Pediatric Dentistry
Oral health isn’t just for adults. It’s for children too. It is vital for children to have good oral health because their permanent teeth are still developing. Ensuring that they have healthy baby teeth and gums is the key to creating the best environment for permanent teeth.
Pediatric dentistry is important in keeping your children’s teeth and gums healthy and bright.
Whether you need dental prevention, intervention, or both, Stellar Dental has the solution.
What is pediatric dentistry?
A pediatric dentist is dedicated to the oral care of infants, children, and young adults. Pediatric dentists have roughly 2 to 3 more years of training than general dentists. This enables them to master the skills to meet the special needs of their younger patients.
When do new teeth arrive?
Determining when new teeth will arrive differs with each child. Yet, on average the first teeth will erupt between 6 and 10 months of age. From that point the child’s primary teeth continue to come in through to age three. Permanent teeth do not begin to erupt until age 6 and from there will continue until around age 21 with the final set being the wisdom teeth.
When should children start brushing their teeth?
As soon as your child’s teeth start coming in, examine and clean them daily. You can use a soft, damp cloth or a finger toothbrush to gently massage the teeth and gums of infants after meals. As children get older, begin teaching them proper oral hygiene techniques. There are a variety of children’s toothbrushes available on the market to choose from.
When should my child see a dentist for the first time?
The general recommendation by the American Dental Association is that children should come in to see Dr. Gotora when the first tooth appears, or by their first birthday.
How do I prevent tooth decay in my child?
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You can prevent tooth decay with adequate oral hygiene. Prevention starts at home. That means teaching children how to brush and floss their teeth, as well as making good food choices. Teach your child to brush their teeth twice daily for two minutes each time. Sometimes setting a timer helps children better gauge the time spent brushing their teeth. Teach your child to floss their teeth at least once daily.
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Flossing is one activity that is often neglected the most. Yet, it is vital to remove debris that toothbrushing leaves behind. Bacteria is what causes tooth decay. So, it’s important that children follow consistent oral hygiene habits on a daily basis.
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Finally, no oral health program is complete without regular dental visits. Dr. Gotora will examine your child’s teeth to ensure that oral health is up to par. He will also check that teeth are growing in when and how they should. If a problem arises, Dr. Gotora can intervene and provide a reasonable solution.
How does my child’s diet affect tooth decay?
Preventing tooth decay doesn’t stop with oral hygiene, though. Diet also plays a role and sometimes even contributes to dental cavities. Children are more prone to cavities because of the sugary treats they consume regularly.
With sodas and other sugary drinks on the menu, it’s little wonder how decay runs rampant. If not the drinks, then it may be the donuts, candies, cookies, cakes, jellies or other sugary starches. They all play a role. The best way to prevent tooth decay at home is to limit how much of these foods your child eats and drinks. Follow that up with adequate toothbrushing afterwards. This is essential to get rid of any excess sugars left behind.
The problem with sugary carbs is that they give an open invitation to harmful mouth bacteria. Mouth bacteria thrive on these foods. Where there is an abundance of mouth bacteria, it won’t take long for a cavity to begin to form. That is because bacteria and acids eat away at tooth enamel and form damaging cavities. That is why ensuring your child’s oral health is up to par is essential. You can do this by the following:
- Teaching oral hygiene habits,
- Regular dental checkups, and
- Eating a healthy diet.
Together, this recipe works to promote a bright, healthy smile.
Where can I find a pediatric dentist in my area?
Finding the right dentist to care for your child’s teeth and oral health is important. When a dentist cares for a child, he must have a certain type of personality. He must be kind, gentle, caring, and understanding of the special needs of children. Dr. Gotora is such a dentist.
If you are looking for a pediatric dentist in your area, Stellar Dental has the answer. We can help with all your child’s dental and oral health concerns.
For your convenience, we offer two office locations: Silver Springs, MD, and Hyattsville, MD. Contact us today at Silver Springs (301) 754-1900, or Hyattsville (301) 853-1567. The staff of Stellar Dental is ready to serve you and your child’s dental health today. Give us a call to schedule a pediatric dental consultation.