Great dental habits start at an early age. A good pediatric dentist can be a great help in making sure your child has proper dental maturation, teaching good cleaning habits and easing the concerns a child may have about going to the dentist. With cavities being one of the foremost childhood problems, it is important to have a pediatric dentist that understands what makes kids want to develop good dental hygiene.
Choosing a Dentist
While you may be tempted to take your child to your personal dentist who may also claim to work with kids, you may want to find one who specializes in pediatrics. Not only will your child be more comfortable in the pediatric environment, but a pediatric dentist will be more in tuned with minor abnormalities in the development of your child's jaw, tooth eruption and loss.
Talk to your dentist to see if they have anyone they recommend. Ask other parents about whom they recommend. If you know other parents with kids slightly older than yours, you will be able to ask the parents as well as the children what they think of their dentist. If the kids enjoy going, this is always a great sign. You can also request a list of dental providers from your insurance or your pediatrician.
Once you have a list, take the time to call the dentist and visit his office. You want a child-friendly place that doesn't feel like the dentist is running a conveyor belt scenario with the children.
When to Start Dental Visits
Any tooth requires proper cleaning care. For babies who have neonatal teeth, you may want to talk to a pediatric dentist about their removal. While the first two years of dental health are monitored by your pediatrician and don't often require official dental care, if caries develop you will need to see a dentist soon. If you haven't been to a pediatric dentist by your child's first birthday, your pediatrician will likely recommend you do so.
What to Expect
If you have a younger child and are going to the dentist with them, you will want to make sure the dentist is comfortable dealing with the temperament of an infant or toddler. They should be engaging and a master of distraction. At the same time, they should be an educator, showing the child the machines and instruments. These first interactions will help a child to embrace a life of healthy dental care of fear of it.
As a parent you want the pediatric dentist to show you the proper techniques for cleaning and brushing baby teeth. Showing you work with your own child is as important as showing your child what to do. If dental care is needed such as a filling, you want a dentist to be quick and efficient whenever possible for the comfort of your child.
Dental Milestones
A pediatric dentist will help you know whether your child is meeting dental milestones just as a pediatrician does. Most children will begin teething between the age of six months to two years. Your dentist will use dental sealants and fluoride treatments to help strengthen teeth and prevent decay. Most children will lose their baby teeth by age of 6 and should have all of their adult teeth by age 12. Your pediatric dentist should be able to tell if your child needs orthodontics by age 7.
Dental Hygeine for Kids
Hygiene starts with the first tooth eruption, regardless of your child's age. Teeth should be cleaned and brushed with warm water. Do not use fluoride toothpaste until at least six months of age or as directed by your pediatric dentist. Flossing and mouth wash should start by age 6 as part of good hygiene habits. Be sure to brush your child's teeth after they have taken medicine to help prevent enamel weakness from the acid in the medicine. Work with your pediatric dentist to help establish these good hygiene habits.
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