Pediatric Dentistry in Yakima, WA
A child's first visit to the dentist should be enjoyable. Children are not born with a natural fear of the dentist, but they can fear the unknown especially if they sense that their parents are anxious about going to the dentist. Our office makes a special effort to use pleasant, non-frightening, simple words to describe instruments that we use, like tooth tickler and sleepy juice and procedures that we do, like scrub away the cavity bugs. We want you and your child to feel at ease from the moment your family arrives at our office. The more you and your child know about the first visit, the better you will feel.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends...
Children should visit the dentist by their first birthday. It is important that your child's newly-erupted teeth (erupting at six and 12 months of age) receive proper dental care and benefit from proper oral hygiene habits right from the beginning.
Getting to know your teeth is fun!
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When New Teeth Arrive
Your child's first primary or baby teeth will begin to erupt between the ages of six and 12 months, and will continue to erupt until about age three. During this time, your child's gums may feel tender and sore. To help alleviate this discomfort, we recommend that you soothe the gums by rubbing a clean finger or a cool, wet cloth across them or giving your child a clean, moistened washcloth that has been in the refrigerator to chew on. You may also choose to make use of a teething ring. When your child has finished teething, you can expect a total of 20 primary teeth.
Your child's primary teeth are shed at various times throughout childhood. Permanent teeth begin erupting at age six, and continue until age 21. Adults have 28 permanent teeth (32, including wisdom teeth).
Adopting Healthy Oral Hygiene Habits
As your child's teeth erupt, be sure to examine them every two weeks, looking for lines and discoloration that may be caused by decay. Remember that sugary foods and liquids can attack a new tooth, so take care that your child brushes after feeding or eating. We recommend brushing two times a day for optimal oral hygiene.
Brushing can be FUN or it can be a Struggle, but it can be done quickly and then rewarded with lots of Praise and Hugs!
An adult needs to be in charge of brushing as soon as the first tooth appears. When a baby's tooth erupts, parents should brush the tooth with a soft-bristled toothbrush or rubbed with a washcloth. For children younger than two, do not use fluoride toothpaste unless advised to do so by your dentist or other healthcare professional until the child can spit and not swallow the toothpaste. When appropriate, your child can begin to practice brushing with a parent always taking a turn to effectively remove plaque from the teeth at least once a day. A pea-size amount or less of toothpaste is recommended once the child can effectively spit.
Flossing is also a part of good oral hygiene habits, and your doctor will discuss with you the right time to start flossing. If you notice signs of decay, contact your dentist immediately.
Preventing Tooth Decay with Regular Checkups
Tooth decay is caused by sugars left in your mouth that turn into an acid, which can break down your teeth. Children are at high risk for tooth decay for a simple reason: many children and adolescents do not practice regular, effective oral hygiene habits. Proper brushing and flossing routines combined with regular dental visits help keep tooth decay away.
Your child should visit the dentist every six months for regular dental cleanings and checkups. We recommend fluoride treatments twice a year along with cleanings to keep teeth their strongest. Tooth sealants are also recommended because they "seal" the deep grooves in your child's teeth, preventing decay from forming in these hard-to-reach areas. Sealants last for several years, but will be monitored at your child's regular checkups.
