When to Start Visiting a Pediatric Dentist

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that your child start
visiting the dentist as soon as the first tooth appears or when they
turn one year. Babies get cavities too. Many parents don’t realize the
benefits of visiting a pediatric dentist early. If you haven’t started
pediatric dental checkups for your child, here’s what you need to
know:

• According to research, 21% of American children between ages 2
  and 5 have cavities. That’s the number one reason why you should start
  dental visits very early. Even if your child has one tooth, that tooth
  can develop cavities.

• There are many things you don’t know about the oral health of
  your baby, and taking them to the pediatric dentist provides an
  opportunity for you to learn.

• During pediatric dental visits, you have an opportunity to ask
  questions. This provides you with an opportunity to clear the myths
  about baby teeth that are passed on from generation to
  generation.

• During a pediatric dental appointment, your dentist examines the
  overall oral health of your baby including checking to see if they are
  at risk of developing problems in the future.

What to expect with a first visit

During your first visit, your pediatric dentist will examine your
baby’s teeth and gums. They also check whether your baby requires
special care for example they may notice dental enamel defects.

Your pediatric dentist will also talk about nutrition. They’ll tell
you about foods that increase the risk of cavities.

You’ll also learn about simple daily oral hygiene habits like
brushing and flossing that are proper for your baby’s age.

Pediatric dentist vs. family dentist

So what if you already have a family dentist? We advise that your
baby should see a pediatric dentist or a family dentist who has also
specializes in pediatrics. This is because pediatric dentists not only
examine, diagnose and treat children, they also have special skills for
handling children even if they have dental anxiety. Visit us or call us
to make an appointment for your baby.

Your child might suddenly fall during play and injure their teeth or
jaws. If you have an emergency pediatric dentist near you, schedule an
emergency appointment.

Common types of pediatric dental emergency

Infected tooth

Pockets of pus around a tooth mean that the tooth has an infected
root. This condition is known as a dental abscess and it can be very
painful. It can happen on a baby tooth as well as a permanent tooth.
Whichever the case, do not ignore it. Speak to an emergency pediatric
dentist near you to get treatment for your child.

Fractured, cracked, broken, or chipped tooth

Children have a variety of play activities. Your child might suffer
an accident during play and end up with a broken, fractured, or chipped
tooth. Do not evaluate the damage at home as you do not know its extent.
If the crack touches the pulp (a central part of the tooth that contains
nerves and blood vessels), it can lead to tooth decay.

Injured jaw

If you suspect that your child’s jaw has been fractured, ask your
child to gently support their head to avoid jaw movements and rush to
your nearest emergency pediatric dentist.

Cut on the lip, tongue, or cheek

The lip, tongue, and cheek are soft areas. They are susceptible to
injury especially when your child bites food or toys. If they cut their
lip, tongue, or cheek, do not wait for it to heal on its own. Your child
will not be able to eat properly. Make an emergency call to your
pediatric dentist.

Emergencies happen anytime at home or school, it is therefore
important to be able to reach an emergency pediatric dentist near you.
We handle all dental emergencies. Call us to learn more.

Pediatric Dentist for Anxious Children Near Me

Does your child have dental anxiety? He/she is not alone. According
to the World Health Organization (WHO), dental anxiety is a real
concern, with at least 20% of the population being afraid of the
dentist.

That said, dental care is crucial for your child, and his/her anxiety
should not stop you from visiting a pediatric dentist near you.

Does my child need a pediatric dentist for anxious
children?

Dental anxiety is the nervousness that your child shows whenever you
mention a visit to the dentist.

Some of the signs they’ll show include:

Before the appointment

• Your child will attempt to convince you to drop the
  appointment.

• If they have a dental problem, they’ll hide it and pretend
  everything is okay.

• They’ll be sad and tearful when you mention the approaching
  appointment.

• They’ll have trouble sleeping on the night before the
  appointment.

During the appointment

• They’ll sweat a lot and you may feel their hands
  freezing.

• Your child might cry and resist entering the dental
  office.

• In cases of severe dental phobia, your child might
  faint.

Here’s how to help your child

Find a suitable dentist

If you know your child has dental anxiety, don’t take them to a
regular dentist. Make sure you take them to a pediatric dentist
for anxious children. This is important because this specific
dentist knows how to handle your child. They’ll allow things like toys
and music into the dental room. They can even play video games with your
child to relax them.

Offer rewards for every dental visit

Encourage your child to visit the dentist by offering rewards.
Children love gifts, offer them small gifts that they love most.

Stop “dental threats”

An example of a dental threat that parents use often to encourage
their children to brush their teeth is something like “if you don’t
brush your teeth, the dentist will have to take them out.” Such
ments make your child think that a dentist is a bad person and that
dental visits are a form of punishment.

Dental anxiety, if not managed, can affect the oral health of your
child into adulthood. Visiting a dentist only when your child has a
problem can increase their anxiety. Schedule regular checkup
appointments with a pediatric dentist twice a year. Call us to find a
pediatric dentist for anxious children.

When to Start Visiting a Pediatric Dentist

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that your child start
visiting the dentist as soon as the first tooth appears or when they
turn one year. Babies get cavities too. Many parents don’t realize the
benefits of visiting a pediatric dentist early. If you haven’t started
pediatric dental checkups for your child, here’s what you need to
know:

• According to research, 21% of American children between ages 2
  and 5 have cavities. That’s the number one reason why you should start
  dental visits very early. Even if your child has one tooth, that tooth
  can develop cavities.

• There are many things you don’t know about the oral health of
  your baby, and taking them to the pediatric dentist provides an
  opportunity for you to learn.

• During pediatric dental visits, you have an opportunity to ask
  questions. This provides you with an opportunity to clear the myths
  about baby teeth that are passed on from generation to
  generation.

• During a pediatric dental appointment, your dentist examines the
  overall oral health of your baby including checking to see if they are
  at risk of developing problems in the future.

What to expect with a first visit

During your first visit, your pediatric dentist will examine your
baby’s teeth and gums. They also check whether your baby requires
special care for example they may notice dental enamel defects.

Your pediatric dentist will also talk about nutrition. They’ll tell
you about foods that increase the risk of cavities.

You’ll also learn about simple daily oral hygiene habits like
brushing and flossing that are proper for your baby’s age.

Pediatric dentist vs. family dentist

So what if you already have a family dentist? We advise that your
baby should see a pediatric dentist or a family dentist who has also
specializes in pediatrics. This is because pediatric dentists not only
examine, diagnose and treat children, they also have special skills for
handling children even if they have dental anxiety. Visit us or call us
to make an appointment for your baby.

Pediatric Dentist Baby Teeth Extractions 

There are times when baby teeth need extraction. Most people know
that baby teeth are naturally shed starting at age 6 for most children.
But sometimes your pediatric dentist must extract them for a number of
reasons such as:

Tooth Decay

When your child’s baby teeth are badly decayed, your pediatric
dentist will opt to extract them to stop the decay from spreading any
further.

Damaged Tooth

Your child might fracture or break their tooth during play. If the
damage is severe, the tooth will be extracted.

Over-retained Tooth

An over-retained tooth is one that remains in place for too long and
interferes with the eruption of permanent teeth. When this happens, the
over-retained tooth is extracted to create space for permanent teeth and
avoid crowding.

Baby Teeth Extraction Procedure

Extracting baby teeth is simple and straightforward. The procedure is
not as invasive as on adult teeth. Baby teeth are placeholders for
permanent teeth and when they have to be extracted, this is what
happens:

Your pediatric dentist may start with a dental X-ray to check the
condition of the root.

For a simple extraction, your pediatric dentist will then use local
anesthesia to numb the area and will use forceps to remove the
tooth.

If the extraction is a little difficult and involves the removal of
surrounding gum tissue, the procedure will require sedation.

After-care

It is normal for your child to experience bleeding after the
procedure. Your dentist will apply sterile gauze to control this.

Your child should avoid rinsing their mouth with water for the next
24 hours to allow a protective clot to form.

Help your child by giving them soft foods as they recover.

Call us if you like to speak to a pediatric dentist that you can
trust with baby teeth extractions.

Your child can suddenly receive a dental injury from a fall or any
other reason. That’s why you need the contact information of an
emergency pediatric dentist near you.

There are different types of emergencies that your dentist can treat.
Here are some of them:

Bitten lip, tongue, or cheek

Your child can bite their lip, tongue, or cheek when they fall or
when playing with their toys. If the injury is minor, simply clean the
area to prevent infection. If there is bleeding and your child is in
pain, apply a cold or warm compress and rush them to your emergency
pediatric dentist.

Baby tooth knocked out

If a baby tooth is knocked out most parents would ignore that because
they know that baby teeth will eventually be shed. But, it is good to
visit an emergency pediatric dentist near you to check for signs of
teeth shifting. If your child’s dental formation is disturbed, their
permanent teeth may be affected.

Permanent tooth knocked out

When your child’s permanent tooth is knocked out, this is an absolute
dental emergency. If you still have the tooth, hold it by the crown and
don’t touch the root. Put it in a glass of milk and immediately visit an
emergency pediatric dentist near you.

Severe toothache

Your child might wake up with a severe unexplained toothache or the
pain might have slowly progressed. Either way, that’s a sign of a major
problem. Contact your emergency dentist immediately.

Dental abscess

An abscess is a collection of pus that’s usually very painful. It
signifies a root infection. If left untreated it can cause a lot of
complications. Whether the abscess is on a baby tooth or a permanent
tooth, your child will experience a lot of pain. Therefore, schedule an
emergency appointment at your nearest pediatric dental office.

Always be prepared for dental emergencies. They can happen anytime.
As your child begins to explore the world, risks are there. Call our
emergency pediatric dentists for any type of dental emergency.

It’s never too soon to start thinking about how to keep your toddler’s smile healthy. His baby teeth may not be permanent, but it is important for them to stay in tip-top shape while they are holding the spot for his future adult teeth. How can you make sure that he has pearly whites? First, brush those tiny teeth and then book a dentist appointment if you haven’t already .

We may not think about it now, but your baby is hitting new milestones every day! One of the first big ones to include in the baby book is his or her first dental visit. Why so early? As soon as that tooth pops up, he/she can get cavities. Being proactive about your child’s dental health today will keep a healthy smile for life.

Making It A Great First Visit 

• Don’t schedule an appointment during naptime. Instead, pick a time your child is usually well-rested and cooperative. 
• Make sure your child has had a light meal and brushes their teeth before their appointment so they won’t be hungry during their visit. 
• Save snacks for after the visit so they aren’t on your child’s teeth during the exam. 
• Think of the appointment as a happy and fun experience. If your child becomes upset during the visit, work with your dentist to calm your child. You’re on the same team!

Pediatric Dentist Near Me – Contact Us Today

Contact our office today to schedule your child’s first dental visit!