Children’s Dentistry

Your Child's First Visit

The first "regular" dental visit should be just after your child's third birthday. The first dental visit is usually short and involves very little treatment. We may ask the parent to sit in the dental chair and hold their child during the examination. The parent may also be asked to wait in the reception area during part of the visit so that a relationship can be built between your child and your dentist.

We will gently examine your child's teeth and gums. X-rays may be taken (to reveal decay and check on the progress of your child's permanent teeth under the gums). We may clean your child's teeth and apply topical fluoride to help protect the teeth against decay. We will make sure your child is receiving adequate fluoride at home. Most important of all, we will review with you how to clean and care for your child's teeth.

What Should I Tell My Child About Their First Dental Visit?

We are asked this question many times. We suggest you prepare your child the same way that you would before their first haircut or trip to the shoe store.  There are several children books you can read to your child on visiting the dentist.  Your child's reaction to his first visit to the dentist may surprise you.

Some First Visit Tips

• Take your child for a "preview" or online tour of the office.
• Read books with them about going to the dentist.
• Review with them what the dentist will be doing at the time of the first visit.
• Speak positively about your own dental experiences

What Will Happen During The First Visit With Your Dentist?

• Examination of your child’s mouth, teeth, and gums.
• Evaluate adverse habits like thumb sucking
• Check to see if your child need fluoride
• Teach you about cleaning your child’s teeth and gums.
• Suggest a schedule for regular dental visits.

Importance of Preventive Care?

Modern preventive techniques now can stop children from getting tooth decay.  At our office, we view preventive care with the highest priority.  We use the latest technologies to prevent decay in a child’s mouth.  This includes thorough professional cleanings and exams, fluoride varnishes, oral hygiene instruction, and protective sealants.  Together we will set the foundation for your child's lifetime of good oral health.

Cavity Prevention

Most of the time cavities are due to a diet high in sugary foods and a lack of brushing. Limiting sugar intake and brushing regularly can help.  Limiting frequency of sugar intake is of particular importance.

Every time we eat an acid reaction occurs inside our mouth.  The bacteria digest the sugars and create this “acid attack”. This reaction lasts approximately 20 minutes. During this time the acid environment can destroy the tooth structure, eventually leading to cavities.  More frequent “acid attack” lead to high risk for dental decay.

The chemistry and consistency of a person's saliva also makes a difference.  Thinner saliva breaks up and washes away food more quickly. When a person eats diets high in carbohydrates and sugars, they tend to have thicker saliva that allows more acid-producing bacteria that can cause cavities.

Tips for Cavity Prevention

• Limit frequency of snacks.
• Encourage brushing, flossing, and rinsing.
• Watch what you drink.
• Avoid sticky foods.
• Make treats part of meals.
• Choose nutritious snacks.

Infants Teeth

The first baby teeth that come into the mouth are the two bottom front teeth. You will notice this when your baby is about six to eight months old. Next to follow will be the four upper front teeth and the remainder of your baby's teeth will follow up to age 2.  They will usually appear in pairs along the sides of the jaw until the child is about 2-1/2 years old.

Immediately start cleaning you baby’s teeth with wet gauze or a small toothbrush.  Never put your baby to sleep with a bottle filled with formula as the formula can “pool” in the baby’s mouth and coat the teeth with sugars that can lead to decay.

At around 2-1/2 years old, your child should have all 20 teeth. Between the ages of five and six, the first permanent teeth will begin to erupt. Most of the permanent teeth replace baby teeth.  An exception is the first molar which erupts at age 6 behind the rear baby molar,  Don't worry if some teeth are a few months early or late.  There is a range for eruption of permanent teeth that varies from child to child.

Baby teeth are important as they not only hold space for permanent teeth, but they are important to chewing, biting, speech, and appearance. For this reason it is important to maintain a healthy diet and daily hygiene.