Some dental problems begin very early in life. One concern is early childhood tooth decay, a serious condition caused by a child staying on the bottle too long. Another problem is gum disease. About 40% of children two to three years old have at least mild inflammation of gum tissues. Oral habits (such as digit sucking) should also be checked. The earlier the dental visit, the better the chances of preventing problems. Strong, healthy teeth help your child chew food easily, speak clearly, and feel good about his or her appearance.

Primary teeth are important because they help with proper chewing and eating, help in speech development, and add to an attractive appearance. A child who can chew easily, speak clearly, and smile confidently is a happier child. Healthy primary teeth allow normal development of the jawbones and muscles, save space for the permanent teeth, and guide them into place. If a baby tooth is lost too soon, permanent teeth may become impacted. Decayed baby teeth can cause pain, abscesses, infections, and can spread to the permanent teeth. Also, your child’s general health can be affected if diseased baby teeth aren’t treated.

What Should I Tell My Child About Their First Dental Visit?

We suggest you prepare your child the same way that you would before their first haircut or trip to the shoe store. This will not be the frightening experience you may remember from your youth. If you are nervous about the trip, then the less you say the better. You cannot hide your anxiety from a child (they have radar for these things). We encourage you to read one (or two) of the many children’s books about the dentist as a nice way to prepare.

Treatments

With the use of the cavity preparation with the hard tissue laser and topical gel, there is no need for the dentist drill or the feared injection.

Tooth decay and children no longer have to go hand-in-hand. At our practice, we are most concerned with all aspects of preventive care. We use the latest in sealant technology to protect your child’s teeth. Sealants are fluoride-releasing resin that is bonded to the chewing surfaces of decay-prone back teeth. This is just one of the ways we will set the foundation for your child’s lifetime of good oral health.