Your Child's Dental Health

At what age should my child first visit the dentist?

Austin dentistry Children should be seen by a dentist within 6 months after the eruption of the first tooth or by their first birthday. Beginning a habit of regular dental check–ups at an early age allows for the prevention and early detection of tooth decay. During an infant's first visit the focus is primarily on discussing dietary habits and nutrition with the parents. A brief exam is often performed to check for problems such as baby bottle tooth decay or the presence of adverse habits such as thumb sucking.

Do you see children at 38th Street Dental or does my child need to see a pediatric dentist?

At 38th Street Dental we recognize that every child is different. Differing levels of maturity and differing levels of dental needs often dictate what is best for a child. We routinely perform check-ups, cleanings and fix small cavities on children 4 years and older. Children below 4 years of age or children with advanced disease are best served by a pediatric dentist. Pediatric dentist have an additional 2 years of training that makes them better suited for treating small children and advanced cases. Furthermore, the staff and office décor is often geared towards making children feel more comfortable.

Is it really important to save the primary teeth considering that they will eventually be replaced by permanent teeth?

A child's baby teeth are very important. They allow for chewing and crushing food to aid in proper digestion and subsequent absorption of nutrients. The primary teeth also facilitate the pronunciation of words and sounds. Finally, the baby teeth serve as space holders for the permanent (adult) teeth.

What can I do to ensure that my child's dental visit is a positive experience?

Children are very perceptive. If you are anxious about going to the dentist, your child will most likely sense your anxiety and become anxious as well. Try to have a relaxed and upbeat attitude about going to the dentist.
Don't let older siblings tell your child scary stories about going to the dentist.
Don't use bribes to get your child to go to the dentist.
Never use a visit to the dentist as a threat or form of punishment.

My child refuses to brush their teeth. What can I do to help ensure that his/her teeth remain healthy?

Children often lack the fine motor skills to effectively clean their teeth. Therefore, parents should help brush their children's teeth to make certain that no areas are missed. Additionally, as parents one of the most important measures we can take is to limit the amount of sugar our children eat. Hard candies, juice and soft drinks are especially problematic because they bathe the teeth in sugar for long periods of time if consumed throughout the day. Finally, parents should set a good example by brushing twice a day, eating a balanced diet, and visiting a dentist regularly.

Dr. Mike Meek and David Tasch DDS - Providing cosmetic dentistry and instant orthodontics to the Austin, Texas area.