Proper Care For Younger Smiles
Keeping younger smiles healthy and providing the education and tools necessary to play an active role in their own oral health is our primary goal as your little one’s pediatric dentist. Indeed, it is important to start early when it comes to preventive dental care, and our team is here to help. In today’s blog, your Dallas, TX pediatric dentist discusses the necessary steps you can take at home to prioritize your little one’s oral health, as well as why routine checkups are an essential part of this process.
The Need for Prevention
It goes without saying that most children are not immediately excited about their oral health. Whether it is brushing their teeth or coming in for their first dental visit, there is a natural reluctance or nervousness about starting something new. Fortunately, this is where our team can help. We take strides to make your little one’s visit as comfortable as possible and provide quality children’s dental care with a conservative preventive approach.
Preventive dental care encompasses any practice to keep smiles healthy, clean, and strong. This includes both in-office care and at-home routines. You see, every smile contains bacteria, and while we cannot remove these microorganisms completely, it is imperative we take steps to minimize their presence and, ultimately, impact on younger smiles. For more information about this process and what our team can do to help, please give us a call today.
Steps to Take at Home
For developing smiles, we recommend brushing at least twice daily at home. Moreover, brush movement should be taught in circles, not up and down. It is important to assist your little one with appropriate practices and ensure their understanding of a healthy smile. You can also encourage good hygiene practices by incorporating mouth rinses and even flossing. Keep in mind that children often model their behavior after those present in their lives, so it could be beneficial to lead by example and encourage healthy habits.
Schedule Your Little One’s Checkup
In addition to at-home care, in-office checkups are a necessary part of prevention. We recommend bringing your child in for their first dental checkup at the sight of their first tooth or by their first birthday, whichever comes first. This initial visit is intended to familiarize your little one with our office, as well as to examine and ensure their smile is developing appropriately. At the age of about three years old, you should begin bringing them in twice a year for their checkup and cleanings.
Contact Our Team Today
Younger smiles require just as much attention as adult grins, and teaching prevention practices early can make all of the difference. Contact Pediatric Dental Care at Casa Linda by calling (214) 321-4880 and speak to our team to schedule your child’s next dental visit.
filed under: Children's Dental Services