As a new parent, you certainly want to keep your child as healthy as possible, and that includes their dental care. Though you want to keep your child’s teeth in good condition, many people don’t realize just how early it’s recommended that their kids start seeing a dentist. Here’s what you need to know about when your kids should start seeing a dentist to stave off tooth decay and ensure their teeth are strong and healthy. 

Your Child’s First Visit Will Be Earlier Than You Think

Did you know that most parents assume their kids don’t need to start seeing a dentist until they are two years old or older? Did you know that this is actually a lot later than dentists recommend that kids start seeing a dentist? It’s true. As soon as your child gets their first tooth or by their first birthday, whichever is sooner, is when the American Association Of Pediatric Dentists (AAPD) recommends that kids start seeing a dentist. 

Why Should Kids Start Seeing A Dentist So Young?

Children’s teeth start forming while they’re still in the womb and start breaking through the gums when they’re mere months old, usually around the 6 month mark. As soon as your child has teeth, they can start experiencing tooth decay. In fact, tooth decay affects 1 in 5 kids under the age of 5, which is why it’s so important kids start seeing a dentist as soon as they have teeth, to prevent that. 60% of children have their first cavities before they’re even 5 years old, and tooth decay is among the most common diseases in children.

Being proactive about the dental health of your kids will set them up in order to have healthy teeth for life. Prevention is key in order to stave off decay, pain, infection, and other dental issues that can affect not just your child’s dental health, but their overall health, since dental issues can manifest in other parts of your body too. 

When kids start seeing a dentist, the dentist will check not just for tooth decay, but also for any injury, white spots, lesions, bleeding, and how their teeth are coming in and developing. If your child has any problems or conditions that are starting to develop, your dentist will be able to catch and treat them before they have the chance to become more serious issues. 

Preparing For Your Kid’s First Dental Visit

You can start taking care of your child’s dental health even before it’s time that your kids start seeing a dentist. You can do this by gently cleaning their gums with gauze or a soft cloth and some water. There are also specially designed toothbrushes for young children that are soft, but you’ll want to be careful with the toothpaste, as fluoride can cause teeth that aren’t fully grown to become discolored. By starting with gum-cleaning, you can get your child used to having a daily dental routine even before their first dental visit. 

When choosing your pediatric dentist, you’ll want to ensure that they’re someone who is good with children and creates a fun, comfortable environment to make their first exam as comfortable as possible. Pediatric dentists should have specially-sized equipment and exam rooms and offices that have fun, bright colors and toys, tailored to children. You want the time your kids start seeing a dentist to be a positive experience, so that your kid won’t mind coming back for their next dental appointment in 6 months. 

You can also prepare for when your kids start seeing a dentist by showing them videos about it, coming up with any questions you may have about how to care for developing teeth, and taking care of all that paperwork ahead of time, so you won’t need to be in the office as long. 

What To Expect When Your Kids Start Seeing A Dentist

During your kid’s first dentist appointment, it’s more so just to get them accustomed to the environment, as well as for the dentist to check in on their mouth. You’ll be in the room with them, and likely will stay in the room with them until they are old enough to feel comfortable on their own with the dentist. Your dentist will give you advice and answer any questions you may have. It’s recommended that kids start seeing their dentist every six months after their first appointment, the same as adults, although you can ask your dentist about recommendations for your child. 

Is It Time For Your Kids To Start Seeing A Dentist?

Gunnell Family Dentistry knows how important it is that kids start seeing a dentist as early as possible. We strive to make our dental appointments as fun and not scary as possible. We want to make dental visits as easy as possible for you and your child, which is why when you’re on our dental plan, kids under the age of 5 are free with a paying adult. Is it time for your kids to start seeing a dentist? Contact us today to set up their first appointment!

There’s a lot of misinformation about fluoride out there. There are a lot of claims that fluoride is toxic and bad for you, that you should stick with fluoride-free toothpastes and mouthwashes, and that you should decline fluoride treatments at the dentist. Whenever it comes to issues like this, about something that impacts your health, it’s important to listen to scientists who have conducted the research and done the studies to find out the truth of the matter. Here’s what you need to know about fluoride and why you should do fluoride treatments. 

What Is Fluoride?

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in all of nature’s water sources from rivers to lakes to oceans. Fluoride is naturally in many foods we eat and beverages we drink without anyone having added it in. Commonly referred to as nature’s cavity fighter, fluoride works to strengthen your teeth and prevent cavities through supporting your tooth enamel and staving off the bacteria that would seek to eat away at your teeth and gums. 

Though naturally occurring in many foods and drinks, dentists also add fluoride to toothpastes, mouthwashes, and treatments, to ensure that you get enough of it. This is because fluoride helps to prevent cavities, making your teeth stronger, and prevents decay simply through its natural processes. Many communities will also add additional fluoride to their water sources because of fluoride’s proven effectiveness in preventing dental decay.

How Does Fluoride Protect Teeth?

Food is very acidic, as are many beverages, like sodas. These lead to bacteria and sugars which form acids in your mouth that then begin to eat away at your tooth enamel and gums, in a process known as demineralization. Over time, this leads to tooth decay. Fluoride works to prevent this through a process called remineralization. Remineralization is when fluoride along with other minerals such as calcium work to repair the damages caused by acids, ergo fighting off damage and decay. 

Since fluoride is an essential component of the remineralization process, it’s key to preventing cavities and keeping your teeth healthy and strong. It also makes teeth more resistant to the acids and things like plaque and bacteria that cause the demineralization process. Fluoride is such an effective method of protecting teeth, that it can even reverse tooth decay in its early stages. 

Is Fluoride Toxic?

This is the source of the ‘to fluoride or not to fluoride’ debate. When fluoride is used in natural and recommended doses, it is perfectly safe, and there’s no need to fear it. Fluoride overdoses, poisoning, and toxicity occur when people intake too much fluoride, which is why it is important to use fluoride only as recommended. If you have any concerns about how much fluoride is too much fluoride, your dentist will happily direct you, so that you can rest easy.

The main concern with fluoride is how it poses the risk of fluorosis in children who are developing their teeth. This is when children consume too much fluoride and their tooth enamel darkens. In severe cases, fluorosis can cause pits to occur between the teeth. This is why dentists consult with parents on how much fluoride is safe for their child to consume, in order to avoid the development of fluorosis. As children get older, the amount of fluoride they can have increases. Your dentist will guide you, so that you can ensure your child receives enough fluoride to naturally prevent cavities, without the risk of fluorosis.

Just like people can have allergies to many naturally occurring things, from nuts to pollen, some people are allergic to fluoride. For those with fluoride allergies or for small children, they can opt for fluoride-free toothpastes, and consult with dentists on their best options for strengthening their teeth and preventing cavities.

Why Should I Get Fluoride Treatments?

Though fluoride is naturally occurring, it occurs in varying degrees. Since scientists have uncovered its benefits as a cavity fighter, fluoride treatments have been developed in order to provide additional protection, especially for those who are prone to cavities and decay. Fluoride treatments boost your teeth’s strength and how well they are protected from decay. Anyone can benefit from fluoride treatments, but especially those with a history of decay or erosion.

How Do Fluoride Treatments Work?

Professional fluoride treatments are generally quick. Fluoride treatments come in a variety of forms from gels to varnishes to foams. Your dentist will apply the fluoride to your teeth with a swab or a brush or have you hold a tray with the treatment inside it in your mouth for a few minutes. After the fluoride is applied, it’s recommended you not eat or drink anything for at least half an hour, so that your teeth can properly absorb the fluoride. 

Do You Have Questions About Fluoride Treatments?

Gunnell Family Dentistry knows the value of fluoride for protecting your teeth from cavities and decay. We also understand that people can be cautious about fluoride, and want to help answer any questions you may have about it. For any questions, to schedule an appointment, or to learn about our services, please contact us at Gunnell Family Dentistry today!