Children's Dental Care

All the dentists at our Westminster office can provide dentistry for children and are adept at making their young patients and their parents feel at ease during their dental visits. Your children’s dentist can also provide you with tips on establishing good oral hygiene habits at home. If you’ve been searching for a “children’s dentist near me in the Westminster area,” call our office at (410) 970-0292 to schedule a consultation for dentistry for kids in Westminster.

How Old Should My Child Be Before Seeing a Dentist?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child begin regular visits to a children’s dentist when one tooth has completely erupted. However, the first appointment should take place before the child is one year old.

One tooth can develop a cavity and two adjacent teeth can develop decay between them, so flossing is essential no matter your child’s age. Pediatric dentists are seeing a substantial increase in the number of baby bottle tooth decay cases. This occurs when a child is put to bed with a bottle or sippy cup that contains juice, milk or formula. The liquid remains on the teeth overnight and causes the enamel to erode and cavities to form. You should never put your child to bed with a bottle or sippy cup that contains anything but clear water – avoid sweeteners, colors, additives, and additional flavorings.

What Will Happen During My Child’s Initial Dental Visit to Your Office in Westminster?

During your child’s initial visit to our office, your children’s dentist in Westminster will examine your child’s teeth for cavities or decay and for proper alignment. Your child can remain on your lap or be seated in the dental chair, whichever is more comfortable. If your child needs x-rays, we can take them, but generally, children don’t require x-rays. Some of the additional kids dental care that we provide include:

Fillings: If your child has a cavity, we can clean the area and then place a filling in the tooth. We use either amalgam or a tooth-colored material.

Crowns: If your child’s cavity is too large to accommodate a filling, we can fabricate and install a dental crown so that the tooth becomes functional again.

Cleaning: Regular cleaning is an integral factor in maintaining good oral hygiene, no matter your age. Our children’s dentist can make your child comfortable and relaxed, so they won’t be apprehensive about having their teeth cleaned.

Bonding: If your child has chips or cracks in one or more teeth, we can cover them with a tooth-colored bonding material that will restore the aesthetics of your child’s teeth.

Sealants: A sealant can prevent decay because it seals the tooth surface with a thin layer of plastic. This discourages decay because food particles and bacteria can’t get trapped.

Fluoride: Fluoride is known as a natural cavity fighter, and we can apply a topical fluoride treatment to your child’s teeth.

Mouthguards: If your child is involved in active sports such as soccer or football, the American Dental Association recommends that a mouthguard be worn. This can protect the teeth from substantial damage, such as having a tooth knocked out or having a tooth chipped or broken. If your child needs a custom mouthguard, call your children’s dentist in Westminster and we can help you.

What Age Will My Child Be When the First Tooth Erupts?

Baby teeth usually start to erupt when the infant is between 4 and 6 months old, although the exact age will vary by child.

What Age Will My Child Be When His Baby Teeth Start to Come Out?

Baby teeth usually start to fall out when a child reaches 5 or 6 years of age. They’ll fall out in about the order they came in and the entire process of losing baby teeth and gaining adult teeth will take several years. If you have additional questions, call our Westminster office at (410) 970-0292 and we’ll be happy to answer them.

What’s The Cause Of Toothaches in Children?

The most common cause of toothaches in children is decay or cavities, but there can be other issues. If your child is having chronic toothaches, call our kid’s dentist in Westminster and we’ll schedule an appointment for you and your child. Our dentist will examine your child’s teeth to determine the cause of the pain, and then make a recommendation for the treatment to fix the problem. Don’t let your child suffer from toothaches, call us today at (410) 970-0292 and we can help you.