A Child’s First Visit to the Dentist
It can be shocking to many parents, if not perplexing: many dentists now recommend you schedule your child’s first visit before he or she turns one. Before you brush it off as a bit of overzealous advice, you should know it’s supported by the American Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry—and with good reason!
Besides setting your child on a lifelong path ...
Continue Reading →
4 Dental Do’s For Expectant Mothers
Free up some time in your calendars, moms-to-be! The OB-GYN visits may be coming fast and furious, but believe it or not, there’s someone else you need to be seeing to protect your health and that of your baby: your dentist.
All the changes that come with your rapidly growing bump — and perhaps some common, yet misplaced fears — may tempt you to put a nine-month ...
Continue Reading →
Tooth decay can begin as soon as a baby’s teeth come in. Decay in baby teeth can cause pain. If decay is not treated, it can destroy your child’s teeth. An abscess (pus filled sac) from an untreated cavity can cause serious or even deadly infections. And children with tooth decay may have trouble eating, so they don’t get enough vitamins and minerals to grow up healthy.
When plaque on teeth (a sticky film of bacteria and bits of food) uses ...
Continue Reading →
To give your child a healthy start in life, it’s important to take care of his or her teeth and gums. That’s because if dental disease is not treated, it can cause serious health problems.
Your child’s baby (primary) teeth are important. These teeth help your child chew and speak normally. Baby teeth also hold space in the jaws for the adult (permanent) teeth that come in later.
A baby’s teeth start to come in (erupt) when the baby is about six ...
Continue Reading →
Have you heard of “baby bottle tooth decay” or “bottle rot”? Parents know they don’t want their children to have it, but many don’t know how it happens or what they can do to prevent it.
Baby teeth, even when they first arrive in the mouth, are susceptible to tooth decay. It is important to protect these teeth from decay so a child’s smile will look good, feel good and function properly. The baby teeth are essential for eating, speech development, ...
Continue Reading →
New parents often ask, “When should my child first see a dentist?”
The short answer is “First visit by first birthday.” That is the view of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and pediatricians agree. ...
Continue Reading →