All parents want what’s best for their families. By starting good oral care, including routine dental checkups, at an early age, our office can closely monitor the development and health of your child’s smile as they grow. Preventive care and timely treatment for any emerging dental issues not only help to ensure ongoing oral health but also support overall well-being and contribute to a positive self-image.
Even before your child is born, their first set of teeth is already forming. By the time your baby is a year old, some of the front teeth will have already emerged into place. For this reason, it’s essential to establish an oral care routine early.
As per the recommendations of the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, parents are encouraged to have their baby see the dentist around the time of their first birthday.
Establishing a dental partnership when your child is small helps ensure positive experiences.
Keep your baby’s and toddler’s teeth clean, and never allow your baby to sleep with a bottle of milk or juice.
Studies show that children and teens lose an estimated 51 million school hours each year to dental problems. To help your child maintain optimal oral health and a smile that’s healthy and bright, we recommend dental checkups and cleanings twice a year.
Tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, over 50 percent of 5 to 9-year-old children have at least one cavity or filling. Although cavities can develop at any age, children are especially susceptible due to dietary habits and hygiene routines.
We review your child’s medical/dental history and perform a thorough clinical assessment of the teeth, gums, jaws, and surrounding oral tissues, checking the bite and jaw alignment.
We take digital radiographs as needed to check for cavities, infection, evaluate the position of developing teeth, and the health of the jawbone.
We perform a professional dental cleaning to eliminate any plaque or debris accumulated between the teeth or in hard-to-reach places.
Because children are susceptible to decay, added levels of protection are often prescribed:
Periodic topical fluoride supports the re-mineralization of tooth enamel, making teeth stronger.
We apply a durable, thin coating to the biting surfaces of the back teeth to shield their deep crevices from decay.
At every stage of your child’s development, we’ll advise you on the most effective methods for home care. We emphasize the importance of dental prevention as the key to good oral health.
Encourage the recommended tooth brushing and flossing routine by doing it yourself.
Promote wise dietary choices and healthy snacking, including replacing sugary drinks with water and limiting sweets. A balanced diet is essential for strong teeth and gums.
Provide supportive guidance to help your child put away their pacifier and stop thumb or finger sucking at the appropriate time.
Make sure your child wears a mouthguard when playing specific sports.
Recognizing the fact that children have active lifestyles means there is always a chance an accident involving a hit or blow to the mouth or teeth can occur. These traumatic injuries can happen at home, in the playground, or on the playing field.
Common issues range from soft tissue lacerations to chipped, fractured, dislodged, or “knocked out” teeth. We also provide urgent care for painful toothaches and infections.
Whatever the reason, you can rely on our office to provide the skilled, compassionate, and reliable treatment required. Our goal is to get your child back on the road to oral health while alleviating discomfort.
As your trusted partner in care, you can rely on our office to keep a close watch on your child’s oral health and development.
Reserve Your Child’s Next Preventive Checkup!We strive to make each visit a positive, informative, and beneficial experience.
A pedodontist is a dentist who has received advanced specialty training in meeting the dental needs of children from infancy to adolescence. Pedodontists, also referred to as "pediatric dentists," study child psychology, behavior management, caring for children with special needs, methods of handling oral/facial trauma, and various techniques for providing anesthesia and sedation. Pedodontists also understand the complexities of facial growth and development and have the clinical skills required to meet the dental needs of all children at every stage of development. Most of all, pedodontists are passionate about what they do and enjoy working with children. They strive to make every dental experience a positive one as they help children establish a strong foundation for good oral health.
Even before your child is born, their first set of teeth is already forming. In fact, by one year of age, some of your baby's front teeth will have already come into place. While the arrival of your baby's first teeth is only one of many developmental milestones, it represents an excellent time to begin a program of oral care. According to recommendations from the American Dental Association, babies should see the dentist around the time of their first birthdays.
Your baby's first teeth typically begin to appear in the 6 to 12-month range. While this is an extraordinary milestone, you need to be aware that your baby may find the experience a little bit uncomfortable. Teething can make babies feel irritable. They may be fussy, have trouble sleeping, not want to eat, and drool quite a bit.
Although you are powerless to speed up the process of teething, there are a few things that you can do to soothe your baby as the new teeth are erupting into place. Common approaches to helping your baby feel more comfortable while getting new teeth, include teething rings or a cold spoon or moist gauze rubbed over their gums.
Even for these few new teeth, it's absolutely essential to establish an effective regimen of oral care. For information on when your baby's first set of teeth will erupt into place, consult this timeline from the American Dental Association: Eruption Charts
Some children persist in sucking their thumbs or fingers beyond their preschool years. For these children, the activity continues to be a source of comfort, relaxation, and security. It may even help them fall asleep at night. However, it's essential to be aware that in the long-term, a finger sucking habit is not healthy.
If your child's thumb or finger sucking habit is still present when the permanent teeth begin to come in, your child is at a higher risk of developing a bad bite. By the age of five or six years, you need to constructively and gently help your child stop the habit.
It's also a good idea to have a comprehensive evaluation at this time. Your pedodontist can assess if there are any habit related alterations to the alignment of your child's teeth or jaws, or if it is affecting their speech or swallowing patterns. They can also discuss habit control strategies with you, as well as follow your child's bite and facial development as they grow. If interceptive appliances or corrective orthodontic care are recommended, the timetable and best options in care will be explained in complete detail.
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