Your Child's Smile

 

An early introduction to proper oral care habits, including regular checkups, will help keep your child's smile healthy for a lifetime.

Dentists and parents work together to ensure that routine examinations and daily oral care provide for a child's individual needs. If your child understands what happens at the dentist's office, visits can be positive experiences that encourage your child to adopt healthy habits for a lifetime.

 

When should my child first visit the dentist?

A first tooth's appearance is an excellent time to schedule a well-baby dental evaluation. At that time, we'll diagnose and help prevent any future oral disorders. We can also answer any questions you have about caring for your child's teeth.

 

What will happen at the first visit?

After making your child feel  comfortable, we will examine the teeth, gums, tongue, lips, and roof of the mouth. Depending upon your child's age, number of teeth present and ability to cooperate, we may order x-rays to determine normal development of permanent teeth. We may also clean your child's teeth and apply fluoride.

 

How should I prepare my child for the first visit?

Your attitude can convey the message that dental visits are pleasant adventures. Try to schedule the appointment for the time of day when your child's is most rested and cooperative.

 

How can I keep my child's teeth healthy?

It is important to begin a daily oral care routines for your child before the first tooth appears. After each feeding, wipe your child's gums with warm, wet cloth or a small gauze pad to remove excess food and bacteria. As soon as the first teeth appear, brush them with a small, soft-bristled brush moistened with warm water.

When teeth begin to touch each other, add daily flossing to the routine. With adult supervision, most children are able to brush their own teeth by about age four, however we recommend assisting your child at least once a day to ensure a thorough job.

 

What else do I need to know about brushing?

Have your child brush with a pea-sized dot of fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride will help strengthen the teeth against decay. Your child will go through toothbrushes quickly, so you should replace it every three months.  Have the child hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and brush gently back and forth with short strokes. Make sure to brush the outside, inside and chewing surfaces of each tooth. Teach your child to finish by brushing the tongue to freshen breath and remove bacteria.

 

Why are primary (baby) teeth important?

Primary teeth are very important to your child's development for a number of reasons. They encourage the development of the jaw bone and they reserve the space  required for the permanent teeth that will follow. They also enable your child to chew solid food and assist in speech development. Moreover, they contribute to your child's positive feelings about his or her appearance and help build confidence.

 

How can I protect my child's primary (baby) teeth?

Baby bottle tooth decay is the leading cause of decay and tooth loss in very young children. This condition usually occurs when a baby is allowed to nurse from a bottle of milk, formula or fruit juice continuously at nap time or bedtime. You can help prevent decay by always cleaning your infant's mouth and teeth after nursing, and by giving your infant only water in a bottle or pacifier at bedtime. You will also safeguard the health of your baby's teeth by weaning your child from the bottle at one year of age. Discourage thumb and pacifier sucking as soon as possible, and before the age of two. If these habits are prolonged, your child may have problems with bite, crooked teeth or jaw development.

 

What else can I do to safe-guard my child's smile?

A balanced diet is essential for a child's development. Teeth, bones and soft tissue of the mouth will benefit from a regular variety of healthy foods. Your child's diet should include foods from the major food groups:

• Fruits

• Vegetables

• Whole grains, breads and cereals

• Milk, cheese and yogurt

• Meat, poultry and fish and their alternatives, such as beans, eggs and nuts. Discourage sugary and starchy snacks-provide bite- sized fresh vegetables instead.

   

What if my child damages or knock out a tooth?

An active child may chip or lose a tooth completely. Call us as soon as possible after the accident occurs. If the tooth is chipped, take the broken piece with you as we may be able to bond the piece back onto the tooth.

 

If a healthy permanent tooth is completely knocked out, keep the tooth moist in milk or water and get to the dentist immediately. If you do so within the first hour, in most cases the tooth can be replanted successfully. Do not wrap the tooth in tissue or gauze or let it dry.

 

Are there more preventative treatments to consider as the child gets older?

At the appearance of your child's first permanent molars, usually about age six, you should consider sealants to protect your child's back teeth to help "seal out" decay. In some cases, we might also recommend applying sealants to primary teeth as well. We will apply a thin plastic coating to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. If your local water supply does not contain fluoride, we usually recommend a fluoride mouth rinse or other sources for extra fluoride.

 

Final Word:

Quality dental care is essential for your child's lifelong oral health. It's important that your child's first experiences with the dentist are positive. That's why we make every effort to help your child feel comfortable and in control during each visit. Your own attitude and example also play an important role in setting the stage for a lifetime of healthy smiles! Please ask us any questions you have about your child's dental health.