Children’s Dentistry

Your Child’s First Visit to the Dentist

The first “regular” dental visit should be just after your child’s first birthday. The first dental visit is usually short and involves minimal treatment. We may ask you to sit in the dental chair and hold your child during the examination. 

We will gently examine your child’s teeth and gums. At the appropriate age, X-rays may be taken to reveal early decay between teeth and to check on the development of your child’s permanent teeth. We will clean your child’s teeth and apply topical fluoride with your permission to help protect the teeth against decay. We will also show you techniques to clean and care for your child’s teeth and answer any questions you may present.

Can My Child See a Family Dentist?

Yes! We welcome the opportunity to care for your child’s dental health needs with understanding, patience, and a gentle touch. Almost always, children do just fine in our office as we first introduce them to preventative care.  If the occasion arises that dental restorative treatment is needed, we hope to have filled their positive experience bank so full that we can draw on a little more trust from them to cooperate during a dental procedure that is new to them. If at any time a dental visit becomes too much for a younger patient, we will stop and provide options as to how best to proceed or end the appointment without traumatizing any child.  Sometimes using nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or changing the appointment time to early in the morning or a referral to a pediatric dentist as a last resort could be needed. A pediatric dentist is geared towards dental anxiety and the special dental treatment needs of children. 

What should I tell my child about the first dental visit?

Your child’s reaction to his first visit to the dentist may surprise you. If you talk about it positively, they may look forward to it as a new adventure rather than something to fear.

During your child’s first visit the dentist will:

• Examine your child’s mouth, teeth and gums.
• Clean your child’s teeth.
• Apply fluoride by permission.
• Review with you proper homecare for your child’s teeth and gums.

What about preventive care?

At our office, we encourage preventive dental care. We use the latest in dental sealant technology to protect your child’s teeth. Dental sealant application consists of flowable resin bonded to the deep grooves of back teeth. These deep grooves are difficult to clean even with the best toothbrushes and are very prone to decay when malformed in development. Applying sealants early is a wise preventative measure to help set the foundation for your child’s lifetime of good oral health.

Cavity Prevention

Cavities are usually due to a consistent diet high in sugary foods and poor brushing.  Limiting sugar intake to around mealtime only and brushing thoroughly and regularly before bedtime can really reduce cavity formation. Acid production from sugar and carbohydrate consumption by oral bacteria is the cause of dental cavities.  Dry mouth conditions also increase the risk of dental cavities as the buffering effect or dilution of acid is significantly reduced.

Tips for Cavity Prevention

• Limit the frequency of unhealthy treats and snacks.
• Encourage brushing, flossing and rinsing especially at bedtime.
• Assist with and supervise proper homecare especially at bedtime.
• Avoid acidic drinks and sodas.
• Avoid sticky sugary snacks.
• Make sodas, treats and desserts part of meals only.
• Choose nutritious snacks between meals.

When Will Your Child’s Baby Teeth Erupt?

The first baby teeth that typically break through the gums are the two bottom front teeth. You will notice this when your baby is about 6-8 months old. Next to follow will be the 4 upper front teeth, and the remainder of your baby’s teeth will appear periodically. They will usually appear in pairs along the sides of the jaw until the child is about 2 1/2 years old.

At around 2 1/2 years old, your child should have all 20 primary teeth. Between the ages of 5 and 6, the first permanent teeth will begin to erupt. Some of the permanent teeth replace primary teeth, and some don’t. Don’t worry if some teeth come in a few months early or late; all children are different.

Primary teeth are more than just placeholders for when the permanent teeth come in. They are crucial for chewing, biting, speech, and appearance while your child is a toddler and young child. For this reason, they need to maintain a healthy diet and daily hygiene.