Children's Dentistry
We Love Kids
Wondering about your infant or toddler? We see kids of all ages – from infants and toddlers to young children, tweens, and teens. The American Dental Association recommends that parents bring children to the dentist for their first visit soon after the first baby tooth comes in.
A child's first visit to the dentist should be enjoyable. Children are not born with a natural fear of the dentist, but they can fear the unknown. Our office makes a special effort to use pleasant, non-frightening, simple words to describe each treatment. We want you and your child to feel at ease from the moment your family arrives at our office. The more you and your child know about the first visit, the better you will feel.
When New Teeth Arrive
First primary or baby teeth will begin to erupt between the ages of six and 12 months, and will continue to erupt until about age three. During this process of teeth eruption, your child's gums may feel tender and sore. To help minimize 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. When your child has finished teething, you can expect a total of 20 primary teeth
Your child's primary teeth are shed at various times throughout childhood. Permanent teeth begin erupting at age six, and continue until age 21. Adults have 28 permanent teeth (32, including wisdom teeth).
Adopting Healthy Oral Hygiene Habits
Sugary foods and liquids can attack new teeth, so take care that your child brushes after eating. To maintain proper oral hygiene we recommend brushing at least 4 times after breakfast, after lunch, after dinner and at bedtime. As the teeth erupt make sure you examine them every 2 weeks for signs of discoloration as they may be signs of decay.
Child should start brushing teeth as soon as first tooth arrives. Parents should brush the teeth with soft bristles toothbrush and pea sized amount of toothpaste. Children under 2 years should not use fluoride toothpaste unless advised by dentist or health care professional.
Flossing is part of good oral hygiene. You should discuss with your doctor about right time to start flossing for your child.
Preventing Tooth Decay with Regular Checkups
When sugar is left in the mouth it turns into acid which breaks down your teeth and causes tooth decay. Children are at highest risk of getting decay due some simple reasons:
Many children and adolescents do not practice regular, good oral hygiene habits. Proper brushing and flossing routines combined with regular dental visits help keep tooth decay away.
Children should visit dentist every 6 months for regular dental cleanings and check-ups. We recommend fluoride treatment at least twice a year with their regular cleanings as they make teeth stronger. We also recommend sealants which "seals" deep grooves and prevent decay. Sealants last for several years and will be monitored at regular checkups.
We have several amenities for kids
- Video Games
- Cartoons in treatment rooms
- Pillows and blankets
- Play area in Lobby
- Surprise toys
- Stuffed Animals
Preparing your kid for their first dental visit:
Here are a few ways to prepare kids ahead of time to make the experience as positive as possible:
Talk to your kids
Get some books about visiting the dentist and use story time to kick-start a conversation. Age-appropriate books about visiting the dentist can be very helpful in making the visit seem fun. Here is a list of parent and dentist-approved books:
- The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist – by Stan and Jan Berenstain.
- Show Me Your Smile: A Visit to the Dentist – Part of the "Dora the Explorer" Series.
- Going to the Dentist – by Anne Civardi.
A fun way to get kids comfortable is to play "dentist," using props like tooth- brushes, flashlights and cups for rinsing, and invite all their stuffed animals for a checkup, where your child can practice being the patient, the dentist and the parent.
It could be fun to see our office tour video with the child, so the child is familiar with the surroundings when he visits our office.
Be a good role model
Make sure the kids see you brushing and flossing as a natural part of the daily routine. And if you've got a bit of dentist phobia, try your best to shield the kids from it: According to a recent study, most fear of the dentist is passed down from parents to children.
Choose the right dentist
Choose an office that is kid friendly. Our Woodgrove Family Dentists office is very kid friendly. Right from when you enter, our team will be there to assist and help you in every way possible. Our practice is very family friendly, with entertainment for all age groups in our reception area. The children will have a cuddly toy with them throughout their treatment and their favorite cartoons to make them feel relaxed and at home. On the way out, we have a toy box from which the child can take a toy to take it with them. We want them to have a memorable and pleasant dental experience.
On the day of the visit to WoodGrove Family Dentits:
There are several things parents can do to make the first visit enjoyable. Some helpful tips are listed below:
Take another adult along for the visit – Sometimes infants become fussy when having their mouths examined. Having another adult along to soothe the infant allows the parent to ask questions and to attend to any advice the dentist may have.
Leave other children at home – Other children can distract the parent and cause the infant to fuss. Leaving other children at home (when possible) makes the first visit less stressful for all concerned.
Avoid threatening language – Family dentists and staff avoid the use of threatening language, like drills, needles, injections, and bleeding. It is imperative for parents to use positive language when speaking about dental treatment with their child.
Provide positive explanations – It is important to explain the purposes of the dental visit in a positive way. Explaining that the dentist "helps to keep teeth healthy" is far better than explaining that the dentist "is checking for tooth decay, and may have to drill the tooth if decay is found."
Explain what will happen – Anxiety can be vastly reduced if the child knows what to expect.