Infant and Pediatric Dentistry
Oral health care is important at every age, even before babies get their first tooth. At Young Family Dental, our pediatric dentists provide care for infants and young children to maintain optimal oral health, including preventive care and instruction on building healthy habits that will set them up for good oral hygiene for the rest of their lives.
Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic diseases in children today in the U.S. When children have tooth decay that goes untreated, it can lead to severe pain, tooth and gum infections, and difficulty eating, leading to poor nutrition and potential long-term health consequences. The pain that children experience from tooth decay and infection can also affect their speech development, and make it hard for them to learn and concentrate in school. Studies show that children with cavities and tooth decay miss more school days and have lower grades than children without. They may also suffer from other consequences, such as trouble sleeping because of the pain.
Dental Care for Children and Infants
The statistics of childhood dental decay are concerning — about 1 in 5 children between ages 5 and 11, and 1 in 7 teenagers between age 12 and 19 have some form of untreated tooth decay. Fortunately, cavities and tooth decay in children and teens can be prevented.
It’s important for parents to understand that you need to take proper care of baby teeth when children are young, even though they will eventually lose those teeth. Untreated dental decay in infants and very young children can lead to early loss of baby teeth, which could leave your child without enough teeth to chew and speak properly for several years. It could also cause their adult teeth to shift or move around before they grow in, leading to significant orthodontic issues as your child gets older.
Some of the most important actions you can take include:
- Cleaning your baby’s mouth by wiping their gums once in the morning and once at night with a clean, damp cloth to remove bacteria even before they have teeth
- Brushing your baby’s newly emerged teeth with a small, soft-bristled brush and plain water
- Brushing children’s teeth twice a day, for 2 minutes each time, with a pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste
- Talking to your dentist about fluoride supplements or fluoride varnishes for children (especially if you do not have fluoride in your drinking water) to strengthen and protect your child’s teeth
- Getting dental sealants on your child’s teeth to prevent cavities
Parents can also help reduce tooth decay by:
- Limiting sugary drinks and milk in bottles or sippy cups, especially around bedtime
- Teaching children to use a sippy cup instead of a bottle around the age of 12-14 months
- Limiting the amount of sugar in your child’s diet, especially sweet or starchy snacks between meals
Visiting a Pediatric Dentist
Your child’s first visit to a pediatric dentist should be when they turn 1 or when they get their first tooth (whichever happens sooner). During that visit, our pediatric dentist examine your child’s tooth/teeth, gums, bite and oral tissues. After your first visit, your dentist will likely recommend bringing your child back for a preventive checkup every six months. These early visits are generally simple and won’t include a lot of dental care, but they are helpful in building your child’s comfort with going to the dentist so they are not scared as they get older.
Call to schedule an appointment with our pediatric dentists at one of our five convenient locations in Orem, American Fork, Saratoga Springs, Riverton or West Jordan.