Regular checkups and dental cleanings are important to make sure that your child’s teeth are healthy and growing in correctly. Pediatric dentists are trained to care for the teeth of children starting in infancy. A pediatric dentist has the skills and training needed to watch for any issues that can impact your child’s oral health as their teeth are growing and erupting. Good dental health actually begins when your child is a baby.
Baby-to-Child Pediatric Dentistry
As a parent, it’s important to remember that tooth decay and cavities can still occur in a child’s baby teeth. When you keep up with regular checkups, your pediatric dentist can help you and your child learn about proper oral care, brushing, flossing, fluoride and other topics. The teeth are much smaller in young children, which makes them harder to clean. This is why children are actually more prone to developing caries (cavities) at a young age.
Your baby’s first tooth should erupt by about 6 months of age. Your first visit to the pediatric dentist should happen by the time your baby is one year old. At that first appointment, the dentist will show you how to establish regular teeth cleaning regimen for your baby and recommend the frequency of future checkups.
Orthodontic treatments can be used on children by age 7 in some cases. Here are some milestones to be aware of when it comes to your child’s dental health:
- Cleaning Baby Teeth: Your baby’s teeth should be cleaned as soon as they erupt from the gums. After every feeding, you can clean your baby’s teeth with a soft washcloth. When more than one tooth has come in, you can start to use a baby-sized toothbrush soaked in warm water. Baby teeth can be brushed with a very small drop of toothpaste. Use non-fluoridated water for brushing your baby’s teeth until he or she is over 6 months of age. It’s also important to note that medicines can damage the enamel on a baby’s teeth; remember to brush immediately after giving them any medicine.
- Brushing: Your children should start brushing their own teeth as soon as they are coordinated to do so. This varies from child to child, but your pediatric dentist can help to teach you and your child how to do it properly.
- Dental Sealant: Once your child’s teeth have erupted, dental sealant can be applied to the teeth by a pediatric dentist. This safe procedure helps to keep the teeth safe from developing cavities.
- Flossing: Children can usually manage to start flossing their own teeth around age 6. Before that, you will have to help them. You should start flossing your baby’s teeth as soon as they have two that come in side-by-side. Once again, the pediatric dentist can assist you and show you the proper way to floss your baby’s teeth.
- Fluoride Treatments: Fluoride treatments help to make teeth more resistant to tooth decay and certain acids. Children do need the correct balance of fluoride, because too much can be unhealthy. Talk to your pediatric dentist about the proper amounts of fluoride for children.
- Mouthwash: Most kids are able to begin using mouthwash around the age of 7.
Friendly and Caring Pediatric Dentistry in Reseda, CA
The suggested age ranges above are recommendations, but keep in mind that every child develops differently. Regular visits with a pediatric dentist will ensure that your child’s teeth remain as healthy as possible as they are growing. If you’re in need of a caring and friendly pediatric dentist for your family, contact our office to schedule an appointment.
