Your child’s first dental visit is a significant milestone—just like their first step or word! While it may seem early, most dental professionals, including the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, recommend that children visit the dentist by their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth erupting—whichever comes first.

Why so soon for a dental visit? Baby teeth, though temporary, play a vital role in your child’s development. They help with speech and chewing and serve as placeholders for permanent teeth. Starting dental visits early sets the foundation for a lifetime of healthy habits and reduces the risk of cavities and dental anxiety down the road.

What Happens at the First Dental Visit?

Don’t worry—there won’t be any scary tools or big procedures. The first visit is typically short and sweet. It’s more about getting your child familiar with the dental environment, checking that their teeth and gums are developing correctly, and giving parents helpful guidance on oral hygiene, diet, and habits like thumb-sucking or pacifier use.

We may perform a gentle exam and cleaning, discuss fluoride needs, and answer any questions you have. This is also a great time to discuss brushing techniques and what to expect as more teeth come in.

Make Your Child’s Dental Visit a Positive Experience

To make your child’s first visit fun and stress-free:

• Talk about it ahead of time using kid-friendly books or videos.
• Play pretend dentist at home with a toothbrush and a stuffed animal.
• Choose a pediatric dentist who specializes in caring for children.
• Schedule a morning appointment when your child is well-rested and fed.

Build Trust Early On

Kicking off your child’s dental visits early helps prevent problems before they start and builds a trusting relationship between them and their dental team. This trust makes it easier for your child to stay calm and comfortable during challenging treatments, such as those needed for dental trauma or decay. Plus, it makes brushing and flossing feel part of the everyday routine—not a chore. So, if that first tooth has popped through, it’s time to book that first smile check-up and get your little one on the path to a lifetime of healthy grins!

Is it time for your child’s first visit? Contact our team today and we’ll partner with you to make the process easy and convenient.

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A routine dental checkup is essential for maintaining good oral health. All children should have a dental checkup every six months, beginning around their first birthday. These regular visits help our team evaluate the child’s risk for cavities, offer cleanings and fluoride treatments to strengthen enamel, ensure proper jaw growth, and support speech development.

Issues like tooth decay, gum irritation, or bite misalignment can be caught early—before they become bigger (and costlier) problems. Kids can develop cavities when their teeth erupt, even if they brush regularly. Professional cleanings remove plaque and tartar in hard-to-reach areas.

Checkups are also a perfect time for education. We’re pros at making oral hygiene fun, teaching kids the right way to brush and floss using positive reinforcement. Let’s not forget the confidence boost. Getting your child comfortable with the dental office early reduces anxiety and builds trust. It becomes a familiar place—not a scary one. Great first experiences can shape their attitude toward dental care into adulthood.

Building a strong relationship with our dental team helps your child feel more trusting and secure. This trust makes it easier for your child to stay calm and comfortable during challenging treatments, such as those needed for dental trauma or decay.

A regular dental checkup is more than just a cleaning. It’s a proactive step in keeping your child’s smile bright, healthy, and happy. Plus, instilling good habits early makes future dental visits a breeze.

Time for your child’s next checkup? Schedule an appointment today!

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Teaching your child about proper brushing—and making it a fun, daily ritual—is one of the best gifts you can give their growing grin.

Why is early brushing so important? Baby teeth may be temporary, but they play a significant role in your child’s development. They help with chewing and speech, and even guide adult teeth into place. When kids learn to brush properly from a young age, they’re more likely to carry those habits into adulthood—helping prevent cavities, gum disease, and costly dental treatments.

Should My Child Use Fluoride Toothpaste?

Along with fluoride treatments, fluoride toothpaste is a simple yet powerful way to protect your child’s teeth. Fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel and prevents cavities, which is especially important during early development. When your child gets their first tooth, using a smear of fluoride toothpaste can start building lifelong healthy habits. Consistent use of fluoride toothpaste sets the stage for strong, cavity-resistant smiles as your child grows.

Brushing Tips by Age

Ages 0-3:

• Brush their teeth 2x a day with a smear of fluoride toothpaste. 
• After we brush for bed, no drinks or snacks until breakfast except for water. 
• Do not give them candy, fruit snacks, juice, chocolate milk, or soda.

Ages 3-6:

• Brush the teeth 2x a day with a “pea-sized” dab of fluoride toothpaste. 
• Let the child brush, then an adult needs to take their turn and brush as well. 
• Avoid candy, fruit snacks, juice, chocolate milk, and soda. 

Ages 6-10:

• Ensure your child is brushing for two minutes twice daily with fluoride toothpaste. 
• Supervise your child—young children lack the dexterity to brush effectively, so parents should assist or supervise brushing until around age eight. 
• Avoid candy, soda, and sports drinks.

Make Brushing Fun

• Use flavored toothpaste and a fun character or themed toothbrush.
• Play dentist at home.
• Use timers for brushing.
• Demonstrate good oral health habits—kids do what you do, so setting a good example is always essential.
• Talk about the dentist positively.

And, of course, pair good brushing habits with regular dental checkups. A trusted pediatric dentist can reinforce the importance of oral care and help identify potential issues early.

Ultimately, teaching your child to care for their smile is about more than clean teeth—it’s about instilling healthy habits, building self-esteem, and setting them up for long-term wellness. With consistency and creativity, brushing time can become a moment of joy in your family’s daily routine.

We’re always here to help ensure your child’s oral health is on the right track. Contact us today for more information on brushing or to schedule an appointment!

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Losing baby teeth is a significant milestone in a child’s development—and one that often comes with excitement, a visit from the tooth fairy, and maybe a little bit of nervousness. So, when should you expect those little pearly whites to start making their exit?

Most children begin to lose their baby teeth around age six, although it can vary slightly from child to child. Some may start as early as four or as late as seven. The process typically begins with the lower central incisors (those two bottom front teeth), followed closely by the upper central incisors. 

From there, the rest usually follow a fairly predictable pattern, working from the front to the back of the mouth. By around age 12 or 13, most children will have lost all 20 primary teeth, making room for their 32 permanent ones.

But don’t worry if your child isn’t following the exact textbook timeline—every smile is unique! What matters most is that the baby teeth are falling out naturally as the permanent ones begin to push through the gums. This is a key part of oral development and helps ensure proper alignment, speech, and chewing function.

How to Support Your Child

• Keep up oral hygiene. Even baby teeth need brushing and flossing to keep gums healthy.
• Don’t rush it. Loose teeth fall out on their own time. Encourage gentle wiggling, but avoid forceful pulling.
• Make it fun! Celebrate each lost tooth with a special tradition—a reward, a keepsake box, or a note from the tooth fairy.

If a baby tooth falls out too early or seems stuck for too long, it’s a good idea to check in with our team. We will ensure everything is progressing smoothly.

If you have any questions about your child’s baby teeth or would like to schedule an appointment, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

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You might be surprised to hear that those tiny baby teeth—destined to fall out—still play a significant role in your child’s health. While they’re temporary, baby teeth deserve long-term attention. Treating cavities in primary teeth is essential for your child’s comfort, development, and future oral health.

Your child will have these teeth for years, so healthy teeth are key to avoiding infection and ensuring the proper development of permanent teeth. Baby teeth are important for many reasons. Not only do they help children speak clearly and chew naturally, but primary teeth also aid in the normal growth of the jaws and form a path that permanent teeth can follow when they are ready to erupt.

In addition, untreated cavities can be painful. Just like adults, kids feel discomfort when decay sets in. That pain can interfere with eating, speaking, and sleeping—making everyday life much less fun. Even worse, untreated cavities can lead to infection, abscesses, and swelling that may require emergency dental care.

But the importance of baby teeth goes beyond avoiding a toothache. Baby teeth are placeholders for permanent teeth, guiding them into the proper position. If a decayed baby tooth is lost too early due to untreated cavities, nearby teeth may shift, leading to crowding or misalignment. That could mean more extensive (and expensive) orthodontic treatment.

And let’s not forget confidence—children who experience pain or noticeable decay may feel self-conscious about smiling or talking. The good news? Cavities in baby teeth are treatable and even preventable. Regular dental checkups, brushing habits, and limiting sugary snacks go a long way. If a cavity does appear, a quick visit to the dentist can restore the tooth and protect your child’s oral health.

Baby teeth may be temporary, but their role is anything but minor. Treating cavities early keeps kids healthy and happy and sets the stage for a lifetime of confident, cavity-free smiles.

If it’s time for your child’s next checkup, contact us today!

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