Surf's Up Pediatric Dentistry Blog

When it comes to sports and physical activity, most people think about protecting their head, knees, or shoulders. Helmets, pads, and braces are common safety gear, but there’s one piece of protection that often gets overlooked: a mouthguard. Your teeth may be small, but injuries to them can be painful, expensive, and long-lasting.

Whether you play contact sports or enjoy recreational activities, wearing a mouthguard is one of the easiest ways to protect your smile.

When it comes to brushing, one size definitely does not fit all—especially for kids. From toddlers learning to brush for the first time to teens navigating braces, the right toothbrush can make daily oral care easier, more effective, and even more enjoyable. Choosing a toothbrush based on age, dental needs, and comfort helps set children up for healthier smiles as they grow.

A mouthguard is an important tool for protecting your teeth from injury, grinding, and wear, whether you use one for sports or to prevent nighttime teeth grinding. Proper care helps your mouthguard stay effective, comfortable, and hygienic. Here’s a simple guide to how to take care of your mouthguard and extend its lifespan.

Mouthguards play an important role in protecting your teeth, whether you’re an athlete, a nighttime teeth grinder, or someone dealing with jaw pain. While store-bought mouthguards are easy to find and relatively inexpensive, they don’t offer the same level of protection or comfort as a custom mouthguard made by your dentist. Here are 4 key benefits of choosing a custom mouthguard over an over-the-counter option.

Halloween is a special time of year for kids, with lots of costumes, spooky decorations, and of course, trick-or-treating! And while you probably want to ensure that your little one has the best time possible this holiday, you may also be worried that the copious amount of candy they’ll be around could spell bad news for their dental health. Fortunately, there are some types of candy out there that are more smile-friendly than others. Here’s what you need to know.

You might already be well aware of how excited and hyper kids can be. Their enthusiasm, however, might’ve ended with a chipped tooth. Although they might be worried or shedding a tear, their dentist is here to help. Pediatric dental bonding is a great solution that helps restore their smile to its former glory. After their treatment, you might be curious about how to make the results last, so here’s how!

As a pediatric dentist, one of the most common questions you may hear from parents after recommending dental bonding for their child is, “Is dental bonding permanent?” The short answer is no, dental bonding isn’t considered a permanent solution, but it can last for several years with proper care. For many young patients, it’s an excellent, minimally invasive way to repair small imperfections while preserving healthy tooth structure.

Here’s what parents should know about the durability of dental bonding, what affects its lifespan, and how to help their child keep their bonded teeth looking and functioning their best.

Whiter teeth are often seen as a sign of confidence and good health. So, it’s no surprise that many parents, kids, and teens reach for teeth whitening products to brighten their smiles. But what happens if there are cavities hiding beneath the surface? Before you grab an over-the-counter whitening kit, here’s why mixing whitening and tooth decay isn’t the brightest idea.

When kids experience a severe toothache, parents often feel relief if the pain suddenly disappears. But in pediatric dentistry, a toothache that goes away doesn’t always mean the problem has resolved. In fact, if your child’s tooth pain vanishes on its own, it may be a sign of something more serious happening beneath the surface.

That’s why your pediatric dentist might recommend pulp therapy, even if your child no longer seems uncomfortable.

Hearing that your child needs pulp therapy can sound intimidating—especially if you’re worried about whether the procedure will be painful. Many parents delay or avoid treatment because of this fear, but modern pediatric dentistry has made pulp therapy more comfortable than ever.

Here’s the honest truth about what your child can expect during and after the procedure.