Should My Infant See The Dentist?

Posted February 1, 2021

When you think about children’s dentistry, you probably assume care is mainly meant for primarily older children. However, your little one may benefit from a visit as early as one year! In today’s blog, your Dallas, TX, pediatric dentist talks about dental checkups in infancy, and how the process will change as your child grows older.

The First Visit

The first visit happens before your child reaches the age of three. We want to perform an initial exam once the first primary tooth erupts, which typically happens around age one. We start with showing your child common equipment, and letting them become accustomed to the sights and sounds of the office. Once they feel comfortable, we will perform a simple knee-to-knee lap exam to make sure your child is receiving good oral hygiene at home, and that the teeth are erupting as they should. There is rarely ever any treatment offered in this visit. We then discuss ways to help better care for your child’s smile at home!

What to Expect

Following this initial visit, we will suggest regular checkup visits twice a year. These visits provide an opportunity to closely examine the smile and identify areas of concern early, so we treat cavities and other issues, such as baby teeth not falling out on schedule or impacted permanent teeth, before they cause serious trouble for the smile. As part of these exams, we will offer digital x-rays, which provide images in greater detail and are much more comfortable for your child. The images are available instantly as well, and use a fraction of the radiation employed with traditional systems.

Cleanings and Treatments

We also clean the teeth, removing all plaque build to help prevent issues like cavities and gingivitis in the future. To help limit the risk of tooth decay, we apply fluoride treatments during each visit, or apply dental sealants, which last for up to ten years and prevents food from becoming stuck between the rear teeth. Should we discover a cavity, we have lifelike crowns and fillings to repair the smile and prevent complications, like infection or premature tooth loss. When children see us for regular care, this helps them better understand their smiles, and instill good oral health habits, so they’re more likely to continue seeing the dentist and caring for their smiles properly in their teen years and in adulthood too. If you have any questions about our approach to children’s dentistry, then contact our team today.

Do You Have Questions About Pediatric Dentistry?

We want to help your kids maintain good oral health, from infancy to their teenage years. To learn more about safeguarding little smiles, 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.