Top 10 Questions

Your baby's teeth are important to you. You want them to have healthy teeth from the moment they first come in. You want to make sure your child develops good dental hygiene habits early on so they will be able to maintain them as they grow older and take on more and more responsibility.

Your pediatric dentist—such as Dr. Beanca Children's Dentistry—can be a wonderful resource. They are ready and willing to answer your questions about your child's dental care. Don't know where to start? Here are the top ten questions to ask your pediatric dentist to get your child's dental health in gear from the moment they are born.

1. What is the best way to take care of my baby's teeth?

Even before your little one's baby teeth begin to erupt, you need to make sure their mouth and gums are clear of bacteria. Each time you feed your baby, use a clean, damp cloth to wipe their gums, cheeks, and tongue. Not only will this reduce the risk of bacteria hanging around, but it will also reduce the risk of oral thrush (a condition caused by too much of a yeast called Candida albicans growing in the baby's mouth) and mouth canker sores.

Once your baby's teeth begin coming in, you can begin a brushing routine. Using a soft-bristled brush and a rice grain-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, brush your baby's teeth and gums. Even baby teeth can develop decay, so being diligent and consistent will help prevent it.

2. When should I start bringing my child to the dentist for routine visits?

Your baby should begin visiting the dentist by their 1st birthday or within the 1st six months of their first tooth coming in—whichever comes first. When you bring your baby to Dr. Beanca's Children's Dentistry for their first visit, we will check their teeth, gums, jaw, bite, and oral tissues. We want to make sure everything is as it should be and head off any potential issues as soon as possible. Once your baby has had their first visit, we recommend appointments every six months thereafter.

3. How are my baby's teeth doing?

There are many things a pediatric dentist will check for when we examine your baby's teeth. Of course, there will be a check for tooth decay. However, there is much more a pediatric dentist will do to ensure a child's good dental health. A pediatric dentist will look at your baby's tooth development and ensure their teeth are positioned properly. They will also make sure your child's tongue and jaw are in good shape.

In addition to checking out your baby's mouth, teeth, gums, and jaw, a pediatric dentist will also go over all the things you can do to keep your child's mouth in tip-top shape. This may include talking with you about brushing your baby's teeth, how to manage teething issues, and what to watch for that may indicate that decay is beginning.

4. How can I teach my child good dental habits?

There's no better way to teach your child good dental habits than by modeling them. You may need to offer brushing and flossing assistance while they are still young but let them see you taking care of your own teeth. Kids are great mimics, and yours may be inspired to mimic your dental care routine—so make sure it's a good one.

Since you have to monitor your child as they work toward taking care of their own dental hygiene, why not have family brushing time during which everyone brushes and flosses? This is a win-win situation. You get your own teeth clean, and you get to check on your little one and make sure their teeth get clean.

5. When will my child be able to brush on their own?

Every child is different. Some have the manual dexterity to brush on their own by the time they are 6 years old. Some don't have that dexterity until they're 8. Some kids are more responsible than others and can be trusted to brush and floss properly, while some may still be working on becoming responsible.

You will need to observe your child in action as they work on their teeth. Are they hitting all the spots? Are they able to brush for two whole minutes? Are they able to manipulate the floss? All of these are necessary skills for them to be able to take care of this task on their own.

If your child is struggling with their fine motor skills, that's okay. They may need more time to build those skills. If they are struggling with motivation, you could consider a reward system. Give them a sticker each time they brush and floss properly. With any luck, a good dental routine will soon become a daily habit.

6. What if my child has special needs?

At Dr. Beanca Children's Dentistry, we know that every child is unique. Some kids have special needs that need to be accounted for when they visit the dentist. All pediatric dentists train to work with patients who have special needs. Perhaps your child needs to sit in your lap or a straight-backed chair for their exam. Maybe they need to do a procedure over several visits. They might need time to examine the tools the dentist will be using. Whatever their needs, your pediatric dentist will work with you to create a plan that works best for your child.

7. How can I help prevent cavities in my child's teeth?

There is a combination of things you can do to help prevent cavities in your child's teeth. Make sure your child's teeth are brushed and flossed twice a day. Cavities form when bacteria stay on teeth and are allowed to eat at the enamel. Brushing and flossing on a regular basis can keep those bacteria away.

In addition, make sure your child is eating healthy foods. Foods high in calcium are excellent for supporting good tooth health, Things like milk, yogurt, and cheese have lots of calcium. Leafy green vegetables are also great for teeth. Food like eggs and fish are high in protein, which also helps promote strong tooth enamel.

8. Does my child need braces?

Your pediatric dentist can monitor the growth of your child's teeth to see if there may be a need for braces to correct a problem. Braces are most often placed when a child is between the ages of 8 to 14.

There are signs you can watch out for at home, too. If your child seems to have difficulty biting, their teeth look crowded, or they have sucked their thumb, they may be a candidate. Be sure to address anything you notice with your pediatric dentist. We have an in-house orthodontist who can answer any orthodontic questions you may have – his name is Dr. Shawn Yu.

9. How can I get my teenager to care about their teeth?

It can be tricky to get your teen to care about their teeth. If they are not practicing good dental hygiene, you may need to have a conversation about the importance of good dental health. You may want to include how their teeth can have an effect on their social life!

If they want to be able to smile big at school, you can provide an electric toothbrush and a minty mouthwash to help things along. Encouraging them to make good food and drink choices will help keep their teeth strong and healthy. Don't let your teen skip their routine dental appointments. Your pediatric dentist can be an excellent partner when trying to convince a teen to take care of their teeth.

10. What do you think is the most important thing about my child's teeth?

Your pediatric dentist will think all aspects of your child's teeth are important! We want you and your child to feel confident that you are on top of their dental care routine!

Ready to Ask Questions in Person?

Do you have questions about your child's dental health? At Dr. Beanca Children's Dentistry, we have answers. Give us a call or contact us online for an appointment today!