Your child's first visit to the dentist should be stress-free and enjoyable - thats what our office stives for! Our office makes a practice of using calming and relaxing phrases to describe any treatments with your child and family members. Our goal is to make you feel at ease from the moment you and your child arrive at our office.
Children should visit the dentist by their first birthday, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). It is important that your child receives proper dental care and benefit from proper oral hygiene habits right from the beginning!
What is the difference between a pediatric dentist and a family dentist?
Pediatric dentists are the pediatricians of dentistry. Dr Mila Belgrade is a pediatric dentist who is completing three years specialty training following dental school graduation and limits her practice to treating children exclusively. Pediatric dentists are primary and specialty oral care providers for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health needs.
Make our office your Dental Home
A dental home is the establishment of an ongoing relationship with a licensed dentist who can provide your child with comprehensive, continuously accessible, coordinated and family-centered care.
The AmericanAcademy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) strongly encourages the concept of a dental home for infants, children, adolescents, and persons with special health care needs.
Children who have a constant dental home are more likely to receive appropriate preventive and routine oral health care. Referral to a dentist is recommended as early as 6 month of age after the first teeth erupt, and no later than 12 months of age.
Why are “baby teeth” important?
1.Baby teeth are placeholders for the permanent teeth. If these teeth fall out earlier, it can disrupt the development of permanent teeth.
2.Cavities in baby teeth can cause infections that can harm a child and damage the developing permanent teeth.
3.Baby teeth allow the child to develop good oral hygiene habits. It is much easier to start teaching a child the right brushing and flossing habits when they are young, so these good habits stay with them through their teenage years.
4.Baby teeth are important for developing proper speech patterns. In addition, unhealthy baby teeth can cause a child to have low self-esteem, as children might be afraid to smile at school or be teased.
5.Baby teeth help children eat nutritious food. AmericanAcademy of Pediatric Dentistry suggests that kids with lots of cavities may be severely underweight due to pain when they try to eat.
New/First Teeth
Your child's first tooth comes in between ages 6-12 months and the remainder of their 20 primary or "baby" teeth typically come in by age 3. During this time, gums may feel tender and sore, causing your child to feel irritable. To help 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, and their permanent teeth begin to come in at age 6 and continue until age 21. As adults, they will have have 28 permanent teeth, or 32 including wisdom teeth.
Develop Great Oral Hygiene Habits
As new teeth come in, examine them every two weeks for lines and discoloration caused by decay. Remember that sugary foods and liquids can attack a new tooth, so take care that your child brushes their teeth after feeding or eating. We recommend brushing four times a day for optimal oral hygiene: after breakfast, after lunch, after dinner, and at bedtime. Brushing can be fun, and your child should brush as soon as the first tooth arrives. When a baby's tooth comes in, parents should brush the tooth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. For children younger than two, do not use fluoride toothpaste unless advised to do so by your dentist or other health professional. We suggest reviewing proper tooth brushing procedures with your child.