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Does Your Child Have Cavities? Understanding the Importance of Pediatric Dental Care

As a parent, you want the best for your child, including their oral health. One common dental issue that many children face is cavities. Cavities are areas of tooth decay that can develop in children of all ages. They can cause discomfort and pain and significantly affect your child’s overall well-being. That’s why it’s crucial to understand the signs of cavities and the importance of seeking proper dental care for your child. Below are a few signs that it is time to take your child to a pediatric dentist.

• Hole or Pit in the Tooth
• White Stains on a Tooth
• Discomfort Eating or Drinking
• Sensitivity to Sweets
• Persistent Tooth Pain

If your child is experiencing any of these signs, it’s essential to consult a pediatric dentist for a thorough examination and treatment. Pediatric dentists undergo specialized training to cater specifically to children’s unique dental needs. They create a child-friendly environment and use techniques that help children feel comfortable during dental visits.

Contact Our Pediatric Dental Specialist Today!

Cavities are a common dental issue in children, but with proper care and regular visits to a pediatric dentist, they can be prevented and treated effectively. At Pinnacle Pediatric Dentistry, we will determine if your child has a cavity and decide on the best treatment plan for their mouth. We will also teach you tips and tricks for creating good oral hygiene habits to help maintain a healthy smile for your child. Whenever your child is feeling tooth discomfort, please schedule an appointment with our pediatric dentist! We welcome children in Houston, TX and beyond.

What Does Your Child Need for Proper Dental Care?

Good oral hygiene habits developed during childhood can lead to a lifetime of healthy teeth and a beautiful smile. So, parents should ensure that their children receive proper dental care starting from a young age, as soon as the first tooth appears. The following steps are ways to ensure that you are meeting your child’s dental needs:

  • Regular Check-Ups: It is recommended that children should have their first dental visit by one year old or within six months of their first tooth eruption. After the initial visit, children should have regular check-ups every six months.
  • Proper Dental Habits: Brushing and flossing regularly are essential in maintaining your child’s teeth, which should be monitored until they are familiar with how they should be brushing and flossing. They should also be using the age-appropriate soft-bristle toothbrush and amount of fluoride toothpaste.
  • Healthy Diet: A balanced and nutritious diet is not only good for their overall health but also their dental health. Sugary drinks, such as juice and soda, should be avoided or given sparingly to avoid cavities and tooth decay.
  • Mouthguards: As your children age, they may start to participate in sports, in which you should encourage the use of mouthguards to protect their teeth from chips or from being knocked out.
  • Lead by Example: Let your child see you brushing and flossing your teeth regularly and make it a fun and interactive activity. You should also avoid sharing utensils to prevent the spread of bacteria that can infect their teeth and gums.

Pinnacle Pediatric Dentistry is a local dentist for kids in Houston, TX that is here to help you meet all your child’s dental needs. For more information, contact us today!

How to Care for Newly Erupted Teeth

Proper dental care from an early age can set the foundation for a lifetime of good oral health, from the first tooth to come into the last baby tooth falling out. So, for all parents with children whose teeth are just starting to appear, here are some helpful tips on how to care for newly erupted teeth.

  1. Start Cleaning Immediately: Once the first tooth appears, it is important to start establishing a dental hygiene routine. After feeding, gently wipe the tooth clean with a damp cloth until more teeth emerge and your child can upgrade to an age-appropriate toothbrush.
  2. Be Consistent: Consistency is key in dental routines and can help teach your child the importance of dental care from a young age. Make brushing and flossing, when age-appropriate, a part of your child’s morning and bedtime routine and involve them in the process to make it more fun.
  3. Choose the Right Toothbrush: When choosing a toothbrush for your child, opt for a soft-bristled brush with a small head that can reach all areas of their mouth. Make sure to use children’s toothpaste, as the fluoride content is more appropriate for younger ages.
  4. Monitor: Children are still developing their motor skills, so it is best to monitor their dental habits to ensure that they are brushing and flossing correctly. That way, you can lend a helping hand when needed. Ideally, children should brush their teeth for two minutes, twice a day, and floss at least once a day.
  5. Be a Role Model: Children often want to follow the examples provided by their parents, including mimicking their actions and habits. So, you can help your children care for their teeth by also caring for your dental health. By participating in their routine with them, by brushing and flossing together, it can also help you to bond with your child.

Pinnacle Pediatric Dentistry provides dental services for newly erupted teeth in Houston, TX. For more information about our pediatric dentistry practice, contact us today!

Teaching Your Child Good Dental Care Practices

Teaching your child good oral hygiene habits while they are young will benefit them for the rest of their life. However, this can often be a big challenge for parents as there is no one-size-fits-all solution to teaching this task. The foundation of a child’s dental knowledge starts at home and often before teeth appear.

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that children go to a pediatric dentistry office by their first birthday or within six months of their first erupted tooth. By visiting the dentist, you’ll be able to ensure your child’s dental health, growth, and development is on track. Visiting the dentist will also help your child become more comfortable with the dentist’s office and lessen anxiety later in life.

Before children get teeth, it is important to wipe their gums with a damp cloth to wipe away bacteria. As newly-erupted teeth appear, begin brushing your child’s teeth at least once a day. As they get more and more teeth, begin brushing or helping your children brush their teeth twice a day with a soft, small‑bristled toothbrush.

Tips For Good Oral Health

Be a leader- Children often learn by example and take cues from others in their home. When you are brushing your teeth, bring your child into the bathroom to observe and get interested in brushing their teeth.

Incorporate play- Children are more likely to be engaged with learning important dental care habits when it feels like a game including singing a silly song as they brush.

Use children’s oral care products- Items with your children’s favorite cartoon characters will get your children excited about tooth brushing. Use products designed for little mouths including smaller brush heads to reach all their teeth. Use kid-friendly flavors when choosing toothpaste.

Diet- A very important aspect of good oral health is paying attention to your child’s diet. Your children should eat a balanced diet, one that’s rich in fruits and vegetables.

Be supportive- Don’t scare your children about dental procedures. Instead, offer positive reinforcement

Contact Us

At Pinnacle Pediatric Dentistry, serving the Houston, TX area, our pediatric dentistry team specializes in oral health for children from infancy through the teenage years. We provide a fun, comfortable, and positive environment for our patients and their parents. We give each patient the individual attention they need in order to provide them with their dental needs. If you would like to schedule services for your children, contact us today!

How to Approach Brushing Your Child’s Teeth

Although it’s not recommended to have a child brush their teeth by themselves until the age of 8, it’s still important to have a tooth-brushing routine that includes your child. Life can get crazy which makes it tempting to quickly brush your child’s teeth and be done with it. However, pediatric dental specialists recommend teaching your child how to brush their teeth by walking them through the same steps daily. These steps for teeth brushing should be followed from toddlerhood through childhood, but they are too advanced for infants with newly erupted teeth. Here are the steps to take at home to get a head start tending to your child’s dental needs:

  1. Apply water and toothpaste to their toothbrush
    The general rule for most children is a soft bristle toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. If you have any concerns, be sure to bring them up to your child’s pediatric dental specialist.
  2. Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle while brushing
    This angle allows you to target any plaque above your child’s gumline, which is otherwise easy to miss. Brushing straight across could cause you to miss the lower plaque near the gumline.
  3. Brush the insides of their teeth first
    It’s so easy to forget to brush the insides of your child’s teeth because it’s hidden! Most adults even have trouble remembering to make a conscious effort to brush the insides of their teeth. Do the insides first so that you don’t forget!
  4. Remember to brush the crowns of their teeth
    The top or crowns of your child’s teeth are the most susceptible to cavities because of all the groves and divots. Food and sugar can easily get trapped in there, so make sure you brush them well!
  5. Have your child use their tongue to check for smoothness
    Having your child run their tongue along their teeth to check for smoothness is a good way to teach your child to check their teeth. If they say they feel something, tell them that means they should brush that area a little more.

Qualities Every Dentist for Kids Should Have

It’s hard to find a good dentist for kids no matter where you live because not all pediatric dentists are good with kids. If you are unsure of the current pediatric dental care services you are receiving, you should use the following information as a checklist to see if you should stay at your current pediatric dentist or find a new one.

They are calm – Kids will usually feed off your energy, so if you seem frazzled then they will be too. It’s very important to stay calm even when a child is screaming, crying, or just upset. Find a pediatric dentist who can stay calm amid chaos.

They are accessible – If an office is advertising pediatric dentistry services, don’t just take their word for it. Schedule a time to visit the office before you commit to them as a dentist.

They created a friendly environment – Anyone who claims to be a dentist for kids but has no color in their office should rethink their office design. Kids respond very well to bright colors because they make them feel welcome and

They are aware of dental anxiety – Dental anxiety is something any dentist for kids should be aware of. This intense fear of the dentist should be taken seriously, but it’s also crucial to find a dentist who will be persistent in trying to make your child feel comfortable.

Contact our dentist for kids at Pinnacle Pediatric Dentistry for more information about our dental care services. We proudly serve Houston, TX and the surrounding areas.

Pediatric Dental Care Tips for Caregivers

It’s tough to know what will help your teething baby and what to do once their new teeth come in, so we put together a few pediatric dental care tips. Here are a few tips on how to care for a teething baby and their newly erupted teeth once they come through:

Teething remedies – Getting teeth is rough for all infants, so it’s important to use some at-home remedies to help soothe your teething baby. You can buy teethers at a local store, make breastmilk or formula popsicles, or freeze a washcloth and give it to them to chew on. The cold will make their gums feel better. Another option is buying some kind of oral gel to rub on their gums to provide temporary relief from the pain of newly erupted teeth.

Once teeth emerge, brush them twice a day – A child’s teeth should be brushed as soon as you see any newly erupted teeth. Don’t use adult toothpaste, buy some infant toothpaste with fluoride. Most infant toothpaste has fluoride in it, but just check the label just in case and brush their teeth whenever you brush yours. 

First dentist appointment – By your child’s first birthday, they should have been to the dentist at least once if they have teeth. Not much will be done at their first appointment, but it’s good to have the dentist look at your child’s newly erupted teeth and make sure they are coming in properly. 

Breastfeeding or bottle feeding for a year – Even after your child gets teeth, it’s important to continue giving them breastmilk, formula, or a combination of the two for at least a year. Their little bodies are still growing, and newly erupted teeth are not going to immediately enable them to eat enough food to keep them growing. Food will still be a supplement for your infant for a while, which is why they need breastmilk or formula as well. 

Five Bad Dental Habits Seen Often by Pediatric Dental Specialists

Biting nails – Nail biting may not seem like a big deal, but it can cause serious damage to teeth over time. Since finger tails are so hard, chewing on them destroys the enamel on teeth. As the enamel on their teeth gets worn down, they become more susceptible to cracking and chipping. 

Sucking their thumb – A child who sucks their thumb usually does it for comfort or to cope when they feel anxious. Although pediatric dental specialists say thumb sucking is not harmful to children’s teeth until after the age of 4, you should try to break the habit before then. To help your child break their thumb-sucking habit, work through their feelings with them daily to help them with emotional regulation.

Failing to brush & floss teeth daily – It’s very important for parents to brush and floss their toddler’s teeth daily to avoid cavities. Failure to keep up with dental hygiene for their child will result in the build-up of plaque on their child’s teeth. 

Too much sugar – Our pediatric dental specialists are constantly warning parents that there are lots of hidden sugars in foods and beverages. To decrease the chances of your child getting cavities be sure to read labels before purchasing snacks and beverages for your child.

Skipping dental appointments – Bring your child to a pediatric dental specialist once or twice a year to get their teeth checked. Dentist appointments are a great way to ensure your child’s teeth are coming in properly and that the dental routine you are doing for them is working.

Contact Pinnacle Pediatric Dentistry if you have any questions regarding your child’s teeth. Our pediatric dental specialists would love to help you care for your child’s teeth.