FAQ: Pediatric Dentistry
When should my child have their first dental visit?
By the first birthday! I know it sounds early, but the goal is to keep the teeth healthy and introduce good dietary and hygiene habits. We want your child to giggle, eat well, and have a happy, healthy smile!
Do you have any tips for getting a toddler to brush their teeth?
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), to make brushing a toddler’s teeth fun, you can play music while brushing, let them choose their toothbrush with a favorite character, use a fun-flavored toothpaste, tell stories while brushing, and make it a playful competition with a timer to encourage engagement and positive association with tooth brushing—essentially, turning it into a fun activity rather than a chore.
It is recommended that the baby’s gums be cleaned after every feeding and that the baby’s teeth be brushed as soon as the first tooth appears using a gauze, a washcloth, or a finger brush.
After the back teeth (baby molars) erupt, brush them with a soft toothbrush and water or use a fluoride-free training toothpaste. When brushing your child’s teeth, you might want to sit, resting the child’s head on your lap; this way, you can see into the mouth easily.
Once the child can spit on its own and not swallow the toothpaste, you can begin brushing the teeth with a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste. It is best to brush the children’s teeth or help them until they are about 8 years old; this is when they have the motor skills to brush independently. Flossing your child’s baby teeth helps prevent cavities.
How many times a day should you brush your teeth?
The American Dental Association recommends brushing teeth twice daily: once during the day ( Dr. Garzon suggests after breakfast) and once at night before bedtime.
How many times a day should you floss your teeth?
The ADA recommends to floss once a day to remove food and particles. The most important thing is to floss daily and build a habit.
How often does my child need to see the pediatric dentist?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry advises parents to bring their children for a routine check-up and cleaning every six months, beginning approximately six months after the first tooth emerges. However, the frequency depends on the child’s individual oral health needs.
What is the difference between a pediatric dentist and a family dentist?
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, pediatric dentists are the pediatricians of dentistry. Following dental school, a pediatric dentist has two to three years of specialty training in child psychology and behavior guidance techniques to help ease fears and create a positive experience for children with a wide range of temperaments and developmental levels. Pediatric dentists provide primary and specialty oral care for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health needs.
What should I use to clean my baby’s teeth and at what age is it appropriate to use toothpaste to clean my child’s teeth?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends starting early by cleaning the baby’s gums after every feeding. Once the first tooth appears, clean the teeth using gauze, a soft cloth, or a baby toothbrush and water.
After the back teeth (baby molars) erupt, brush them with a soft toothbrush and water or use a fluoride-free training toothpaste.
Once the child can spit on its own and not swallow the toothpaste, you can begin brushing the teeth with a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste. It is best to brush the children’s teeth or help them until they are about 8 years old; this is when they have the motor skills to brush independently. Flossing your child’s baby teeth helps prevent cavities, especially if the teeth have tight contacts or are crowded.
What’s the best way to clean my baby’s teeth?
When brushing your child’s teeth, you might want to sit, resting the child’s head on your lap; this way, you can see into the mouth easily.
Are baby teeth really that important to my child?
We know that baby teeth (or primary teeth) are important for chewing, talking, appearance, and smiling, but sometimes we are not aware that they are very important for growth and development. Baby teeth hold the space in the jaws for permanent teeth to come in the right position. When a baby tooth is lost too early, the adjacent teeth can tip or shift into the empty space. When the time comes for the permanent tooth to emerge, it may be unable to emerge or may emerge in an abnormal position. If your child loses a tooth early is important to bring the child to Dr Garzon so she can evaluate and determine if a space maintainer is needed. A space maintainer is a device that holds the space for the permanent tooth to come in.
What should I do if my child has a toothache?
Clean the area thoroughly by vigorously rinsing with warm water and salt. Use dental floss to dislodge any food or debris that can be trapped. Call Dr Garzon immediately to schedule an appointment. If the face is swollen, apply cold compresses, give pain medication, call us, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Are thumb-sucking and pacifier habits harmful to a child’s teeth?
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), prolonged thumb sucking and pacifier use can cause a range of dental and jaw alignment issues that can cause speech or swallowing problems, jaw shifting and lopsided jaw growth, inability to close the mouth and lips properly, crooked teeth and narrowing of the roof of the mouth.
Some of these changes can continue even after the habit stops. Pediatric dentists can help children stop these habits and discuss the potential consequences. Treatment options include behavior modification techniques or appliances.
What should I do if my child sucks a thumb?
Children often suck their fingers when they feel insecure, before bedtime, when bored, or when seeking comfort. Focus on correcting the source of the anxiety and comfort your child. Praise your child when he or she is not doing it, and reward him or her when the child is not doing it during challenging times.
Have a dialogue with your child and explain that the habit can cause problems in the alignment of the teeth and changes in the growth of the mouth. Using a bandage on the fingers or a sock on the hand at night can remind the child not to suck the fingers.
If the habit persists, consult with Dr. Garzon; she can encourage the child to stop the habit or, if needed, place an appliance that will help stop the habit.
Toothpaste: when should we begin using it, and how much should we use it?
According to the AAPD (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry), you should start using a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste on your child’s teeth as soon as their first tooth appears. Use a rice-grain-sized amount until they are around 3 years old. Once children are 3 to 6 years old and can spit, the amount should be increased to a pea-size dollop, and perform or assist your child’s toothbrushing. Remember that young children do not have the dexterity to brush their teeth effectively. Children should spit out and not swallow excess toothpaste after brushing.
How often should I change my child’s toothbrush?
Most manufacturers and dentists recommend replacing the toothbrush every 3 to 4 months or when the bristles are worn out, frayed, or curled.
When will my child have teeth come in and fall out?
In general, baby teeth start emerging or erupting when the baby is around 6 months old and continue until the child is about 3 years old; at that time, all 20 baby teeth are present in the mouth.
Baby teeth start falling out when a child is around 6 years old, and permanent teeth replace them until they are around 12 years old. Behind the baby teeth, children get additional teeth called the 6—and 12-year-old molars.
By the time a person is 21 years old, the wisdom teeth have emerged, and the 32 teeth will be present in the mouth. If the jaws are small and the teeth are big, there is often not enough space for all 32 teeth to fit in the mouth, and, in many instances, some permanent teeth need to be extracted so the teeth can be aligned in the correct position.
When should I schedule my child’s first visit to the dentist?
By the first birthday! I know it sounds too early, but the goal is to keep the teeth healthy and introduce good dietary and hygiene habits! Dr. Garzon will evaluate the teeth and gums and your child’s growth and development. She will check for decay and other problems, such as a prolonged pacifier or finger-sucking habits. We want your child to giggle, eat well, and have a happy, healthy smile!
What happens during my child’s first visit to the dentist?
We have created a welcoming and friendly environment with video games, TVs, and toys to help your child feel at ease. The first dental visit is a time to get acquainted. It is a time to find the likes and dislikes of the child and answer the questions and concerns that parents may have. We determine the child’s health history and dental needs. It is a good time to have a thorough evaluation and professional cleaning, take the necessary radiographs, and apply fluoride. Most importantly, it is a time to let you know that we are here to serve your family, help your child have a healthy smile, and create good habits for a lifetime.
How can I prepare my children for the first dental appointment?
Convey good feelings by explaining that Dr Garzon and her team will show them lots of exciting things to help them take good care of their teeth. Be positive, and you will see that your children will have a positive and fun experience. If you or anyone around them is fearful of dentistry, work hard not to transfer those fears; children are very perceptive. Use child-friendly words and let them know that they can ask questions anytime, and we will walk them through the different steps of the dental visit. Our goal is for us to partner with parents to help children succeed and have a positive experience!
What causes cavities?
Having sugary foods or drinks or eating starchy foods frequently increases the risk of your child developing cavities.
Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on the surface of the teeth. The bacteria in the plaque use the sugar left over from food and drinks to produce acid. The acid weakens the outer layer of the teeth, called enamel, and produces cavities.
How can I help my child avoid cavities?
Establish a dental home as early as the first tooth comes into the mouth. Practice good oral hygiene, limit sugary drinks and snacks, and take your child regularly for dental checkups, professional cleanings, and fluoride application.
Sipping sugary drinks for long periods of time or frequently helps cause cavities. Avoid giving children energy drinks or carbonated beverages; they have a high sugar content, and the acid in those drinks weakens the enamel. If the child is thirsty in between meals, give him/her water.
Frequent intake of sweets or starchy foods, especially if they are sticky, increases the risk of decay. The flour in starchy foods breaks down into sugar. Remember that some natural foods, such as dried fruits, also contain sugar. Eating a balanced diet helps prevent cavities. Teach your child to drink water after snacking and brush twice daily.
Does my child need dental sealants?
Tooth decay often begins on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. These surfaces have grooves and pits that trap plaque, bacteria, and food. The toothbrush bristles cannot get into those grooves, so it is difficult to keep those areas clean.
A dental sealant is a plastic protective coating that is placed on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to prevent the teeth from getting cavities. They are made of a resin material that flows into the grooves and pits of the back teeth and hardens with a special light. Sealants act as a barrier that seals out plaque, food, and bacteria.
Tooth decay can start soon after teeth come in, so children and adolescents get sealants placed as the back teeth start coming in. Since you never outgrow the risk of getting cavities, sealants can also be placed on adults.
My child plays sports; how can I protect his or her teeth?
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), the best way to protect your child’s teeth while playing sports is to ensure they wear a properly fitted mouthguard during any contact sport or activity with a high risk of facial impact; a custom-made mouthguard from a dentist is generally considered the best option for optimal protection.
When should my child have dental X-rays taken?
X-rays are important for determining the presence of cavities and the development of the jaws. They allow the dentist to evaluate whether the teeth are in the correct position and erupting normally. X-rays also allow dentists to find lumps and bumps in the bone and diagnose and treat conditions that cannot be detected during a visual clinical examination. When dental trauma occurs, dentists can determine the effects of the injury on the teeth and bones and treat it accordingly.
X-rays are taken according to the child’s individual needs, and the risk of radiation is far smaller than the risk of undetected and untreated dental problems. X-rays are a wonderful tool to prevent and correct problems before they become serious issues!