Pediatric Dentistry
A child's first visit to the dentist should be enjoyable. Children are not born
with a natural fear of the dentist, but they can fear the unknown. Our office makes
a special effort to use pleasant, non-frightening, simple words to describe each
treatment. We want you and your child to feel at ease from the moment your family
arrives at our office. The more you and your child know about the first visit, the
better you will feel.
Getting to know your teeth is fun!
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Fun Kit!">Download our Dynamite Dental Fun Kit!
When New Teeth Arrive
Your child's first primary, or “baby” teeth will begin to erupt
between the ages of 6-12 months, and will continue to erupt until about age three.
During this time, your child's gums may feel tender and sore. To help alleviate
this discomfort, we recommend that you soothe the gums by rubbing a clean finger
or a cool, wet cloth across them. You may also choose to make use of a teething
ring. When your child has finished teething, you can expect a total of 20 primary
teeth!
Your child's primary teeth are shed at various times throughout childhood, and
their permanent teeth begin erupting at age six, and continue until age 21. Adults
have 28 permanent teeth, 32 teeth including wisdom teeth.
Adopting Healthy Oral Hygiene Habits
As your child's teeth erupt, be sure to examine them every two weeks, looking
for lines and discoloration that may be caused by decay. Remember that sugary foods
and liquids can attack a new tooth, so take care that your child brushes their teeth
after feeding or eating. We recommend brushing four times a day for optimal oral
hygiene: after breakfast, after lunch, after dinner, and at bedtime.
Brushing can be fun, and your child should brush as soon as the first tooth arrives.
When a baby's tooth erupts, parents should brush the tooth with a soft-bristled
toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. For children younger than two,
do not use fluoride toothpaste unless advised to do so by your dentist or other
healthcare professional. We suggest reviewing proper tooth brushing procedures with
your child.
Flossing is also a part of good oral hygiene habits, and your doctor will discuss
with you the right time to start flossing. If you notice signs of decay, contact
your dentist immediately.
Preventing Tooth Decay with Regular Checkups
Tooth decay is caused by sugars left in your mouth that turn into an acid which
can break down your teeth. Children are at high risk for tooth decay for a simple
reason — many children and adolescents do not practice regular, good oral
hygiene habits. Proper brushing and flossing routines combined with regular dental
visits help keep tooth decay away.
Your child should visit the dentist every six months for regular dental cleanings
and checkups. We recommend fluoride treatments twice a year along with cleanings
to keep teeth their strongest. Tooth sealants are also recommended because they
"seal" the deep grooves in your child's teeth, preventing decay from
forming in these hard-to-reach areas. Sealants last for several years, but will
be monitored at your regular checkups.
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