Ask Dr. Matt: Is tooth decay preventable?

Good question - yes, in fact, tooth decay is totally preventable! Tooth decay, which is caused by sugars left in your mouth, can turn into an acid, which in turn can break down your teeth. Children are at high risk for tooth decay for a simple reason: many children and adolescents tend to be lax in their oral hygiene habits. Proper brushing and flossing routines combined with regular dental visits help keep tooth decay away. A low-sugar diet also helps keep tooth decay at bay.

Your child should visit Smiles Dentistry for Kids every six months (or as recommended) for regular dental cleanings and checkups. Dr. Matt and team recommend fluoride treatments twice a year along with cleanings to keep teeth their strongest. Tooth sealants are also recommended because they "seal" the deep grooves in your child's teeth, preventing decay from forming in these hard-to-reach areas. Sealants last for several years, but will be monitored at your regular checkups.

Lastly, we encourage you to check out this helpful article about kids and tooth decay, courtesy of our friends at KidsHealth.

Let us know if you have any questions - we want to hear from you on Facebook as well!

Giving thanks this holiday season

Dr. Matt Hillman and all of us at Smiles Dentistry for Kids extend our best wishes to you, our patients and parents, for a wonderful Thanksgiving.

I am very thankful for all of you, my wonderful friends and families that give me so much to look forward to on a daily basis. Without you, I would just be some guy with toothbrush! ;) Thank you for allowing me to contribute to the health of your children.

Our entire staff appreciates the opportunity to work together with you in the creation of your child's ideal smile. We'd like to know, what are you most thankful for this year? Leave us a comment, or if you have any stories or pictures to share with us, we encourage you to share them on our Facebook page!

Happy Thanksgiving!

What made you and your child choose Dr. Matt and Smiles Dentistry for Kids?

If you've spent one minute at At Smiles Dentistry for Kids, you probably know it is our goal to make your child's first dental experience a positive one. Whether it's a simple checkup or restorative care, Dr. Matt Hillman and our team at Smiles Dentistry for Kids provide comprehensive gentle dental care in a comfortable and welcoming environment. We treat your family like our family!

But we’re wondering: What made you choose Dr. Matt for your child's dental needs?

Whether you’ve just come in once or your family has been visiting our Overland Park office for years, we’d love to hear your feedback. You can write a review on our Google listing!

Have a wonderful week!!

National Young Reader's Week!

Happy Monday! This week marks National Young Reader's Week, and during this time, Dr. Matt Hillman will tell you it’s more important than ever to remind your child to read on a regular basis. After all, reading helps kids develop the mind, expands a child’s knowledge base, activates his or her flow of ideas and boosts their confidence. Plus, reading is fun!

Tell us: is your child reading a book this fall? If so, what's on his or hers reading list?

If you're out of ideas for great fall reads, we encourage you to ask Dr. Matt or our staff for suggestions, and our staff will provide a few great titles. You may also ask a local librarian here in Overland Park or Kansas City for some suggestions or check out various fall books for kids that we found today, courtesy of Barnes & Noble.

Happy reading everybody!