Blog

Did you know that kids are at a high risk for cavities before the age of 10? (Okay, if you’ve ever seen kids devour candy, that probably isn’t surprising!) At first, the dentist can seem scary, especially for toddlers, but regular dental cleanings with a family dentist will help make kids more comfortable with the… Read More

When it’s time to go to the dentist, kids are hoping to hear one thing: “No cavities!” Every night, you tell the them to brush their teeth and floss, but what else can you do to prevent cavities? Dental sealants! The American Dental Association recommends that kids receive sealants as soon as their adult teeth… Read More

Whether it’s on the playground or at soccer practice or sitting on the couch munching on candy, kids will somehow find a way to get hurt. But injuries to the teeth, like a chipped tooth or knocked-out tooth, can seem scarier than bumps and bruises. Don’t worry, chipped teeth and knocked-out teeth can be fixed!… Read More

Manual toothbrushes have been king of the toothbrush kingdom since 1938. That’s when the first toothbrush to use nylon for bristles instead of hog’s hair was introduced. It was called “Doctor West’s Miracle Toothbrush.” We’re still using manual toothbrushes today, so they did something right. But now Philips Sonicare toothbrushes are threatening to take the… Read More

The dreaded shot. The dreaded drill. The dreaded puffy face. As if the cavity itself wasn’t bad enough, you have to go get the thing fixed. Ugh. Luckily, there’s another option these days. Laser dentistry can fix cavities without all the painful stuff. Just imagine getting rid of that toothache and not hearing the sound… Read More

No matter what, dentists know when a patient hasn’t been flossing regularly. Without proper care, bacteria collects along the gum line, hardens into tartar and causes gum disease. Luckily, gum disease is preventable, and these days there’s another weapon in the fight for healthy gums. A water flosser shoots a targeted stream of water to… Read More

New School Year is Perfect Time for Kids’ Dental Checkups One of the many rites of fall is getting kids ready to go back to school. Most parents and kids are happy to get back into the routine. Once the initial list of “to-dos” like buying school supplies is completed, fall is a good time… Read More

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Orthodontic options like braces can make Thanksgiving very frustrating. Affixed to teeth and held in place by bonding materials, many foods can break brackets or cause them to come loose and fall off. This means people with braces often have to avoid traditional Thanksgiving treats like nuts, fruits, vegetables, and candy. People with Invisalign®, however,… Read More

Xylitol is a plant-derived sugar substitute that can be found in many “natural” children’s toothpastes. Some studies have also found this ingredient to help prevent decay, making it an attractive substitute for fluoride in toothpastes for very young children. The safety of xylitol has been well-established and its presence in toothpaste, even those that may… Read More

Cedar Rapids family dentist Dr. Blaine McLaughlin suggests your little one’s first children’s dentistry visit occur by his or her first birthday. You may bring your child in for a visit earlier if you have concerns or several teeth have already erupted, but year one is fairly standard for a first pediatric dentistry visit. If… Read More