Children’s Dentistry

Dental Care for Infants

Even though you can’t see them, babies are born with ALL of their teeth. They are hidden within the gums and will start to break through around 6 months. Some things to keep in mind for your children’s teeth:

• Bottle Tooth Decay
  Don’t let your infant drink out of a bottle for long periods of time, or let your child go to bed with a bottle. Extended exposure to milk, formula or juice can cause serious tooth decay.
• Brush Regularly
  Brush their teeth with water and a soft bristled brush. Also, wipe your child’s teeth with a washcloth after feeding them to prevent plaque buildup.
• First Dental Checkup
  Around your child’s 1st birthday, schedule a visit to your dentist to evaluate your child’s teeth and to get your child accustomed to routine dental visits.

Continuing Care for Growing Children

By age 3 children will have all of their primary teeth, commonly known as “baby” teeth. Baby teeth fall out starting at about age 6, when the permanent teeth come in. Though your child will lose their baby teeth, promoting good oral care is important even before the first teeth come in. Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Here are some tips for caring for your growing child’s teeth:

• Brush Regularly
  Children and adults should brush their teeth twice daily. Start using a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste at age 3. Make sure your child doesn’t swallow the toothpaste after brushing.
• Help Them Out
  Help your child with their oral health care until they are able to do it well on their own.
• Break Bad Habits
  Break thumb-sucking and pacifier habits by age 4 to ensure the correct development of teeth.
• Get A Mouthguard
  Require the use of a mouthguard for children who play sports to protect their smile.
• Regular Check-ups
  Visit your dentist for a check-up and cleaning every 6 months.

Adult Dentistry

Caring for your Perfectly Beautiful Smile

To avoid cavities, gum disease and more serious dental issues follow these tips:

• Brush Regularly
  Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste to remove plaque, the main cause of tooth decay.
• Floss Daily
  Floss daily to remove plaque from between your teeth and under your gumline before it can harden into tartar. Once tartar has formed, it can only be removed by a professional cleaning.
• Watch What You Eat
  Limit sugary or starchy foods. The more often you snack between meals, the more chances you give the acids in plaque to attack your tooth enamel.
• Regular Dental Checkups
  Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and checkups.