• Children's Dental Care

    Your child’s well-being is your biggest concern and their oral hygiene is an important part of their overall health. The care of your child’s teeth and gums begins with you - - you can set them on the right path for a lifetime of excellent oral hygiene.

    The American Dental Association recommends parents to take their children to a dentist no later than their first birthday because baby teeth can come through the gums around 6 months of age.

    Early Dental Care Prevents Dental Diseases  

    Developing good oral hygiene is also the first line of defense against many common dental issues, such as plaque, gum disease, and cavities. Studies show that dental decay is the most common chronic childhood disease in the U.S., and left untreated, may lead to pain and infection that cause problems with speaking, eating, and overall health.

    Oral Hygiene For Children 

    As kids grow up, their oral hygiene habits should grow with them. Kids have all their baby teeth by the age of 3. These are called primary teeth. Baby teeth start falling out around age 6; that's when the permanent, or adult, teeth start coming in. Gaps between baby teeth are normal. They make room for the permanent teeth. Most permanent teeth come in by age 13.

     Establishing The Best Oral Hygiene Routine For Children

    The good news is that cavities are almost completely preventable with regular visits to the dentist and consistent dental care at home. Parents can help their children maintain healthy teeth and gums by encouraging the following habits:

    • Begin good oral health habits as soon as your baby’s teeth are visible. Start by using a washcloth to gently clean your children’s teeth and gums.
    • Teach your children to brush all surfaces of their teeth for two minutes, twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Assist your children until they can brush by themselves.
    • Floss between your children’s teeth and along the gum line to remove trapped food and plaque that lead to gingivitis and decay.
    • Make oral hygiene fun by letting your children choose their kid-friendly toothbrush and toothpaste in their favorite color, character, or flavor.
    • Sing a song or play a video while brushing to make time pass quickly and to ensure your children are brushing for the full two minutes.
    • Encourage your children to brush their teeth immediately after drinking juice or eating candy to prevent decay.
    • Avoid giving children too many sugary foods and drinks, especially between meals, which promote decay and cause enamel damage.
    • Increase water intake throughout the day to help neutralize the acids that cause cavities.

    Establish A Healthy Relationship With Your Child's Dentist

    Finally, one of the most important ways to maintain a healthy smile for your children is to schedule regular checkups with their dentist. Choose a dentist who understands the unique development of children’s smiles and specializes in dentistry for kids — from infancy through adolescence. Following a thorough cleaning and evaluation, your child’s dentist can discuss cleaning techniques for keeping your kid’s teeth cavity-free, as well as answer any questions concerning your child’s oral health.

    At these appointments, parents will get a chance to talk with the Doctor or hygienist about preventing early childhood cavities and find out their child's risk of developing them