February is Children's Dental Health Month and in this blog we have some basics that are asked all the time about our little friends.
FIRST dental appointment: The first appointment ideally occurs when the first tooth erupts but definitely no later than the child's first birthday. The earlier we can catch any problems the better. If there are no problems, that is great! We immediately start to build a relationship with your kiddo. Most people are nervous to come to the dentist so the earlier we can catch problems and get your child comfortable with our team and office, the better.
**These appointments will SAVE you TIME, MONEY and TEETH!
Our little friends usually get their first tooth around 6 months and they have all their primary (baby) teeth by the time they are 3 years old.
Amount of toothpaste: Children under 3, fluoride toothpaste the size of a piece of rice.
Children from 3-6 years old, fluoride toothpaste the size of a pea.
Brushing: Until your child is able to tie their shoes on their own, they probably should have help brushing their teeth as well. It really takes some dexterity to make sure they get all their teeth and all sides of their teeth.
Sucking Habits: If your baby uses a pacifier we recommend they stop by age 2. If they suck on their fingers or thumbs, we suggest age 4 to try to get them to stop. This is a difficult habit to break for everyone. Please let us know if you want some extra tips or tricks.
Sealants: Around age 6, kids begin to have permanent teeth erupt into the mouth. Common places for decay or cavities are on the chewing surface of those back molars or chewing teeth. To prevent kids from having decay and eventually needing a filling on permanent teeth, we recommend placing sealants in the deep grooves on their teeth. It is completely preventative but will protect those teeth from decay and having to get a filling on their permanent teeth. Sealants are painless and easy for kids as well.
On our next blog, we will talk about handling dental emergencies. For example, what to do when a child falls and lands on a baby tooth or permanent tooth, cracks a tooth, knocks out a tooth, etc. There are some crucial steps to take that could ultimately save your child's tooth!
