Children’s Dentistry: How To Win the Tug of War Over Your Child’s Dental Health

Prevent one of children´s leading diseases with these simple steps!

As parents we are entrusted with the care of our children 24/7. Even before a baby’s first tooth erupts, parents have to be attentive to the oral health needs of their children.

The American Academy of Pediatrics reported that early childhood caries or cavities are the most common chronic childhood disease. Tooth decay in children as young as 2 years old is far more common than asthma, childhood obesity, and diabetes.

The Children’s Dentistry Department at Penn Dental Family Practice wants to help you be the best parent you can as a caretaker of your child´s oral health.

• Before your baby’s first tooth erupts, parents can clean their baby’s gums with a soft washcloth or infant toothbrush. This allows your baby to get used to the idea of brushing their teeth.
• If the baby is put to bed with a bottle, use water as much as you can. Babies that are put to bed with a bottle containing milk or juice have a higher chance of early childhood caries. Sugars from the milk or juice will activate the bacteria in your child’s mouth to produce an acid that will begin to break down a baby’s teeth.
• Your baby or toddler should see a children’s dentist as soon as a tooth erupts. If not, try to schedule an appointment before their first birthday.
• Did you know that babies can catch cavities from their parents? Streptoccous mutans can be transmitted from parent to baby, and in 71% of cases, moms tend to be the source. The better mom’s oral health is, the better baby’s oral health will be. Don’t forget to take care of yourself too, moms and dads!
• Once baby’s tooth erupts, it’s time to use toothpaste to care for his or her teeth. Children aged two and under usually use training toothpaste, but it’s important to use a fluoridated toothpaste once your child is old enough.
• Limit your child’s juice intake to 6-8 oz a day, preferably once a day during meal time.
• Children should brush and floss twice a day, brush for at least 2 minutes each time, and visit a dentist twice a year.

Pediatric dentistry plays an important role in the success of your child’s dental health. Trying to find the right pediatric dentist for your child can be a difficult task. At Penn Dental Family Practice, we want to make that decision easy for you, by providing what both kids and parents need in a children’s dentistry department.

Our office staff and dentists understand the apprehension children may feel when visiting the dentist. That’s why we provide an atmosphere that is calming and attentive to the needs of children of all ages.

Upon your child’s first visit, our dentists will speak with the parent to discuss the purpose of the visit, get an idea of how the child is feeling, establish a relaxed and comfortable first meeting, and from there, determine the level of comfort the child has in order to move on with a dental exam.

We understand that location can play a role in choosing the right dentist for your child. At Penn Dental Family Practice, we have two convenient locations: Locust Walk and University City. Choose which location works best for you and your family.

Let’s help you win the tug of war on your children’s dental health so that your child will never face the consequences of early tooth decay. Contact us today to make an appointment.

Want to learn more about taking care of your child’s teeth? Check out our Fact Sheet Now!