Your Guide to the Frequently Asked Questions for Pediatric Dentists

Your child's dental health is as important as a routine medical check-up so it is important to know what to do before you schedule your first visit to the dentist. To guide you, this list contains the most popular questions and answers from Dentaleh.com dental experts in the field of pediatric dentistry.

When is the best time to schedule the first dental appointment for my child?

Experts highly advise that you book an appointment with a pediatric dentist when your child sprouts his or her first tooth. The AAPC, or the American Academy Pediatric Dentistry, encourages parents and guardians to bring their children to the dentist within six months after the first appearance of tooth or when the child turns one year.

What makes a pediatric dentist different?

There are many kinds of dental specialists - orthodontists, pediatric dentists, oral surgeons, etc - and each one takes a few more years of additional specialized courses as soon as they finish dental school. Pediatric dentists have trained intensively in the field and have gained immense knowledge and experience in looking after young patients, from infancy to adolescence.

Aside from working with children, they enjoy sharing with their patients their competence in the area of childhood behavior and development. You will find that a pediatric dentist's office is designed to be appealing to the young audience and they take pride in every aspect of their business - from staff, clinic design and facilities, as well as the activities that they offer - because of all these have been carefully put together to make sure that they can provide a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere for children.

What will happen during the first dental appointment of my child?

The initial meeting is often brief. Pediatric dentists focus their energy in knowing your child and sharing tips and guidelines on dental hygiene. Doctor will examine your child's teeth for signs of decay and if needed, then might do some cleaning to the teeth. The doctor will also take not of any possible issues in the jaw and gums.

Feel free to ask any questions about anything related to your child's dental care when you visit a pediatric dentist and they will be more than happy to give you materials with useful information that you can utilize at home.

What can I do to prepare my child for the first meeting with the dentist?

Good specialist always tell the parents and guardians that it is important to have a positive outlook during the child's first dental appointment. Children, even the young ones, are extremely good at recognizing the anxiety of adults around them so if they see or overhear you expressing negative thoughts about an upcoming dental appointment, your child will surely expect a not-so-good encounter and will be prepared to act in a similar way.

So prior to the visit, let you child see the pictures of the staff and the office at the clinic's website. Let him or her understand the importance of keeping his or her gums and teeth in perfect condition, and that it is the pediatric dentist's job to make sure that his or her teeth will be healthy. 

It is also important to note that pediatric dentists are trained to handle the anxiety and fears of children, and will do all that they can to put children at ease during any visit or procedure.

How often should I bring my child to the dentist's clinic?

It is best to schedule an appointment once every six months. More visits might be needed depending on the condition of your child's teeth.

If baby teeth will eventually be replaced by permanent ones, why do I need to still need to bring my child to a pediatric dentist?

Even though baby teeth are temporary, your child's early dental care will play a huge factor in the development of his or her teeth. Baby teeth help kids talk, chew, and smile and they also hold the space where the permanent teeth will grow. If a young child's teeth are damaged too early, this can cause nearby teeth to get misplaced or crooked. More importantly, the condition of your child's teeth and gums has an effect to his or her overall health.

When should I start giving toothpaste to my child?

You can let your toddler use toothpaste if he or she was a few teeth already. Use only a very small amount of toothpaste when brushing. Make sure to have your child spit out the toothpaste once he or she is done. It is common for young children to swallow toothpaste when brushing their teeth but too much of it causes teeth stain.

Continue to supervise the brushing of your child's teeth until they are about six or seven years old, when their motor skills are more developed.

How can cavities be avoided?

Have your child brush his or her teeth at least twice daily. Flossing every day is also recommended because it reached the spaces between teeth where cavities are likely to form.

Ask your doctor about fluoride supplements. This will make the enamel of the tooth stronger and resistant to decay caused by cavities. Avoid giving too much sugary drinks and food to your little one, too. And lastly, book regular checkup schedules with a pediatric dentist so that they can monitor the condition of your child's teeth.

When does my child need sealant?

Teeth that are more prone to decay would need sealants. These are added to sections of the teeth that are hard to reach, like the molars.

How do I protect my child's teeth from being damaged during play or sporting activities?

Mouthguards can be used by children who engage in contact sports. If your child plays soccer, baseball, etc., dental clinics will provide a custom-made mouthguard to protect you little one's mouth.

When is a dental x-ray needed?

Dental x-rays are recommended for children aged two to three. If there are baby teeth in close contact with one another, yearly x-rays are advised. If your child is more susceptible to dental problems, the dentist may ask you to get them an x-ray as early as possible.