A child’s first visit to the dentist should be enjoyable. Children are not born with a natural fear of the dentist, but they can fear the unknown. Our office makes a special effort to use pleasant, non-frightening, simple words to describe each treatment. We want you and your child to feel at ease from the moment your family arrives at our office. The more you and your child know about the first visit, the better you will feel.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends...
Children should visit the dentist by their first birthday. It is important that your child’s newly-erupted teeth (erupting at six and 12 months of age) receive proper dental care and benefit from proper oral hygiene habits right from the beginning.
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When New Teeth Arrive
Your child’s first primary or baby teeth will begin to erupt between the ages of six and 12 months, and will continue to erupt until about age three. During this time, your child’s gums may feel tender and sore. To help alleviate this discomfort, we recommend that you soothe the gums by rubbing a clean finger or a cool, wet cloth across them. You may also choose to make use of a teething ring. When your child has finished teething, you can expect a total of 20 primary teeth.
Your child’s primary teeth are shed at various times throughout childhood. Permanent teeth begin erupting at age six, and continue until age 21. Adults have 28 permanent teeth (32, including wisdom teeth).
Adopting Healthy Oral Hygiene Habits
As your child’s teeth erupt, be sure to examine them every two weeks, looking for lines and discoloration that may be caused by decay. Remember that sugary foods and liquids can attack a new tooth, so take care that your child brushes after feeding or eating. We recommend brushing four times a day for optimal oral hygiene: after breakfast, after lunch, after dinner, and at bedtime.
Brushing can be fun, and your child should brush as soon as the first tooth arrives. Fluoridated toothpaste is recommended for all children starting at tooth eruption, regardless of caries risk. A smear (the size of a grain of rice) of toothpaste should be used up to age three. After the third birthday, a pea-sized amount may be used. We recommend dispensing toothpaste for young children and supervising and assist with brushing.
Flossing is also a part of good oral hygiene habits, and your doctor will discuss with you the right time to start flossing. If you notice signs of decay, contact your dentist immediately.
Preventing Tooth Decay with Regular Checkups
Tooth decay is caused by sugars left in your mouth that turn into an acid, which can break down your teeth. Children are at high risk for tooth decay for a simple reason: many children and adolescents do not practice regular, good oral hygiene habits. Proper brushing and flossing routines combined with regular dental visits help keep tooth decay away.
Your child should visit the dentist every six months for regular dental cleanings and checkups. We recommend fluoride treatments twice a year along with cleanings to keep teeth their strongest. Tooth sealants are also recommended because they “seal” the deep grooves in your child’s teeth, preventing decay from forming in these hard-to-reach areas. Sealants last for several years, but will be monitored at your child's regular checkups.
Providing Excellent Dental Care to Children
If you are looking for an experienced and qualified pediatric dentist in Derry, Haas Dental Associates is the place to go. We provide top-tier dental care from infanthood to adolescence and young adulthood, so no matter the age or needs of your child, our dentists can help. We strive to create an environment that is welcoming and relaxing to help ease your child’s worries.
Our aim is to educate families about the importance of healthy dental habits and concentrate on providing expert preventative dental care for children and teens throughout Derry and surrounding areas.
We specialize in:
- Pediatric oral examinations and cleanings: More than a cursory look at teeth, our oral examinations include charting the health of your child’s smile and providing accurate diagnosis and preventative treatment to ensure a clean and healthy smile. During cleanings, we will remove plaque and apply a topical fluoride solution to build up the strength of teeth, making them more resistant to decay.
- Pediatric sedation dentistry: We understand that visiting the dentist can be stressful for children, so we offer a variety of safe and effective sedation solutions. Dr. Haas and Dr. Trontz are among a small group of pediatric dentists in the area that hold a permit to sedate children.
- Radiographs: We offer both bitewing and panoramic radiographs to help us detect cavities, unusual tooth shape, growth abnormalities, and other problems. Our team will develop and execute a personalized plan of treatment based on these results.
- Infant oral care: Our team will perform a quick but thorough “well baby check-up”– an examination to ensure the growth, health, and development of your baby’s teeth, gums, and jaw is free of any early problems.
- Sealants, composites, and crowns: Strong teeth are crucial to maintaining a healthy smile, which is why we offer sealant coatings to prevent tooth decay, as well as white tooth-colored fillings and ceramic or stainless steel crowns for present decay.
- Extractions: While it is a last resort, we will expertly extract teeth and provide a space maintainer to prevent teeth from drifting into the space.
- Pediatric orthodontics: We offer an extensive array of orthodontic solutions for children to ensure issues like crossbites or tooth movement won’t affect your child later in life.
At What Age Should My Child First Visit The Dentist?
The professionals at Haas Dental Associates highly recommend that your child to first visit the dentist at the time of their first birthday, or within 6 months of their first tooth appearing. Your child's first visit is an important step in successful dental development.
What Are the Benefits of Seeing a Pediatric Dentist in Dover or Derry?
There are several benefits to taking your child to a specialized pediatric dentist, including:
- Expertise in Children's Dental Care: Pediatric dentists undergo additional training specifically focused on children's oral health. They are equipped with knowledge and skills to address the unique dental needs of infants, children, and teenagers. Their specialized training enables them to provide age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate dental care.
- Child-Friendly Environment: Pediatric dental offices are designed to create a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere for children. These child-friendly settings help alleviate anxiety and fear, making dental visits more enjoyable for children.
- Early Detection and Prevention: Regular visits to a pediatric dentist allow for early detection and prevention of dental issues. Pediatric dentists can identify potential problems such as tooth decay, bite issues, or misalignment at an early stage. They can provide preventive measures such as fluoride treatments, dental sealants, and guidance on proper oral hygiene practices to help maintain optimal oral health for your child.
Overall, taking your child to a specialized pediatric dentist ensures they receive specialized care, have a positive dental experience, and establish a foundation for lifelong oral health habits.
Schedule Your Child’s Dental Appointment Today
Haas Dental Associates is committed to providing high-quality pediatric dentistry care to patients throughout Derry and surrounding areas. We provide care to children of all ages, including those with special needs. If you have a child with special needs, feel free to call our offices in advance so that we can make your child's dental experience a positive one. You can count on us to help your child build healthy dental habits and keep their smile bright!
