You children deserve the best dental care available. When they receive preventive dental care while they are growing up, it will save you thousands of dollars later in life.

Few parents understand just how important good dental care is to a healthy, long life. It’s important to get your kids started off on the right foot.

At Mid Cities Dental, we take care of kids of all ages. Our practice is takes care of your entire family. Below are some answers to common questions about the dental health of your children and the services we offer to help you.

Your Child’s First Dental Visit

Your child should visit the dentist by his/her 1st birthday. You help make your child’s first visit enjoyable and positive.

Your child will appreciate knowing in advance that they will visit our office on a specific date. Assure them that we will explain all procedures and answer any questions.

Use only positive words about your child’s visit to our office. You do not want to frighten your child about a new experience by using word like needle, pull, drill or hurt.

The team at our office is trained to use terms your child can understand. They convey the same message, but are pleasant and non-frightening to your child.

Why Are Primary Teeth So Important?

Your child needs a healthy mouth and strong teeth for a lifetime. Your child’s primary, baby teeth are the initial foundation for a efficient, disease free mouth.

Neglected cavities in baby teeth frequently lead to problems that negatively impact your child’s developing permanent teeth. Primary, baby-teeth are important for:

• Proper chewing and eating.
• Providing space for the permanent teeth and guiding them into the correct position.
• Permitting normal development of the jaw bones and muscles.

Primary teeth also affect the development of speech. They contribute to an attractive appearance. While the front 4 teeth last until 6-7 years of age, the back teeth (cuspids and molars) aren’t replaced until age 10-13.

Care of Your Child’s Teeth

Begin daily brushing as soon as your child’s first tooth pushes through the gums. Apply a pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste when your child is old enough not to swallow it.

By age 4 or 5, your children should be able to brush their own teeth twice a day with supervision until about age seven. Make sure they are doing a thorough job.

However, each child is different. We can help you determine whether your child has the skill level to brush properly.

Proper brushing removes plaque from the inner, outer and chewing surfaces.

When teaching your children to brush:

1. Place their toothbrush at a 45 degree angle.
2. Start along gum line with a soft bristle brush in a gentle circular motion.
3. Brush the outer surfaces of each tooth, upper and lower.
4. Repeat the same method on the inside surfaces and chewing surfaces of all the teeth.
5. Finish by brushing the tongue to help freshen breath and remove bacteria.

Flossing removes plaque between the teeth where a toothbrush can’t reach. Flossing should begin when any two teeth touch.

You may wish to floss your child’s teeth until he or she can do it alone.

How to floss correctly:

1. Use about 18 inches of floss.
2. Wind most of it around the middle fingers of both hands.
3. Hold the floss lightly between the thumbs and forefingers.
4. Use a gentle, back-and-forth motion to guide the floss between the teeth.
5. Curve the floss into a C-shape.
6. Slide it into the space between the gum and tooth until you feel resistance.
7. Gently scrape the floss against the side of the tooth.
8. Repeat this procedure on each tooth.

Don’t forget the backs of the last four teeth.

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