"My son is turning 1 - when should we visit Dr. Styrt's office?"

Great question! The short answer is, "First visit by first birthday."

Dr. Paul Styrt and our staff know that cavities know no age boundaries, and that is why we recommend a visit to our office at age one. Coincidentally, that happens to be the opinion of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dental Association.

Research has shown that cavities are increasing in preschool-aged children, and that more than one in four kids has had at least one cavity by the time they're four years old. In fact, many children get cavities as early as age two.

The appointment also covers topics such as the importance of baby teeth, nutrition, development and overall concerns you may have with your child. We believe that a child's first visit with Dr. Styrt or Dr. Allen Job should be enjoyable and positive, and we want you to feel at ease from the moment your family arrives at our convenient San Diego office.

Have you scheduled an appointment for your child? We hope to see you soon!

Gum disease and your child

At the office of Dr. Paul Styrt, we’ll tell you it’s easy to tell when you have a cavity; but unfortunately, gum disease can exist in your child’s mouth without you even knowing. In fact, your child can have the beginning stages of gum disease without noticing any pain or discomfort. Since gum disease can be undetectable, it’s important to watch for warning signs in order to prevent the disease from worsening!

Signs to watch for:

• Gums that appear red or swollen
• Gums that feel tender
• Gums that bleed easily (during brushing or flossing)
• Gums that recede or pull away from the teeth
• Persistent halitosis, or bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Any change in the way teeth come together in the biting position

If your child is having these symptoms, schedule an appointment right away by calling our San Diego office and our team. We can diagnose the problem and begin treatment to save your teeth and give your child back a healthy mouth!

We look forward to seeing you!

- Drs. Styrt & Job

Flossing on your summer vacation

This summer while on vacation get a photo take of you flossing during your trip for our summer contest! Submit all photos to Dr. Styrt at the following email: stacie@drstyrt.com. Contest ends Sept. 30, 2011.

We look forward to seeing your photos!

Smile wide! It's National Smile Week!

It’s National Smile Week, and a GREAT time to remind our patients at the office of Dr. Paul Styrt to practice good oral hygiene to keep those teeth shining during your orthodontic treatment!

This includes brushing and flossing regularly, avoiding foods that can stain your teeth such as tea and coffee and visiting your general dentist in San Diego or surrounding communities as recommended.

And remember to smile at people you come across throughout the week, whether you know them or not. Smiles are contagious, and are a good thing to give and to get. In addition, smiling can actually help you live longer, according to a recent study! We hope you’re all having a relaxing summer!

- Dr. Styrt and team

New Smiles at Dr. Styrt’s office!

There’s nothing more we love seeing than a patient getting their braces off! In fact, Dr. Styrt and team keep a running album of new patient smile on our Facebook page, and we encourage you to check it out! While you’re there, we’d love it if you “Liked” our page! Happy Tuesday!