Do Babies Need To See The Dentist?

Posted April 7, 2021

People of all ages benefit from seeing the dentist for an exam, but how early should this process start? Do babies need to see a dentist? In today’s blog, your Dallas, TX, pediatric dentist will talk about how we help children avoid cavities and other concerns with our checkups, and why a visit is necessary as early as age one!

Our Infant Exam

The infant exam should happen shortly after the eruption of the first baby tooth, so about age one. This won’t be a visit with treatment, instead we will take time to ensure your little one feels happy and comfortable, and gently examine the smile to ensure teeth are erupting properly. We do this with a knee-to-knee lap exam. This visit is also a great opportunity to discuss proper brushing habits with parents, so they know how to better care for their child’s teeth.

Checkups for Toddlers and Older Kids

Once your child is two, we will suggest a checkup and cleaning visit every six months. During these visits, we will make sure your little one feels calm and relaxed. We take detailed images with digital x-rays, which use small, comfortable sensors instead of large, unwieldy bitewings. Not only is the digital system more comfortable, but it also uses a fraction of the radiation and doesn’t require the development of images in harsh chemicals. We then view the images instantly chairside, so we can make a diagnosis on the spot, and even discuss your child’s oral health.

The checkup means we can identify any issues that need treatment, and help your child gain a better understanding of the value of proper brushing and flossing habits. We will create a treatment plan to address cavities, and could even offer preventive treatments, such as fluoride or dental sealants to help lower the risk of tooth decay.

Care at Home

You also need to help your child at home! Kids need to brush and floss daily to remove harmful food particles and prevent serious decay, infection, gingivitis, or even stained teeth and bad breath. We suggest using a rice-sized blot of fluoride toothpaste with each session, and cutting back on the consumption of sugary foods and drinks. If you have any questions about keeping smiles strong and healthy from home, then contact our team today.

Does Your Child Need a Checkup?

Our team is ready to help your kids enjoy better oral health and a stronger smile with regular exams. To learn about our checkups for little smiles of all ages, then  by calling Pediatric Dental Care at Casa Linda in Dallas, TX today at 214-321-4880. We proudly serve patients who live around Casa Linda and all surrounding Dallas communities.