Children's Dentistry in Fort Worth
Your Children’s Dentistry Visit
A child’s first visit to a pediatric dentistry should be enjoyable and positive. The more you and your child know about the first visit to a children’s dentist, the better you both will feel. Children are not born with a fear of the dentist, but like anyone, they can fear the unknown. Our pediatric dentist believes in using pleasant, non-frightening, and simple words to describe your child’s first dental visit and treatment. We want you and your child to feel at ease from the moment your family arrives at our children’s dentist office.
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), children should visit a pediatric dentist by their first birthday. It is important that your child’s newly erupted teeth (erupting at 6-12 months of age) receive proper dental care and benefit from proper oral hygienist habits, like those taught by those who practice pediatric dentistry, from the beginning.
To prepare for your child’s visit to our children’s dentist, 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! Download our Dynamite Dental Fun Kit.
When New Teeth Arrive
Your child’s first tooth will erupt between ages 6-12 months, while the remainder of their 20 primary or “baby” teeth will typically erupt by age three. During this time, gums may feel tender and sore, causing your child to feel irritable. To help alleviate this discomfort, one pediatric dentistry tip to keep in mind is using a clean finger or cool, wet cloth to gently rub across them. You may also choose to make use of a teething ring.
Your child’s primary teeth are shed at various times throughout childhood, and their permanent teeth begin erupting at age 6 and continue until age 21. Adults have 28 permanent teeth (32 when including wisdom teeth).
Adopting Healthy Oral Hygiene Habits
As new teeth erupt, it’s important that you or a children’s dentist examines them often for lines and discoloration caused by decay. Remember that sugary foods and liquids can attack a new tooth, so make sure that your child brushes after eating. Our pediatric dentist also recommends 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 that first tooth arrives. When a baby’s tooth erupts, parents should carefully brush the clean the tooth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. For children younger than two, our children’s dentist recommend not using fluoride toothpaste unless advised to do so by your dentist or other health professional. Our children’s dentist also suggests review proper tooth brushing procedures with your child.
Flossing is also a part of good oral hygiene habits, and your child’s pediatric dentist will discuss with you the right time to start flossing. If you notice signs of decay, contact your children’s dentist immediately.
Preventing Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is preventable. It’s caused by sugars left in your mouth that turn into an acid which can break down your teeth. Children are at a high risk for tooth decay for a simple reason – many children and adolescents tend to be lax in their oral hygiene habits. Proper brushing and flossing routines combined with regular visits to a dentist who practices pediatric dentistry will help keep tooth decay away. A low-sugar diet will also help!
Your child should visit a pediatric dentist every six months for regular dental cleanings and checkups. Our children’s dentist also recommends fluoride treatments twice a year along with cleanings to keep teeth their strongest. Tooth sealants are also recommended as part of pediatric dentistry care 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 by your child’s pediatric dentist.
