Pediatric Dental Care

Pediatric Dentistry Milwaukee. As a parent, the health of your child is your top priority from the day they are born. One overlooked part of every child’s health is their dental health, your child’s dental health is just as important as every other part of their body. With that being said, when it comes to the little one’s dental health, there’s no better time than now to start practicing excellent oral hygiene.

Developing good oral hygiene is the first and best line of defense for many children dental issues such as

 Painful teeth and gums
 Difficulty chewing, eating, and sleeping
 Gum disease and inflammation
 Embarrassment when talking and smiling

Which are all very common oral diseases among children. Thanks our pediatric dental care service at American Dental Group, your child’s primary teeth are guaranteed to stay healthy and strong.

Develop Good Oral Health Habits Early
Good oral hygiene should be practiced as early as infancy, it is very important, as a guardian, to practice some sort of dental hygiene regimen for your child as soon as possible. Whichever method you use to feed your child shouldn’t be relevant in whether you practice dental hygiene or not. Furthermore, even when your child hasn’t developed teeth yet, it is important to start practicing dental hygiene for them too.

For an example, you can start by softly wiping their gums with a warm soft and wet washcloth. It’s important to be very gentle as you might hurt the baby’s sensitive gums. Once the baby starts to develop teeth, you can move on to a toothbrush, but be very careful with the type of toothbrush you use and make sure it is specifically designed for babies. Brush the baby’s teeth gently, take your time, and make sure their gums and mouth don’t get scratched in the process. Make this oral regime an everyday routine.

Even though your efforts aren’t being questioned, it is very important to set up dental appointments for your kids so our dentists can take a look. There’s no specific date for when a child’s first dental appointment should be set, but a dental appointment by the time he or she turns one or two years old is ideal.

Normally, our pediatric dentist would examine your child’s teeth for any diseases and would remove any plaque build-up and other food debris that you might have missed. Like adults, children can too develop oral diseases from the bacteria that comes from all of the stuck food in their teeth which if left untreated, can develop other dental illnesses such as gum inflammation, tooth decay etc. At American Dental Group, we provide easy booking tools online to make it easy to book an appointment with our dentist.

When your children come of age where they can start brushing by themselves, as a parent it’s important to educate them on the proper ways to brush their teeth. Teach them to brush all surfaces of their teeth for at least 2 minutes, twice per day with toothpaste.

Help them floss between their teeth and along the gum line to remove trapped food. Make the process fun by implementing kid-friendly songs, toothbrushes, and toothpaste. Encourage them to brush their teeth after eating or drinking sugary things and give them rewards. Increase their water intakes throughout the day it will help reduce cavities.

Tips You Should Receive From Your Pediatric Dentist
Take every dentist appointment as an opportunity to learn more about your child’s oral hygiene. Make sure to ask any questions, but also make sure to remember every advice your pediatric dentists give. Any pediatric dentist should give you additional advice and expert tips for when it comes to the child’s dental hygiene.

Typically, the advice will include but not limited to, flossing tips, toothpaste choices, the proper way to brush your child’s teeth and any other information based on the current condition of the child’s teeth.

Importance of Pediatric Dental Care, Our pediatric dentist would also inform and address your child’s eating habits and give you tips to help protect the child’s teeth and gums. Even though this is common knowledge, our dentist will most likely advise you to refrain from giving your child food, and or candies that are rich in sugar and starch. All in all, our pediatric dentist will advise you on the importance of pediatric dental care as it will be important for their future dental health.

Things to Avoid as a Parent
 As a parent, it’s imperative to avoid leaving a bottle of milk or juice while your child falls
asleep. Pediatric dentists have found that many children who have cavities are directly
linked to falling asleep with a milk or juice bottle in their mouth. As a result, as a parent
you’re advised to avoid this.

 Pediatric dentists also encourage parents to avoid on-demand breastfeeding during the
night especially when the child’s first teeth start to develop.

 Encourage them to brush their teeth after eating or drinking sugary things and give them rewards.

 Increase their water intakes throughout the day it will help reduce cavities.

Common Questions:
What should I do if my child has a toothache?
The first thing you do is rinse the irritated area with lukewarm salt water, and if the child’s face is swollen, place a cold compress on the face. Give the child appropriate pain-relieving medication (preferably acetaminophen) for the pain and set up a dentist appointment immediately.

How often does my child need to see the pediatric dentist?
A pediatric dentist appointment every 6 months is recommended for every child.
Toothpaste: when should we begin using it and how much should we use?

As soon as possible! As soon as the child is born, but make sure to follow our advice on the second paragraph on how to properly clean a baby’s mouth, gums, and teeth.

How do I find a pediatric dentist in my hometown?
A simple google search should be enough to locate the pediatric dentists near you.
All in all, make sure you take good care of your child’s oral hygiene from the moment they are born. You will be saving them from potential oral diseases in the near future and they will thank you later! Thanks for reading.

If you have any questions about your child’s dental health, you can give us a call or book an appointment with us online to ensure your child has a healthy and beautiful smile. Importance of Pediatric Dental Care At American Dental Group Milwaukee, WI, our staff have some of the best treatment plans for your children.

Milwaukee Pediatric Dentist. Dental treatment – tooth removal (extraction) Modern dentistry and oral health practitioners aim to preserve natural teeth. However, extensively damaged or badly decayed teeth may need to be removed (extracted). The dentist may also recommend extraction to deal with wisdom teeth that are causing problems.

Help make dental hygiene fun with these tips.

• Let children help choose their toothbrushes. They can pick one that has a favorite color or character.

• Let children help choose toothpaste. They can pick their favorite flavor.

• Read books or watch videos that talk about dental hygiene.

• Use a timer to make sure kids brush their teeth for 2 minutes. Or play their favorite song to help keep track of time.

• Reward children for good oral care. Do not give them food or sugary treats. Offer something healthy or simple instead, like apple slices or a gold star.

• Plan a fun activity following your child’s dentist visit.

Path to improved health

The role of fluoride

Fluoride is important to your child’s dental health. It is known to reduce cavities in baby (primary) teeth and adult (permanent) teeth. It also helps make teeth strong by hardening the tooth enamel. Most children get fluoride in drinking water. Many cities are required to add fluoride to tap water. Water filters, such as Brita, do not remove fluoride and are okay to use. You should not use “reverse osmosis” water filters.

If your water does not contain fluoride, your child may need to take an oral fluoride supplement. Talk to your doctor to see if your child needs this. Once your child starts going to the dentist, they will get a fluoride varnish or cleaning on their teeth.

Too much fluoride can cause tooth stains and be harmful to your child’s health. Be sure your child does not swallow fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash. Follow all instructions for fluoride supplements.

Brushing and flossing

Dental hygiene should begin when your child is a baby. Start using a soft child-size toothbrush around the age of 1 or 2. You should brush your child’s teeth with water at least twice a day. You also can add a small dab of toothpaste that doesn’t have fluoride in it. This type of toothpaste is safe for your child to swallow. Once your child is old enough to spit out the toothpaste, you can switch to one that has fluoride. Only use a small amount. Teach your child to spread it among their teeth, gums, and tongue. Have your doctor or dentist show you the right way to brush your child’s teeth.

Your child likely will need help brushing their teeth until they are 7 or 8 years old. Around this time, they can start using a larger sized toothbrush. You should switch out toothbrushes every 3 to 6 months or when the bristles look worn. Children should brush their teeth for 2 minutes. Flossing is another key part of your child’s oral care routine. Teach your child to floss at least once a day. You can buy floss that comes on a handle to make it easier.

Cavities

Cavities are holes that form in your teeth. These can occur when bacteria (germs) build up in your mouth. Sugar in food and drinks turns into an acid, which can eat away at your teeth. Cavities are common in children because their teeth can be harder to brush. Everyone in your family should take good care of their teeth. People who have cavities can pass the cavity-causing bacteria to unborn babies, infants, and children.

Your child may be at risk for cavities if they:

• have white spots or brown areas on their teeth

• have ongoing special health care needs

• do not go to the dentist often

• were born early (premature) or had a low birth weight.

Diet

Kids who eat a lot of sugary foods and drinks also are at high risk for cavities. It is important to make healthy food choices. Avoid too much sugar. Do not let your child have a lot of soda, fruit juice, or sweetened drinks. Limit sweet snacks and drinks between meals. If your child does have sugar, make sure they brush their teeth afterward.

Chewing gum is safe for older kids. It can provide benefits, such as:

• strengthening the jaw

• helping produce saliva

• washing away bits of food

• balancing acid that can cause tooth decay

• freshening breath.

However, gum that contains sugar can cause cavities. Limit the amount of sugar gum your child chews or only give them sugar-free gum.

Mouth safety

Safety is another big part of dental hygiene. If your child plays sports, they should wear a mouthguard. This is a soft, plastic retainer that covers the teeth and sometimes the lips. It helps protect your child’s mouth from injuries. Talk to your dentist if you need a custom-fit mouthguard.

From baby teeth to adult teeth

In general, baby teeth start to appear between 4 and 7 months old. The first teeth to come in are usually the 2 bottom front teeth. Most kids have all 20 baby teeth by about 3 years of age.

Children can lose their baby teeth as early as 6 years old and as late as 12 years old. During this process, your child has a mix of teeth as baby ones fall out and adult one’s breakthrough. Around this time, your dentist may talk to you and your child about possible teeth problems. Some kids need orthodontic treatment, such as braces. A full set of adult teeth is 32 teeth. This includes wisdom teeth, which most people do not get until their late teens or early adulthood.

Things to consider

It’s normal for babies to suck their thumbs, their fingers, or a pacifier. Most children give up this habit on their own by age 4. Prolonged use can cause problems with teeth alignment. Talk to your dentist if your child still has a sucking habit after age 4. They can watch for problems as your child’s teeth develop. In most children, there is no reason to worry about a sucking habit until around age 6, when the permanent front teeth come in.

When to see a doctor

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that children see a dentist around their first birthday. This gives the dentist a chance to look for early problems with your child’s teeth. Pediatric dentists specialize in treating children’s dental health. The dentist will talk to you about proper oral care.

Visiting the dentist from a young age will help your child be more comfortable. It also establishes the good habit of regular dental checkups. Everyone should see the dentist twice a year.

Contact your dentist right away if:

• your child has tooth pain or a tooth or mouth infection.

• your child loses a permanent tooth. If you find the tooth, put it in milk and take it to the dentist with you. They may be able to reattach it.

Questions to ask your doctor

• Does my child need to take oral fluoride supplements?

• What is the best type of toothbrush for my child?

• Can my child use mouthwash?

• Is my child at high risk for cavities?

• How often should my child visit the dentist?

• Are dental X-rays safe for my child?

• Is it okay for my child to chew gum?

Healthy teeth are important to your child’s overall health. They help your child eat and talk. Strong oral care helps set good dental habits as your child grows. Poor oral care can lead to infection, disease, or other teeth problems.

Help make dental hygiene fun with these tips.

• Let children help choose their toothbrushes. They can pick one that has a favorite color or character.

• Let children help choose toothpaste. They can pick their favorite flavor.

• Read books or watch videos that talk about dental hygiene.

• Use a timer to make sure kids brush their teeth for 2 minutes. Or play their favorite song to help keep track of time.

• Reward children for good oral care. Do not give them food or sugary treats. Offer something healthy or simple instead, like apple slices or a gold star.

• Plan a fun activity following your child’s dentist visit.