Children's Dental Care

A pediatric dentist is a dentist who has completed additional training in dentistry for children. While a general dentist can see your child, we recommend that children see a children’s dentist who has experience in making children and their parents feel comfortable during their visit. In addition to this, a kid’s dentist will be able to help parents establish good dental health care hygiene habits for their kids.

As a children’s dentist in Gainesville, FL, we are dedicated to providing the best care possible for your child. You will find our caring and friendly staff to be a joy to work with.

When a Child Should First See a Dentist

In keeping with the recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, our practice recommends that you schedule your child’s first visit to a children’s dentist before his or her first birthday. Ideally, it should happen as soon as the first tooth grows in. This is because cavities can form as soon as the tooth grows in. In addition to this, once a child has two adjoining teeth, it is important that those teeth are flossed regularly in order to keep cavities from forming between the teeth.

Baby bottle tooth decay is a common condition found in babies and toddlers. When liquids such as milk, sugar water, juice and formula sit on the teeth, they can lead to tooth decay (also known as cavities). This typically occurs when a child is allowed to sleep with a bottle or sippy cup in his or her mouth. We always advise parents to not allow their child to go to bed with a bottle or sippy cup.

What Happens at Your Child’s First Visit to a Children’s Dentist

Your child will be allowed to sit on your lap depending on his or her age and comfort level. Your child’s examination will consist of the dentist looking at the teeth, gums and mouth in order to determine if there are any issues with teeth and jaw alignment.

If dental x-rays are needed, your child’s dentist will have them done during the visit. Most young children don’t need to have x-rays taken.

Our practice offers several dentistry for kids services to keep your child’s smile happy and healthy. They include:

• Teeth Cleaning for Children: Our team of dental professionals know exactly how to get your child to open his or her mouth wide so that the teeth can be properly cleaned.
• Fluoride: Also called nature’s cavity fighter, fluoride is applied to the enamel of the teeth in order to make them more resistant to cavities.
• Dental Sealants: Dental sealants are a thin, protective layer of material that are typically placed on the back teeth so that food and bacteria don’t get trapped within the grooves of the teeth.
• Dental Bonding: We utilize tooth-colored materials when we repair chips and small fractures.
• Fillings: When there are cavities present, our dentist will use tooth-colored or amalgam fillings to repair the tooth or teeth. Beforehand, the dentist will carefully take the damaged part of the tooth out.
• Baby Root Canal: Tooth decay that reaches the pulp of the tooth can cause toothaches and severe infection. When this happens, a root canal may be the only way to save the tooth.
• Pediatric Crowns: When a child has a cavity that is too large to be filled the dentist may opt to cap the tooth off with a pediatric crown instead. These are often used after root canals.
• Mouthguards: If your child participates in any kind of athletic training, he or she should wear a mouthguard to minimize the risk of breaking or losing their teeth should they be hit in the mouth during the activity.

When Baby Teeth Appear

In most cases, a child will grow his or her baby teeth starting at the age of six months. Every child is different, so your child may begin to grow teeth at an earlier or later age.

When Baby Teeth Fall Out

The average child begins to lose his or her baby teeth at the age of six. Again, this is different for each child.

Children’s Toothaches

Tooth decay is one of the leading causes of toothaches in children. If your child is experiencing pain or sensitivity in his or her tooth, you should contact our office to book an appointment for kids dental care. To learn more about receiving high-quality care from a children’s dentist in Gainesville, FL, call our team today.