Children’s Dentistry
There’s something unique about the beautiful smiles of children, and it isn’t just their innocence. The primary teeth (baby teeth) and still-developing oral structures of children require special attention, and our doctors and staff are highly-experienced in the nuances of children’s dentistry. With proper care at home and at your family dentist’s office, children can get a head-start on keeping their smiles healthy and beautiful for life.
A child’s first visit to the dentist should occur around their second birthday. This initial visit will simply involve a visual inspection of the mouth and teeth. It will also give your child the chance to grow accustomed to the new environment and be more prepared to visit on a regular basis in later years.
What You Can Expect
A first visit, or Happy Visit, does not involve treatment or cleaning, but merely a visual examination and a consultation with you, your family, and your dentist. Our doctors and staff are skilled at making children feel welcome, calm, and happy while at the office, and we take time to make sure your child is comfortable before we begin the examination.
After your child begins routine dental visits, you may want to schedule them on the same day and close to the same time as your own exam and cleaning appointments. As a family dental office, we can meet the unique dental needs of every family member, including the smallest ones!
Tips for Kids: Positive Dental Habits
Wondering what you can do to help encourage positive dental habits in your children? Read our suggestions below!
- Start early: you can begin teeth cleaning as soon as the first tooth appears by wiping the tooth and gums with a clean, soft piece of cloth. As more teeth erupt, begin using a soft, infant’s toothbrush and water. Do not use toothpaste until your child is old enough to not swallow it.
- At first, you should do all the brushing for your child, gradually allowing your child to take more and more of the responsibility until he/she is ready to begin brushing alone.
- To help your child learn to brush long enough, play a medium length song (at least 2-3 minutes long) and make them brush until the song is over.
- Lead by example: your children won’t take dental hygiene seriously unless they see that you do, too.
- Limit fluoride intake: while the mineral can help protect teeth against cavities, it can also lead to fluorosis (tooth discoloration) if too much is ingested during childhood. Use only pea-size amounts of toothpaste on your child’s toothbrush.
- Choose your child’s dentist carefully. Most dental phobias stem from unpleasant experiences with dentists who are insensitive to a child’s feelings of discomfort.
Schedule Your Child’s Next Dental Visit
If your child is two years or older and has yet to visit the dentist, then schedule a children’s dentistry appointment as soon as possible. Call Allen Family Dental today at (469) 342-6644. Located in Allen, TX, we also serve patients who live nearby in Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Fairview, and all surrounding communities.
