What Kind of Dentist Should My Child See?

You may want to take your child to a dentist who specializes in treating children. Pediatric dentists are trained to handle the wide range of issues associated with your child's dental health. They also know when to refer you to a different type of specialist, such as an orthodontist to correct an overbite or an oral surgeon for jaw realignment.

A pediatric dentist's primary goals are prevention, heading off potential oral health problems before they occur, and maintenance, ensuring through routine checkups and proper daily care that teeth and gums stay healthy.

How Can I Prevent Cavities?

The American Dental Association recommends that your child's first visit to the dentist take place by her first birthday. At this visit, your child's dentist will explain proper brushing and flossing techniques (you need to floss once your baby has two teeth that touch) and conduct a modified exam while your baby sits on your lap. Such visits can help in the early detection of potential problems. Your child also will become accustomed to visiting the dentist, which means she'll have less fear as she grows older.

When all of your child's primary teeth have come in (usually around age 2 1/2) your dentist may start applying topical fluoride during your child's visits. Fluoride hardens the tooth enamel, helping to ward off the most common childhood oral disease, dental caries, or cavities. Cavities are caused by bacteria and food that are left on the teeth after eating. When these are not brushed away, acid collects on a tooth, softening its enamel until a hole - or cavity - forms. Regular use of fluoride toughens the enamel, making it more difficult for acid to penetrate.

Although many municipalities require tap water to be fluoridated, other communities have no such regulations. "Parents must ask, especially when you move to a new community," Dr. Lyons says. If the water supply is not fluoridated, or if your family uses purified water, ask your dentist for fluoride supplements. Even though most toothpastes contain fluoride, toothpaste alone will not fully protect a child's mouth. Be careful, however, since too much fluoride can cause tooth discoloration. Check with your dentist before supplementing.

Discoloration can also occur as a result of prolonged use of antibiotics. "Some children's medications are almost 75% sugar," says Dr. Lyons. He suggests that parents encourage children to brush after they take their medicine, particularly if the prescription will be long term.

Brushing at least twice a day and routine flossing will help maintain a healthy mouth. Children as young as age 2 or 3 can begin to use toothpaste when brushing, as long as they are supervised. "Children should not ingest large amounts of toothpaste - a pea-sized amount for toddlers is just right," Dr. Lyons suggests. He cautions parents to make sure that the child spits the toothpaste out, instead of swallowing.

As your child's permanent teeth grow in, her dentist can help seal out decay by applying a thin wash of resin to the back teeth, where most chewing occurs. Known as a sealant, this protective coating keeps bacteria from settling in the hard-to-reach crevices of the molars. "Most kids can benefit from sealants, unless the tops of their molars are unusually smooth and flat," explains Constance Killian, DDS, a pediatric dentist and trustee of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

Although dental research has resulted in increasingly sophisticated preventative techniques, including fillings and sealants that seep fluoride, a dentist's care is only part of the equation. Follow-up at home plays an equally important role. For example, the sealants on a child's teeth do not mean that she can eat sweets uncontrollably or slack off on the daily brushing and flossing. "We can only do so much at the office - parents must work with children to teach good oral health habits," says Dr. Killian.

Put A Smile On Your Kids Face

Although it doesn't get as much attention as other health problems kids face, untreated dental disease is a very big problem.

To help combat this 'silent epidemic', a special event takes place during National Childrens Dental Health Month in February. It is Give Kids a Smile Day. This year (actually the first year it has taken place), it is on Friday, February 21.

In addition to providing free oral health care services to thousands of low-income children across the country, participating dentists and other organizations will help teach children about how to keep their teeth healthy.

This might include:

Tooth-brushing and flossing demonstrations

Educational displays in schools

Talks on the importance of eating healthy foods

Why it is important to have healthy teeth

What keeps teeth from being healthy

Even if your child can't participate in a formal Give Kids a Smile Day activity, you can have a discussion with your kids about the five simple rules of health teeth:

Brush, Floss, Eat nutritious foods, Limit snacks, Visit your dentist!

How do you find Give Kids a Smile Day events?
Unfortunately, the American Dental Society does not provide a list of programs. Instead, you might call or visit your local or state dental society to find the events in your area. For example, visiting the Great Houston Dental Society website,you can see a list of their sponsored programs, including oral health screenings at the John P. McGovern Museum of Health & Medical Science from 4 - 6 p.m for children from 6 schools and dental care to 'as many children as possible' at the San Jose Clinic.

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