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Parents need to make an important decision when it comes to deciding the type of dentist their child should visit. A pediatric dentist in Los Angeles, CA and most family dentists have the expertise, tools, and compassion to handle children’s dental concerns. That said, children require a certain level of care, so it’s important to choose a dentist who has the training, experience, and compassion to keep your child comfortable for the entire visit. 

Some of the things to consider when choosing a pediatric dentist include:

1. Relaxing and Kid-Friendly Dentist Office 

Children love fun and games, so they’ll be naturally repulsed by a sterile and rigid environment. Being required to sit still or be in perfect behavior can be daunting and stressful for energetic and curious kids. A kid-friendly dental office should be designed to meet the unique needs of children by providing a degree of freedom with fun activities, games, child-sized chairs, friendly staff, bright walls with exciting pictures and graphics, entertainment features like cartoons or movies, and so on. 

2. Availability of Kid-Specific Treatments 

Although dental tools and equipment are largely standard, a kid’s dental practice should have smaller tools and less scary equipment, removing anything that is unlikely to be used for children treatments. Pediatric dentistry mostly focuses on preventive care, so the dental practice should be more focused on delivering relevant treatments to help prevent decay and tooth damage, such as dental sealants, fluoride treatments, mouth guards, and so on. More importantly, the pediatric dentist in Los Angeles, CA should help ease a child’s dental anxiety by providing treatments in a gentle manner and using comforting or soothing words. 

3. Continuity of Dental Care 

All dentists go through the same training, but specialists such as a pediatric dentist in Los Angeles, CA get an additional 2-3 years of training to better handle children-specific dental issues. As your child grows, he/she is likely to require a broader range of dental services that include orthodontic care, cosmetic treatments like veneers and teeth bleaching, root canal therapy, and so on. So it’s important to choose a dental practice where your child is likely to receive all or most of their dental care until the age of 18 years. Working with one dentist who’s familiar with your child’s oral problems makes it easier to follow up on the needed dental care for optimal oral health. 

Ensuring that your child has a pleasant experience during dental appointments is important for their long-term oral health, as they will be more willing to keep regular checkups and seek timely treatment when problems arise. 

At Amor Kids Dentistry, we believe that children should be taught about oral hygiene, including proper at-home dental care and regular dental visits, at an early age so they can develop good habits that will contribute to their dental and overall health for the rest of their life.

There are many ways to keep cavities away depending on age as follows:

School-age children and adolescents

Continue to assist your child with brushing and flossing as needed. Children should brush their teeth twice a day with supervision until the age of 10 – 11 years. Regular dental checkups will help you know whether your child is brushing their teeth properly. Consider using dental sealants on the chewing surfaces of back teeth to prevent food debris and bacteria from building up and causing cavities.

For babies, toddlers, and preschoolers

Depending on the state of your child’s teeth, Dr. Heivi Kim may recommend that you use fluoridated toothpaste before your child is 2 years old. If not, standard baby-teeth care requires that you use a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste at the age of 2 years, and continue until the age of 6-7 years.

Parents should clean the baby’s gums after each feeding using a clean wet washcloth or gauze pad. As soon as the baby teeth begin to appear, brush them using a child-size toothbrush and plain water. Only use toothbrushes that display the ADA Seal of Acceptance, since they have been approved by the ADA for safety and effectiveness. Take your child to the dentist before the age of 1 year for tips on proper dental care for your child.

General tips

• When your child grows at least two adjacent teeth, you can start flossing.
• Avoid frequent snacking, especially on sugary items, including dried fruits, as they create a cavity-inducing oral environment.
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and change it every 3 months
• Drink plenty of water to wash food debris from your mouth
• Maintain a healthy and balanced diet. This includes consuming fresh, water-dense fruits to keep the mouth hydrated; eating nuts and cheeses to help remineralize your teeth; and limiting the intake of sugary and sticky foods like cookies, candies, and fruit leathers.
• It is important to floss at least once a day and brush twice a day

Lastly, it is important that your child maintains regular dental checkups, usually at six month intervals. These dental visits usually include professional cleaning and inspection of the mouth for looming dangers so he/she can start early intervention before they become worse. Please schedule your child’s first dental visit with Dr. Kim for a dental checkup and also to learn the best way to care for your kid’s teeth.