Serving patients of Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville TN
Caring for your child requires active participation to ensure they grow up happy and healthy. But unfortunately, knowing the best age to take your child to their first dental visit is a mystery for many new parents, resulting in a runaway dental condition and possibly cavities. Fortunately, cavities are preventable when you begin early dental treatment for your child. Therefore, our Greeneville family dentists at Tusculum Dental Care share on the blog when you should start dental care for your child so that you can promote good oral health and protect your child’s health from the start.
For Babies
Even though your precious new bundle of joy doesn’t have teeth for the first year, you can still take active steps to help prevent harmful bacteria and protect their oral health. First, use a soft clean cloth to wipe your child’s gums after the first feeding and before bed to remove breastmilk or formula sugars that increase harmful bacterial production. Next, brush their teeth twice a day with a small bristled, soft toothbrush and fluoride-free toothpaste as soon as teeth begin to emerge. Then, schedule your baby’s first dental appointment to detect early signs of oral health complications by their first birthday. Finally, discuss the benefits of fluoride varnish on your child’s teeth with our Greenville family dentists.
For children
Older children should brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to help strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities. Before introducing fluoride toothpaste to children under two, you should speak with our Jonesborough family dentist. We recommend watching children under six brush and assist when needed. Also, check to make sure they only use a pea-sized toothpaste amount and that they always spit it out instead of swallowing it. Next, encourage your child to drink tap water that contains fluoride. Children who live in lower fluoridated water regions can request fluoride treatments from your dentist. Finally, ask our dentists about applying dental sealants on the chewing surface of your child’s back teeth when it’s appropriate.
How often should I take my child to the dentist?
After your initial dental appointment, our Erwin children’s dentists should see your child once every six months for preventive care, including a checkup and cleaning. In some cases where dental conditions need other treatments, additional appointments may be necessary to correct the problems. For example, if you notice your child’s developing crooked teeth or an overbite, visiting our dental office can help provide information, direction, and treatment of the condition. Furthermore, if your child injures their mouth, they should see a dentist and determine possible damage and treatment as needed.
Children’s Dentist in Greeneville, Jonesborough, and Erwin, Tennessee
Your child’s smile health begins before their first birthday. Start their oral health experience on the right foot by visiting our Greenville dental office while they’re young. Then, we can progressively monitor their oral health and recommend appropriate treatments during their adolescent years as needed. Feel free to contact Tusculum Dental Care at (423) 639-7575 or request an appointment online for your children’s oral health.