Find answers to your pediatric dentistry questions.
Browse our FAQs below to find answers to your commonly asked questions about pediatric dentistry. At Village Family Dental, we understand the importance of early dental care in ensuring a lifetime of healthy smiles. Whether you're seeking guidance on teething, cavity prevention, or orthodontic concerns, we're here to provide reliable information to help you make informed decisions about your child's oral well-being.
A toothbrush will remove plaque bacteria, which can lead to decay. A soft-bristled toothbrush with a small head, preferably one designed specifically for infants, should be used at least once a day at bedtime.
In order to prevent dental problems, your child should see a pediatric dentist when the first tooth appears, or no later than his/her first birthday.
Pediatric dentists are the pediatricians of dentistry. A pediatric dentist has two to three years specialty training following dental school and limits his/her practice to treating children only. Pediatric dentists are primary and specialty oral care providers for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health needs.
Primary or “baby” teeth are important for many reasons. Not only do they help children speak clearly and chew naturally, but they also aid in forming a path that permanent teeth can follow when they are ready to erupt.
First, rinse the irritated area with warm salt water and place a cold compress on their face if it is swollen. Give the child acetaminophen for any pain, rather than placing aspirin on the teeth or gums. Finally, contact our office as soon as possible.
Thumb and pacifier sucking habits will generally only become a problem if they go on for a very long period of time. Most children stop these habits on their own, but if they are still sucking their thumbs or fingers when their permanent teeth arrive, a mouth appliance may be recommended by your pediatric dentist.
Avoid nursing children to sleep or putting anything other than water in their bedtime bottle. Also, learn the proper way to brush and floss your child’s teeth. Take your child to a pediatric dentist regularly to have his/her teeth and gums checked. The first dental visit should be scheduled by your child’s first birthday.
A checkup every six months is recommended in order to prevent cavities and other dental problems. However, your pediatric dentist can tell you when and how often your child should visit based on his/her oral health.
Fluoridated toothpaste should be introduced when a child is 2-3 years of age. Prior to that, parents should clean the child’s teeth with water and a soft-bristled toothbrush. When toothpaste is used after age 2-3, parents should supervise brushing and make sure the child uses no more than a pea-sized amount on the brush. Children should never swallow any excess toothpaste.
Make sure your child has a balanced diet, including one serving each of fruits and vegetables; breads and cereals; milk and dairy products; and meat, fish, or eggs. Limiting servings of sugars and starches will also aid in protecting your child’s teeth from decay. Finally, you can ask your pediatric dentist to help you select foods that protect your child’s teeth.
Sealants work by filling in the crevices on the chewing surfaces of the teeth. This shuts out food particles that could get caught in the teeth, causing cavities. The application is fast and comfortable and can effectively protect teeth for many years.
Have your pediatric dentist evaluate the fluoride level of your child’s primary source of drinking water. If your child is not getting enough fluoride internally through water (especially if the fluoride level is deficient or if your child drinks bottled water without fluoride), then your pediatric dentist may prescribe fluoride supplements.
Soft plastic mouth guards can be used to protect a child’s teeth, lips, cheeks, and gums from sport related injuries. A custom-fitted mouth guard developed by a pediatric dentist will protect your child from injuries to the teeth, face, and even provide protection from severe injuries to the head.
The most important thing is to remain calm and find the tooth. Hold it by the crown rather than the root and try to reinsert it into the socket. If that is not possible, put the tooth in a glass of milk and take your child and the tooth to your pediatric dentist immediately.
There is very little risk associated with dental X-rays. Pediatric dentists are especially careful to limit the amount of radiation to which children are exposed. Lead aprons and high-speed film are used to ensure safety and minimize the amount of radiation exposure.
Parents should take their children to the dentist regularly, beginning with the eruption of the first tooth. Then, the dentist can recommend a specific program of brushing, flossing, and other treatments for parents to practice with their children. When added to regular dental visits and a balanced diet, these home treatments will help give your child a lifetime of healthy dental habits.