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Like many aspects of our lives, visiting the dentist looks a little different right now than it normally does. Our office has a list of COVID-19 dental policies that we follow strictly in order to keep both you and our staff as healthy as possible.

But some kids have a hard time with change. We recognize that, so here are some tips you can try to make your dental visit go more smoothly:

• Explain change using positive words. Most of us feel some level of frustration. Life during a pandemic is difficult for everyone. However, try not to pass that feeling onto your kids. Telling your kids that the changes they see are there to keep them healthy, just brushing their teeth every day does.
• Bring something small from home as a distraction. Because we've put away our office toys and books, you may want to consider bringing something from they can hold and enjoy. A small toy you can slip into your purse or a book for the older kids work well.
• Have a jacket or sweater just in case. Even though it's really warm outside, we're keeping our office cooler to help our staff deal with the increased equipment they have to wear.
• Play verbal games while you wait. If you find yourself waiting in our office, you can engage your kid by playing "I Spy" or "Twenty Questions" to fill in the time.
• Call us if you have a specific concern. All families are different, and we're here to help. Please give our office a call and we'll answer your questions as best we can.

As your child's pediatric dentist in Tucson, we want to keep your child's smile healthy.  If you have any questions for our office, feel free to call us at (520) 544-8522.

About Northwest Children's Pediatric Dentists

Dr. Norman Bunch and Dr. Jennifer Marshall are doctor spouses who have been working as kids dentists in Tucson for years.  They have deep ties to Tucson, as well as the surrounding Oro Valley, Marana, Oracle, and other areas. Northwest Children's Dentistry provides top-notch care for toddlers, children, teens, and special needs children. If you’re looking for a general dentist for kids in Tucson, contact us today at (520) 544-8522.

Healthy eating is hard for a lot of adults, much less children. But it doesn't have to be that way. Here are some tips to try getting more fruit and vegetables in your children's diet.

• Stock up on their favorites. Although we highly encourage a variety like everyone else, make sure to have 2-3 options you know they'll eat. That way, if your kid is feeling particularly picky, there is always some fruit or vegetable they will eat.
• Try early and often. If you have a picky toddler, don't worry. The sooner you expose your little one to fruit or vegetables, the more likely they'll take to them. Just because they refused something once, doesn't mean they hate that food. Try again later and always give them the option to eat it rather than force it.
• Pack convenient food. Fruits and vegetables don't have to be hard to carry around if you're going outside. Dried fruit often comes in convenient packaging. Bananas and oranges have hard peels which keeps them clean inside a bag. These food can go anywhere with you.
• Grab your blender. Lots of kids who would never eat a certain food would drink it as part of a smoothie. Find a recipe online and see what kind of extra vitamins and nutrients you can pack into a cool drink.

As your child's pediatric dentist in Tucson, we want to keep your child's smile healthy.  If you have any questions for our office, feel free to call us at (520) 544-8522.

About Northwest Children's Pediatric Dentists

Dr. Norman Bunch and Dr. Jennifer Marshall are doctor spouses who have been working as kids dentists in Tucson for years.  They have deep ties to Tucson, as well as the surrounding Oro Valley, Marana, Oracle, and other areas. Northwest Children's Dentistry provides top-notch care for toddlers, children, teens, and special needs children. If you’re looking for a general dentist for kids in Tucson, contact us today at (520) 544-8522.

Your teenager has been taking care of their teeth for a long time now. Their dental habits have been established. You may think it's time to ease them into full dental responsibility as adults, but there is one last thing to check for: wisdom teeth.

Before you can do anything, you first need to determine if you kid has wisdom teeth. An x-ray as part of their dental exam will show us that. Some kids won’t have any wisdom teeth.  Other wisdom teeth don't need to be removed if they won't cause issues in the future.

If an x-ray reveals your child's wisdom teeth might impact others around them, though, we can help you make a plan. While we don't remove wisdom teeth ourselves, we will refer you to an oral surgeon.  These specialized dentists have lots of experience in safely removing wisdom teeth.

As your child's pediatric dentist in Tucson, we want to keep your child's smile healthy.  If you have any questions for our office, feel free to call us at (520) 544-8522.

About Northwest Children's Pediatric Dentists

Dr. Norman Bunch and Dr. Jennifer Marshall are doctor spouses who have been working as kids dentists in Tucson for years.  They have deep ties to Tucson, as well as the surrounding Oro Valley, Marana, Oracle, and other areas. Northwest Children's Dentistry provides top-notch care for toddlers, children, teens, and special needs children. If you’re looking for a general dentist for kids in Tucson, contact us today at (520) 544-8522.

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, many of us are spending a lot more time at home. With stress and limited options, it can be difficult to encourage healthy choices with your kids during this trying time.

We hope we do give yourself some slack in regards to doing whatever it takes to keep your family mentally healthy. This is a hard time for everyone, and we're all doing the best we can.

If you are looking for low-effort ways keep your family physically healthy at home, though, here are some easy things you can try:

• Find Kid-Themed Workout Videos. A lot of YouTube channels have created workout videos with kid themes you can do at home. We've enjoyed Michael Ginicola and Cosmic Kids Yoga, but quick searches will show you lots of free options.
• Buy Fruits and Vegetables that Last a Long Time. If you're going to the grocery store less, buy fruits and vegetables that have a long-shelf life. For example, apples and oranges take longer to spoil than berries. Canned options can also help keep these essential foods available to your household.
• Play Games with a Physical Component to Them. Encouraging your kids to play games like "hide and seek" with stuffed animals will keep them moving throughout the house. Even some video games, like the Nintendo Switch and VR, encourage exercise.
• Take Time to Relax. If you're still working and stretched thin, you may feel like you have no time for yourself as a parent. Now more than ever, it's essential to indulge in self-care. Build time into your schedule for a relaxing activity you enjoy, whether that be watching a favorite show, doing a hobby, or just sitting in your favorite chair. Same applies to the kids.

As your child's pediatric dentist in Tucson, we want to keep your child's smile healthy.  If you have any questions for our office, feel free to call us at (520) 544-8522.

About Northwest Children's Pediatric Dentists

Dr. Norman Bunch and Dr. Jennifer Marshall are doctor spouses who have been working as kids dentists in Tucson for years.  They have deep ties to Tucson, as well as the surrounding Oro Valley, Marana, Oracle, and other areas. Northwest Children's Dentistry provides top-notch care for toddlers, children, teens, and special needs children. If you’re looking for a general dentist for kids in Tucson, contact us today at (520) 544-8522.