Children’s Dentistry Services You Can Trust in Fort McMurray
Without a doubt, you want the best for your children in every aspect - and this includes their dental health. Setting them up for success at an early age will help them enjoy healthy teeth and gums for life, which has a positive impact on their social skills, confidence, and overall health.
At Franklin Dental Clinic in Fort McMurray, we want you to know that your child is in good hands. Our experienced dental team focuses on creating a positive environment that will ingrain the value of maintaining good oral health well into their adult years. Keep reading to learn more about how to start your child off on a good foot with their dental health and what you can expect with children’s dentistry services.
When to start brushing your child’s teeth
Start cleaning your child’s mouth before their first tooth arrives, beginning just a few days after birth. Take a damp cloth and gently wipe your baby’s gums. This will get you accustomed to regular mouth cleanings early and, as teeth begin to erupt, later on, helps safeguard the tooth from decay-causing bacteria.
With the first set of teeth, use just a smear (about the size of a grain of rice) of non-fluoride with a soft bristle toothbrush. You can start using a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste when they turn 3 years old, making sure they are rinsing well. We recommend brushing your little one’s teeth for them until they are 3 and then assisting them with their tooth brushing from age 3 and up. Just like adults, children should be brushing their teeth twice a day and flossing once a day.
When to book your child’s first dentist appointment
You can book your child’s first dental appointment when the first tooth erupts or after their first birthday. The first appointment is typically a ‘discovery’ appointment that focuses on making your child comfortable in the dentist’s chair.
During this time, we work on developing a trusting patient relationship, helping your child become familiar with the sounds in a dental office, showing them different tools, and a simple preliminary inspection of their teeth and gums. We want to look for any signs of teeth grinding, excessive thumb sucking, signs of decay, sensitive teeth, baby teeth loss, and other common dental problems in children.
What to expect with children’s dentistry
During these early years, children experience the most rapid growth and development which includes their jaw, facial structure, and teeth. Children’s dentistry focuses on detecting and correcting bite issues, crowding, misalignment, decay, and gum disease which sets a good foundation for their oral health in their teen and adult years.
Children’s dentists consider family history, look for early signs of dental issues, and prevent future problems. For example, when a child loses a tooth, they can be fitted with a temporary spacer until adult teeth come in as teeth can shift to accommodate for the empty space. Another example is applying a dental sealant treatment to protect children’s teeth from decay, which is a common issue during these younger years. And of course, regular dental checkups and professional cleaning.
These are just a few examples of what children’s dentistry can offer - all with the goal to help your child establish good oral health habits at an early age. Give us a call for more information and to book your child’s next dental appointment.
