A lifetime of good oral health begins in childhood. Here at Smilesavers Dental, we believe in treating the littlest members of our community so that they grow up with healthy teeth and great hygiene habits! We offer pediatric dentistry services such as cleanings, exams, sealants, and early cavity prevention.
When Should I Schedule My Baby’s First Appointment?
Per the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists, the recommended age for a first dental visit is 1 year old. Why so young? This is the age when your baby will start to have teeth and will likely be eating some solid foods. A dentist can look at your child’s teeth to make sure your child is developing properly, there aren’t cavities forming, and even catch any early signs of mispositioned teeth! According to AAPD, dental caries are the most prevalent disease of childhood, 4x more common than asthma. Catching cavities early can prevent those small cavities from affecting your baby’s permanent teeth. Read more below:
https://www.aapd.org/globalassets/media/policy-center/year1visit.pdf
How can I care for my child’s teeth?
To prevent cavities and keep your little one’s teeth clean, the AAPD recommends brushing twice daily with a fluoridated toothpaste. Before your child’s teeth develop, wipe your baby’s gums with a soft washcloth daily. For children under 3, use a smear or rice-grain-sized amount of toothpaste on a small soft-bristle toothbrush, and help or supervise your child to prevent them from swallowing too much toothpaste. For children 3-6 years of age, use a pea-sized amount. Here at our office, we like to recommend Crest Kids or Colgate Kids toothpaste.
Usually, very young children have spaces between their teeth until more of their teeth come in. Once the first teeth begin to touch (roughly at age 2), start to floss your children’s teeth as well! We recommend flossing your children’s teeth for them until they reach about 8-10 years of age and demonstrate that they can floss for themselves!
Outside of brushing and flossing, avoid establishing routines that can lead to constant sugar exposure, such as giving your child bottles with fruit juice or milk between meals or at bedtime. This consistent exposure makes children’s teeth especially prone to cavities by keeping teeth bathed in sugar throughout the day. Instead, encourage your child to drink water and don’t give your child a bottle after brushing their teeth at bedtime.
What are Sealants?
When your child is about 6 years old, they will begin to get their adult molars! Sealants work by placing a protective resin layer into the deep grooves and fissures of your child’s teeth. This prevents food and debris from catching in those areas and causing cavities. They are completely safe and applied to HEALTHY teeth. This means no drilling! See a more detailed video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsQq5XM7yKI
Sealants, regular check-ups, and cleanings are all services we offer here at Smilesavers Dental. Dr. Shah loves working with children of all ages, and we look forward to providing high-quality care and patient education for the whole family. Book an appointment with us today!
