6 Steps to Super Smiles: Dental Care for School Age Children

Step 1: Good Home Dental Care
It is very important for parents to be involved in their child’s dental hygiene routine. Establish a healthy diet, daily tooth brushing and flossing as well as regular dental visits. Steps taken now will help build a lifetime of good oral health habits, so help by supervising your child’s brushing and flossing.

Step 2: Fluoride
Use toothpaste with fluoride to prevent tooth decay and cure cavities in their early stages. Our pediatric dentist can advise parents of fluoride supplement sources if needed.

Step 3: Sealants
Most cavities occur in places that a sealant could have protected. By sealing surfaces at risk, cavities and tooth decay in children and teens can be drastically reduced. The teeth at most risk of decay and therefore most in need of sealants are the six-year and twelve-year molars.

Step 4: Mouth Protectors in Sports
Wearing a mouthguard when playing a sport protects the teeth and can reduce the force of a blow that can cause concussions, neck injuries and jaw fractures.

Step 5: Regular Dental Visits
It is essential for your child to receive an on-going oral health assessment by a pediatric dentist. Your child may need additional fluoride, sealants or dietary modifications. Regular visits will also help children stay cavity free by removing plaque build-up on the teeth.

Step 6: Limited Snacking
Healthy snacking in moderation plays an important role in oral health. Snacking should be limited to no more than three or four times a day. Encourage nutritious choices such as cheese, vegetables and yogurt.

Care Concerns
It is important for us to establish a good relationship with both patients and parents. We especially want our young patients to feel comfortable with our doctor and staff in our office setting. Early regular visits to the pediatric dentist will build a trust that will help young children prepare for a lifetime of good dental check-ups.

We make a concerted effort to make your visit as enjoyable as possible. Our goal is to provide a great appointment experience with outstanding service. Our doctor and staff maintain the highest standards in pediatric dental care. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to ask us.

Infants and Children
The beginning of a child’s dental care program is crucial. The foremost concern is establishing a program of preventive dental care. It is also important to get the facts about early childhood caries (also known as baby bottle syndrome), a risk for every child but one that can be prevented. Ask us about thumb, pacifier and bottle habits. We’ll provide you with a wealth of information about your child’s growth and development.

Adolescents and Young Adults
There are many factors that make the pre-teen and teenage years an important stage for dental care. Eating patterns may become slightly irregular and frequent snacking on unhealthy foods often becomes the norm. It is normal that self-esteem and confidence issues may arise and these are directly related to appearance and self-image. Our office takes these issues into consideration and we are extra sensitive to the needs of teenagers.

First Stages: Dental Care Timeline for Infants and Toddlers

Birth to 6 months

• Even before their first tooth appears, infants should have their gums cleaned with gauze or an infant washcloth after feedings and at bedtime.
• Avoid putting your baby to bed with a bottle.
• Talk to our pediatric dentist about fluoride supplements.

6 to 12 months

• When a child’s first teeth begin to appear it is time to visit the pediatric dentist for a check-up.
• Begin brushing with a soft-bristled brush after feedings and at bedtime.
• As a child begins to walk, be especially alert to potential dental injuries.

12 to 24 months

• Weaning from breast or bottle by 12 months of age is advised.
• We recommend visiting our pediatric dentist every 6 months for an exam and cleaning.
• A pea-sized portion of fluoride toothpaste may be used when a child is able to rinse and spit.
• During this stage of development most primary teeth have erupted.