Blog

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 […]

Kids aren’t afraid to ask questions about everything under the sun, and teeth are just one of the many mysteries they will ponder. At Westpark Pediatric Dentistry, our pediatric patients come up with some of the most interesting questions we hear—and we hear questions all day! Most of the time, kids’ questions about teeth are […]

If you and your child are the proud companions of a pet, there’s a good chance you’ve both thought or said something like: “Fluffy’s really living the life. Instead of having to go to school or do chores, they can relax and sleep all day, getting up only to eat or maybe chase a laser […]

Studies conducted in 2016 found that 43% of children ages two and up had cavities—that’s a decrease from 2012 study results that found cavities in 50% of children in the same age group. While that drop gives us hope, it means tooth decay still affects 43 out of 100 children two and up. We know […]

Welcome to our new website! We are thrilled with the launch of our new online home that will help us provide a better experience for our patients. This site is meant to be an extension of our practice that allows you to easily find information and schedule appointments, and a resource for our patients and […]