Pediatric dentists understand that teething can be a rollercoaster for babies and parents. Some babies hardly fuss at all. Other babies struggle with the pain and discomfort of the teething process. Pediatric dentists want you to know that your baby’s dentist is a great support and resource as baby teeth begin to come in. You can partner with your pediatric dentist to start your child on the path to good oral health.
It may surprise many, but dentists recommend that a child have their first appointment when the first tooth appears or by their first birthday, sooner than many parents expect. This is to ensure that the teeth are healthy and free from decay. Even babies can experience tooth decay or other dental problems. A pediatric dentist can do a quick examination of the baby to identify any tooth decay or gum disease. Both of these conditions are completely preventable in healthy children.
When something unusual happens, parents should check in with the pediatric dentist. Some babies do not have difficulty while teething. Other babies may cry, pull at their ears, or drool. Pediatric dentists want parents to bring the child in if they notice anything out of the ordinary. While problems early on are rare, the sooner a pediatric dentist sees a child with a dental issue, the better. This allows dentists to form a plan of care with parents before the problem gets worse.
Pediatric dentists understand that the idea of brushing tiny teeth in a baby’s mouth can seem daunting to parents. When parents bring a child in, the dentist can demonstrate ways that parents can clean the baby’s teeth. This may involve wiping the new little teeth with clean gauze. Some tooth scrubbers fit over the parent’s finger. The parent will then use it to massage the baby’s gums and teeth.
As more baby teeth erupt and the baby becomes a toddler, parents can move to a toothbrush. There are several styles of toothbrushes that make brushing a toddler’s teeth a bit easier. The pediatric dentist will want to continue to see the child at certain milestones to evaluate how the baby’s teeth are erupting. These are great opportunities for parents to ask questions and for pediatric dentists to address any concerns.
By beginning oral care at the appearance of the first tooth, you can lay the foundation for good lifelong oral health for your child. Regular visits to the pediatric dentist will help your child have less fear and anxiety in the dentist’s chair. These visits also help to address and prevent tooth decay. You can get good advice from the dentist about how to care for your child’s teeth at home. When you work with a pediatric dentist to establish oral care habits, your child learns how to care for the teeth better for life.
Request an appointment here: https://www.hvkidsmiles.com or call Hudson Valley Pediatric Dentistry at (845) 363-4177 for an appointment in our Middletown office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Pediatric Dentist in Middletown, NY.
Typing pediatric dentist near me on your browser’s search box can be a great start. Research shows that a healthy mouth results in a healthy body. Finding an experienced dental care provider can give your child a good start in life. Here are the details if you want to start an online search for pediatric…
Pediatric cavity treatment is a way to ensure that teeth do not fall out prematurely due to cavities and subsequently cause oral development concerns, speech development concerns, or excessive pain. In this review, we discuss everything that parents should know about pediatric cavity treatment so they can make informed and educated decisions about their child’s…
Early detection of weakened enamel can help prevent cavities from forming, reducing the cost and invasiveness of treatment by a pediatric dentist. In this review, we dive into the role that regular pediatric dentistry visits play in preventing cavities, periodontal disease, and other common oral health concerns in children.Pediatric dentistry visits are appointments with a…
Curious about how often you should take your child to see a pediatric dentist? Read on to learn more. It is a common misconception that small children do not need to see a dentist since their baby teeth will fall out eventually. However, a number of difficulties may arise with a person's dental health at…
If your child has cavities, consider composite fillings. Compared to traditional fillings, the newer composite variety offers some significant benefits.Composite restorations consist of synthetic resin, a plastic material mixed with tiny particles of quartz or glass. The result is a solid, tooth-colored paste that becomes hard and sturdy when it dries. Because it consists of…
Dental fillings can consist of composite (tooth-colored), porcelain, metal, and more. Pediatric dentists use traditional and tooth-colored fillings to close small holes in the teeth, commonly caused by cavities (extremely common in children). The dentist will extract decayed tissues and replace them with one of these filling materials. Dental fillings usually last many years before…