1- Preventive Care: Emphasizing the importance of early dental visits, typically by age 1, to prevent cavities and teach good oral hygiene habits from a young age.
2- Cavity Treatment: Pediatric dentists treat cavities, including those caused by baby bottle tooth decay, and provide guidance on diet and nutrition to avoid sugary foods that contribute to tooth decay.
3- Growth and Development Monitoring: Pediatric dentists monitor the development of teeth and jaws, addressing issues like thumb-sucking, early loss of baby teeth, or the need for orthodontics.
4- Education and Prevention: Teaching both children and parents about proper brushing, flossing, and the importance of regular dental checkups.
Children should visit the dentist by their first birthday or within 6 months of the first tooth appearing, whichever comes first. Early visits help ensure good oral health habits are established early on.
Regular brushing, flossing, limiting sugary foods and drinks, and visiting the dentist regularly are key to preventing cavities.
The first tooth typically appears between 6 months to 1 year. However, the timing can vary, and some babies get their first tooth earlier or later than this.
Thumb-sucking is a normal habit for babies, but if it continues beyond age 4 or 5, it can affect the development of their teeth and bite. Your dentist can offer advice on how to gently break the habit if it continues too long.
Children typically start losing their baby teeth around age 6 and continue until about age 12. However, this can vary from child to child.
