Visiting Our Pediatric Dentist In Little Elm, TX? Here’s Some Info About Dentistry for Children.
A child’s first visit to the dentist should be enjoyable and positive. The more you and your child know about the first visit, the better you will feel. Children are not born with a fear of the dentist but can fear the unknown. Our office makes sure to use pleasant, non-frightening, simple words to help your child understand more about their first visit with us. We want you to feel at ease from the moment your family arrives at our office to visit our highly-rated pediatric dentist in Little Elm, TX.
To prepare for your child’s visit, we have created an activity kit to familiarize your child with their teeth and help them look forward to their dental visit.
» Getting to know your teeth is fun! Get comfortable with your teeth with our Dynamite Dental Fun Kit.
When Should I Schedule My Child’s First Dental Visit?
Children should visit the dentist by their first birthday (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD)). Your child’s newly-erupted teeth (erupting at 6-12 months of age) must receive proper dental care and benefit from proper oral hygiene habits right from the beginning. For a general rule of thumb, you should schedule a visit for your child with us at Elm Colony Pediatric Dentistry at the appearance of his/her first tooth.
How Often Should My Child Go to the Dentist?
It is recommended that your child comes for check-ups every six months so that our pediatric dentist in Little Elm, TX, can identify and treat any potential dental concerns efficiently.
When Do Baby and Adult Teeth Erupt?
At birth, your child should have 20 baby teeth hidden up within their gums, which usually erupt at about six months of age. These primary or baby teeth then fall out during various times throughout childhood from about age six (when adult teeth begin to erupt), and by age 21, all 32 of the permanent teeth should have erupted.
What Do I Do When My Child’s First Tooth Erupts?
Your child’s first tooth should erupt between ages 6-12 months. Whenever their first tooth erupts, you should give our pediatric dentist in Little Elm, TX, a call to schedule your baby’s first check-up. The remainder of their 20 primary or “baby” teeth typically erupts by age three.
While your baby’s teeth are coming in, gums may feel tender and sore, causing your child to feel irritable. To help alleviate this discomfort, we recommend that you soothe the gums by rubbing a clean finger or a cool, wet cloth across them. You may also choose to make use of a teething ring. You can place the teething ring in the refrigerator so that when the child uses it, the cold sensation will relieve and reduce inflammation.
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 12. Adults have 28 permanent teeth or 32, including wisdom teeth.
What Should I Do if My Child’s Permanent Tooth Gets Knocked Out?
Try and locate your child’s tooth, and if possible, rinse it off and put it back inside its socket. Call our pediatric dentist in Little Elm, TX, as soon as possible. We will do our best to get you in immediately and address your child’s dental injury. If the tooth can’t be placed into the socket, put it in a glass of milk and bring it along with you to our practice. Placing the tooth in milk will keep the tooth moisturized as well as preserve the cells of the tooth root’s surface.
When Should I Start Giving My Child Toothpaste?
As soon as your baby’s teeth start to come in, you can gently brush any erupted teeth. You should brush your child’s teeth twice a day with only a small smear of children’s fluorinated toothpaste then, you can change to about a pea-sized amount of fluorinated toothpaste once your child turns three. Before your baby’s teeth erupt, you can clean your child’s gums with a soft cloth and water.
How Do I Know If My Child Is Getting Enough Fluoride?
Fluoride is a compound containing a natural element called Fluorine. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay when used on a routine basis. It may be added to community water supplies in areas where the compound is absent. Fluoride can also be found as an active ingredient in dental products such as toothpaste, rinses, gels, and varnish.
Fluoride prevents tooth cavities by inhibiting the loss of minerals in the enamel and promoting remineralization in areas that have been weakened by acid-producing bacteria. The risk for decay is reduced even more when fluoride is combined with a healthy diet and good oral hygiene.
Using fluoride for the prevention and control of tooth decay has been proven to be safe and effective. However, products containing fluoride should be stored out of the reach of young children. Ingestion of too much fluoride can cause fluorosis of the permanent teeth. Fluorosis is a condition that is usually mild, with tiny white specks or streaks on the enamel. It can also be severe, where the enamel may be pitted with brown discoloration. The development of fluorosis depends on the amount, duration, and timing of excessive fluoride intake.
Your child should brush with fluoridated toothpaste at least twice daily, after breakfast and at bedtime. It is recommended for children above two years of age to use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Parents should monitor and dispense toothpaste to prevent their young children from swallowing too much.
Adopting Healthy Oral Hygiene Habits For Your Child
As new teeth erupt, examine them every two weeks for any lines or discoloration caused by decay. Remember that sugary foods and liquids can attack a new tooth, so make sure you help your child brush their teeth after feeding or eating.
We recommend brushing two times a day for optimal oral hygiene: after breakfast and at bedtime. You should gently brush your baby’s teeth 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 small smear of toothpaste. When your child reaches the age of three, you can start using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste when brushing.
We suggest reviewing proper tooth brushing procedures with your child. Help instill healthy brushing habits from a young age, and you will ensure your child’s oral health for the future. Brushing can be fun! Join your child when brushing their teeth and make it a family event. Let them pick out their favorite song to brush to as well as their own toothbrush and toothpaste.
Flossing is also a part of good oral hygiene habits; your doctor will discuss with you the right time to start flossing.
If you notice signs of decay, contact your dentist immediately to prevent it from spreading.
How Do I Prevent Tooth Decay For My Child?
Tooth decay is preventable with proper at-home oral care as well as regular visits to our pediatric dentist in Little Elm, TX, for professional cleanings and checkups. Tooth decay is caused by sugars left in your mouth that turn into an acid, breaking down your teeth.
Children are at high risk for tooth decay for a simple reason — many children and adolescents tend to be lax in their oral hygiene habits and generous with their sugar intake. Proper brushing and flossing routines combined with regular dental visits help keep tooth decay away. A low-sugar diet also helps keep tooth decay at bay.
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. Dental 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.
Start Your Child’s Smile Journey Today With Our Pediatric Dentist in Little Elm, TX!
If you want to learn more about our general dentistry services for your child, give us a call or schedule a consultation today! Our friendly staff will happily assist you.
We look forward to meeting you and starting your smile journey together!
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