Pediatric Dentistry

The American Dental Association recommends that children go to the dentist as soon as their first teeth begin to break through their gums or at 6 months old, depending on which happens first. At your child’s first dental appointment, a dentist can answer important questions, make sure your child’s teeth are coming in on schedule & are healthy, and provide additional information on oral care for infants. 

You may have heard that dental x-rays use radiation, and the lead lined bib may make you a little worried about your child’s safety. However, it is important for parents to understand that the radiation used in dental x-rays is significantly less than medical x-rays used to look for broken bones. X-rays have been proven to be safe and effective ways for doctors and dentists to see what they can’t see normally. X-rays can help dentists make sure your child’s teeth are coming in healthy and help find early signs of tooth decay before they spread. 

Just like with adults, children should see the dentist at least two times every year for check-ups. Gum disease and tooth decay are some of the most common health issues that children face. In fact, children are much more likely to develop cavities compared to their parents. Routine visits can catch dental problems quickly before they spread and cause significant damage. Plus, seeing a dentist can help your kids improve their oral care techniques. 

Unfortunately, our teeth are not great at telling us when there is an issue. The surface of our teeth do not have nerves so it is common to not notice signs of a cavity until it has developed for a while. That being said, if your child has a tooth ache, notices sensitivity to cold/hot food, or complains about pain when eating, these could be signs of a dental issue. You should make a dental appointment as soon as possible.

A mouth guard can protect your son or daughter if they play any sports that risk dental injury. If your child plays lacrosse, football, soccer, or another aggressive sport they should consider using a mouth guard to protect their teeth. 

Grinding your teeth or Bruxism can be caused by a variety of factors. Some people grind their teeth when angry or stressed. However, among children, teeth grinding is fairly common, and many kids grow out of it as they age. If you are worried about your child grinding their teeth, consider talking to your dentist about grind guards. 

When and if your child gets braces could depend on a lot of factors. For some children, braces are necessary to fix severe alignment issues. For other kids they might not need braces other than for cosmetic solutions like closing a tooth gap. If your child has crooked or crowded teeth you should talk to your dentist for more information about 

While children are expected to lose their baby teeth, knocking out a tooth may require a trip to the dentist. If your child experiences a dental emergency including chipped, broken, or knocked out teeth you should call an emergency dentist in your area and get them an appointment.