WHAT WE DO
Baby Dental Care
Congratulations on the arrival of your baby! Are you prepared for the arrival of your baby’s first tooth?
Follow these guidelines and your son or daughter will be on the way to a lifetime of healthy smiles!
Even before your baby’s first tooth appears, the gums can benefit from your careful attention. After breast- or bottle-feeding, wrap one finger with a clean, damp washcloth or piece of gauze and gently rub it across your baby’s gum tissue. This practice both clears your little one’s mouth of any fragments of food and begins the process for building good daily oral care habits.
When that first tooth makes an entrance, it's time to make sure you have a baby toothbrush! Choose one sized for a child, with soft bristles. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends using a "smear" or "rice-sized" amount of fluoridated toothpaste from birth to age 3. At age 3, your child can increase to a pea sized amount of toothpaste.
Limit sweetened beverages such as fruit juices, flavored drinks, sodas, and sports/energy drinks. Even the sugars present in milk can cause tooth decay, so regular teeth and gum cleaning is vital. Sugary liquids, even when diluted, when in prolonged contact with teeth can rapidly cause severe tooth decay. Make sure your baby never goes to sleep with a bottle or a sippy cup containing anything other than plain water.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a dental home be established by 12 months of age. At the first dental visit, we will complete a thorough exam and provide guidance regarding dental and oral development, fluoride treatments, oral habits, teething, nutrition counseling, and oral hygiene instructions. Remember that preparing for each dental visit with a positive attitude goes a long way toward making your child comfortable with regular checkups.
As part of the natural learning process, little ones are expert mimics, and you can take advantage of this talent. Brush and floss daily while your child is watching, and he or she will intuit at an early age the importance of your good habits. As soon as your child shows interest, offer a toothbrush of his or her own and encourage your toddler to “brush” with you. (You’ll find toothbrushes with chunky, short handles that are easy to grip.) Most children don’t have the dexterity necessary to thoroughly clean their own teeth until they’re about six or seven, so you’ll have to do that part of the job. Try different tactics to make brushing fun: flavored toothpaste, a toothbrush with a favorite character on it, or singing songs about brushing. The primary goal is to instill healthy oral habits at an early age to set your child up for a lifetime of healthy, cavity-free teeth!
We’re Wild
About Smiles!
The first step toward achieving a beautiful smile is to schedule an appointment. When you’ve completed this form, our scheduling coordinator will contact you and confirm your child’s upcoming appointment! If you need to cancel, reschedule, or you have a dental emergency, please call your preferred location.
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