Child Dentistry
Your child’s first visit
The first “regular” dental visit should be just after your baby’s first teeth erupt, by the age of 1 year old, or if you have any concerns or questions about your baby’s tooth development.
Each child’s development slightly varies, and some may not tolerate a dental appointment early on. If you have any concerns, you should ask the dentist or pediatrician. Visits early on to the dental office will help foster a positive relationship and education regarding dental health. We understand that each child’s needs may differ, and are willing to spend the time needed to educate the child and parents regarding dental health. Sometimes referrals are made to a specialist, the pediatric dentist, when further sedation treatment is needed, or on a case by case basis.
The first dental visit is usually short and involves very little treatment. We may ask you to sit in the dental chair and hold your child during the examination. You may also be asked to wait in the reception area during part of the visit if you are comfortable with the process, and it aides in your child’s treatment.
We will gently examine your child’s teeth and gums.
A “Tell-Show-Do” technique is employed for all children. This is where we stress education and understanding of the procedure for all children by telling them what we will do, showing them, and then allowing them to help or watch the procedure. This is a proven technique that helps ease dental fears and increase cooperation with children.
X-rays may be taken (to reveal decay and check on the progress of your child’s permanent teeth under the gums). However, dental x-rays are prescribed on a case by case basis. And we may decide to monitor your child’s teeth and take them at another appointment. 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 and review a healthy diet and snacking issues.
What should I tell my child about the first dental visit?
We are asked this question many times. We suggest that you prepare your child the same way you would before their first haircut or trip to the shoe store. Your child’s reaction to their first visit to the dentist may surprise you.
Here are some “First Visit” tips:
- Take your child for a “preview” 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.
During your first visit the dentist will:
- Examine your mouth, teeth and gums.
- Evaluate adverse habits like thumb sucking.
- Check to see if you need fluoride.
- Teach you about cleaning your teeth and gums.
- Suggest a schedule for regular dental visits.
Tooth Eruption
It is important to remember that not all children develop exactly the same. Tooth eruption in children may vary slightly or greatly. If you have any concerns, please contact your dentist.
The first baby teeth that come into the mouth are typically the two bottom front teeth. You will notice this when your baby is about 6 months old. Next to follow will usually be the upper front teeth (2-4) and then the remaining bottom front teeth, followed by the molars and canines, which will erupt periodically. The teeth will usually appear in pairs along the sides of the jaw until the child is about 3 years old.
At around 3 years old your child should have all 20 teeth. Around the age of 6, the first permanent teeth will begin to erupt. Some of the permanent teeth replace baby teeth and some don’t. Don’t worry if some teeth are a few months early or late, as all children are different.
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. Make sure to begin routine oral hygiene for your infant as soon as teeth appear.
What about preventative care?
Tooth decay and children no longer have to go hand in hand.
At our office we are most concerned with all aspects of preventive care. We use the latest in dental sealant technology to protect your child’s teeth. Dental sealants are a form of plastic that is bonded to the chewing surfaces of decay-prone back teeth. This is just one of the ways 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, of course, can help. The longer it takes your child to chew their food and the longer the residue stays on their teeth, the greater the chances of getting cavities.
Every time someone eats, an acid reaction occurs inside their mouth as the bacteria digests the sugars. This reaction lasts approximately 20 minutes. During this time the acid environment can destroy the tooth structure, eventually leading to cavities.
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, which in turn allows more of the acid-producing bacteria that can cause cavities.
Tips for cavity prevention
- Limit frequency of meals and snacks.
- Encourage brushing, flossing and rinsing.
- Watch what your child drinks.
- Avoid giving your child sticky foods.
- Make treats part of meals.
- Choose nutritious snacks.