Category: Blog

Around 6 months after the first tooth grows in the child should visit the dentist, which puts their first appointment as scheduled just before their first birthday for most kids. However, the age and the exact time can vary child-to-child based on each child’s individual growth patterns. Providing this early visit provides children with a good example of how to keep their teeth clean and healthy early on in life. A habit that should hopefully carry on later into their lives. It also teaches them they don’t have to be terrified of the dentist and helps the fear not ever develop.

How Do I Prepare My Child for Their First Visit?

Talk about the appointment with the dentist first to know what to expect. Then talk to your child about the visit as their “first time” event. Make it exciting and anticipatory to get the child to want to go see the dentist for the first time. Prepare yourself that your child may be uncooperative, and know how to handle it. Young children may not sit still well and may require some extra patience and time to get acclimated to a new experience.

What Will Happen on the First Visit?

Many first appointments are just the dentist meeting with your child to get acquainted. If your child decides that he or she will be uncooperative or scared rescheduling may be necessary. Short successive visits will help the child get to know the dentist, and build trust between the pair. Children’s appointments should be scheduled earlier in the day when the child is more awake and refreshed. The parent may sit and hold many children that are under 36 months old.

Long as the child is a complaint, the visit usually should only last 15 to 30 minutes at the most. A gentle but thorough examination of the gums, tongue, oral tissues and any tooth buds in the mouth will be performed. A gentle cleaning of the tartar and plaque buildup in the mouth when desired by the parent, or determined to be needed by the dentist (usually when enough teeth grow in that they are close enough to touch each other). When the age advances to the proper point a demonstration of proper home cleaning will be in order as well as x-rays and an assessment of the need for fluoride.

The dentist should be able to answer any questions you have regarding care for your child’s teeth. The dentist should also work to keep your child comfortable and relaxed during their visit by creating a relaxed, non-threatening environment.

When Should the Next Visit Be?

Children should see the dentist every 6 months for routine maintenance and clean just like adults.

How Do I Find a Good Dentist for My Child?

Many general dentists will treat children as well, but if that’s not comfortable for you ask around. Word-of-mouth will provide some of the best recommendations you can imagine.

How Can I Protect My Child’s Oral Health at Home?

You need to be sure to pass on good oral hygiene habits to your child so they can use them between dental visits. This includes proper brushing twice per day and flossing once per day. Parents will generally help a child with these kinds of tasks till they are capable of doing them completely on their own. The age that a child can do that may vary with each child, but most children will be probably between 5 and 8 years of age.

A real plan to keep your child’s oral health a priority should be developed he day your child is born. Cleaning your infant’s gums with a damp cloth after each feeding. Once your child gets a tooth in you should brush it and each subsequent tooth that grows in with a soft-bristled brush. If you consider toothpaste before your child’s second birthday asks your dentist first. Avoid baby bottle tooth decay problems try to have your child off of bottles and onto sippy cups of some sort by one year of age. Never give your child juice, milk, or sweet drinks at bedtime as a pacifier.

You will need to help your children brush their teeth at night which is the most important time to brush. Our salivary flow slows at night so there is more of a chance of getting cavities, and this includes young children. Allow the child to brush first so they gain experience and confidence in their abilities to clean their own teeth, then follow up to ensure all plaque and tartar is removed. Usually, by age, 5 or so children will be able to take care of brushing their teeth for themselves. Also allowing children to watch you brush your own teeth and floss every day teaches them good hygiene as well as you set the example.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about us visit us here or call us 909-465-1016. The Ramona Dentistry Team “Where Family Comes First”

Having children at various ages with teeth coming and falling out can make a parent realize the importance of playing the role of “tooth fairy” to their kids. Some great tips to help make the experience of losing that first tooth (and every tooth) at the age of believing in tooth fairies are below:

1. Leave a Trail: A little glitter you get at the dollar store or local craft supply store can work great. One bottle will likely last a few teeth!
2. Use Tiny Handwriting to Leave Correspondence Notes: Tooth fairies are supposed to be small little creatures that fly, right? Use handwriting that matches!
3. Make it Festive: Dab some glitter glue or glitter to the end of the dollar bills that are left for the children under their pillow (or wherever you leave the money!)
4. If Caught Deny It: If the children wake up when you go to put the money by or under their pillow just deny what you are doing. You are checking in on them before bed like every night they just usually sleep through it so you will never know!
5. Make It Work for Them: Invite the child to write a letter to the tooth fairy letting them know exactly how they would like their money left and where to go to find the lost tooth. Have them hang it on their door before bed.
6. Have a Backup Plan: If the fairy forgets to come hide some bills in their pillowcase. Tell them to go look better for it. That should do as to why the change or bills were not there that morning.
7. Don’t Fall for the Upper-One: Tell the kids each house has its own fairy (the parent) and that you may not get what your friends always get — sorry kid — tough luck!

Just be sure you making losing teeth fun and exciting for your children. Those teeth all have to come out at some point, so may as well make it a real experience in the process!

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about us visit us here or call us 909-465-1016. The Ramona Dentistry Team “Where Family Comes First”

Selecting Dental Products:

Toothbrushes:

So many different toothbrushes that are different shapes, sizes, and textures it’s hard to know which ones are your best choice. Deciding can be difficult, but dentists usually agree on these tips that will make it all a bit easier to choose:

• Smaller-headed, soft-bristled brushes generally will remove plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth better than harder-bristled brushes.
• Go based on feel for a toothbrush at the size and shape that is comfortable and fits into your mouth the easiest for you.
• For many, a powered toothbrush is a good option as it reaches all of those hard-to-reach corners.
• Replace your toothbrush when it begins to show wear or about ever 2-3 months at the most frequent.
• Ensure your child is using the proper toothbrush also. Speak to your dentist about what toothbrush ought to be using as it changes with growth. A wrong-sized toothbrush can damage their gums and not clean teeth properly.
• Being easier to reach the harder-to-reach places can make the powered toothbrush more appealing, but a regular one can work just fine, too.

Toothpaste:

As with toothbrushes there are so many different kinds of toothpaste advertising different things it’s hard to know which ones work for you. They promise whitening, extra fluoride, plaque removal, tartar reduction, etc. No matter what toothpaste you choose there are some basics most all dentists agree on a toothpaste having. All toothpaste should contain fluoride unless you are instructed otherwise by your dentist. If you want to use a toothpaste without fluoride speak with your dentist before making the switch.

For children, the taste of toothpaste is important as to whether they will actually use that toothpaste or not. There are many flavors out there like bubblegum, chocolate, mint, etc. Choose one your child will use first as that is the most important step for any toothpaste to work: ensure that it’s used. When choosing for yourself or another adult focus on benefits first. If you have sensitive teeth then maybe a toothpaste for sensitive teeth will help.

Mouthwashes & Mouth Rinses:

Mouthwash and fluoride mouth rinse are two entirely different products. Anti-bacterial mouthwashes control plaque and bacteria better and freshen breath. Fluoride rinses coat the teeth with fluoride to strengthen teeth and prevent tooth decay. Many types of mouthwash contain alcohol and are not appropriate for children under age 6.

Floss:

Flossing is critical for healthy gums. Floss is available in many various thicknesses, coatings, and flavors. If you have trouble using floss wound around your fingers, then get some holders as most grocery or drug stores provide holders that can help you use the floss more consistently. Everyone, including children, should floss once per day, usually before bed. However, if another time is more convenient then do it then over not doing it at all.

Water Irrigation Devices:

Water irrigation devices can remove food from the hardest-to-reach places in the mouth. Most children or adults probably don’t need them, however, teenagers (or even adults) with braces or other orthodontic devices may need to use them. Using water irrigation tools with those devices has shown that less gingivitis and other problems occur during their use.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about us visit us here or call us 909-465-1016. The Ramona Dentistry Team “Where Family Comes First”