A child’s first dentist appointment should be scheduled within six months of the first tooth’s arrival. Since even the youngest children can get decay, it is really important to visit the dentist regularly. During these early visits, we are looking for any problems and trying to help you get in the habit of practicing good dental care. It is important that you stay positive so that your children enjoy coming in to visit us.

To avoid cavities, you should avoid giving your children sweetened liquids like soda. Even though some drinks do not have as much sugar as soda, even fruit juice, milk, and formula contain some sugar, which can cause decay. It is also important that you don’t put your children to bed with a bottle. The prolonged contact of all that sugar on their teeth is just asking for cavities. This problem is so common it has a name: baby-bottle caries.

It is always important to set a good example for your children. They are great at following your lead, so you should brush and floss regularly while they are watching. They need to learn from you how important good dental care is. If your children are interested, give them a toothbrush and teach them to brush their own teeth. You will still need to help, but at least they are showing an interest. Most children are able to brush their teeth properly by the time they are six or seven years old.

It is important that you make brushing fun for your children. You can try different flavored toothpastes and different brushes with special characters on them. Maybe you can sing a special song while brushing their teeth. However you do it, the important thing is that you teach your children about good dental health.

If you have any questions about caring for your children’s teeth, don’t hesitate to contact us today at (717) 865-3457.