Children are Special Dental Patients

The establishment of a happy, healthy, life-long relationship with a dentist is a wonderful gift to give your child. Selecting the right dentist, office, and approach is essential. Here are many of the important aspects:

1. When is the first dental visit? The first visit usually occurs between 2 1/2 to 3 years of age. The entire primary dentition has developed by this age and the child is usually very excited and curious about his or her teeth. We recommend that you discuss your child's home care very early with your dentist for brushing, teething, cavities, and fluoride questions. Bring your child to the dentist at any age if you have a question or accident. Most children love to come to the dentist!
2. Things look scary. Many children associate the dentist with their physician or hospital visits; this anxiety can be difficult for the dentist to overcome at first. Our dentists and staff respect your child's fears and concerns. We explain why gloves and masks are worn. We encourage your child to touch all of the dental instruments and we use a "touch and feel" approach to presenting a new experience. With modern preventative dental techniques, such as sealants and regular check-ups, your child should have a lifetime of healthy, cavity-free teeth with no negative dental experiences.
3. Brushing and flossing are difficult!! This is true for both children and adults. We encourage parents to be active participants in their child's home dental care. Children have a hard time knowing how long to brush. We therefore recommend using small timers or listening to a song on the radio that is about 3 minutes long. Flossing should be done at any age. Never use toothpastes that have tartar control or whitening agents for children. These are strong chemicals which are totally unnecessary. Remember to change the toothbrush monthly, when your child is ill, or if the bristles have worn or are splayed.
4. My child had an accident!!! Accidents in early childhood involving the face and teeth are very common. Even a minor accident will bleed profusely. Often it is more upsetting for the parent than the child! Always call and/or bring your child to see the dentist if an accident occurs.
5. Does my child need a pedodontist? A pedodontist is a dentist who specializes in children's dentistry. Our office does all procedures in children's dentistry except for sedation or hospitalization. Each child is special and talking with the dentist to get the best care for your child is essential. The benefit of seeing a general dentist is that your child's visit is a "family experience". The child becomes comfortable with the same office and, as he or she grows, his or her dental needs change to more "grown up" concerns, such as orthodontics and adult care in cosmetics and restorative dentistry.
6. Does my child need braces? Orthodontics is an important part of good dental health. It establishes a healthy, sound bite; stable jaw position; ease in dental maintenance; and a beautiful smile! Most orthodontic treatment is done on adolescents. But some care, known as appliances, are done on smaller children to correct habits, such as thumb-sucking, which can have a very detrimental effect on face and bone formation.

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