Good oral hygiene isn’t something that begins when your kids get older—it should start as soon as they get their first tooth. You can set your child up for a lifetime of healthy teeth with regular pediatric dental visits at Dentist of Long Beach.
Our team of experts will help keep your child’s smile healthy year after year.
It’s great to have a family dentist who does general checkups for your entire family, but only pediatric dentists specialize in the oral health of infants, children, and teens. In addition to mastering general dentistry, they go through two to three more years of functional pediatric training.
This means they have a more in-depth understanding of children’s behaviors, dental changes, and special needs.
Ultimately, the rule of thumb is “first visit by the first birthday,” but our Dentist of Long Beach pediatric dentist recommends your child attend their first dental appointment at approximately six-months of age.
However, this can be earlier depending on when they get their first tooth.
Their initial appointment is essential in getting them comfortable with pediatric dentist visits and educating you on caring for their baby teeth.
Brushing them gently once at night with a small amount of fluoride toothpaste is a good habit that will remove plaque buildup. Baby teeth also require a soft-bristle toothbrush with a small head designed for their small teeth and mouths.
In addition to keeping their teeth clean, it’s crucial to avoid developing bad habits like prolonged bottle-feeding or nursing, thumbsucking, and pacifier sucking. These things reduce the flow of saliva necessary for the mouth’s natural self-cleaning action. Over time, this can increase the likelihood of decay in their new teeth.
It’s important to establish good oral hygiene habits as soon as possible, as this is the foundation for healthy teeth. That means twice-daily brushing and flossing at least once a day, but a well-balanced dental routine doesn’t end there.
It’s essential to make sure your child attends their routine exams and cleanings too. This is the best way to prevent cavities and identify more significant problems like crowding or misalignment.
Their initial dental appointment should happen before their first birthday. After that, with the proper at-home routine, you shouldn’t have to pay your pediatric dentist another visit until they’re two-years-old.
After that, your child should start seeing their pediatric dentist every six months.
Your child should get their first x-rays when their top and bottom baby teeth in the back are touching each other. This first set of images is simple and focuses on their front upper and lower teeth, primarily to familiarize them with the process.
Once all of their permanent teeth come in, around ages six or seven, you can expect to have x-rays done at every exam. Regular imaging allows our pediatric dentists to make sure your child’s teeth are healthy and their jaw is aligned correctly.
Children cannot get braces until all of their adult teeth have grown in. This typically happens by age seven for most kids. Still, it’s something you can discuss with your pediatric dentist beforehand to prepare for signs of crowding or crooked teeth.
Give your child the gift of a happy, healthy smile with regular visits to their pediatric dentist.
Call Dentist of Long Beach today at (562) 373-0026 to start their lifetime of good oral hygiene now!
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