Pediatric Dentistry

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends

Children should visit the dentist by their first birthday. It is important that your child's newly-erupted teeth (erupting at six to 12 months of age) receive proper dental care and benefit from proper oral hygiene habits right from the beginning.

Getting to know your teeth is fun!

When new teeth arrive

by rubbing a clean finger or a cool, wet cloth across them. You may also choose to make use of a teething ring. When your child has finished teething, you can expect a total of 20 primary teeth!

Your child's primary teeth are shed at various times throughout childhood, and their permanent teeth begin erupting at age six, and continue until age 21. Adults have 28 permanent teeth; 32 teeth including wisdom teeth.

Adopting healthy oral hygiene habits

As your child's teeth erupt, be sure to examine them every two weeks, looking for lines and discoloration that may be caused by decay. Remember that sugary foods and liquids can attack a new tooth, so take care that your child brushes their teeth after feeding or eating. We recommend brushing four times a day for optimal oral hygiene: after breakfast, after lunch, after dinner, and at bedtime.

Brushing can be fun, and your child should brush as soon as the first tooth arrives. When a baby's tooth erupts, parents should brush the tooth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. For children younger than two, do not use fluoride toothpaste unless advised to do so by your dentist or other healthcare professional. We suggest reviewing proper tooth brushing procedures with your child.

Flossing is also a part of good oral hygiene habits, and your doctor will discuss with you the right time to start flossing. If you notice signs of decay, contact your dentist immediately.

Preventing tooth decay with regular checkups

Tooth decay is caused by sugars left in your mouth that turn into an acid that can break down your teeth. Children are at high risk for tooth decay for a simple reason — many children and adolescents do not practice regular, good oral hygiene habits. Proper brushing and flossing routines combined with regular dental visits help keep tooth decay away.

Your child should visit the dentist every six months for regular dental cleanings and checkups. We recommend fluoride treatments twice a year along with cleanings to keep teeth their strongest.

Tooth sealants are also recommended because they "seal" the deep grooves in your child's teeth, preventing decay from forming in these hard-to-reach areas. Sealants last for several years, but will be monitored at your regular checkups. 

Disclosing Tablets

Disclosing tablets can work to prevent cavities and periodontal disease by helping you see the plaque on your teeth. The main cause of cavities and periodontal disease is the accumulation of plaque, which is the sticky film of food and bacteria that forms constantly on your teeth.

You must remove all the plaque each day, or it builds up and mineralizes to become tartar, which is also called calculus. It takes professional help to remove tartar. There’s no way for you to remove it at home. A tooth brush or floss won’t even budge it. That’s why it’s important to that you find and remove all the plaque.

It’s normally hard to see plaque, but the dye in disclosing tablets makes it much easier. This will help you remove the plaque before it hardens to become tartar, and before it can cause cavities and periodontal disease.