There are a lot of things to learn when you have children. New parents read up on many subjects such as the appropriate amount of time to breastfeed, when your child will start to walk and what’s the appropriate age for potty training. Dealing with a fussy baby is also something a new parent needs to learn how to deal with. And there is no greater time of fussiness that when an infant starts teething. Now your child has a tooth. That tooth needs to be taken care of as well as any additional baby teeth. Do you know when you should start your child having regular visits to the dentist office? Most toddlers have a set of 20 baby teeth by the time they are 3.
The American Dental Association recommends for your child to have a first visit to the dentist approximately 6 months after the first tooth appears; certainly no later than the 1st birthday. At this visit the dentist will not only be looking for tooth decay, but will also demonstrate how you should brush your child’s teeth. At our dental practice, we explain to parents the health risks of using a pacifier or a toddler who is a thumb sucker. We will thoroughly evaluate your child for these common issues as well as “baby bottle tooth decay”. This issue is caused by filling a bottle with a sugary drink and allowing the child to drink for long periods of time.
As your child grows and more teeth have developed, it is imperative to keep your child’s mouth clean and free from plaque causing bacteria. Limit sweets and sticky treats. Your child should be brushing their teeth twice a day at least with fluoride toothpaste. Getting a toddler to brush their teeth might be a challenge. Most parents have success by brushing their teeth with the child or making it a game. Another way to protect your child’s teeth is by having your dentist apply a sealant. This sealant is a plastic resin that is painted on the back teeth which are normally harder to keep clean.
Our dental practice has a child friendly atmosphere. This is a must to ensure your child feels comfortable. The dental visits that occur during your child’s young age will form a lasting impression and affect his or her acceptance of future visits which are necessary to keep your child’s mouth in excellent health.
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