Pediatric Dentistry Blog - Sarasota, FL - Dr. Santos-Cordero

Sending out an SOS…

“Oral injuries are ranked as the second most common injuries in toddler age children… Nearly 50% of all school age children experience some form of dental fracture between the ages of 6-18. About 30% of children suffer from trauma to their primary dentition and 22% suffer from trauma to their permanent dentition. Sports accidents account for 10-39% of all dental injuries in children. A properly fitted sports mouthguard can prevent serious damage to teeth and oral tissues.”

Paci vs. Thumb?

“Sucking is a natural and necessary reflex for a baby. Some infants start sucking their thumbs in the womb. Babies need to be able to suck properly in order to be fed. They may also suck on their fingers or a pacifier to find comfort when hungry, tired, bored, scared or wanting to fall asleep. Does it really matter if your child prefers the thumb over a pacifier? What if they choose none?”

Dental Apps For Kids

“Getting your children excited about brushing their teeth can sometimes take a bit of creativity. Even if they enjoy tooth-brushing, there are some days when it may be a struggle to keep up with the routine. Did you know that your smartphone can help? Whether as a reward or a “bribery” tool, there are some apps that may help you make your daily hygiene routine fun.”

Family Living Reader’s Choice Award

“At Dentistry for Children & Adolescents, board certified pediatric dentist Dr. Maribel Santos-Cordero believes that each child is a unique individual and understands the importance of providing children with pleasant experiences in a non-threatening environment.”

Sleep for Success

It’s back to school! Many things need to be accomplished to plan your child’s success for the next school year. What if something as simple as breathing could be interfering with your child’s success in life? Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) is the interruption of breathing impacting a child’s ability to receive the appropriate amount of oxygen and preventing a child from obtaining REM sleep, which is essential for proper growth and development.

The Tongue

Did you know that the tongue is not only vital for speech but also essential to keep us healthy? This unique muscle carries a lot of responsibilities. It is needed for for speaking, sucking, tasting, chewing, swallowing, drinking, kissing, shaping our jaws as we grow, maintaining good oral health and even breathing properly. So much work for such a tiny muscle! It shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn that, when the tongue can’t move properly, many basic functions in your body get altered.

Meet Dr. Santos

Dr. Santos was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She earned a DMD degree from the University Of Puerto Rico School Of Dental Medicine with high honors and has been practicing dentistry since 1994. She practiced as a general dentist for five years in a small town in Puerto Rico. As the only general dentist willing to treat little ones, she soon discovered her passion for children and decided to pursue a specialty in pediatrics. Dr. Santos completed her residency program in Pediatric Dentistry at The Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, NY.

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