Pediatric Dentistry
At Little Dental Studio, we take great care knowing 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.
Pediatric dentists specialize in seeing children only! We have taken an extra 2 years past dental school to master this specialty. At Little Dental Studio, we are even more specialized and focus on the very young-ages 1-5 years old, to ensure we are providing the necessary education and prevention in a patient and caring way.
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends...
Children should visit the dentist by their first birthday. It is important that your child’s newly erupted teeth (erupting at six to 12 months of age) receive proper dental care and benefit from proper oral hygiene habits right from the beginning.
Getting to know your teeth is fun!
Download our Dynamite Dental Fun Kit!
When new teeth arrive
Your child’s first primary, or “baby,” teeth will begin to erupt between the ages of six to 12 months, and will continue to erupt until about age three. During this time, your child’s gums may feel tender and sore. To help alleviate 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.
Your child’s primary teeth are shed at various times throughout childhood. Permanent teeth begin erupting at average between ages 5-7 and continue until age 21. Adults have 32 permanent teeth (if they have their wisdom teeth).
Adopting healthy oral hygiene habits
As your child’s teeth erupt, be sure to examine them every two weeks, looking for lines and discoloration that may be caused by decay. Remember that sugary foods and liquids can attack a new tooth, so take care that your child brushes his or her teeth after feeding or eating. We recommend brushing two times a day for optimal oral hygiene.
Brushing should be fun, and you shoud brush your child's teeth as soon as the first tooth arrives. When a baby’s tooth erupts, you should brush the tooth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a small smear of fluoride toothpaste.
Flossing is also a part of good oral hygiene habits, and your dentist will discuss with you the right time to start flossing your child’s teeth. If you notice signs of decay, contact your dentist immediately.
Preventing tooth decay with regular checkups
Your child should visit the dentist every six months for regular dental cleanings and checkups. We may recommend fluoride treatments along with cleanings to keep teeth their strongest.
