Pediatric Dental Care

From the appearance of those two adorable front teeth in a baby's gummy smile, to the first visit form the tooth fairy, to the final eruption of the adult teeth, there are many dental changes throughout a child's life. A basic understanding of dental development can help parents lay a foundation for the life-long oral health of their children. 

Six to Twelve Months:  Children normally begin the teething process at six months of age and can experience a variable amount of discomfort. 
Homecare: Applying a cold teething ring, rubbing the gums, and giving a child baby Tylenol can be helpful during teething. Teething does not make a child ill, but the process can be uncomfortable and it often seems that a cold or mild fever comes along with the eruption of teeth.   Even before the teeth begin to come in, parents should clean the baby's mouth once per day with a clean gauze pad or soft cloth. Parents should begin to brush a child's teeth as soon as they appear in the mouth. One can use a small, soft toothbrush and a small amount of fluoride free "training toothpaste".

One to Three Years:By age one, most children will have eight erupted primary front teeth.Between the ages of two and three, children normally have all twenty primary teeth.
Homecare: It is ideal to brush thoroughly twice per day, but it is most crucial that parents brush toddlers' teeth before bed and that the child never goes to bed with anything to drink other than water. Around the age of eighteen months, beginning to use toothpaste that contains fluoride will aid in cavity prevention. One should use a small amount, about half-of-a-pea-size, and press it down into the bristles to ensure that the child is not getting too much.
Dental Office Care:At Great Lakes Dental Arts, parents are encouraged to bring their child in for a "Happy Toddler" visit around the age of eighteen to twenty-four months. At this brief, informal visit, the dentist will perform a cursory exam, and asses hygiene and dietary habits. Topical fluoride is recommended in order to help strengthen newly erupted teeth and prevent cavities from developing. It is recommended that at this age children be added to their parents' dental insurance.In general, a more comprehensive visit can be best achieved when a child is around three years of age. This visit may include a cleaning, a thorough exam of the soft and hard tissues of the mouth, and topical fluoride. At this time, parents have a chance to discuss thumb-sucking, oral hygiene, and diet so that anticipatory guidance can be provided. Children are very proud to show their parents how they can sit in the dental chair by themselves! Getting a child on a regular six month routine around the age of three allows them to grow more comfortable and to see how fun and easy a visit to the dentist can be.

Six Years and Older:Permanent teeth begin erupting around age six, beginning with the first molars and the lower front incisors. This stage is referred to as "mixed dentition" as a child has baby and adult teeth in his or her mouth simultaneously. The mixed dentition generally lasts from age six to age twelve.

Homecare: An adult should help clean a child's teeth and gums until the child has the dexterity to complete the task him or herself. The timing can vary, but the child is typically ready to take over when they can tie their shoes or color within the lines. Flossing becomes important when children have teeth that are in contact with one another. This task should be completed daily and plastic handled flossers are often helpful for parents trying to floss hard to reach areas.

Dental Office Care: Starting at the age of five or six, cavity detecting radiographs should be taken annually to check for decay developing between the teeth that could not otherwise be seen. As the adult back teeth erupt, sealants should be placed where needed as an additional way to prevent decay. A sealant is a coating applied to the grooves of the back teeth, which are more susceptible to decay, in order to prevent food and bacteria from becoming trapped and causing cavities.By establishing a "Dental Home" very early on, children create positive associations with dental visits that build trust and help to put them at ease during future treatment. A child's regular dental visits allow for basic preventative services such as sealants, fluoride application, dietary guidance and hygiene instruction that can help prevent more involved and costly issues down the road. At Great Lakes Dental Arts, we would be happy to be the Dental Home for you and your children. Please contact the office today so that we can get to know your family

Written by: Dr. Emily Ziesler DDS
Great Lakes Dental Arts
8435 Station Street
Mentor, OH 44060
440-255-3111
www.greatlakesdental.com