Dental care for infants and children can seem overwhelming
but having a knowledgeable and helpful pediatric dentist on your team can make
everything much simpler! A great pediatric dentist is passionate about three
things: dental care, children, and patient education. This trifecta ensures
that the dentist you choose will care for your little one’s oral development
just as much as you do AND have the tools to teach you everything you need to
know.
Our pediatric dentist, Dr. Matt, certainly
meets the standard of a great pediatric dentist. For this reason, he is the
go-to guy for so many parents in the Overland Park area.
Here are some of the most frequent questions he receives from
concerned and caring parents every day:
1. How do I best clean my baby’s teeth?
Your baby’s teeth should be cleaned as soon as they erupt.
Simply use a clean, damp washcloth, finger brush, or gauze pad to wipe the top,
front, and back of the new teeth and the tip of the tongue. This should be done
after meals and at bedtime.
You may also use a pediatric-dentist-approved baby
toothbrush with a rice-grain-sized amount of toothpaste. These toothbrushes are
extremely soft and have no more than three rows of bristles. Toothbrushes or
finger brushes that are more than two months old should be thrown out and
replaced.
2. How old should my baby be before I introduce her to fluoride toothpaste?
As soon as the first tooth emerges! Dentists used to
recommend waiting until age two, but new discoveries have changed that fact. As
stated in question one, you’ll only use a rice-grain-sized smear of toothpaste
until your baby reaches three years of age.
3. How do I keep my kid’s teeth healthy?
For children above age three, follow these guidelines:
- Brush with fluoride toothpaste in the morning
and evening
- Floss daily
- Reduce sugar in their diet
- Drink lots of water
- Visit a pediatric dentist regularly
To receive more detailed oral health tips, visit a pediatric
dentist who can evaluate your child’s mouth and determine his specific oral
health needs.
4. What should I do if my child has a toothache?
If your child is complaining about tooth pain, first rinse
the area with warm saltwater. Then, place a cold compress on the side of the
face where the pain is (especially if it’s swollen). If necessary, give him or
her children’s pain medication. Be sure to follow the dosage instructions on
the bottle. Finally, contact your pediatric dentist.
If your child is experiencing a fever, bleeding, or other
concerning symptoms along with the toothache, contact your pediatric dentist
immediately for an emergency visit.
5. How are thumb sucking and pacifier habits harmful?
Fortunately, most children stop these habits on their own so
they don’t pose any problems. However, if your child still sucks his thumb or
uses a pacifier past age three, you may need the help of a pediatric dentist to
avoid oral development problems such as:
- Misalignment
- Overbite or underbite
- A lisp
- Sensitivity or changes to the roof of their
mouth
6. At what age should a child brush their own teeth?
Most children learn to brush their teeth around age six.
However, as the parent, you know your child best! It’s never too early to begin
teaching your child to brush his own teeth. Just remember to oversee and assist
him until you’re confident he’s doing it correctly.
7. When should my child receive their first dental exam?
At least six months after their first tooth emerges. The
pediatric dentist will check to make sure everything is developing properly and
give you tips on how to care for your child’s mouth.
8. What should I expect on our first visit?
Your child’s first visit to
the dentist usually lasts between 20 and 40 minutes. It will be very laidback
and simple. Not every dentist is the same, but here’s what our first-time
patient experience includes:
- Office tour
- Meeting the dentist and team members
- Reviewing your child’s dental and medical
history
- Discussion about healthy teeth and jaw
development
- Review of your oral healthcare routine
- An oral exam
- A conversation about your child’s oral health
needs
If appropriate, the pediatric dentist may suggest a dental
cleaning.
9. How frequently should a baby see the dentist?
Infants, toddlers, adolescents, and adults should all visit
the dentist every six months. This is the best way to prevent cavities and
other dental problems.
In some cases, your pediatric dentist may recommend more
frequent visits.
10. What’s the difference between a pediatric dentist and
a family dentist?
Pediatric dentists are to dentistry what pediatricians are
to medicine. Pediatric dentists complete two to three years of specialty
training that makes them experts on children’s oral health development. Family
dentists treat patients of all ages, including children, but without the same
training.
To meet with our pediatric dentist for specific advice
about your child’s mouth, call (913) 685-9990 today.
