Pediatric Dentistry Farmington Hills, MI

The dental habits established in childhood form the foundation for oral health during adulthood. Teaching children how to best care for their teeth and gums from an early age will prepare them for a lifetime of healthy oral habits.

Visiting the Children’s Dentist Farmington Hills for First Time.

It is recommended that your child’s first visit to the childrens dentist be around his or her pediatric dentist Farmington Hills first birthday. This is typically about six months after the first tooth has erupted, and several other baby teeth should have emerged.

It is important that early trips to the dentist are exciting and pleasurable experiences for young children. Positive experiences will make it more likely that a child will be comfortable seeing their dentist for the rest of his or her life. Talk to your children about upcoming dental visits and answer any questions they may have.

It is important to choose the right dentist to care for your child’s teeth. It is true that all dentists are qualified to care for a child’s oral health. However, a pediatric dentist Farmington Hills is skilled in working with children and their needs in particular. Being accustomed to squirming and being able to make a child feel more comfortable during their visit are also benefits of using the children’s pediatric dentistry services of Farmington Hills Dentist.

What to Expect From Your Pediatric Dentist in Farmington Hills

By the time they turn three, most children have had all 20 of their “baby teeth” erupt. While they are born with these teeth, they won’t start to appear until several months after they are born. These teeth will eventually fall out (usually starting around six years of age) but are susceptible to decay and damage and should be cared for as diligently as permanent teeth.

Your pediatric dentist will inspect these baby teeth for cavities and decay, and ensure that the teeth and jaws are developing and erupting normally. A schedule will be worked out by your dental provider for future visits as your child grows.

Parents will be instructed on how to best help with proper home care. You will be warned of common habits that could cause early decay or other problems. Some of these activities include:

• Extensive use of a pacifier
• Thumb sucking
• Sending children to bed with a bottle of sugary drink
• Using fluoridated toothpaste before age two

Caring for a Child’s Teeth between Office Visits

Visiting the Dentist Farmington Hills on a regular basis is not enough to protect a child’s oral health. At-home dental care is imperative, not only to keep away disease and decay but to instill lifelong good habits. Even before teeth erupt in a child’s mouth, the gums should be gently washed each day.

Brushing twice daily should start once the teeth break through the gums. You may use water instead of toothpaste for this in the early days. As your child ages, you can begin using children’s toothpaste as recommended by Dr. Karanth. 

To preserve good oral health, schedule an appointment for your child’s normal preventative treatment, such as tooth cleanings and dental consultation, every six months at Pearl Dental.

Related Links:

Helping Kids Overcome Their Fear of the Dentist