gum diseases, are bacterial infections that damage the gums and other tissues in the mouth. Much more serious than a cavity, periodontal disease affects all of the bones around the tooth, the gums, the coverings of the roots of the teeth, and the membrane of the tooth. If left untreated, peri ..read more

Your child was playing, or by some freak accident, their baby tooth got knocked out. This could be really scary for your child (and you), but it’s best to remain calm and follow these tips from Charlotte Pediatric Dentistry. What to do when a baby tooth is knocked out It’s not uncommon for a pediatric dentist to receive a call from worried parents in this situation. Most often, there’s no reason for panic, but it’s important to see your dentist right away once you’ve ruled out any reason for a visit to the emergency room or pediatrician from the trauma. If your child’s mouth is bleeding from t ..read more

Used in cases of severe decay or trauma to the tooth, a pulpectomy is a procedure to remove all the pulp from the crown and roots of a tooth. Pulp is the soft material inside the tooth which contains the nerves, connective tissue, and blood vessels. Charlotte Pediatric Dentistry explains more about pulpectomies, including when they’re needed, how to avoid them, and after-care guidelines. When is a pulpectomy necessary? If a baby tooth, or primary tooth, has been severely infected by decay or has been broken from a trauma, a pediatric dentist will often recommend a pulpectomy. This procedure is ..read more

As a parent who cares for their child, you may be even more nervous about your child receiving a filling than they are. If your child’s pediatric dentist has determined they need a filling to fix a cavity, there are few ways to prepare. One of the best ways to prepare yourself and your child before their filling appointment is by knowing what to expect before, during, and after the procedure. How Cavities Happen If you’re surprised your child has a cavity and needs a filling, you’re not alone. About 20% of children aged 5 to 11 years have a tooth affected by decay. It is still possible for you ..read more

Your child’s pediatrician or pediatric dentist recommended your child get a frenectomy and now you’re scouring the internet trying to figure out exactly what that means and if it’s necessary for your child. Charlotte Pediatric Dentistry is here to help answer your questions and put you at ease. Defining a Frenectomy Simply put, a frenectomy is the removal of the frenum. The frenum is the soft connective tissue that forms a thin line between the lip and the gums. The maxillary frenums are located on the top and on the bottom of your mouth in front of your teeth. The lingual frenum connects the ..read more

There's a new team member at Charlotte Pediatric Dentistry. Sweet smiling ATKINS is a rehabilitative facility dog who will be joining us on select days each month. ATKINS is certified to mitigate dental anxiety by providing Animal Assisted Intervention for pediatric dental patients. ATKINS is available by request, for no additional fee, to assist your child during dental cleanings and most dental restorative procedures. If your child is anxious about visiting the dentist, then please contact our team for additional details. Currently ATKINS is visiting patients at our Waverly office only. How ..read more

Nowadays, a lot of people are switching their cigarettes for e-cigarettes. Some people have a belief that vaping is better than smoking a traditional cigarette, but this is not the case. Vaping still has detrimental effects on the overall health of teenagers and adults, including oral health. Charlotte Pediatric Dentistry strongly advises against the use of tobacco in any form because of the effects it has on the teeth, gums, and long-term dental health. How does vaping affect the teeth and gums? While vaping hasn’t been around long enough for studies to be done on the long-term effects, there ..read more

Credentials, experience, and associations are extremely important aspects to look for in a pediatric dentist. What makes one stand out from the other? WHO they are. Our Doctor Spotlight series allows our tiny patients and their parents to get a glimpse into the doctors’ lives. Come get to know us! Dr. Courtney Byrd has joined the team here at Charlotte Pediatric Dentistry. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and minor in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee ..read more