If you are a new parent, or have recently added to the size of your family, you may be looking for a children’s dentist in Duncan, OK . The baby books and pediatricians don’t always tell you this, but the earlier you bring your little ones to the dentist the better their chances of avoiding dental health problems as they get older. If your child has teeth, it’s not too early for a first dental visit.
Are you looking for a new children’s dentist in Duncan, OK? Call Chisholm Trail Smile Center to see what makes us a great choice for family dentistry! Dr. Matthew Bridges loves helping our youngest patients get started on a lifetime of good oral health! Call our office at (580) 255-4880 to make an appointment for your newest family member!
Why Early Dental Visits are a Good Idea
Current American Dental Association (ADA) recommendations suggest you should bring your children in for a first dental visit by their first birthday. Early dental visits are a happy opportunity for children to learn that the dentist’s office is a place where good things happen. We always lavish our youngest patients with calm, friendly attention and give them the time they need to get comfortable with the idea of the dentist. This helps prevent any fear or uncertainty from coloring a first visit.
Early visits are also a great opportunity for parents to connect with an oral health care provider to learn about oral hygiene for children, recommended practices, and how to control children’s diets for optimal oral health. Did you know, for example, that under current recommendations children under two years should not be given fruit juice? This is a recent change to the dietary advice parents have been given in the past, and regular contact with an oral care provider every six months gives you the chance to get the most up-to-date information on health research and recommendations.
Don’t Wait for a Toothache!
The longer you wait to bring your child to children’s dentist, the more difficult a time he or she may have. Preschool-aged children should start getting gentle teeth cleanings to prevent the build-up of plaque and tartar. Skipping early dental cleanings can easily result in the development of tooth decay. Why is this? Children are often too young to clean their teeth properly, for one. Children also have thinner tooth enamel, which means cavities can develop faster than they do for adults.
If you skip professional teeth cleaning appointments and wait for your child to complain of a toothache before you think to bring him or her to the dentist, you are not starting out on the best foot. Children should get acquainted with the dentist’s office when they are not experiencing pain or have a sense that something has “gone wrong.” If you wait until your child develops a cavity, you may be setting him or her up for a lifetime of dental anxiety.
How to Care for Your Baby’s Teeth
If your infant has teeth, you should be spending some time every day keeping them clean. While there are tooth brushes and gum massagers made specifically for infants, you don’t have to buy special tools to keep baby’s first teeth clean. A small piece of sterile gauze makes an excellent tooth cleaning implement, as does a damp baby washcloth. Rub the teeth gently every day to remove plaque. Children can develop plaque on their teeth even if they aren’t yet eating solid foods, so oral hygiene should be a priority from the very first tooth.
If you do choose to use a toothbrush, be sure to choose a baby-sized brush with very soft bristles. You don’t have to use toothpaste in the first years, but if you do—use only an age-appropriate product. Infants should not be using fluoride-containing toothpastes until they are old enough to understand how to spit out the toothpaste instead of swallowing.
Toddler Teeth and Beyond
As infants get older and try to become more independent, let them try to brush their own teeth—but don’t hand over the reins just yet! Parents should still make sure children get a thorough tooth-brushing more times than not, and this often means doing it yourself. As your child tries to become more independent in his/her brushing, practice co-brushing to model good brushing technique. Children love to brush their teeth with Mom or Dad, and often learn best by imitation. Also, bring your child to a children’s dentist every six months for a routine check-up and teeth cleaning.
Do not start using a fluoride-containing toothpaste until you are certain your child is spitting most of it out. Fluoride is the best way to protect and strengthen teeth, but it can be toxic in high doses. Even in non-toxic doses, ingesting fluoride at a young age can lead to a condition called fluorosis, which creates permanent stains on their developing adult teeth.
Visit Chisholm Trail Smile Center to Learn More!
If you are a new parent, or are looking for a children’s dentist in Duncan, OK, visit our office to learn more. There are a million things we would love to tell you about, to help you protect your children’s smiles and get them started on a lifetime of good oral health. Call our office at (580) 255-4880 to make an appointment for your little one!
