Healthy Kids Zone

Tooth decay is the most common chronic children’s disease in the country—even more chronic than allergies. Over 40 percent of children will have tooth decay before kindergarten. And those who have it are more likely to suffer from cavities in adulthood. Dr. Cindy Gellner tells you how to check for tooth decay and simple ways you can keep your child's teeth strong and healthy.

Stomach ache, headache, dizziness, and nausea are all symptoms you might hear from your child on a school day morning. The condition may even get worse as it gets closer to time for school, then miraculously become better on the weekends. It may be school phobia. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, explains what can cause school-phobic kids to feel sick and the simple method to calm the fear in your child.

You see it happening but just can’t get there fast enough to stop it—your child falls or gets hits in the head. Dr. Cindy Gellner says the first thing to do is not to panic. Head injuries are common in active kids and there are three main types: scalp injury, skull fracture and concussion. In this episode, Dr. Gellner tells you what the most dangerous head injury is and what to do at home if it happens to your child. She also talks about signs to look out for after a head injury that would require a follow-up with your pediatrician.

Thumb-sucking is a normal comfort habit for younger children, but when it lingers past age four or five, it can affect dental health and become harder to break. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, explains when thumb-sucking is harmless, when it becomes a concern, and the most effective, positive ways to help your child give up the habit without a battle.

Straining, crying, and turning red without producing a bowel movement can leave parents worried that something is seriously wrong—but in many cases, it is a normal developmental phase called infant dyschezia. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, explains why babies struggle with bowel movements and what parents should—and should not—do to help.

Nail biting is a common habit, but usually not a serious one for most children. Most children who bite their nails eventually lose the habit, but some may continue well into adulthood. In more serious situations, nail biting can lead to health concerns. There is no prescription to stop nail biting, but it can be addressed. Dr. Cindy Gellner talks about the reasons why nail biting occurs and offers suggestions on how to help your child stop biting her nails.

It might seem like your child does not eat enough, is never hungry, or will not eat at all, and you worry they will starve unless you spoon-feed them yourself. Do not worry. It is normal for a child's appetite to slow down between the ages of 1 and 5. Normal does not mean it is pleasant, however. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, gives tips on what parents can—and should not—do to help their child through this period of eating struggles.

Children do not learn very well or get much out of school when they are sick. It is in your child’s and their classmates’ best interest to keep them home from school when they are not feeling well. But what body temperature is a stay-home-from-school temperature? What if your child only has a mild cough? Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, talks about how to know when to keep your child home from school, and when it is safe for them to return to school after recovering from an illness.

It is gross to talk about, but you can learn a lot from snot. While mucus may be a bit of an annoyance, it plays an important role in your child’s body. Mucus lines organs with a protective layer, keeping dust and dirt out to help fight off infections. But not all mucus is the same. Different colors can mean fungal infection or other serious health issues. And mucus from allergies is different from that of the common cold. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, explains what the different colors of mucus coming out of your child’s nose really mean, and when you should visit the doctor.

Throughout the year, parents often find themselves worrying about their child's health, especially when they seem to catch one cold after another. While it's natural to bundle them up to protect them, the common misconception that cold weather or seasonal attire causes sickness needs to be debunked. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, talks about when, why, and how children get colds and other infections. Dr. Gellner also discusses when to be concerned if sneezing and coughing become too frequent, and provides advice on keeping your child healthy year-round.