Kids Care Corner
Creating Healthy Smiles Early
It may seem like time is passing quickly as your child goes from growing their first tooth to losing their first tooth! Your child will begin to shed baby teeth and grow permanent ones around age 6 until about age 12. This is the time of your child’s life to develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime. You can start by making sure you bring your child in for a check-up. We like to see your child early and routinely to ensure they develop a positive relationship with dental care.
Tips for bringing your child for their first visit:
-Bring them at a time of day where they are typically energetic and in a great mood, such as after nap time!
-Watch videos or read books to help prepare your child for their visit.
-Avoid trigger words- such as “hurt, blood, pain, drill” etc.
Establishing a great oral hygiene routine early will set your child up for a lifetime of success.
We recommending assisting your child in brushing and flossing until he or she has established great dexterity (ie: good handwriting). For ages 3-6, when your child can easily spit on their own, use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste twice per day. Once your child’s back baby teeth begin touching, cavities can form easily form in between that can be hard to identify. It is extremely important to assist your child in flossing to ensure all surfaces of the teeth are thoroughly cleaned.
Our goal is to provide your family with comfortable, successful while helping your children build confidence in working through an unfamiliar situation. We want the feeling of accomplishment that comes with a worry-free dental visit to carry you and your child into a future of healthy, happy smiles.
FAQ’s-
When should my child have their first dental visit?
The AAPD recommends your child see a dentist by the time they get their first tooth or by their first birthday. We like to see them early to discuss diet, nutrition, and brushing habits with you. We also like to acclimate babies and toddlers to seeing us at a young age so that we can ensure early that their experience is positive and empowering.
What are sealants and does my child need them?
Once your child’s 6-year molars erupt, we recommend sealants. Permanent molars have deep grooves that can easily get cavities, especially when children may not have the best brushing or eating habits. Sealants cover the deep grooves to prevent cavities and make the teeth easier to brush. They are easy to apply and give most kids a big confidence boost once they have completed their first dental experience other than a cleaning!
Is juice good or bad for my child?
Although many juice drinks are marketed in ways to make you feel like they are healthy, many have a lot of added sugar. Most juices easily soften the tooth due to acid and sugar, allowing cavities to form. Children under age 1 should not have any juice. Young children should have no more than 1 juice box per day, and older (7+) kids should have no more than 2 juice boxes per day. Instead of juice offer water, milk, or even sugar-free Crystal Lite in water as alternatives,
Is fluoride safe for my little one?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring element that is known to prevent cavities by eliminating and protecting your teeth from bacteria while also making them stronger. The amounts of fluoride in our water, our toothpaste, and our rinses have all been proven safe when utilized propely. We recommend using a rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste to brush your toddler’s teeth, and a pea-sized amount once they are old enough to spit the toothpaste out with little help.