Dental Care for Children

Your child's first set of teeth are extremely important. Strong, healthy teeth help your child chew food easily, learn to speak clearly and look good. Just as important, your child's general health can be affected if diseased and broken baby teeth are not treated early. Taking your child to the dentist regularly can prevent serious dental disease. Preventive services such as fluoride treatments and sealants are less costly than the fillings, crowns and other treatments that your child may need if the teeth are neglected.

At what age should my child first see a dentist?
Ideally, it is best to take your child to the dentist as soon as possible after birth. The earlier you begin, the better chance your dentist has to prevent problems.
In addition to checking for decay, the dentist will advise you as to how to properly clean your child's teeth, evaluate any adverse habits such as thumb sucking and identify your child's fluoride needs. By starting dental visits at an early age, you will help your child build a lifetime of good dental habits.

How often should my child see the dentist?
While there is no set rule, it is generally recommended that children should visit the dentist every six months.

Please remember don't:

Bribe your child into going to the dentist.
Let the child know that you feel any anxiety about going to the dentist.
Use a dental visit as a punishment.
Let anyone tell your child scary stories about dental visits.
Use words like hurt, pain, needle, drill, injection etc.

Please remember do:

Try to make dental visits enjoyable for your child, we'll help with this.
Let your child go into the treatment room alone, if dentist prefers.
Set a good example! Brush and floss your own teeth daily and visit the dentist regularly.