Pediatric Dental FAQs
When should I schedule my child's first visit to the dentist?
We recommend that you make an appointment to see the dentist as soon as your child gets his first tooth. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children be seen by six months after their first tooth erupts, or at one year of age, whichever comes first.It’s always recommended that you should always make an appointment to the dentist as soon as possible when your child gets their first tooth appearance. The American Academy Pediatric Dentistry recommend that you should bring them in at one year old age.
What happens during my child's first visit to the dentist?
The dental specialists that involve pediatric dentists, orthodontists, oral surgeons and others) begin by completing dental school, continue their education with several years of additional specialized training. During the field of pediatric dentistry, your doctor also gained extensive knowledge, experience in treating infants, children and adolescents. The pediatric dentists enjoy working with the children. They bring to each patient our expertise in childhood development along with behavior. Since our office gears toward young children, you’ll find our staff, as well as our environment and activities work provide a friendly and comfortable environment for children.
What happens during my child's first visit to the dentist?
Most first visits focus on getting to know your child and giving dental instructions. Dr Sun will check your child’s teeth and look for any problems related to oral health. We will try to do some cleaning, answer questions that you may have, and provide helpful tips that you can use at home for taking care of your child's teeth.
How can I prepare my child for his first dental appointment?
The most important way to prepare for your first child’s dental visit is to build up a positive attitude. Let your child be aware that its important to keep his teeth and his gums healthy and give positive comments about coming to the dentist. Show your child the pictures of the office and staff on the website. Dr Sun and her staff is specially trained to handle fears and anxiety, with great experience of putting children at ease during treatment.
How often should my child visit the dentist?
We always encourage children’s checkups to be every 6 months. Depending on your child’s oral health, we may recommend more visits than just every 6 months.
Baby teeth aren't permanent. Why do they need special care?
Even though baby teeth don’t last as adult teeth, all your children’s first teeth play an important role in their development. Not only the baby teeth help your child speak, smile and chew, they also hold space in the jaw for permanent teeth. If they lose baby tooth too early, the nearby teeth may move towards that space, resulting in crooked or misaligned permanent teeth. If baby tooth has periapical infection, it may affect the development of underneath permanent tooth. Overall, your child’s baby teeth are very important for the general health and need special care.
What's the best way to clean my baby's teeth?
Even before the first baby tooth appears, we also recommend you clean the gums after feedings with a damp, soft washcloth. As soon as it appears, you can start using a toothbrush. It’s recommended to choose a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small toothbrush head. They even have toothbrushes for infants at your local drugstore. We always encourage children’s checkups to be every 6 months. Depending on your child’s oral health, we may recommend more visits than just every 6 months.
At what age is it appropriate to use toothpaste to clean my child's teeth?
Once your child has started gaining their teeth, you can start using toothpaste. Only use a tiny amount for each cleaning and be careful when choosing a toothpaste without fluoride for children that are aged under two. Too much fluoride can be dangerous for young children. Always practice with your children to rinse and spit out the toothpaste after brushing to begin a habit when he upgrades to toothpaste that contains fluoride. They always naturally want to swallow after brushing. The result of swallowing too much toothpaste that contains fluoride can cause teeth to stain. Always help your child brush their teeth until they’re able to do it on their own which happens around age six or seven
What causes cavities?
Cavities can be caused by bacteria that live in our mouths. The bacteria that meet any sugary foods that are left behind on our teeth after eating, the acids are produced. They attack the enamel on the exterior of the teeth. They eat eventually through the enamel and they can create holes in the teeth which are cavities.
How can I help my child avoid cavities?
To prevent cavities from forming, make sure your child brushes their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Flossing daily is also important because it can reach spots that are between the teeth that brushing may not be able to. Check with your child’s pediatric dentist about a fluoride supplement that can help tooth enamel become harder and more resistant to decay. They must avoid sugary drinks and foods. Your children must limit snacking and maintain a healthy balanced diet. Its best to make regular appointments so we can check the overall health of your child’s teeth and provide cleanings and any other treatment necessary
Does my child need dental sealants?
By getting sealants, they only cover pits and fissures(grooves) in the teeth that are difficult to brush and therefore can cause decay. By having sealants done, they’re safe, simple way to help your child avoid cavities, especially for molars; which are the back teeth and can be harder to reach.
My child plays sports. How can I protect his teeth?
To prevent any damage from sports, your children must wear a mouthguard for those that are active in any sports. If your child plays baseball, soccer, or any other sports, please ask us about having a custom-fitted mouthguard made to protect his teeth, lips, cheeks and gums.
What should I do if my child sucks his thumb?
Most of children suck their thumbs or fingers as infants and they do tend to grow out of it by the age of four without causing any damage to their teeth. If they continue to suck their thumbs aggressively, let us be aware and we will help you to prevent any permanent damage from the habit.
When should my child have dental X-rays taken?
Our office recommends taking x-rays after the ages of two or three. The adult teeth usually come in around age six, and x-rays helps us make sure your child’s teeth and jaw are healthy and properly aligned. Then at least yearly x-rays are recommended.
