The Arndt Dental team, Concord’s Friendliest Dentist, is looking forward to Thanksgiving and we hope you are, too. Whether it’s the meal, gathering with loved ones, catching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, or binge-watching holiday movies, Turkey Day has a lot to recommend it! 

Excitement aside, we also hope that you’ll be thankful for our little primer on the Thanksgiving treats that could compromise your healthy smile. Knowing which ones to watch for in advance goes a long way to keeping your smile bright this holiday season. 

Though it can come as a surprise to some parents, one of the first major changes in your child’s dental development is the arrival of their six-year molars. These are the first set of permanent molars and typically appear around age six, hence the name. 

Unlike baby teeth, six-year molars come in behind the baby teeth without pushing any of them out and remain part of your child’s permanent set.

Just when you thought teething was over, right?! 

You might not be familiar with the term bruxism, but if you’re like the estimated 30% of people who grind their teeth in some way, you likely know how painful this habit can be. While it often occurs during sleep, many people may not even be aware they’re doing it. That in and of itself is scary, when you consider that people who grind their teeth can actually exert up to 250 pounds of force. Not surprisingly, if left unchecked, bruxism can lead to serious dental issues, such as worn-down teeth, jaw pain, headaches, and even temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. 

Let’s take a look at the causes of tooth grinding for both adults and children in order to introduce you to some strategies and solutions that can help!

As the school year kicks off, many parents are focused on ensuring their children have everything they need to succeed—new notebooks, sharpened pencils, backpack, water bottle — to name just a few on the seemingly endless school supply list.

But what about their lunchbox? Or, more specifically, the contents of said lunchbox.

While we’re always proud of our distinction as Concord’s friendliest dentist, we recognize that dental anxiety is a real thing. 

If you find yourself dreading or delaying your next dental appointment, even if it’s just a routine cleaning, this blog post is for you!