Care from the First Tooth

The American Dental Association ADA recommends children see a dentist after the first tooth appears, but no later than their first birthday. Delaying a child’s first visit can be an unnecessary risk, so scheduling your visit around their birthday is recommended.

Furthermore, studies by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry indicate odds of tooth decay more than double each year after the first tooth comes in.

By scheduling your first visit with a pediatric dentist, you can ensure your child’s smile gets off to the best start. Plus, we’ll help you encourage a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Comfortable, Positive Experiences for Parent and Child

We know that many adults tend to be nervous about seeing a dentist. Thus, we expect kids to be a bit anxious, and this often worries parents. However, this is what we’re trained and prepared for and where we shine!

Always, we strive to make your first experiences a rewarding, positive, educational experience. Often, this enforces better oral health habits that lead to healthier, smiling adults.

Rather than feeling anxious, we strive to make your visit a fun experience. And we love to reward and praise our patients and their families each step of the way. Taking care of your smile is something to be proud of, and we’re here to help.

Deciduous (Baby) Teeth

Even before the first tooth, pediatric dental care is vital. Thus, it’s a good idea to wash away harmful bacteria with a clean, damp washcloth or infant toothbrush. Each time your child feeds, it’s a good habit to wipe down their gums very gently. Notably, you don’t need toothpaste until the first tooth comes in.

When that first tooth comes in, it’s a proud moment and a milestone. These temporary teeth are called baby teeth, primary, deciduous, or milk teeth. Importantly, they help your child speak and chew. Keeping these teeth healthy ensures that later, permanent teeth have a good start too!

Remember, even babies can have tooth decay, particularly if they are put to sleep with a bottle.

From the first tooth, brushing the teeth with a very tiny amount of toothpaste and a baby brush is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD).

Each child is different, so it’s best to ask your pediatric dentist to be sure of what age to begin. By age three to six, the amount of toothpaste may go up to a pea-size dollop.

Since kids haven’t learned to spit out toothpaste, it’s necessary to use a minimal amount. As more teeth come in, you may gently floss between them. Use a flossing pick designed for kids. Often, these come in bright colors and even animal shapes to please kids.

By age two, kids can learn to spit while brushing, and they should learn not to swallow. And, they should learn to rinse with water without swallowing. At this, encourage kids to use a soft brush designed for kids on their own. If they chew and suck on the toothbrush, that’s ok.

Below, see a helpful video about teaching your child to brush. By making the process fun and offering a reward, toothbrushing can be fun instead of a chore.

Preventing Tooth Decay

As noted, it’s a good idea to remove a bottle before the child falls asleep. Doing so minimizes baby bottle tooth decay due to exposure to sugars. If the baby bottle remains in place, it’s best to fill it with only water, not milk, formula, or juice.

Similarly, be sure that pacifiers are clean and not dipped in sugar or honey. By age 12 months or earlier, you may introduce a sippy cup to help reduce the risk of tooth decay. However, it’s a good idea to progress from a sippy cup to one with a straw to discourage the habit of continuously sucking on the sippy cup.

Furthermore, it’s a good idea to teach your child to brush and floss daily with supervision as soon as possible. Again, each child is different, and you may need to perform brushing until they’re ready.

Another thing that helps prevent tooth decay is limiting sticky refined carbohydrates and sugar in the diet. Using a fluoride toothpaste will help reduce tooth decay. Also, there is fluoride in tap water. Ask your pediatric dentist about fluoride supplements if your tap water doesn’t contain fluoride.

Below, see a video about making toothbrushing fun!

Pediatric Dental Treatments

There are a variety of dental treatments we provide to prevent tooth decay in children, or to save or repair teeth when necessary. They include:

How To Help Toothaches

If your child experiences a toothache, it’s important to consult your pediatric dentist as soon as possible. In the meantime, the AAPD suggests rinsing with salt-water and using a cold compress if the face is swollen.

If a pain reliever is necessary, it’s best to consult your doctor, but Children’s Tylenol (child acetaminophen) is generally recommended over aspirin.

Root Canal Treatment

A root canal is a funnel-shaped channel full of soft tissue that runs from the surface of a tooth down through the enamel itself and into the root. Both root stems have a root canal. The canal is where you can find the main nerve tissue inside the tooth. Root canal treatments are one of the most dreaded of dental procedures. If the dental decay is left untreated, it progresses deep inside the tooth and reaches the pulp tissue. Root canal treatment is done to replace the infected pulp with a filling. The procedure is used to save the tooth, which would otherwise get removed.

Thumb-Sucking and Pacifier Habits

Like sucking on a bottle, thumb-sucking can be problematic over long periods. If kids continue sucking their thumbs beyond age three, your pediatric dentist may recommend a mouth appliance. Otherwise, alignment of the teeth and jaws could be affected by this common, generally harmless habit.

Similarly, using a pacifier can also cause pressure on the teeth and gums over time. As kids age, sucking on a sippy cup can also cause pressure on the teeth and gums. So, it’s better to transition to a kid’s cup with a straw if possible.

Nursing Kids to Sleep

Nursing a child to sleep poses higher risks for tooth decay. Thus, it’s best to avoid it if possible or use water only in a bottle. By scheduling a pediatric dental care checkup every six months, you can help avoid cavities and tooth decay. At your next visit, we’ll discuss the optimal schedule to maintain the best oral health.

Baby's First X-Rays

As pediatric dentists, we are careful to make X-rays as safe as possible. Thus, there’s little risk and minimal exposure. Before we begin, we’ll be happy to talk about any concerns. We hope these tips have been helpful as you consider the best care for your child. Luna Pediatric Dentistry is always here for you and ready to answer any questions you may have. Call us at (281) 825-3131 or schedule an appointment today!

Dental Sealants For Kids

Dental sealants are an effective, safe, and simple way to prevent cavities. By painting a thin layer of safe sealant on the teeth, we can greatly reduce the risk. Recently, a CDC report has shown dental sealants can prevent 80 percent of cavities for two years!

Even better, dental sealants continue to protect against 50 percent of cavities for up to four years. For as long as nine years, sealants can continue to protect teeth.

Unfortunately, school-age kids who don’t receive treatment may develop three times as many cavities. In many cases, dental insurance may cover sealants, and there are long-term benefits. Both kids and adults can benefit, ensuring a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Regular Checkups With Your Pediatric Dentist

By scheduling regular checkups with your pediatric dentist, you can ensure your child’s smile stays healthy. Laying this foundation of strong oral health leads to a lifetime of good habits and a strong, healthy smile.

Luna Pediatric Dentistry recommends scheduling your child’s first appointment around their first birthday. Then, a pediatric dental care checkup every six months is recommended. Although it might sound like a lot, frequent visits are essential while your child’s teeth are developing.

We’ll check for any signs of decay at each visit and catch any problems before they can become worse. It’s vital to take care of baby teeth as they guide the permanent teeth into position. Thus, baby teeth are essential for long-term oral health.

By keeping to regular visits, you can encourage a lifetime of better oral health habits.