Mayo Clinic Oral Health

28/02/2026

Hello again, friends! 👋🧸 It's the Pediatric Dental Stuffy Squad saying "bye for now" as we wrap up February and Children's Dental Health Month! 😁✨

This month has been packed with tips to help keep little smiles healthy and strong! Missed a post? No worries! You can scroll back on our page anytime to catch up and save these helpful tips.

Our Mayo Clinic team loves sharing knowledge, educating families, and putting our patients first—because every child deserves a healthy, happy smile! 💙

The squad says, "See you soon! Keep smiling!" 😄🎉

24/02/2026

23/02/2026

🏈🏒 If your child plays sports, a mouthguard is essential for their safety! Proper protection can prevent dental injuries during active play.

💡 Whether your child is participating in contact sports or non-contact activities, a well-fitted mouthguard helps safeguard against:

✔️ Broken or chipped teeth
✔️ Cuts to lips and cheeks
✔️ Jaw injuries or trauma

🦷 Unlike teeth grinding, sports mouthguards are designed specifically to absorb impact and protect growing teeth and jaws. Options range from boil-and-bite to custom dental guards—your dental team can help determine the best fit for your child's sport and smile.

📞 Talk with your dental office to find the perfect mouthguard and keep your young athlete safe!

Learn more from the American Dental Association: https://bit.ly/4r1Xzx6.

19/02/2026

Kids are active (and we love that!), but falls can sometimes mean chipped, pushed in, or knocked-out teeth. In this case, a bike accident caused injury to a child's front baby teeth. With gentle monitoring, the patient's teeth could be saved until their permanent teeth came in.

Here are some essential tips for dental emergencies:
🚨 If a PERMANENT tooth is knocked out:
👉 Act fast—quick action can save the tooth!
🦷 Find the tooth and hold it by the crown only (don’t touch the root)
🦷 If dirty, gently rinse with water (no scrubbing)
🦷 Try to place it back in the socket and have your child bite down on a clean cloth or gauze
🦷 If that’s not possible, store the tooth in milk or saliva ❌ Do NOT store in water
⏱️ Get to the dentist within 30–60 minutes
⚠️ Important: Baby teeth should NOT be put back in. Contact your dentist for guidance.

📞 For pushed-in teeth or other dental injuries like this, contact your dental office immediately. Fast action makes a BIG difference.

Save this post just in case! 💙

17/02/2026

Good dental habits today = strong, healthy smiles for years to come! Here are the must-do basics for kids and adolescents:

✅ Brush twice a day (morning & before bed)
🧵 Floss once a day, anytime counts! (After school, before bed, whenever you can!)
🦷 Use fluoridated toothpaste to help strengthen teeth and fight cavities
🪥 Change your toothbrush every 3 months
🤧 Sick? Time for a new toothbrush!
👉 Always choose a soft-bristled brush—gentle but effective

Parents, helping kids build these habits early sets them up for a lifetime of healthy smiles. And teens, yes, these tips still apply to you! 😉

Learn more, here: https://mayocl.in/4rNpilt

14/02/2026

❤️✨ Happy Valentine's Day from all of us at Mayo Clinic Oral Health!

Did you know that clear aligners are more than just a fun photo op—they're a fantastic option in orthodontic care! 😁🦷

Orthodontics plays a vital role in helping kids develop strong, properly aligned teeth that last a lifetime. Early assessments can prevent future dental issues and lay the foundation for a confident, healthy smile. 🌟

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4a0ldnM

13/02/2026

🍞🍇 When we think of “sticky snacks,” we often picture caramel, candies, or fruit snacks, but foods like crackers, cookies, bread, raisins, and dried fruit can be just as sneaky.

These foods break down into sugars and tend to cling to the grooves of teeth and back molars—places toothbrushes don’t always reach easily. Even “healthy” snacks can contribute to cavities if they stick around too long!

🪥 Tip for parents: Encourage water after snacks and brushing twice a day, especially before bedtime!

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3NTkjAU

11/02/2026

🎉🎓 We are thrilled to celebrate a special milestone with an incredible family and their amazing little one! From the very beginning, their journey has been one of strength and dedication. 💪❤️

Born with a unilateral , this sweet patient has been part of a special process called (NAM)—a device worn before surgery that shapes the nose, lip, and gums, reduces the size of the cleft, and improves anatomy before surgical repair. ✨

The team of , , and provide this . 🦷🩺

To celebrate the completion of NAM therapy, we held a joyful NAM graduation ceremony, honoring the family's resilience and the journey they've taken together. 🙌

Pictured along with the family (center), we have Dr. Jude Itani, Dr. Sharmila Arjunan, Andrea, and Dr. Alexis DuDash (left to right).

Learn more about and care at Mayo Clinic: https://mayocl.in/4rNnsRB

09/02/2026

👶🧒 What Happens during a child's dental visit?

Prevention starts early! Dental visits look different depending on age, but they all focus on education, comfort, and healthy habits.

✨ Babies & Toddlers: Getting comfortable in the dental setting, gentle exams, growth checks, and parent guidance
✨ Kids: Cleanings, cavity checks, fluoride applications, and brushing tips
✨ Teens: Prevention strategies, sports guards, and orthodontic monitoring

Our goal is to make dental visits positive, calm, and fun so kids grow up confident in the dental chair!

Check out these age-specific resources: https://www.mychildrensteeth.org/

05/02/2026

💙 Meet our amazing Pediatric Dentistry team!

Mayo Clinic's hospital-based Pediatric Dentistry team provides specialized dental care for children with complex medical needs, such as neurological disorders, heart disease, and transplant-related conditions, that require treatment under general anesthesia.

Our goal is to guide patients and families to the most appropriate and safest dental care setting, while supporting them every step of the way. We are proud to care for all of our patients, one smile at a time.

📸 Photo order: Torrea, Jenn, Dr. Elise Sarvas, and Tricia

💡Learn more, here: https://mayocl.in/3ZL6cQD

03/02/2026

👋 Hi, friends! We’re the Pediatric Dental Stuffy Squad! 🧸🦷

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, and we’re SO excited to celebrate with you. All month long, our friends in Pediatric Dentistry at Mayo Clinic will be sharing fun tips, helpful info, and kid-friendly ways to keep smiles healthy.

Stay tuned for more fun updates and tips coming your way. We’re all smiles over here… and don’t forget to brush yours! 😁💙

27/01/2026

Please join us in celebrating Sue as she heads into retirement after an impressive 43-year career as a licensed dental assistant. 🎉✨

Sue has been a dedicated and compassionate member of our team since 1999, bringing her expertise, kindness, and positive spirit to countless patients over the years. She’s worked in general dentistry, orthodontics, and most recently, Dental Sleep Medicine. 🦷💙

Her extensive knowledge, hard work ethic, and caring nature have made her a vital part of our team, and she will be dearly missed. While we're sad to see her go, we’re also excited for her as she begins this exciting new chapter. 🌟

Congratulations, Sue, on an extraordinary career! 👏