![]() Happy New Year! As we kick off 2025, it’s the perfect time for fresh starts, new habits, and of course, a healthier smile for your little ones. At Commonwealth Pediatric Dentistry, we believe that keeping your kids’ teeth healthy can be fun and easy — if you work together. And what better way to start the year than with a few dental resolutions for the whole family? 1. Make That Appointment (Or Re-Schedule One!) If your child’s first dental appointment is still on the to-do list, 2025 is the year to cross it off. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that kids visit the dentist by their first birthday, or within six months of getting their first tooth. Early visits set the stage for a lifetime of healthy habits, plus it’s always nice to get to know your dentist and team before any potential emergencies arise! Already had a few checkups? That’s great! If it’s been a while since your child’s last appointment, consider the new year as a chance to get back on track with regular checkups. The AAPD recommends visits every six months to stay ahead of any potential issues and keep those teeth sparkling clean. · Reach out and schedule an appointment today. 2. Time for a New Toothbrush If you’re looking for a quick, easy dental resolution, here it is: Get your kids a new toothbrush! We recommend replacing toothbrushes every 3-4 months. Fresh brushes are more effective at cleaning, plus they’re way more fun. Let your kids pick out their favorite character or color, and make brushing time something they can look forward to! 3. Refresh (Or Start Up) That Routine Now’s the perfect time to give your family’s dental routine a little refresh. If your kids aren’t already brushing twice a day and flossing, it’s not too late to start. Set up a morning and evening routine where everyone gets involved. If your child is old enough, let them take ownership of brushing (with a little guidance, of course!) and make it a fun activity — think “tooth-brushing dance parties” or brushing to a favorite song. And don’t forget to floss! Even young children benefit from flossing once they have two teeth that touch. By setting these simple resolutions and sticking to them, you’re setting your kids up for a year full of healthy smiles. If you haven’t already, book an appointment with today. Let’s make 2025 the year of bright, happy, cavity-free smiles for your family. We can’t wait to see you!
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![]() The holidays are a time for joy, family, laughter, and — let’s be honest — a ton of sugar. From candy canes to frosted cookies and yes, even sugar plums, there’s an endless assortment of sweets with seemingly everyone indulging. But how much is too much — especially on the heels of Halloween? And how can you counteract all the damage that a mountain of sugar can cause your kiddos’ dental hygiene? Let’s take a closer look… Floss Like a Boss We get it, getting kids to floss can feel like trying to herd reindeer. (Even adults often struggle to maintain a flossing routine.) But flossing is super important, especially during the holiday season, when sticky, sugary treats love to linger between teeth. To make flossing part of the nightly routine:
Sweet Tooth Season Without the Cavities Holiday treats are everywhere: classroom parties, family gatherings, and even calendars that ensure we get a daily dose of sweetness. The goal isn’t to say no to every treat but to enjoy them wisely. Here’s how to help your kids have their cake (or gingerbread) and eat it, too — without sacrificing dental health:
From all of us at Commonwealth Pediatric Dentistry, we hope your holidays are full of laughter, love, and healthy smiles. And remember: Dr. Drew Zima is here to keep your family’s teeth sparkling brighter than that one neighbor’s mammoth tacky lights display! Happy Holidays! ![]() Here in Central Virginia, the bell has rung on back-to-school season. But don’t worry, there’s still plenty of time to ensure that oral hygiene fits in your family’s new routine. Here are some friendly tips and reminders to keep those little smiles bright and healthy all year long. Pack a Healthy Lunch & Snacks If you’re able to make a lunch for your kids during the school year — and we know it isn’t easy — here’s a little guidance. First, focus on fresh fruits and vegetables, such as apples, carrots, and celery. These crunchy snacks are not only delicious but also help clean teeth naturally. Swap out sugary drinks for water or white milk, which are better for teeth. If your child loves sweets, go for options including yogurt, applesauce, or even cheese sticks, which are not only tasty but also help strengthen teeth. Remember, foods high in sugar can lead to cavities, so try to limit those sugary treats to special occasions. Brush Up Your Morning & Evening Routines With the hustle and bustle of school mornings and evenings filled with homework and after-school activities, it’s easy for brushing and flossing to fall by the wayside. We get it (we have school-aged kids, too.) But creating a routine that includes brushing twice a day and flossing once is key to maintaining a healthy smile. Encourage your children to brush their teeth first thing in the morning and right before bedtime. If needed, stand beside them and help them ensure they’re brushing all their teeth and even gums. Make it fun by setting a timer for two minutes or playing their favorite song to brush along with. In the evenings, flossing should be part of the wind-down routine. If you establish these habits early on, they’ll become second nature for your child. Scheduling Appointments Around School and Activities School schedules can be busy, and it often takes a few weeks for us to get our lives smoothly revolving around them again. But don’t let that be a reason to skip dental appointments. Regular check-ups are crucial to catching any potential issues early and keeping your child’s teeth in tip-top shape. When planning appointments, consider your child’s school and activity schedule. Early morning or late afternoon slots may work best, allowing your child to miss minimal class time. Remember to book future appointments well in advance to avoid any scheduling conflicts. And if you’re reading this and realize that you booked an appointment during an inopportune time, simply reach out to our staff and we’ll be happy to reschedule you. Let’s Do This! By incorporating these healthy habits into your child’s daily routine, and being a bit forward thinking, you’re setting them up for a successful school year and a lifetime of healthy smiles. Remember, we’re here to help with any dental needs and questions you have. Let’s make this school year the best one yet — with smiles all around! Happy Back to School! Dr. Zima & the Commonwealth Pediatric Dentistry Team ![]() By Dr. Drew Zima It happens more than you might imagine. A concerned parent and their child visit my office with what they believe is a dental emergency. The child is in pain; specifically, their gums are extremely sore and red. Eating is difficult for them. And sometimes, a number of other symptoms may accompany the gum pain, including:
The technical term for molars (or any teeth) coming in is “erupting.” And while it may sound dramatic to state that your first or second permanent molars are erupting, it makes perfect sense if symptoms are severe. That’s because it can hurt, something we forget about as we get older. The good news is that there are a number of things you can do as a parent to help make the pain and various symptoms associated with erupting molars a bit more tolerable for your kiddos. Food is a big one. Try softer foods if chewing is painful, such as soups and smoothies. Chilled or frozen foods, including fruits and vegetables, can also provide some cooling relief. You might also consider some ibuprofen, especially if there is a fever or headache present. Be sure to check the back of the bottle for the proper dosage. At the end of the day, I can’t promise that molar eruption is the cause of your child’s pain and suffering. But if they’re in those aforementioned age ranges, and have one of more of these symptoms, there is a good chance that when those molars break the surface, your child will start feeling normal again. In the meantime, feel free to give me a call and we can always take a look... ![]() Maybe you’re sitting down at the kitchen table sneaking in a second cup of coffee while your kids smile at you in between heaping bites of cereal. Or you catch a glimpse of their teeth while they’re raising a rec league soccer trophy. Bu you notice that… something looks different. It’s their smile, with what appears to be stained or yellow teeth, and you’re likely wondering if this is a temporary situation or something to worry about. Are New Permanents to Blame for Yellow Teeth? Like other phenomena in dental hygiene, the cause for concern could in fact be something totally normal. In the case of spying stained or yellow teeth in your kids, when adult teeth begin erupting and replacing baby teeth around age 6 or 7, they naturally have a different appearance. In fact, they can look yellow — especially when compared to baby teeth side by side. You’ll also notice that adult teeth will brighten over time, losing their yellow tint. Can Yellow Teeth Be a Sign of Something More Serious? In short, yes. Stained or yellow teeth could be caused by a number of issues that likely require attention from your pediatric dentist, including:
You want your kids to have bold, bright smiles. And when you see stained or yellow teeth, it can be a cause for concern — we totally understand. But even if there is an underlying health or hygiene issue responsible, we can still get your children started down the bright path. Reach out today to schedule a consultation. ![]() You made sure they brushed, flossed and avoided those icky, sticky candies and snacks. OK, maybe you just did some of these things. Or none of these things. No matter, your kid’s dentist just broke the news that your child has a cavity. You might be surprised. Your kid might be scared. But don’t worry. This is a pretty common scenario, and we do our best to lay out a plan of action that will put both your minds at easy. 1. What to expect for the appointment. In general, you’ll find an appointment to address a cavity is a much more positive experience than you might expect. And odds are, both you and your child will leave feeling proud at what they accomplished. Leading up to the appointment, it is best to tell your child simply that they are getting a tooth fixed, but not to go into more details than necessary. Depending on your child's level of anxiety and amount of dental work that needs to be done, we may recommend using nitrous oxide (also known as laughing gas). This works great to help decrease anxiety in most instances, with the patient remaining awake yet relaxed. It works quickly and leaves the body just as fast. 2. After the tooth is fixed. Immediately after the appointment, the biggest thing to watch is to make sure your child does not bite or chew on their lip. Their lip will typically feel numb for one to three hours, and it is best to not eat until the numbing has worn off. Also, be sure to keep an eye on your little patient when you are driving home, as this is the most common time they chew their lip. You may or may not be prescribed pain killers, but it won’t hurt to give them Advil or Tylenol either way before the numbing wears off. That way there will be little to no soreness. And once the numbing wears off, they are free to eat and drink normally. 3. How to help prevent another cavity. Now that your kid has a filling or two, you want to make sure they don't get any more or get any cavities around these fillings. The best methods of preventive maintenance include brushing, flossing, fluoride, as well as minimizing sugar liquids and sticky foods (juice, soda, sports drinks, sweet tea, gummies, fruit snacks, etc). Regular flossing and brushing will clean the teeth and apply fluoride to them. Note that your kids should be brushing two times per day. At night, make sure that flossing and brushing is the last thing before bed, and that they don't have anything to eat or drink after brushing — not even rinsing the toothpaste foam. Just tell them to spit out whatever is in their mouth and head to bed. A fluoride rinse can help get in between the teeth, too. This allows the fluoride to do its work while you are sleeping. Lastly, be sure to keep visiting the dentist for your regular check-ups to make sure all of the teeth and fillings are staying happy and healthy. As easy as treating a cavity can be on parents and kids, no one wants to repeat it anytime soon. ![]() We consider ourselves super fortunate to be in the business of helping children smile brighter. But we’re just one of many businesses and organizations working together to make Chesterfield and Midlothian the best possible communities they can be. We love supporting the places that help us be at our best, whether they’re serving a delicious lunch or putting a smile on our own kids’ faces. Now we can’t name every business that we love supporting around town, but we can give a special shout-out to a couple neighbors who regularly make a difference in our lives (and our patients’ lives). The Midlo Meal Plan Despite our great team chemistry and amazing patients, days can still get long if we don’t recharge for lunch. And similarly, some days call for a celebratory meal afterward. Here are a few of our favorite spots to grab a quick to-go lunch or sit down for some good team bonding:
Other Favorite Spots:
This isn’t an exhaustive list; we have plenty of other favorite local spots to eat, shop, and be merry (just ask us!). Of course, we hope that Commonwealth Pediatric Dentistry makes your list of favorite places in Chesterfield and Midlothian, too. ![]() Tooth decay (“Tooth D.K.”). Gingivitis (“Ginger Bite-Us”). And tartar (“Tarter Terrible”). These “Mouth Monsters” are no fun at any age, even if we give them funny names. And children, in particular, are particular vulnerable to this trio of maladies without the right dental hygiene habits in place. But there’s some good news. Cavities can take months, even years to develop, according to our friends at the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. And if you catch one of these nasties early on, there’s evidence that you can reverse damage done to your kiddos’ teeth and gums. The AAPD goes one step further, offering actionable tips for children broken down by age group:
Print out the poster and hang it in your room — right above the toothbrushes (and keep one in the snack drawer, too.) ![]() There are so many holidays and specials months these days, that it’s hard to keep track of them all. Or know which truly matter. One of those that rises to the top of the list each year for me is National Children's Dental Health Month (NCDHM), which is put together by the American Dental Association. As a pediatric dentist for 15-plus years, it’s probably easy to understand why this month is so important to me. But why should it be important to you? It’s important because it’s a reminder. It’s a reminder for parents whose kids have yet to see a dentist for the first time — but are ready for that initial appointment. It’s a reminder that you should be asking questions — such as, “When should my child lose their first tooth?” — and we’ll have the answer. And it’s a reminder that dental emergencies can happen at any time, including when your kiddo bites down on their first Skittle of the Halloween season — and cracks their tooth. I’ve always seen my role as more than someone who merely checks up on your children’s teeth. I see myself as someone who helps set lifelong healthy habits around oral hygiene. To make this happen, my staff and I aren’t just looking and working on your children’s teeth — we’re talking to you and them in a comfortable setting where appointments are never rushed. That exchange is where the treatment and real magic happen. It’s exactly why we’re trusted by parents — and loved by kids. And it’s also why I’ve elected to keep Commonwealth Pediatric Dentistry a small, friendly practice where you know the staff and they know you. In that way, National Children's Dental Health Month is reminder of why I love what I do: meeting new people, seeing families grow up in my practice, and helping the community one bright smile at a time. Over the next several months and beyond, I’m going to be using this blog and Facebook more to shine a light on my great staff and offer educational tips for pediatric dental care. If you like what you see, and are interested in your children being seen here at Commonwealth Pediatric Dentistry, we welcome your visit. Please reach out today! ![]() One of the most common questions I get is when children should start losing their teeth. On average, children lose their first tooth at about age 6. This is the average, so some may happen a little earlier and some a little later. Between the ages of about 6 to 8 years of age, children should lose their 8 baby front teeth (4 on the bottom and 4 on the top). Around the same time as losing their first tooth, they typically will also get in their permanent 6-year molars behind all of the back baby molars. When a tooth starts to become loose, the child should begin to wiggle the tooth to help it to come out. Often, while loose, it can be uncomfortable to eat, so the faster it comes out, the better. Please make sure it is a baby tooth that they are wiggling and NOT a permanent one! (Note: If the Tooth Fairy makes visits to your house, it often helps speed the process along, if you know what I mean.) While a child is losing their baby teeth and getting the permanent teeth, I will be evaluating them for many things, including, crowding, impacted teeth, malpositioned teeth, and when the baby teeth just don't seem to want to come out on their own. Losing a tooth is a big milestone and should be a fun moment for both kids and parents. We hope you enjoy it! |
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