 |
First Visit |
|
Your Child's Smile |
|
Preventive Dental Care |
|
Orthodontics |
|
Emergencies |
|
Post-Operative Care |
|
Frequently Asked Questions |
"They're only baby teeth!"
It is very important that primary (baby) teeth are kept in place until they are lost naturally. These teeth serve a number of critical functions. Primary teeth:
- Permit your child to chew properly, therefore maintaining good nutrition.
- Aid in speech development.
- Save space for the permanent teeth.
- A healthy smile can help children feel good about the way they look to others.
Dental Check-ups
A check-up every six months is recommended. However, we can tell you when and how often your child should visit based on their personal dental health.
Toothbrushing
Brushing your child's teeth twice a day is key and should begin with a toothbrush with the eruption of the first tooth. Many children want to brush independently and can as long as a parent or caregiver follows up with their turn. Many parents think they're brushing at least nightly. Mark a calendar for 3 weeks and see how you're doing.
Fussy Brusher
Keep trying...nightly. It's not negotiable, like taking a bath, washing ears or having a diaper changed. It has to be done. Also, make sure your child sees you brushing every morning! And, try family brushing at night! Younger children love to imitate.
Flossing
Flossing all teeth in contact, before brushing, should be done by a parent or caregiver, nightly. Nothing "fancy" just in and out. Be careful not to snap the floss between the teeth and making sure to advance the floss between teeth.
Diet
Your child's diet plays a very important role in preventive dental care. Parents should be especially careful of snacks labeled "Fruit..." any sticky, natural or processed, snacks and "cracker" type snacks. These foods, including peanut butter and raisins, which tend to stick to teeth providing a constant supply of sugar and carbohydrates for bacteria. Bacteria utilize not only the sugar found in candy, but they also use the natural sugars found in fruits and milk, as well as the carbohydrates found in foods such as potato chips, pasta and bread.
What to do? While parents should feed their children as before, they should also remind the child to thoroughly cleanse the mouth by swallowing or rinsing foods down after mealtime and snack times with a liquid, preferably water. If your child is prone to cavities you should brush after snack. Snacks, including milks and juices should be limited to a snack time and not used to "pacify" your child throughout the day.
For Additional Questions and Information: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry