A pediatric dentistry office specializes in caring for children’s oral health. These dentists also educate parents on how to teach their children oral hygiene at home. The dentist offers suggestions for regular brushing, supervision and additional preventive treatments. Oral hygiene includes brushing, flossing and mouthwash use depending on the child’s age and abilities.
The reality is that adults and children have different dental needs. Children range from getting their first baby teeth to losing their baby teeth and growing permanent teeth. Children under 2, between 2 and 6 and those older than 6 have different oral health needs.
The age and abilities of the child need consideration when discussing the options available. Pediatric dentistry treatments and maintenance help keep kids healthy and avoid bad breath, prevent cavities and develop good teeth-care habits.
Parents should wipe the gums of their babies twice a day. This helps them get used to something being in their mouth. It is also essential to removing sugar and bacteria that can cause cavities even before teeth erupt. Once the first teeth start appearing, parents should use a small toothbrush with soft bristles with water. Ideally, children should see a pediatric dentist before their first birthday.
As children grow, they can begin to start brushing their own teeth. Training toothbrushes and toothpaste are a good starting point. Watch your child brush to ensure they learn good techniques. It may even be a good idea for you to brush the child’s teeth once a day and have your child practice the other time they brush.
The dentist may suggest using a pediatric dentistry treatment such as sealants to help protect the teeth from cavities. During this time, dentists typically begin to suggest the elimination of pacifiers, bottles and thumb sucking.
Permanent teeth begin to arrive at the age of 6 or 7. Regular dental checkups twice a year, with dental X-rays annually, help the dentist spot cavities and oral health problems. Permanent teeth do not always come in straight and sometimes not at all. X-rays can detect where permanent teeth are in addition to identifying other issues.
Healthychildren.org reports that childhood dental caries are more common than other childhood diseases. This infectious disease can cause a lifetime of pain and complications for the child. A pediatric dentist has the knowledge to look for the signs of the disease and offer a treatment plan. There are other preventive treatments a dentist may suggest for the child.
These include:
Pediatric dentistry preventative maintenance and treatments can help your child develop healthy oral hygiene habits. Call our office to learn more about pediatric dentistry and to schedule an appointment.
Request an appointment here: https://www.babytoothdoc.com or call Dennis R. Campbell, DDS at (828) 417-3828 for an appointment in our Asheville office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Regular visits to a pediatric dentist who specializes in young patients are an important part of establishing good oral health practices. Many instances of severe dental conditions in children stem from either a lack of regard for proper hygiene or a lack of knowledge on the proper ways to care for a child's teeth. Check…
Trying to teach your kids about oral hygiene can be tricky, but with a little help from your local children's dentist, you can make the process much easier and have them wanting to keep their teeth healthy on their own. It all starts with knowing how to teach them about oral hygiene and how to…
Making sure your child undergoes a dental checkup for kids regularly is important for ensuring their continued oral health and avoiding the onset or exacerbation of dental problems. These visits allow the dentist to monitor a child's oral health, teach good oral hygiene practices, and address any problems promptly.Parents may have questions regarding their children's…
A pediatric dentist is key to giving your child the best start to a healthy oral hygiene practice in life. Our teeth are with us when we are born, even though they are unseen. Everyone wants a healthy smile free of cavities and disease. Parents want to make sure they are doing as much as…
Cavity treatment for kids is a chief concern among parents, and for a good reason. Cavities are common in children of all ages. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over half of the kids ages 6 to 8 have had at least one cavity in a primary tooth. The good news is…
Regular visits to a pediatric dentist who specializes in young patients are an important part of establishing good oral health practices. Many instances of severe dental conditions in children stem from either a lack of regard for proper hygiene or a lack of knowledge on the proper ways to care for a child's teeth. Check…