Gentle Pediatric Dentistry In Gainesville

Important Preventative Care Facts About Your Child’s Teeth

It’s never too early for good dental care. A child’s first teeth are called primary (baby) teeth and begin to erupt between 4-18 months of age. Most children have all of their teeth by age 3. Permanent (adult) teeth begin to erupt and replace primary dentition by age 6-7. Most adult teeth are in place by early teen years.

Pay attention to your child’s teeth as they are erupting. The ADA advises that unless you notice a problem, your child’s first dental visit should be around age 2. At Van Dyke General & Implant Dentistry, we encourage mothers and fathers to bring their children in prior to their first visit to get acquainted and comfortable with our hygienists. We offer gentle dental care and teeth cleaning for patients of all ages.

Problems to watch for with your baby’s oral health:

Tooth Decay: Baby teeth are also susceptible to decay. It may be necessary to treat these cavities in order to retain the primary teeth long enough for the permanent teeth to erupt properly.
Thumb Sucking And Pacifiers: Sucking on a thumb or pacifier is common and normal for a baby. These habits after the age of 4-5 may lead to tooth or jaw problems.
Accidents: Oral trauma is a common occurrence as children begin walking and playing. In cases of emergencies, primary teeth may need to be treated.

Establishing a healthy oral health care routine that includes general dentistry early in your child’s life can help to ensure your child will grow up with a beautiful smile and positive attitude about visiting the dentist. Contact our dentists in Gainesville, FL, for more information about pediatric dentistry.