Children's Dental Care

Taking your child to a pediatric dentist on a regular basis can contribute to establishing good oral hygiene habits. If you’ve been searching for a “children’s dentist near me,” then your search has ended. We strive to provide high-quality kids dental care and we can help you with tips on teaching your child healthy oral habits at home. If you need pediatric dental services, then call our Abingdon office at (410) 698-1674 and let us help you.

How Old Should My Child Be Before Visiting a Dentist?

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, a child should begin dental visits as soon as one tooth has fully erupted, but not later than one year of age. A cavity can develop in just one tooth, and when two teeth abut, decay can form between them, so learning to floss at an early age is vital. Pediatric dentists have noticed a dramatic upswing in the number of cases of baby bottle tooth decay and they attribute this to the practice of sending a child to bed with a bottle or sippy cup filled with juice or formula. This is a bad practice that should be avoided. The liquid sits on the teeth overnight and the sugars and acid begin to deteriorate the enamel on the tooth. If you must send your child to bed with a bottle or sippy cup, make sure it contains only clear water, no dyes, sweeteners or flavorings. If you want more information or want to schedule an appointment with a children’s dentist in Abingdon, call us at (410) 698-1674 and we’ll be happy to help you.

Can I Stay With My Child During His Dental Visits?

We always recommend that the parent remain with the child during the dental visit to our Abingdon office. It makes both the parent and the child more comfortable, and that helps us. During your appointment at our Abingdon office, a kid’s dentist will examine your child’s teeth and jaw and determine the course of action to take. If your child needs x-rays, we can take them but children don’t’ usually require x-rays. Some of the additional kids dental care services that we provide include:

Dental cleaning: Regular cleaning is vital to good oral hygiene, and the children’s dentists and hygienists are adept at getting their young patients to open wide for the procedure.

Dental bonding: If your child has chips or cracks in a tooth, we can apply a tooth-colored material to restore the appearance of the tooth.

Dental sealing: Sealants can deter the onset of decay because they don’t allow bacteria and food particles to become trapped.

Dental crowns: If your child has a cavity that’s too large to accommodate a filling, we can custom make a crown.

Dental root canal: If your child’s cavity has extended to the pulp of the tooth, then a baby root canal may be the only method for salvaging the tooth.

Dental fluoridation: Fluoride has the reputation of being nature’s cavity fighter, and applying topical fluoridation to your child’s teeth can help prevent cavities and decay.

Mouthguards: If your child is involved in active sports such as football or soccer, the American Dental Association recommends the use of a mouthguard in order to protect the teeth. A mouthguard can prevent damage to teeth and keep them from being knocked out or broken. If your child needs a custom fit mouthguard, call a children’s dentist in Abingdon at (410) 698-1674 and we’ll schedule an appointment for you. Don’t risk your child’s teeth, call us today.

How Old Will My Child Be When the Baby Teeth Appear?

Baby teeth usually start to appear around the age of 6 months, but some children begin at about 4 months. Each child is different, but those are average ages.

How Old Will My Child Be When The Baby Teeth Fall Out?

Usually, when your child is around 5 or 6 years old, the baby teeth will begin to loosen and fall out. This will continue for several years until your child has all adult teeth. Don’t worry about your child being toothless again, this is a gradual process that takes several years.

What Causes Toothaches in Children?

There are several reasons why a child can experience a toothache, but if your child is experiencing chronic toothaches, you should schedule a consultation with a children’s dentist at our office in Abingdon. Decay and cavities are the most common causes, but only your children’s dentist can diagnose with accuracy, so call us today at (410) 698-1674 to help alleviate your child’s toothaches.