Dental care for Your Baby
Childhood dental habits establish the foundation for oral health during adulthood. By training children about proper hygienic habits at an early age, parents and caregivers can set them up for a lifetime of good oral health.
Visiting Your Justin Dentist for the First Time
A
child’s first visit to the dentist in Justin should fall around his or her first
birthday. This is the time when many of the baby teeth have erupted into
the gums, and it is approximately six months following the breakthrough
of the first baby tooth. It is important to make visits to the dentist
an exciting experience for young children. Parents should speak with
children openly about an upcoming dental appointment and answer any
questions a child may have about the experience.
Equally important
is the dentist chosen to care for a child’s teeth. Although all dentists
are qualified to care for a child’s oral health, many parents prefer the
expertise and experience available from a pediatric dentist or a family
dentist with experience caring for young patients. Furthermore, dentists
with experience working with children are accustomed to squirming and
are more likely to have child-friendly waiting areas.
What to Expect
By the age of three, most children have 20 teeth often referred to as “baby teeth.” Children are born with these teeth, although they do not appear until several months of age. Although these teeth will eventually fall out – usually beginning around the child’s sixth birthday – they are still susceptible to decay until that time. During childhood, the dentist will inspect the baby teeth for cavities and signs of decay, as well as ensure the teeth are erupting normally. As the child grows, dental visits continue according to a schedule determined by the dental care provider.
Parents are also instructed on proper home dental care and advised of day-to-day habits that could cause early decay. Caution may be given about:
- Pacifier usage
- Sending children to bed with bottles or sugary beverages
- Using fluoridated toothpastes prior to age two
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