1st Dental Visit
For optimal oral health, a good rule of thumb is to bring your child to the dentist by age 2, or earlier if you have any questions or concerns about your child's teeth. A gentle examination will be performed on your child's mouth, teeth and gums and a fluoride varnish may be applied. Be sure your child visits the dentist early to give him/her the best chance of preventing dental problems. Children with healthy teeth chew food easily and smile with confidence. Start your child now on a lifetime of good dental habits.
Cleaning Baby's Teeth
Starting at birth, clean your child's gums with a soft infant toothbrush or cloth and water. As soon as the teeth begin to appear, start brushing twice daily using fluoridated toothpaste and a soft, age-appropriate sized toothbrush. Use only a "smear" of toothpaste to brush the teeth of a child less than 3 years of age. For your three-six year old, dispense a "pea-size" amount of toothpaste and perform or assist your child's tooth brushing. Remember that young children do not have the ability to brush their teeth effectively by themselves.
Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
Many people are unaware of the dental condition known as baby bottle tooth decay. Serious harm can come to a baby's teeth when bottles filled with juice, milk or formula are allowed to sit in a baby's mouth for long periods of time. Generally this happens when a baby is put to bed with a bottle. If you bottle feed, make sure to remove the bottle when your baby fall asleep. Drinking juice from a bottle should be avoided. Children should be weaned from the bottle at 12-14 months of age.
Thumb & Finger Sucking
Thumb sucking is perfectly normal for infants, and many children stop by age two. Prolonged thumb sucking can create crooked teeth or bite problems for your child. If the habit continues beyond age three, ask our dental professionals about ways to address a prolonged thumb sucking habit.
Teething
From six months to age three, your child's gums may feel tender when teeth erupt. In most children, teething causes increased drooling and a desire to chew on hard things. In some children, teething results in mild pain and irritability and the gums may become swollen and tender. Help your child by vigorously massaging the area for a few minutes and/or let him/her chew on a smooth, hard teething ring or cold wash cloth. While most children do not need teething gels or treatment with Tylenol for pain, you can use these products if necessary.
Nitrous Oxide N2O
Nitrous Oxide, more commonly referred to as laughing gas, is a mild sedative agent that safely and effectively manages pain and anxiety during dental treatment. The colorless and odorless nitrous oxide is mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a small mask that fits over your nose. Patients are asked to breathe normally and should feel the effects of the laughing gas within minutes. Contrary to its name, laughing gas does not make you laugh. It just makes you calm and comfortable throughout the procedure. Patients of all ages may request N2O. Ask your dentist if this may be an option for you or your child.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are a thin coating placed over the biting surface (grooves) of a child’s molars to protect them from decay. Sealants protect these vulnerable areas from tooth decay and are applied to the chewing surface with a small brush.
