Children’s Dentistryin Anderson IN

Your Child’s First Visit to the Dentist

The first “regular” dental visit should be just after your child’s first birthday. It is usually short and involves very little treatment. We may ask you to sit in the dental chair and hold your child during the examination. You may also be asked to wait in the reception area during the visit to build a relationship between your child and your dentist.

We will gently examine your child’s teeth and gums. X-rays may be taken (to reveal decay and check on the progress of your child’s permanent teeth under the gums). We may clean your child’s teeth and apply topical fluoride to help protect the teeth against decay. We will make sure your child is receiving adequate fluoride at home. Most importantly, we will review how to clean and care for your child’s teeth.

What should I tell my child about the first dental visit?

We are often asked this question. We suggest you prepare your child as you did before their first haircut or trip to the shoe store. Your child’s reaction to his first visit to the dentist may surprise you.

During your first visit, the dentist will:

• Examine your mouth, teeth, and gums.
• Evaluate adverse habits like thumb sucking.
• Check to see if you need fluoride.
• Teach you about cleaning your teeth and gums.
• Suggest a schedule for regular dental visits.

What about preventative care?

Tooth decay and children no longer have to go hand in hand. At our office, we are most concerned with all aspects of preventive care. We use the latest dental sealant technology to protect your child’s teeth. Dental sealants are space-age plastics bonded to decay-prone chewing surfaces of back teeth. This is just one of the ways we will set the foundation for your child’s lifetime of good oral health.

Cavity Prevention

Most of the time, cavities are due to a diet high in sugary foods and a lack of brushing. Limiting sugar intake and brushing regularly, of course, can help. The longer it takes your child to chew their food and the longer the residue stays on their teeth, the greater the chances of cavities.

Every time someone eats, an acidic reaction occurs inside their mouth as the bacteria digest the sugars. This reaction lasts approximately 20 minutes. During this time, the acidic environment can destroy the tooth structure, eventually leading to cavities.

Consistency of a person’s saliva also makes a difference; thinner saliva breaks up and washes away food more quickly. When people eat diets high in carbohydrates and sugars, they tend to have thicker saliva, allowing more of the acid-producing bacteria that can cause cavities.

The two bottom front teeth are the first baby teeth in the mouth. You will notice this when your baby is 6-8 months old. Next to follow will be the four upper front teeth, and the remainder of your baby’s teeth will appear periodically. They will usually appear in pairs along the sides of the jaw until the child is about 2 1/2 years old.

At around 2 1/2 years old, your child should have all 20 teeth. Between the ages of 5 and 6, the first permanent teeth will begin to erupt. Some of the permanent teeth replace baby teeth, and some don’t. Don’t worry if some teeth are a few months early or late, as all children are different.

Baby teeth are important as they hold space for permanent teeth and are used for chewing, biting, speech, and appearance. For this reason, it is essential to maintain a healthy diet and daily hygiene.