You wouldn’t want to take your child to a geriatric doctor just as you wouldn’t want to take him to a dentist that doesn’t specialize in pediatric dentistry. Children’s teeth are much different than adult’s teeth. It is important you have you child visit a pediatric dentist who specializes in the growth and development of a child’s mouth, teeth and gum health. Improper care for your child’s teeth can lead to cavities, gum disease and misalignment of their adult teeth.
Proper dental care starts when your child turns one. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends your child be seen by a dentist before their first birthday. You may think this is very young, but it is not. Normally a child’s teeth are starting to come in, and they need to be checked for baby bottle tooth decay. This is also known as caries. Children can also have tooth decay from breast feeding.
It is recommended that when your child’s teeth begin to appear, you should wean them from the baby bottle. Do not put them in bed with a bottle or a cup. It is also recommended you do not breastfeed your child right before bed if their teeth are in.
Proper oral hygiene begins before your child’s teeth can be seen. Using a very soft child toothbrush, you can gently brush your child’s gums to help stimulate and clean them. You only need to use water with the toothbrush. Fluoridated toothpaste is not recommended before the age of two or three.
As your child grows, a Pediatric Dentist in Wayne NJ, can watch for decay and misalignment of the teeth. When their adult teeth begin to come in around six to seven years of age, your dentist can let you know if your child’s teeth are coming in correctly. If they are not coming in correctly, there are things that can be done to set the teeth on a straighter path. It also helps to eliminate an entire mouth full of braces.
You take your child to a pediatrician, and taking your child to a pediatric dentist is no different. Having a dentist that specializes in children’s teeth will lead to better oral health in the future.
