Finding a kid-friendly dentist can be one of the most important steps to ensuring that your child starts off with strong oral health practices. While some people may feel that caring for primary teeth, or “baby teeth,” is not as important as caring for permanent teeth because the baby teeth will fall out anyway, this is not the case.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentists recommends that you take your child to visit a kid-friendly dentist when their first tooth emerges or by their first birthday, whichever comes first. This initial visit is very important, as it establishes your child’s dental “home” and can help prevent dental problems from arising.
Absolutely! Baby teeth are vital to the speech development of children, as well as proper health and nutrition through chewing. Additionally, since permanent teeth develop very close to the roots of baby teeth, having healthy baby teeth can aid in forming a healthy path for your child’s permanent teeth to follow.
We recommend that you start caring for your child’s oral health as soon as you come home from the hospital! While children obviously do not have teeth at this point, you should be gently wiping your child’s gums with a soft, damp washcloth at least once per day. Once your child’s teeth begin to emerge, switch to a soft-bristled, infant-sized toothbrush. Adding a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste can help fight against cavities and should be increased to a small, pea-sized amount around three years old.
In short, yes. X-rays are important because they can show any underlying dental issues that may not be visible on the surface. X-rays of baby teeth are primarily used to detect cavities between the teeth and to monitor the growth of adult teeth. Luckily, the radiation exposure during a dental X-ray is extremely low, and X-rays only need to be repeated once every year or two.
Your child should follow your own dental visit schedule of a check-up every six months. Regular, biannual dentist visits can help prevent cavities and other dental problems, as well as teach your child good oral health practices and get into a lifelong routine of visiting a dentist.
Regular visits to a kid-friendly dentist are extremely important. Not only can regular visits help your child form important oral health habits, but they can also help promote good health overall. Gum disease and tooth decay have been linked to heart disease and other harmful conditions, so starting strong oral health practices early are even more important! Our team can help you better understand your child’s oral health and put them on the path to a healthy life.
Request an appointment here: https://westlinndental.net or call West Linn Dental at (503) 635-4493 for an appointment in our West Linn office.
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