Children's Dental Care in New Baltimore

Taking your child to a children’s dentist at a young age is the best way to instill a lifelong habit of good oral hygiene. All of the dentists at Gentle Dental of New Baltimore in New Baltimore are adept at dentistry for children, but some of them are pediatric dentists.

A pediatric dentist has completed a general dentistry school and then completed at least two additional years of training in the specialty of pediatric dentistry. They’re skilled at making both their young patients and their parents feel at ease in the dentist’s office, so if you’ve been searching for a “childrens dentist near me”, then you need to search no longer. Call our New Baltimore office to schedule an appointment with a children’s dentist in our office, and let us help you put your child on the path to good oral health. Several other of our offices provide dentistry for kids, so call us for more information.

What’s the Youngest Age That My Child Should Visit a Children’s Dentist?

As soon as a child has a tooth that’s fully erupted, they should start their dental visits. One tooth can develop a cavity, especially if the child usually goes to bed with a bottle or sippy cup that contains formula, juice or milk. Those substances contain acid and sugar and when they’re left on the teeth overnight, they can cause the enamel to erode. You should never put your child to bed with a bottle or sippy cup unless it contains clear water that has no sugar or flavorings. If your child has two adjacent teeth, they should begin to floss daily. Food particles can lodge between teeth and begin to cause decay, so beginning a regimen of good dental hygiene at an early age can contribute to a lifetime of good oral health.

What Happens During My Child’s First Visit to a Children’s Dentist?

During your child’s initial visit, your kids dentist will need to examine the teeth for decay and proper alignment. The exam can be conducted in the dental chair if the child is comfortable with that or it can be conducted while the child is on your lap. Never speak negatively to your child about going to the dentist because that can negatively impact their attitude and adversely affect their future oral health.

Usually, children don’t need x-rays, but if your child needs one, we can accommodate that. We are quite adept at getting children to open wide for cleaning and other procedures, and we have several techniques that will help keep your child’s oral health at its best, including:

• Cleaning: At the minimum, your child should have their teeth cleaned annually. This helps address any problems that have arisen and minimizes future dental problems.
• Bonding: Dental bonding can repair chips, cracks, and minor damage to teeth and can minimize the appearance of them.
• Fluoride: Fluoride is a natural cavity fighter that will incorporate into the tooth enamel and strengthen the teeth.
• Sealants: We can apply a thin plastic coating to the back of the teeth so that bacteria doesn’t form there and food particles can’t be trapped.
• Fillings: If your child has one or more cavities, we can fill them with either amalgam or a tooth-colored material, so your child will have use of the tooth again.
• Pediatric crowns: If your child’s cavity is too large to accommodate a filling, then we can fabricate a pediatric crown. A crown is also referred to as a dental cap.
• Mouthguards: If your child participates in sports such as football, hockey, boxing, gymnastics, ice skating or similar, the American Dental Association suggests that they wear a mouthguard. This will protect their teeth from being cracked or broken or knocked loose or knocked out and will protect their face from a blow. If your child needs a custom-fitted mouthguard, call our New Baltimore office and we can schedule an appointment for you.

How Old Will My Child Be When a Tooth Appears?

Baby teeth will begin to erupt when a child is 3 to 4 months old, but this varies by child. Your child’s development schedule will be unique to them, so your child’s first tooth may show earlier or later than this.

How Old Will My Child Be When the First Tooth Falls Out?

Your child should begin losing baby teeth by the age of 5 to 6 years and continue until they’re 10 to 12 years old. This is approximate, however. Teeth will usually fall out in the order in which they appeared but the appearance of your child’s adult teeth will be unique to them.

Is There a Reason for My Child’s Toothaches?

If your child has an occasional toothache, a visit to your children’s dentist in our New Baltimore office can resolve the issue. If your child has recurring toothaches, there’s probably an issue that needs to be resolved, so call our office and schedule an appointment.

We are among the best in the area for kids’ dental care, so if your child needs dental work, call us today at (586) 933-5521 and let us schedule an appointment. The good oral health of our small patients is our primary objective and we’d love to add you to our extended dental family. Call Gentle Dental of New Baltimore today. We look forward to speaking with you and to working with you and your child.