Get quality dental care for children and families in Plano, TX with Dr. Wilhite.
Call for an appointment: (972) 964-3774
You should begin to care for your child’s teeth as soon as they make an entrance.
Even during the teething process, gums can be cleaned with a wet washcloth which can also be very soothing.
Services include:
- Checkups
- Teeth Cleanings
- Cavity Fillings
- Crowns
- Bondings
- Orthodontics
- Total Dental Care
Brushing Children’s Teeth
Start brushing teeth using a toothbrush with super soft bristles.
At first, you may start with water but soon progress to a training toothpaste that does not contain fluoride because small children are unable to spit and therefore can end up ingesting too much fluoride.
While your child is using the training toothpaste, start teaching him or her to spit (around age 2) in preparation for the switch to fluoridated toothpaste (around age 3).
Brushing should minimally occur twice a day – after the morning meal and before going to bed for the night. It is very beneficial to brush your child’s teeth after every meal when possible. Children love to copy what Mom and Dad and even older siblings do, so let them watch you brush, floss, spit, etc…
This aids in motivation and understanding for the youngsters. Flossing can be added to your child’s home health care regimen as soon as all baby teeth are present. Feel free to let your child try her hand at brushing after you have done a thorough job. Children do not have the dexterity to do a proper job until they reach six to eight years of age.
Call for an appointment: (972) 964-3774
Dental Care & Diet
In addition to home care and regular dental visits, diet plays a big role in preventing tooth decay.
The biggest culprits are sugary & starchy food and drinks. We know how much children love sweets and that it is unreasonable to expect them to give up their treats. We do suggest that a thorough cleaning after the consumption of these treats can go a long way towards preventing decay.
Teach children to drink water for most meals and snacks…especially if you have a child who likes to have a drink with him or her at all times. Sipping on fruit juices and even milk for extended periods of time is one of the biggest contributors to childhood tooth decay.
Try to avoid sticky foods that lead to prolonged exposure of sugar to the teeth. Another step that can help avoid decay is to refrain from sharing utensils, toothbrushes, testing baby food yourself and using the same utensil to feed the baby, putting a dropped pacifier in your mouth to clean it off, etc… Doing so can transfer bacteria that aid in the production of decay, especially if you are prone to dental decay yourself.
Many parents assume that cavities in baby teeth don’t matter because they’ll be lost anyway. However, decay in baby teeth can result in pulpotomies, negatively affect permanent teeth and lead to future dental problems.
Contact us today to set up your consultation. We can discuss your goals and options for pediatric dentistry treatment. Plus, we’ll talk about dental insurance options to make sure your child gets the dental care they need.
