Children and Infant Dental Care

Your Childs First Visit to the Dentist

First visit description:

Here at Dr. Downing’s Office we welcome children and infants with open arms. When you call to make an appointment for your child we will schedule a ½ hour appointment called a “Happy Visit” at no charge. It’s good to start your child early at the dentist and get a head start on their dental care. When your child enters the office a parent will check him/her in at the front desk and fill out any necessary paperwork. The child may read books or play with the toys during this time. The assistant will then call the patient back. The parents are encouraged to participate in the happy visit and sometimes sit in the chair with their child on their lap if needed. We start the visit off with a chair ride and sunglasses for the overhead light. We then show the child a video of “Kirby the Monkey” brushing and flossing his teeth. This soothes the child. If the child allows the assistant to set back the chair and take a peak, we will do so. We will go over proper care for the child depending on their age. Dr. Downing will come in the room and introduce himself and let the child know in detail what he will be doing. He uses a mirror and counts their teeth and makes you (the parent) aware of any problem areas, description of treatment needed, and how to prevent further issues. The child then gets appraised with the toy box, a balloon, and a toothbrush of their choice.

If the child is old enough for x rays, we will attempt to take them. If the child gets upset, we will talk them through it and try again. If we are still unable to take them, we will praise the child for trying and will stop and try again next time. Forcing a child to do something they don’t want to do will cause trauma and fear of the dentist. We will use this same procedure with the cleaning and fluoride. Children will leave with smiles and enjoy coming to the dentist!

FAQ About Children

When will my baby's teeth appear?

Every baby is different, but teeth normally start appearing when a baby is about six months old, although your baby may be drooling more at four months. When teeth start to come in, they can cause pain and fussiness.

Healthy teeth are important to your child's overall health. Teeth help your child chew food and form words and sounds when speaking. They also affect the way your child's jaw grows.

Is my child at risk for cavities?

Your child might be at risk for cavities if he or she eats a lot of sugary foods (such as raisins, cookies, and candy) and drinks a lot of sweet liquids (such as fruit juice and punch, soda, milk, and sweetened drinks). Your child also might be at risk if he or she has any of the following risk factors:

Was born early (prematurely) or weighed very little at birth (low birth weight)
Has ongoing special health care needs
Has white spots or brown areas on any teeth
Does not go to the dentist very often

In addition, children from families who eat a lot of sugary foods and drink sweet liquids, who have a lot of cavities, and who do not go to the dentist very often are at risk for cavities.

How can I help stop cavities?

The first thing is that everyone in your family has to take good care of their teeth. Family members with lots of cavities can pass the cavity-causing bacteria to babies and children.

Teeth should be brushed twice a day and adults should floss once a day. Everyone should see the dentist twice a year. Have your doctor or dentist show you the right way to brush your child's teeth.

Limit sweet snacks and drinks between and after meals. Have meals and snacks at regular times. Too much snacking between meals can cause cavities. Teeth-friendly snacks include fresh fruits and vegetables, and cheese and crackers.

Question: When Should I Take My Child to the Dentist for the First Time?

Answer: According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, children should visit a pediatric dentist when their first tooth comes in or no later than their first birthday.

Question: What is Fluoride?

Answer: Fluoride is a mineral that helps prevent tooth decay. It occurs naturally in all water sources. Studies show that fluoride reduces cavities in people of all ages and is effective and safe when used correctly. The correct use of fluoride has been said to have dramatically reduced tooth decay over the past few decades.

Fluoride Process

Why is oral health important for my infant?

Oral health is important for a child's growth and development, overall health and well being, and self-esteem. Tooth decay can lead to pain, infection, malnutrition, poor weight gain, and premature loss of teeth -- which can affect the development of permanent teeth. Oral health problems in an infant's mouth, such as bleeding gums and cavities, increase the chance for these problems in permanent teeth. Good oral health habits -- started at an early age at home -- increase the chance for a healthy mouth during your child's young life and carry on through adulthood.

My baby does not have teeth; do I need to clean my baby's mouth?

Yes, it's a good idea to get in the habit of cleaning your baby's gums.

To clean your baby,s mouth:

Lay your baby in your lap with his or her head close to your chest.
Gently, but firmly, rub a clean and damp piece of gauze or washcloth along both the upper and lower gums.
Clean the gums at least two times a day -- after breakfast and after the last feeding of the day. Even better -- clean your baby's gums after every feeding.

What is teething?

Teething refers to the time when baby teeth (also called deciduous teeth or primary teeth) appear. Generally, teething first occurs between 6 months and 24 months of age. While this process is uneventful in some children; for others, it causes quite a bit of discomfort and irritability.

Why are baby teeth important?

Baby teeth are important because they allow an infant to eat a good diet, allow for proper jaw growth, give the face its form and appearance, assist in the formation of proper speech, and most important, act as "space savers" for adult teeth.

What are some symptoms that my child might be teething?

Symptoms include:

Increased irritability
Placing objects or fingers in the mouth and biting down on them
Increased saliva or drooling
Loss of appetite or becoming choosy about foods
Tender and swollen gums
Rash on cheeks or redness in the area of the cheeks near the affected gums
Restlessness
Ear pulling, which may be a sign of teething or possibly an ear infection (make an appointment to have your child seen by your doctor or pediatrician)

Teething does not result in fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. If your child experiences these problems, contact your physician.

What can be done to ease a child's teething pain?

Some suggestions include:

Massaging your child's gums with a clean finger or the back of a small cold spoon
Allowing your child to bite down on a chilled (but never frozen) teething ring. A frozen teething ring can damage the gums.
Using an over-the-counter teething ointment to numb the gums. Ask your dentist or doctor for some product recommendations.
Allowing your child to suck on a cold, wet cloth

Teething biscuits or cookies and frozen bananas are not recommended. These objects promote tooth decay and may cause your child to choke.

My child was actually born with teeth. Should I be concerned?

Some infants are born with one or more teeth (called natal teeth) or may have teeth emerge within the first 30 days of life (called neonatal teeth). These usually are either extra teeth or remnants from neonatal development that mimic teeth that do not need treatment. If they are, in fact, teeth, attempts should be made to maintain these teeth if they are firmly in place. However, if they are too loose and pose a danger of falling out and being inhaled by your baby, or if they interfere with feeding or irritate your baby's tongue, they may need to be removed.