When Should Kids See a Dentist?

According to ADA, children should first visit the dentist by age 1. On this initial dental visit, the children’s dentist Mahwah will explain in detail the proper brushing/dental cleaning techniques that should be performed at home. The dentist will perform what is called a “modified dental exam,” meaning that he will check your child’s gums, teeth, and jaw development while the baby sits on your lap. Any issues can be caught early during these regular dental visits, and the children will get accustomed to regular visits to the dentist.

Always consider taking your child to a pediatric dentist. They specialize in treating children and know how to treat and handle specific kids’ dental issues. The pediatric dentist will also know when to refer you to another specialist – for example, to see an orthodontist to correct an overbite or to an oral surgeon for jaw realignment problems. Talk to the children’s dentist Mahwah if you notice any issues with your teeth (such as catching the first dental cavity, or if your child struggles with pain and discomfort while eating, etc.).

The pediatric dentist will consider applying a dental fluoride treatment before all the teeth come out. Fluoride treatments help strengthen the dental enamel, considerably reducing the risk for dental caries. Dental cavities happen when the sugars and the bacteria, after eating, sit for too long on the tooth’s surface. Therefore, regular brushing is so important- wiping away all the bacteria that are harmful to the tooth. Eventually, acid starts collecting on the tooth surface until the enamel softens, which is how a dental cavity form.

• Always start good dental hygiene habits early- cleaning the gums using a soft cloth for babies/ brushing & flossing for older children.
• Getting enough fluoride- fluoride strengthens the enamel, so acids cannot soften the enamel and cause a cavity.
• Avoid sugary foods and drinks- juices, sticky candy, gummy vitamins, and sugary foods in general. These can erode the enamel and lead to dental cavities.