Pediatric Dental FAQs
When should I schedule my child’s first visit to the dentist?
We recommend that you make an appointment to see the dentist as soon as your child gets his first tooth. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children be seen by six months after their first tooth erupts, or at one year of age, whichever comes first.
How is a pediatric dentist different from other dentists?
All dental specialists (pediatric dentists, orthodontists, oral surgeons, and others) begin by completing dental school and continue their education with several years of additional, specialized training. During training in the field of pediatric dentistry, your doctor gained extensive knowledge and experience in treating infants, children, and adolescents. Pediatric dentists enjoy working with children and bring to each patient expertise in childhood development and behavior. Because our office is geared toward young visitors, you’ll find that our staff, office design, and activities all work together to provide an especially friendly and comfortable environment for children. We also have extensive training and a passion for helping families with children with complex medical histories and special health care needs to establish a good relationship and stable dental home.
What happens during my child’s first visit to the dentist?
The first visit is usually short and simple. In most cases, we focus on getting to know your child and giving you some basic information about dental care. The doctor will check your child’s teeth for placement and health, and look for any potential problems with the gums and jaw. If recommended, we may complete a dental cleaning. We will also answer any questions you have about how to care for your child’s teeth as they develop, and provide you with materials containing helpful tips.
How can I prepare my child for his first dental appointment?
The best preparation for your child’s first visit to our office is maintaining a positive attitude. Children pick up on adults’ apprehensions and if you make negative comments about trips to the dentist, you can be sure that your child will fear an unpleasant experience and act accordingly. Show your child the pictures of the office and staff on the website. Let your child know that it’s important to keep the teeth and gums healthy, and that the doctor will help him do that. Remember that your dentist is specially trained to handle fears and anxiety, and our team excels at putting children at ease during treatment.
How often should my child visit the dentist?
We generally recommend scheduling checkups every six months. Depending on the circumstances of your child’s oral health, we may recommend more frequent visits.
Why do baby teeth need special care?
Your child’s first teeth play an important role in his or her development. Your child’s general health is affected by the oral health of the teeth and gums. Primary teeth help your little one speak, smile, and chew properly. They also hold space in the jaw for permanent teeth. If a child loses a tooth too early (due to damage or decay) nearby teeth may encroach on that space, which can result in crooked or misplaced permanent teeth.
What’s the best way to clean my baby’s teeth?
Even before your baby’s first tooth appears, we recommend you clean his gums after feedings with a damp, soft washcloth. As soon as the first tooth appears, you can start using a toothbrush. Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small head. You can find a toothbrush designed for infants at your local drugstore or online.
At what age is it appropriate to use toothpaste to clean my child’s teeth?
Once your child has a few teeth, you can start using toothpaste on the brush. Use only a tiny amount for each cleaning, and be sure to discuss toothpaste recommendations with our doctors so that we can provide fluoride recommendations based on your specific needs. Always have your child rinse and spit out toothpaste after brushing, to begin a lifelong habit they'll need when he or she graduates to a larger amount of toothpaste. Children naturally want to swallow toothpaste after brushing, and swallowing too much fluoride toothpaste can cause teeth to stain. You should brush your child’s teeth until he or she is ready to take on that responsibility, which usually happens by late elementary school age.
What causes cavities?
Certain types of bacteria live in our mouths. When these bacteria come into contact with sugary or carbohydrate-rich foods left behind on our teeth after eating, acids are produced. These acids attack the enamel on the exterior of the teeth, eventually eating through the enamel and creating holes in the teeth, which we call cavities.
How can I help my child avoid cavities?
Be sure that your child brushes his teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Flossing daily is also important, as flossing can reach spots between the teeth that brushing can’t. Check with your pediatric dentist about a fluoride supplement which helps tooth enamel become harder and more resistant to decay. Avoid sugary and carbohydrate rich foods and drinks, limit frequent snacking, and maintain a healthy diet. And finally, make regular appointments so that we can check the health of your child’s teeth and provide professional cleanings.
Does my child need dental sealants?
Sealants cover the pits and fissures in teeth that are difficult to brush and therefore susceptible to decay. We recommend sealants as a safe, simple way to help your child avoid cavities, especially for molars, which are hardest to reach.
My child plays sports. How can I protect his/her teeth?
We recommend mouthguards for children active in contact sports. If your little one plays baseball, soccer, or other sports, ask us about having a custom-fitted mouthguard made to protect his teeth, lips, cheeks, and gums.
What should I do if my child sucks his thumb?
A majority of children suck their thumbs or fingers as infants, and most grow out of it by the age of four, without causing any permanent damage to teeth. If your child continues sucking after permanent teeth erupt, or sucks aggressively, let us know and we can check to see if any problems are caused by the habit. We will assess growth and development at each check-up and can work with you for any specific recommendations we may have for your child.
When should my child have dental X-rays taken?
We recommend taking X-rays when we can no longer clinically evaluate all areas of the teeth. Once the baby teeth in back are touching each other, then X-rays are recommended on a scheduled basis for diagnosis purposes. Permanent teeth start coming in around age six, and X-rays help us make sure your child’s teeth and jaw are healthy and properly aligned. If your child is at a high risk of dental problems, we may suggest having X-rays taken at an earlier age. Each child is unique, so we will discuss whether we recommend x-rays at each appointment.
Over-retained Baby Teeth "Shark Teeth"
Children typically start losing teeth between the ages of 5 and 7. This process begins when permanent teeth start to erupt and resorb the primary(baby) tooth, causing the baby tooth to become loose. However, sometimes the primary tooth is still there when the permanent tooth erupts giving your child a second row of teeth. We encourage our patients to continue to wiggle the baby teeth out on their own. However, if the baby tooth no longer feels loose, or the gum tissue is becoming irritated please contact our office so we can discuss any specific recommendations for your child.
