The first visit is usually short and simple. In most cases, we focus on getting to know your child and giving you some basic information about dental care. The doctor will check your child’s teeth for placement and health, and will look for any potential problems with the gums and jaw. If necessary, we may do a bit of cleaning. We will also answer any questions you have about how to care for your child’s teeth as they develop, and provide helpful materials.

The best preparation for your child’s first visit to our office is maintaining a positive attitude. Children pick up on adults’ apprehensions, and if you make negative comments about trips to the dentist, your child will fear an unpleasant experience and act accordingly. Show your child the pictures of the office and staff on the website. Let your child know that it’s important to keep his teeth and gums healthy, and that the doctor will help him do that.

We generally recommend scheduling checkups every six months. Depending on the circumstances of your child’s oral health, we may recommend more frequent visits.

Although they don’t last as long as permanent teeth, your child’s first teeth play an important role in his development. These primary teeth help your little one speak, smile, and chew properly. They also hold space in the jaw for permanent teeth. Losing a tooth too early due to damage or decay can result in crooked or misplaced permanent teeth, and general health is also affected by the health of teeth and gums.

Even before your baby’s first tooth appears, we recommend cleaning his gums after feedings with a damp, soft washcloth. As soon as his first tooth appears, you can start using a toothbrush. Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small head, which you can find designed for infants at your local drugstore.

Once your child has a few teeth, you can start using toothpaste. Use only a tiny amount of fluoridated toothpaste (the size of a grain of rice) for each cleaning. Have your child rinse and spit out toothpaste after brushing. Swallowing too much fluoride toothpaste can cause teeth to stain. Brush your child’s teeth for him until he is ready to take on that responsibility himself, which usually happens by age six or seven.

Certain types of bacteria live in our mouths. When these bacteria come into contact with sugary foods left behind on teeth after eating, acids are produced. These acids attack the enamel on the exterior of the teeth, eventually eating through the enamel and creating holes in the teeth, which we call cavities.

Be sure that your child brushes his teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Flossing daily is also important, as it reaches spots between the teeth that brushing can’t. Check with your pediatric dentist about a fluoride supplement. Avoid sugary foods and drinks, limit snacking, maintain a healthy diet, and make regular appointments for professional cleanings.

Sealants cover the pits and fissures in teeth that are difficult to brush and therefore susceptible to decay. We recommend sealants as a safe, simple way to help your child avoid cavities, especially for molars, which are hardest to reach.

Even children’s sports involve contact, and we recommend mouthguards for children active in sports. If your little one plays baseball, soccer, or other sports, ask us about having a custom-fitted mouthguard made to protect his teeth, lips, cheeks, and gums.

The majority of children suck their thumbs or fingers as infants, and most grow out of it by the age of four, without causing any permanent damage to their teeth. If your child continues sucking after permanent teeth erupt, or if he sucks aggressively, let us know and we can check to see if any problems may arise from the habit.

We recommend taking X-rays around the age of two or three. The first set consists of simple pictures of the front upper and lower teeth, which familiarizes your child with the process. Once the baby teeth in the back are touching one another, regular X-rays (at least yearly) are recommended. Permanent teeth start coming in around age six, and X-rays help us make sure your child’s teeth and jaw are healthy and properly aligned.