Stages of Pediatric Dental care
0-1 years old
infant care
During this first year, you can expect your child to teethe and receive their first tooth. However, dental care begins before your child’s first tooth appears. Starting at about 3 months old, you should wipe your baby’s gums clean with a fresh gauze or infant-friendly soft toothbrush to remove bacteria and get them used to the feeling of brushing their teeth.
Most children’s first tooth comes through at about 6 months but this can happen sooner or later. Take your child to the dentist by the time they turn one or as soon as their first tooth erupts. Avoid giving your baby a bottle with any sugary drinks and be careful about swapping saliva with your baby, as this can cause baby bottle tooth decay.
From the time they receive their first tooth, they should return to the dentist every 6 months.
1-3 years old
toddler dental care
3-6 years old
Child dental care
6-13 years old
child to pre-teen care
At this age, your child will receive their first permanent molars and we highly recommend that you place dental sealants on them to prevent their risk for cavities. That’s because these teeth contain a significant amount of pits and grooves which can trap food particles and bacteria, leading to tooth decay.
Children are likely to eat a lot of snacks and sweets at this age, so try to limit this as much as you can and make sure they protect their teeth with fluoridated water. If your child is active or plays sports, you should get them a mouthguard to protect their teeth from dental trauma.
Keep an eye on your child’s bite development. If you notice they have crooked teeth or a misaligned bite, the best time to go for an orthodontic screening is 7 years old. This allows us to correct issues with early orthodontic treatment to reduce their need for braces later in life.
teen dental care
13-18 years old
Graduating Pediatric dentistry
We specialize in dental care for children between 0 to 18 years old. Once your child turns 18, they will be ready to see a different dentist that practices general or family dentistry for patients of all ages. There, they can help your child manage their oral health and prevent serious problems like tooth decay and gum disease as they progress through the next stage of their life. But until then, we will be there every step of the way!