Child Dentistry

Your child should begin seeing a dentist regularly no later than their third birthday.

Your Child’s First Dental Visit

The first dental visit is usually short and involves very little treatment. We may ask you to sit in the dental chair and hold your child during the exam. We will gently examine your child’s mouth, teeth and gums. X-rays may be taken to reveal decay and check on the progress of your child’s permanent teeth under the gums. We may clean your child’s teeth and apply topical fluoride to help protect the teeth against decay. We will also evaluate adverse habits like thumbsucking and pacifier use. Most importantly, we will review how to clean and care for your child’s teeth and suggest a schedule for regular dental visits.

Baby Teeth

Baby teeth are important as they not only hold space for permanent teeth but they are important to chewing, biting, speech and appearance. 

The first baby teeth appear at about 6-8 months old and are typically the two bottom front teeth. The four upper front teeth will appear next, and the remainder will appear periodically, usually in pairs, until your child is about 2 1/2 years old and has all 20 teeth.

Between the ages of 5 and 6, the first permanent teeth will begin to erupt. Some of the permanent teeth replace baby teeth, and some don’t. Don’t worry if some teeth are a few months early or late as children develop differently.

Preventative Care

Starting at birth, clean your child’s gums with a soft infant toothbrush or cloth and water. Use a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste to brush baby teeth twice daily as soon as they erupt with a soft, age-appropriate sized toothbrush.

Once children are 3 to 6 years old, then the amount should be increased to a pea-size dollop. Children should spit out and not swallow excess toothpaste after brushing. Remember that young children do not have the ability to brush their teeth effectively, so you will need to assist them. 

Brushing and flossing daily, limiting sugar intake and visiting the dentist can help prevent cavities. Regular checkups are important and allow our dentists to detect potential issues and prevent tooth decay. We use the latest in dental sealant technology to protect your child’s teeth. 

Learn more about child dentistry through our Patient Education Library.