Pediatric Dentistry, Sanford, FL

The time to keep a child on track to good dental hygiene is when their first teeth start to come in. Initially, you should clean their teeth with a piece of gauze or damp cloth after each feeding. When all the teeth have come in, you can start brushing the teeth with a soft children's tooth brush. Also, when babies sleep with a bottle, make sure it is filled with only cool water. Using formula, milk or fruit juice can lead to "baby bottle tooth decay."

Most children as young as two or three can be taught to brush their teeth. You should also follow up with them until they are able to understand good brushing techniques. Of course, good habits that are developed early will help them maintain good dental habits throughout their lifetimes.

Many parents wonder what the best age is for a child to start going to the dentist. The sooner the better. It is recommended that dental visits start at the age of three years. Starting this young can prevent small problems from becoming big ones. Also, seeing the dentist for routine visits will help reduce the fear a child may have of going to the dentist. If you wait until a serious problem develops requiring a more extensive procedure, it could lead to fear of going to the dentist at any time.

Because the most serious dental problem is tooth decay, it is our goal to help prevent premature tooth loss and encourage good oral hygiene early. We desire to have positive dental experiences for children and will refer to a pedodontist if this is not occurring.