Does my child need to see a pedodontist (child dentist)?

· As a general dentist, I am one of many general dentists trained to provide thorough and comforting dental care for children. Pedodontists are specialists who see only children and may be appropriate for you as well. Our office is happy to assist you in the future dental health of your child.

As a parent, what should I be concerned about?

· The most prevalent (AND PREVENTABLE) problem for infants is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay. Many parents unwittingly subject their children to long periods of sugar induced tooth decay by feeding their baby sugar in baby formula, juice, and even breast milk. Babies who sleep with a baby bottle filled with any sugary drink or who breast feed for long periods as they sleep are highly susceptible to tooth decay. You can help your baby fight the early onset on cavities by bringing him/her to the dentist early. The dentist has preventive measures such as fluoride treatments which can help your baby develop healthy dentition.

When should my child start seeing the dentist?

· When your baby's first teeth start to come in! Typically, the 1st visit should be around ages 18-24 months.

When does my baby start teething?

· The normal time for the first tooth to come in is between 6-12 months.

What happens at my baby's first dental visit?

· Often, the first visit is simply an introduction to our office. Since every child's comfort level at the dentist's office is different, we assess each child individually and proceed at the appropriate rate. As a dentist, I understand how very important it is to first build a child's trust. If possible, I will then often ask you, the parent, to sit in the dental chair with your child in your lap. As your child's comfort level grows, a gentle approach will then consist of examining the teeth, gums, and bite so that we can monitor the changes as your child grows. A gentle cleaning and instruction on how to clean your child's teeth at home will also be included, as indicated.

How can I prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?

· By not allowing your baby to breast or bottle feed while sleeping, you can help immensely! Hold your baby while bottle feeding and if the baby needs a bottle at bedtime, fill it with water, or replace the bottle with a pacifier or toy. Our office is equipped to fight Baby Bottle Tooth Decay by providing fluoride treatments and assessing the amount of fluoride your child is getting at home. Of course, brushing your baby's teeth daily is very important.

Is thumb sucking a problem?

· Thumb and finger sucking is very normal for infants, usually diminishing by the age of 2. Once your child approaches an age of 5-6 years, his/her permanent teeth will soon be erupting, and prolonged sucking at this age can lead to crowded teeth, crooked teeth, or bite problems.

When does my baby start teething?

· The normal time for the first tooth to come in is between 6-12 months. Occasional sore gums may exist until the age of 3, and a cold spoon, teething ring, or a cold wet washcloth or toothbrush may effectively sooth the gums.

What is a teething ring?

Teething rings are small fluid filled 'rings' which are kept chilled and are effective at soothing your child's sore gums while he/she is teething.