Sugar Land Pediatric Dentists Answer Commonly Asked Questions

The best pediatric dentist for your family is the one who can answer all of your questions about your child’s oral health. Sugar Land pediatric dentists pride themselves on helping both children and parents understand the importance of a proper oral health routine. Here are the top five most frequently asked questions in our pediatric dentists office.

At what age should I begin bringing my child to the dentist?

 

While many parents wait until their child is preschool aged before bringing them to the dentist for their first exam, the American Dental Association recommends you bring baby at the eruption of their first tooth. This gives your dentist the opportunity to review oral hygiene for babies and answer questions you may have about the teething process. 

When should I begin brushing baby’s teeth?

 

Most Sugar Land pediatric dentists will recommend you clean inside baby’s mouth even before any teeth have appeared. This sets you and your child up for proper oral health routines and helps eliminate plaque and bacteria build up on the gums. For cleaning those gummy grins, you have a few options:

●        Wiping them with a wet washcloth

●        Using specially formulated dental wipes

●        Brushing with a child’s toothbrush with soft bristles

Cleaning baby’s teeth and gums once a day is ok, and should be done before the child goes to bed to remove any bacteria that has built up throughout the day. 

When do I introduce toothpaste into our oral care routine?

 

When your child’s first tooth arrives, non-fluoridated toothpaste can be used in small amounts. Fluoride toothpaste can be introduced when your child is old enough to know to spit any remaining toothpaste into the sink after brushing. Fluoride is important in helping to prevent tooth decay, but your child may be receiving proper fluoride levels from their drinking water if you live in an area where the water is treated. 

What happens on our first visit?

Sweetpea Smiles goes above and beyond to make each patient and family feel comfortable in our office. We welcome each patient personally, and direct children to our play area that features video games, toys and books for them to enjoy until it is their turn to see the doctor. On the first visit, we take the child’s picture for our records, and take x-rays to help us determine if any special treatment is needed. At the end of the appointment, each child picks a surprise from our treasure tower as a reward for being brave. 

How often do children need to see a dentist?

We recommend all patients-no matter how young or old, visit their dentist for cleanings and exams every six months. During these visits we will discuss your child’s diet, oral health routine at home and major milestones that may happen before their next visit.

When you are looking for the best pediatric dentist in Sugar Land, trust your child’s smile to Sweetpea Smiles!