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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 […]

Going to school and getting an education are essential components of a child’s development, and they take the things they learn with them for the rest of their lives. No matter what type of school children attend, their support system at home has a great deal to do with not only their feelings about school […]

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 […]

Some schools require a back-to-school dental visit, but even if yours doesn’t, right before school starts is a good time to schedule one of your child’s regular checkups. Richmond pediatric dentist Dr. Malije Onwueme can take care of any problems so your child won’t have to miss class after school starts, and if oral hygiene […]

You’ve heard it before. Too much sugar is not good for little bodies. Or, more precisely, added sugar is not good for people, big or small. The more we learn about how sugar affects the body, the more we realize that lots of added sugar has many downsides for health. This is particularly true of […]

Bruxism is the dental term for teeth grinding and jaw clenching, a habit that children and adults can develop and maintain, often without being conscious of it—until symptoms hit. Those symptoms can include: Worn, sensitive teeth Headaches Earaches Facial and jaw pain Tinnitus If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, or you have […]

What is Xylitol? Xylitol is a naturally-occurring substance found in the birch tree and in many fruits and vegetables. Its chemical structure resembles a cross between a sugar and an alcohol—but it is neither. Xylitol is used as an FDA-approved artificial sweetener that can also assist in the prevention of tooth decay, so Dr. Mali […]

Today, Dr. Mali of Westpark Pediatric Dentistry would like to discuss the unique dental characteristics of those with Down Syndrome. First teeth may arrive later. Children who have Down syndrome can get their first teeth anywhere from 12 to 24 months of age; they may not have a complete set of baby teeth until age […]