A pediatric dentist is dedicated to the oral health of children from infancy through the teen years. As a child’s mouth grows and changes very quickly, they need special care for their teeth, gums, and mouth. Hibiscus Dental offers the experience and caring attitude that your child needs and will appreciate during their various stages of childhood.
Children are not just small adults. They are not always able to be patient and cooperative during a dental exam. Our pediatric dentists know how to examine and treat children in ways that make them comfortable. A pediatric dentist offers a wide range of treatment options, as well as expertise and training to care for your child’s teeth.
Children begin to get their baby teeth during the first 6 months of life. By age 6 or 7 years, they start to lose their first set of teeth, which eventually are replaced by secondary, permanent teeth. Without proper dental care, children face possible oral decay and disease that can cause a lifetime of pain and complications.
Innumerable studies and research have concluded the importance of starting children early with good dental hygiene and oral care. According to research, the most common chronic childhood disease in America is tooth decay, affecting 50 percent of first-graders and 80 percent of 17-year-olds. Early treatment prevents problems affecting a child’s health, well-being, self-image and overall achievement.
The National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research estimates that children will miss 52 million hours of school each year due to oral health problems and about 12.5 million days of restricted activity every year from dental symptoms. Because there is such a significant loss in their academic performance, the Surgeon General has made children’s oral health a priority.
As a parent, your direction and involvement with your child’s oral care has a direct correlation to their chances at maintaining good oral health for their lifetime. As a parent, you are the first teacher of how important oral heath is, and how it can affect other systems in the body, including heart health!
The American Dental Hygiene Association states that a good oral hygiene routine for children includes:
•Cleaning your infant’s gums after each feeding with a water-soaked infant cloth. This stimulates the gum tissue and removes food.
•Brushing your baby’s erupted teeth with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and using a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste
•Teaching your child at age 2 or 3 about proper brushing techniques and later teaching them brushing and gentle flossing until 7 or 8 years old.
•Visiting the dentist regularly to check for cavities in the primary teeth and for possible developmental problems.
•Asking your hygienist or dentist about sealant applications to protect your child’s teeth-chewing surfaces and about bottle tooth decay, which occurs when teeth are frequently exposed to sugared liquids.
We recommend and encourage pre-dental visits for our little ones who will be future patients! In our experience, a child who is comfortable in their environment and has a positive first experience is much more likely to be comfortable when it’s time for a real check-up.
Feel free to call us and set up a time for a quick stop-in where your child can be welcomed and introduced to our practice. Getting to sit in a big chair, look around, ask questions, and gain some positive compliments while you show off your new teeth that just keep coming in – is fun for little ones!
At Hibiscus Dental, we care. We offer the experience, attitude, and expertise your child needs to keep a healthy smile and enjoy doing it right from the beginning!
Call us today to set up your child’s pediatric appointment!