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A child’s first visit to the dentist should be enjoyable and positive.
The more you and your child know about the first visit, the better you will
feel. Children are not born with a fear of the dentist, but they can fear the
unknown. Our office makes a practice of using pleasant, non-frightening, simple
words to describe your child’s first dental visit and treatment. We want
you to feel at ease from the moment your family arrives at our office.
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), children
should visit the dentist by their first birthday. It is important that your
child’s
newly-erupted teeth (erupting at 6-12 months of age) receive proper dental
care and benefit from proper oral hygiene habits right from the beginning.
To prepare for your child’s visit, we have created an activity kit to
familiarize your child with their teeth and help them look forward to their
dental visit.
>> Getting to know your teeth is fun! Get comfortable with your teeth with
our DYNAMITE DENTAL KID kit.
Your child’s first tooth erupts between ages 6-12 months and the remainder
of their 20 primary or “baby” teeth typically erupt by age 3. During
this time, gums may feel tender and sore, causing your child to feel irritable.
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.
Your child’s primary teeth are shed at various times throughout childhood,
and their permanent teeth begin erupting at age 6 and continue until age 21.
Adults have 28 permanent teeth, or 32 including wisdom teeth.
As new teeth erupt, examine them every two weeks for lines and discoloration
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 fluoridated toothpaste. We suggest reviewing
proper tooth brushing procedures with your child.
>> Click here to learn
how to brush your teeth.
Flossing is also a part of good oral hygiene habits, and your doctor will
discuss with you the right time to start flossing.
>> Click here to learn how to floss
your teeth.
If you notice signs of decay, contact your dentist immediately.
Tooth decay is preventable. 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
tend to be lax in their oral hygiene habits. Proper brushing and flossing
routines combined with regular dental visits help keep tooth decay away.
A low-sugar diet also helps keep tooth decay at bay.
Your child should visit the dentist every 6 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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