First impressions last a lifetime. At Iliff Family Dental we know and understand that meaning. Because of this we want your child’s first visit to the dentist to be something memorable and enjoyable. Children like adults are not born with a natural fear of the dentist, but they can fear the unknown. Our staff makes a special effort to use pleasant, non-frightening, simple words to describe each treatment to your children. We want you and your child to feel at ease from the moment you arrive at our office. The more you and your little one know about their first visit, the better you will feel.
Your child’s primary or baby teeth will begin to appear between the ages of six and 12 months, and continue to erupt until about age three. During this time, your son or daughter’s gums may feel tender and sore. You also might notice that they seem more irritable and tired.
To help alleviate this discomfort, we recommend that you soothe the gums by rubbing a clean finger or a cool, wet cloth across them. You may also choose to make use of a teething ring. When your little one has finished teething, you can expect a total of 20 primary teeth. Believe it or not these primary teeth (baby teeth) are more important than adult teeth. These primary teeth help keep space and room for the adult teeth. So, just like adult teeth, it is important to practice good oral hygiene twice a day with your child.
Your child’s primary teeth are shed at various times throughout childhood. Permanent teeth begin emerging at age six, and continue until age 21. Adults have 28 permanent teeth; 32, including wisdom teeth.
As your child’s teeth appear, be sure to examine them every two weeks, and look for lines and discoloration that may be caused by decay. Remember that sugary foods and liquids can attack a new tooth, so make sure to brush your child’s teeth after eating or drinking. We recommend brushing four times a day for optimal oral hygiene: after breakfast, after lunch, after dinner, and at bedtime. The worst thing that can happen to your child is if they go to bed or nap with a sugary drink like milk. The milk will sit on your child’s teeth increasing the likelihood of cavities forming.
Brushing can be fun, and your little one should brush as soon as that first tooth arrives. When a baby’s tooth erupts, parents should brush it with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. For children younger than two, do not use fluoride toothpaste unless advised to do so by your dentist or other healthcare professional. We will go over and review proper tooth brushing procedures with your little one at your visits.
Flossing is also a part of good oral hygiene habits, and your doctor will discuss with you the right time to start flossing. If you notice signs of decay, contact us immediately.
Tooth decay is caused by sugars left in your mouth that turn into an acid, which can break down your teeth. Children are at high risk for tooth decay for a simple reason: many children and adolescents do not practice regular, good oral hygiene habits. Proper brushing and flossing routines combined with regular dental visits help keep tooth decay away.
Your child should visit the dentist every six months for regular dental cleanings and checkups. We recommend fluoride treatments twice a year along with cleanings to keep teeth their strongest and prevent against cavities
Tooth sealants are also recommended because they “seal” the deep grooves in your youngster’s teeth, and prevent decay from forming in these hard-to-reach areas. Sealants last for several years, but will be monitored at your child’s regular checkups.
Below are a list of procedures Dr. Christopher Henes and his team are more than comfortable treating your child at Iliff Family Dental:
Routine fillings are needed when your child’s tooth has a cavity. A filling will remove the damage tooth structure to ensure the tooth can last until your child’s adult teeth start coming in.
When your child begins to get their adult molars it is recommended that they receive dental sealants on these teeth along with their second molars. With dental sealants no drilling is needed so your child won’t feel anything. Sealants cover the deep groove on your child’s tooth preventing cavities from forming.
When cavities are too big and a dental filling would cause more potential damage than good it is recommend your child have a stainless steel crown. These crowns are just like crowns adults receive but they are completed the same day. These stainless steel crown encompass the whole tooth giving it the best chance of survival.
Sometimes when a cavity goes too deep it goes into the nerve. If this happens we can perform a pulpal therapy like a root canal for your child so they can hold on to their tooth until adulthood.
If your child develops pain or infection with his or her tooth it might be necessary to remove the tooth because it can’t be saved. This will prevent further pain and infection.
If you are interested in learning more about pediatric dental care, call 303-695-0102 or book an appointment with our 5-star-rated dentist. We are conveniently located on Iliff near I-225. During your session, our experienced dentist and team will take the time to answer all your questions about our treatments, our office, our flexible payment options, and anything else you may want to know about us! Come to experience Iliff Family Dental and our unmatched patient experience! You will quickly see why people in Aurora, CO love us
