Pediatric Dentistry

Today pediatric dentistry is prevention oriented. Many changes have evolved since the years when dental care for children was predominately secondary and tertiary care. The dental hygienist is a valuable resource in promoting, health in infants, children and adolescents.

Baby teeth should be brushed using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Use water without fluoride until approximately six months of age. Encourage your children to brush their own teeth once they have the coordination to do so. Replace toothbrushes every two to three months. Choose baby specific tooth brush and paste for your children. This will avoid tooth decay up to a certain extent.

Pediatric dentists are dedicated to the oral health of children from infancy through the teen years. They have the experience and qualifications to care for a child's teeth, gums, and mouth throughout the various stages of childhood.

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. Today, early childhood dental caries—an infectious disease—is 5 times more common in children than asthma and 7 times more common than hay fever.

Clean your infant's or toddler's teeth with water and a washcloth or child's toothbrush with soft bristles. It is recommended not to use toothpaste until he is able to spit it out and not swallow it. This ability usually occurs around age three.