Did you know that Dr. Matthew Bridges can help your children’s teeth stay clean and healthy throughout their childhood and adolescent years? Having kids doesn’t automatically mean you need a pediatric dentist; a general dentist can provide excellent routine preventive and restorative care to keep your children’s smiles healthy and strong. A pediatric specialty dentist may be of value for children with unusual circumstances or medical conditions, but most kids can achieve optimal oral health at a family dentistry, like Chisholm Trail Smile Center.
Children’s Teeth Have Special Needs
It’s true that children have special oral health needs, but every licensed dentist is well versed in the care of children’s teeth, from toddlers to teens. For example, did you know that baby teeth have much thinner enamel than adult teeth? This means that even tiny cavities can worsen or spread faster than they do in adults. During adolescence, changing hormones and diets may have a negative effect on the health of children’s adult teeth. That’s why it’s important to bring children in for check-ups every six months. During these visits, we will clean their teeth of the calculus (tartar) that leads to cavities and apply preventive treatments, such as fluoride and dental sealants. With regular dental care, we can identify problems early and make sure your child does not suffer preventable dental catastrophes.
In the earliest years of childhood, it’s important to establish good habits. Parents should monitor their children’s oral hygiene, occasionally brushing the teeth for them, while still inspiring a sense of responsibility over one’s oral health. When young children take ownership of their dental hygiene, they have a much greater chance of preventing tooth decay with their daily brushing and flossing regimen. We can help by making sure your child understands the basics of caring for his or her teeth and answering any questions you may have.
As kids get older, and adult teeth start coming in, we can begin to identify whether they may need orthodontic intervention and continue monitoring the teeth for signs of decay as their diet and hygiene habits become more independent.
When to Bring Your Child to the Dentist
Most children should have their first routine dental visit by their third birthday. During this visit we will examine the development of the teeth, check for problems, and deliver a gentle dental cleaning. These first visits do not take very long, but they can help your child establish that the dentist’s office is a place where good things happen.
We find that early visits are the best way to prevent children from experiencing anxiety about going to the dentist. Even if you are certain your child’s teeth are perfectly healthy, starting regular visits early in life is the best way to make sure he or she never feels fearful or anxious about dental care. If a child’s first dental visit only happens because he or she has a toothache, that experience may be accompanied by feelings of fear or shame. This can color a child’s feelings toward dental visits for the rest of his or her life.
Caring for your child’s teeth before the first dental visit should include:
- During Infancy – clean the gums with soft gauze or a moist washcloth every day.
- When Teeth Come In – brush baby teeth with a small, soft brush and a small dab of non-fluoride baby toothpaste, if preferred.
- Ages 1-3 – teach your child to brush the teeth using a children’s non-fluoride toothpaste. Brush his/her teeth yourself, while also providing the opportunity for independent brushing.
When your child is old enough to spit out the toothpaste reliably, rather than swallow it, you can start using a pea-sized amount of fluoride-containing toothpaste. Children and adults should brush for two minutes, twice a day. Flossing should start once your child’s teeth begin to fit together closely. This may happen as early as two years, or as late as age six.
How We Make Every Child Comfortable
At Chisholm Trail Smile Center, we treat every preventive visit as an opportunity to help your child establish good habits that will last a lifetime. Dr. Bridges and our dental staff maintain a calm, friendly environment where children can ask questions and be themselves. We never ask a child to open up and say “ah” until we are sure he or she is comfortable and ready. Parents are encouraged to stay in the room and be part of the process, to make it easier to reinforce good habits at home.
Do you need a Duncan, OK children’s dentist? Visit Chisholm Trail Smile Center and we’ll make sure every member of your family gets the friendly and efficient care they deserve. Call us at (580) 255-4880 or contact us online for an appointment
