As a Pediatric Dentist and mom of four kids, I get asked a lot of dental questions. This month, I’ve selected three of the most common children’s dental questions and provided answers. I love it when parents and grandparents are interested in their child’s oral health. The more you know and understand about baby teeth, the easier it is to prevent decay!
Here are Common Children’s Dental Questions…
1. At what age should my child have their first dental appointment?
We recommend the first dental visit by age one year. The main focus of this visit is on parent and grandparent education. It’s typically nothing like what you experience at the dentist. In our office, we complete a “Caries Risk Assessment” to find out your child’s risk level for cavities. We consider things like family history of tooth decay, access to sugary snacks and drinks, and if you are using a fluoride toothpaste. We also examine your child’s teeth and look for weak areas and defects in the enamel. There is definitely a genetic component to early childhood cavities. If we know your child is high-risk for decay, we can help develop an aggressive prevention plan to minimize their risk. The first step is the first dental visit by age one year.
2. Should I be worried that my child’s adult tooth is coming in but the baby tooth is not loose?
Double rows of teeth or “shark teeth” are very common in kids. We see this a lot when an adult tooth comes in behind or alongside a baby tooth and the baby tooth does not fall out right away. Sometimes the baby tooth is loose and we can easily wiggle it out with numbing jelly. Other times the baby tooth root is still intact and we need to numb and extract the baby tooth and root.
To help reduce the chance of having an “over-retained” baby tooth, you can encourage your child to start wiggling baby teeth as soon as they are loose. Parents can help wiggle baby teeth by gently rocking the tooth back and forth and gently twisting the tooth. If you get stuck, or if it not budging, your child’s dentist can help you make a plan to comfortably remove the stubborn baby tooth.
3. What’s the best time for a child’s dental appointment?
Kids are usually at their best when they are well rested and fresh. We recommend scheduling dental treatment visits first thing in the morning if at all possible. Kids have the best chance of good behavior when they are not exhausted from their school day. It can be very challenging for a tired two-year-old to experience a dental visit late in the afternoon. When you consider the best time to schedule your child’s dental appointment, consider what their behavior is typically like at that time of the day. For example, many kids wake up in the morning enthusiastic and ready for new adventures. That’s a great time for a dental visit!
Dental visits can introduce new tastes and new smells for a very young child. Sometimes these new flavors can make sensitive tummies queasy. We have much less chance of getting sick to the stomach during a morning appointment, before the chicken nuggets and Cheetos have gone into the tummy.
I completely understand a parent’s desire to schedule dental appointments late in the day to avoid missing school and work. It’s just something to consider when you are trying to make the best choice for when your child has the potential to have the best dental experience.
-by Dr. Mandy Ashley
About Our Dentists: Dr. Mandy Ashley and Dr. Madison Galloway are Board Certified Pediatric Dentists proud to serve the communities of Bowling Green, Hopkinsville, and Glasgow! We look forward to sharing our vision of excellent comprehensive dental care that is fun for children and people with special healthcare needs with your family.
SKY Pediatric Dentistry has been providing dental care to children and adults with special needs since 2013. As board-certified specialists in dentistry for children, our team strives to make going to the dentist as fun as possible while maintaining high-quality treatment and preventative measures. We tailor treatment plans to each child and offer a wide range of treatment options, including sedation, in-office general anesthesia, and also hospital-based dentistry. With over 25 YEARS of doctor experience, SKY Pediatric Dentistry is a great choice for children’s dental care in Bowling Green, Hopkinsville, and Glasgow!
