Pediatric Dentistry

DENTAL CARE FOR YOUR YOUNG CHILD

Our doctors and dental team highly value dental care for young children. Our job is to make sure that you have all the latest information that will help your child have a healthy mouth. We are also committed to monitoring the growth and development of your child’s teeth, bite, jaws, and face. Our role includes prescribing preventive measures such as fluoride and sealants, to help stop cavities before they start. We will individualize these preventive treatments to meet your child’s specific needs. Our highest priority, however, is to treat your child in such a way that he or she becomes a good dental patient for life. We will do everything possible to provide appropriate treatment while at the same time making your child think that coming to the dentist is a fun thing to do!

YOUR CHILD’S DENTAL VISIT

A visit for a young child usually goes something like this: First we will discuss any questions or concerns you might have. Then we will play with your child for a few minutes. We try to do this in a non-clinical area of the office. We let your child pick out a toothbrush and show us how they brush. To examine the teeth, gum, bite, and development of a very young child we will use the “knee to knee” position with the child in the parent’s lap. Depending on how much fun the child is having, we may do some cleaning and/or apply fluoride to the teeth. However, if there is a choice between performing a procedure and making sure your child's visit is as enjoyable as possible, we will always tend toward the later.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

You can have a major impact on your child’s dental health by observing the following:

• Prepare your child for his or her appointment in a simple manner. Say, “We are going to the dentist today. He will count your teeth and give you a new toothbrush.” Avoid a lot of pre-appointment “hype” and never, ever, say “It won’t hurt.”
• Bring your child to his or her appointment on time. Traffic is getting terrible here!
• Have your child brush twice each day. Use a tiny amount of fluoride toothpaste.
• After your child’s turn at brushing, an adult must have a turn.
• Limit the time that sugar is in contact with your child’s teeth.
• If your child takes a bottle, make sure to clean his or her teeth between the last bottle and bedtime.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends …

Children should visit the dentist by their first birthday. It is important that your child’s newly-erupted teeth (erupting at six to 12 months of age) receive proper dental care and benefit from proper oral hygiene habits right from the beginning.

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When new teeth arrive

Your child’s first primary, or “baby” teeth will begin to erupt between the ages of six to 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.

Preventing tooth decay with regular checkups

Tooth decay is caused by sugars left in your mouth that turn into an acid that 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.