At Children’s Dentistry, it is very important to us that we make your child’s first visit as positive and enjoyable as possible. Parents can help prepare their little ones from unnecessary stress by not using words such as “needles”, “drills”, etc… Together we can help reduce any fear your child may have by explaining procedures in positive and nonthreatening ways so everyone has a great experience at the dentist!
Experts recommend taking your baby in for his or her first dental visit 6 months after the first tooth comes in or by 12 months of age. During this first visit, as pediatric dentists, we will discuss a variety of topics important for a healthy development of your baby’s teeth including:
The first visit usually takes about 30-45 minutes and involves a general exam of your child’s mouth, gums, bite and any teeth that are present. A gentle cleaning may be done as well depending on your child’s age at the time of the visit. This may include polishing of any teeth and removal of any plaque, tartar or stains. Dental X-rays are not typically done on infants and toddlers unless absolutely necessary.
Teething is the term used to describe the process of teeth coming through the gums as your baby grows. Teething usually starts around months 5 or 7 but a little earlier or later is nothing to be worried about. The first teeth to come in are usually the bottom 2 middle teeth. By age 2 and a half, most of the 20 baby teeth should be erupted.
Symptoms of teething often include:
Teething does not cause high fevers or other cold symptoms, however, it is not uncommon for other illnesses to bother teething babies more and for longer because of the discomfort and other symptoms associated with teething.
At Children’s Dentistry, we provide the option of white crowns to repair tooth decay that requires more than a filling. White crowns are less noticeable and more attractive than the typical metal crowns. They are made of zirconium, a beautifully white material that looks just like natural tooth enamel. White crowns may not fit every tooth, but they are a great option for most.
Babies are sometimes born with tongue-tie, a condition that limits movement of the tongue and can significantly impact feeding as well as speech development.
Some common symptoms of tongue-tie can include:
Symptoms vary depending on the severity and some babies may show no symptoms at all. For those with mild or no symptoms, treatment may not be necessary. If the condition is more severe, treatment can help.
The good news is, it is an easy and a relatively painless fix. Children’s Dentistry has had huge success snipping the frenulum. This procedure is straight forward and quick.
If you’re a new parent and your infant is having a difficult time feeding, bring your infant in for an exam to determine whether your child is tongue-tied. Please feel free to call or email our Children’s Dentistry doctors with any questions. We are your partners in oral health through this crazy journey called parenting.
