Parkwood Dental Associates

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Early Dental

Early Dental Care

At Parkwood Dental Associates, in collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, we recommend that children have their first dental visit by their first birthday. This is typically when the first teeth begin to emerge. It is essential for us to make your child’s first visit as positive and enjoyable as possible.

We want your child to feel comfortable getting to know our doctors and staff. A pleasant and comfortable initial visit fosters trust and helps ease any anxiety during future dental appointments. Children should be encouraged to share any fears or anxieties they may have.

Teething

The first teeth typically begin to erupt between 6 to 12 months of age. Until around age 3, the gums may be sore, tender, and irritated. To help relieve this discomfort, you can gently rub the sore gums with a clean finger, the back of a cold spoon, or a cold, damp cloth. It’s best to avoid teething biscuits, as they contain sugar that can be harmful to baby teeth. Instead, we recommend using a teething ring to soothe sore gums.

Preventing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

While your baby is teething, it’s essential to monitor their teeth for signs of baby bottle decay. Here are some tips to help prevent early tooth decay:

  • Check the teeth, particularly the inside or tongue side, every two weeks for dull spots (which appear whiter than the tooth surface) or lines.
  • Avoid giving your infant a bottle filled with sugary liquids while they sleep, as this can lead to decay. Water is the best choice. The sugar in these liquids mixes with bacteria in dental plaque, producing acids that attack tooth enamel.

It’s important to understand that whenever your child consumes sugary liquids, acids can attack their teeth for about 20 minutes. While they are awake, saliva helps wash away these liquids, but during sleep, saliva flow decreases significantly, allowing liquids to pool around the child’s teeth for extended periods and exposing them to harmful acids.

A Child’s First Dental Visit

A child’s first dental visit should be scheduled around their first birthday. The most important aspect of this visit is for your child to get acquainted with the doctors and staff, helping them feel comfortable during future appointments. A fun, pleasant, and comfortable initial visit fosters trust and eases any anxiety for upcoming dental visits. If possible, allow your child to sit in a parent’s lap during the exam.

Infant’s New Teeth

Primary, or “baby,” teeth are essential for dental development, as they play a crucial role in the growth of the jaws and guide the permanent (secondary) teeth into position, starting around age 6.

Since primary teeth help guide the permanent teeth, infants who are missing primary teeth or who lose them prematurely may need a space maintainer, a device designed to keep the natural space open. Without a maintainer, adjacent teeth can tilt into the empty space, leading to crooked permanent teeth. It’s important to inform your family dentist about any missing teeth. The way your child cares for their primary teeth significantly impacts the health of their permanent teeth. Both children and adults are equally vulnerable to plaque and gum issues, which is why regular dental care and check-ups are essential.

Infant Tooth Eruption

A child’s teeth begin forming before birth, and by around 4 months of age, the primary teeth start to emerge through the gums, with the lower central incisors coming in first, followed by the upper central incisors. The remaining 20 primary teeth usually erupt by age 3, although the timing and order can vary.

Starting around age 6, permanent teeth begin to erupt, typically beginning with the first molars and lower central incisors. This process continues until around age 21. Adults typically have 28 secondary (permanent) teeth, or 32 if you include the third molars (wisdom teeth).

Importance of Primary Teeth

Primary teeth are important for several reasons:

  • They enable a child to eat and maintain good nutrition.
  • Healthy teeth contribute to clear pronunciation and the proper development of speech habits.
  • A healthy and attractive smile enhances self-confidence.
  • Primary teeth guide the eruption of permanent teeth.

Good Diet and Healthy Teeth

The teeth, bones, and soft tissues of the mouth require a healthy, well-balanced diet. Consuming a variety of foods from the five food groups helps minimize and prevent cavities and other dental issues. We do not recommend sugary snacks, as they can lead to tooth decay. Instead, children should focus on healthy foods like vegetables, low-fat yogurt, and cheeses, which promote strong teeth.

At our office, we are committed to helping your child get off to a great start. We aim to build a strong, healthy foundation for a lifetime of excellent dental health. If you have any questions about caring for your child’s smile or would like to schedule their first visit, please contact us at (843) 571-6795. We look forward to getting to know you!