Blog

We hope your child never needs our emergency services, but if needed, know that you can always contact us after hours by calling Westpark Pediatric Dentistry. We are here to assist you when your child’s dental health is at risk. We are available to be reached at all hours: Phone: 832-924-7275 Email: smiles@westparkpedo.com Book Directly […]

We’re not talking about a movie, but a hardened substance on your child’s teeth called tartar or calculus—another slightly confusing term, right? No math equations here, except maybe Plaque + Time = Tartar. That’s right, tartar begins as plaque, which is the accumulation of tiny food particles and bacteria. Our mouths are home to upwards […]

Today, Dr. Malije Onwueme of Westpark Pediatric Dentistry wants to give teens the bottom line about tobacco use: there is no such thing as a “safe” or “safer” tobacco product. Every tobacco product contains nicotine in varying amounts—and not only is nicotine addictive, but it can also harm the brain. (Many people don’t realize the […]

To binky or not to binky? Pacifier use for infants has been a subject of debate as long as they’ve been around. Richmond pediatric dentist Dr. Malije Onwueme shares some pros and cons below. Pros Pacifiers can soothe a fussy baby. Whether your child has a strong sucking reflex or has difficulty falling asleep, a […]

Babies and kids are constantly growing and changing, and their mouths are no exception! Throughout childhood, kids lose their baby teeth, gain adult teeth, and they begin to take ownership of their own oral health. From brushing to braces to practicing their smiles, oral health is important for every kid at every stage. Read on […]

Richmond pediatric dentist Dr. Malije Onwueme wants to tackle the issue of babies and water intake in today’s blog. Of course, water is the healthiest beverage available for kids and adults, particularly when it comes to oral hygiene, but in babies less than six months of age, water is a no-no. Until babies are six […]

Thumb sucking is normal behavior for babies and young children. But just how normal? More than 75% of little ones suck their thumbs, fingers, hands, pacifiers, or other items such as the corner of a blanket during these early years. Most kids stop this behavior on their own between the ages of three and six. […]

At Westpark Pediatric Dentistry, we want our dental family to feel safe and comfortable in our practice, and for each experience in our care to be positive. We also want our patients and their families to be informed, which sometimes means discussing heavy topics—today’s heavy topic is eating disorders. Wondering why a dentist would broach […]

Richmond pediatric dentist Dr. Malije Onwueme has been thinking about how much things have changed in the world of dentistry since today’s grandparents were growing kids themselves. Grandparents today are often very involved in the daily lives of their grandchildren—they may live close by, provide financial assistance, or assume childcare responsibilities for working parents. Since […]

You may think of our team at Westpark Pediatric Dentistry as part of your child’s defensive line keeping them safe from gum disease and tooth decay, but we’re also myth busters! You’ve probably heard one of the most common misconceptions we have to challenge: dentistry isn’t important until after children lose their baby teeth. The […]