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 dentistry is an approach to oral health care where all your needs can be met at every stage of life. Babies, children, and teenagers have different dental needs at different points in time. A qualified pediatric dentist is skilled in providing comprehensive oral care for both baby teeth and permanent teeth, as well as any tooth restorations or replacements your child may require at any point in life. 

What to Expect

Like general dentists, your kid’s dentist focuses on ensuring good oral hygiene and optimal condition of your teeth. However, this dental professional can address the unique needs of children for a number of conditions. Common procedures include:

• Regular professional cleanings 
• Dental fillings and crowns 
• Gum disease treatment 
• Tooth extraction 
• Root canal therapy 
• Tooth replacement 
• Orthodontic care

The American Dental Association recommends that you take your child for a dental checkup as soon as the first tooth appears, or by the first birthday. This is important to prevent the most common dental problem for children, early childhood cavities, and other oral issues that can affect your child’s smile, especially by the age of four years. 

As you prepare for your child’s first visit to the pediatric dentist, you should create a list of any medical conditions, current medications, and allergies your child has. You should also note down your pediatrician’s contact information in case the dentist needs more information. In addition, it’s important to note down any harmful dental habits that your child has picked and may affect his/her smile in the long run. Sucking habits, whether it’s a finger, bottle, or pacifier may adversely affect the development of primary teeth and the jaw, and should be corrected as early as possible. 

Dental visits also provide the opportunity to learn about the best oral hygiene practices. Depending on your child’s age when visiting the dentist, there are different things you may want to learn about taking care of his/her mouth. This is an important time to find out about preventative oral care, including proper brushing technique, flossing, diet, the use of sealants, fluoride treatments, and so on. 

Schedule Your Appointment

By finding a qualified pediatric dentist near you, you can have peace of mind that all your children’s oral health needs will be met under one roof, with consistent dental history. 

Schedule your child’s appointment by contacting your children’s dentist in Los Angeles today!

Visiting a pediatric dentist is necessary for the continued oral health of your children as they grow. Studies show that taking your child to a pediatric dentist from an early age offers many benefits that translate to reduced costs of dental care over their lifetime. Other reasons to visit a pediatric dentist include:

1. Comfort with receiving professional oral care 

Children tend to be apprehensive about new situations, so it’s important that they feel safe and comfortable when visiting the dentist for the first few visits. Starting pediatric dental visits early helps your child to develop familiarity with the environment, which in turn improves the likelihood of your child viewing dental appointments as a natural part of life. It’s particularly important that you visit a kid’s dentist who has professional training and experience working with young children to help put them at ease. 

2. Dental disease monitoring for a timely intervention 

Although primary teeth are not permanent, they’re highly susceptible to plaque and tooth decay. Taking your child to a pediatric dentist early in life increases the chances of the dentist detecting the early stages of any developing dental concerns. Besides treating the early stages of tooth decay, your kid’s dentist can also recommend preventative approaches such as sealants or fluoride supplements to protect teeth that are at greater risk of decay. Starting from the age of 7 or 8 years, the dentist may also be able to detect early signs of orthodontic issues, such as bite problems or crooked teeth for timely intervention, which can help to reduce the total cost of orthodontic treatment. 

3. Oral care tips 

Parents play a vital role in helping children develop good oral care practices at home. During your kid’s dental visits, you will have the opportunity to learn about any concerns that the dentist may have about your child’s oral health, and help to implement any ideas and recommendations to help them take better care of their gums and teeth at home and get rid of bad habits such as thumb sucking or nail-biting. 

Final note 

Similar to other areas of childhood development, ensuring that your child starts off the right way with oral care can have a huge impact on their future dental health. So enforcing regularly visiting a pediatric dentist for your toddler can help set the pace for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.