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what to expect
during a pediatric visit
Scheduling pediatric appointments for your children is one of the most important things you can do for their dental health. On top of developing healthy oral care habits at home, regular checkups will help ensure that your little one’s dental health is on the right track. At Dodds Dental, our Long Beach team will gently clean your child’s teeth and check for any signs of issues before they become bigger problems. Call us today to set up a pediatric appointment with Dr. Dustin or Dr. Emily.
keep your child's teeth safe
with flouride treatments
Fluoride treatments can significantly decrease your child’s likelihood of developing cavities. Fluoride acts as a shield for the outer enamel layer of the teeth, and this preventive treatment protects teeth from harmful sugars and bacteria in the mouth. In some cases, fluoride treatments can even reverse early dental decay. If you’re interested in protecting your child's teeth with a fluoride treatment, give us a call today!
protect little teeth
with dental Sealants
Sealants can help patients maintain positive dental health. A dental sealant is a thin, protective coating that covers the chewing surfaces of teeth in order to keep out harmful bacteria. There’s no substitute for brushing and flossing, but sealants can keep cavities from forming and may even stop early stages of decay from becoming a full-blown cavity. Call us today if you are interested in this preventive option for you or your child!
What Age Should I Start Taking
My Child To The Dentist?
The current recommendation from the AAPD (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry) is that you start bringing your child to the dentist when their first tooth comes out, or by their first birthday. That’s our recommendation at Dodds Dental, too.
The earlier you bring your child to the dentist for the first time, the better. At your child’s first appointment, Dr. Emily or Dr. Dustin Dodds can answer the questions you have about caring for their mouths, their oral development, and how to protect their oral health.
Seeing the dentist regularly from an early age also helps them become more comfortable and familiar with the process, which may reduce the risk of dental anxiety later in life. Your child will also be able to develop a real relationship with Dr. Dustin, Dr. Emily, and our team, which will help them feel more positive about dentistry.
If your child is older and still hasn’t seen the dentist, that’s okay, too! It’s never too late to get started with routine dental care in Long Beach. Just contact Dodds Dental for an appointment now. We’re always accepting new patients, and would be happy to meet your little one.
How Do I Prevent
Childhood Tooth Decay?
To help prevent tooth decay, he most important thing to do is brush your child’s teeth regularly with fluoride toothpaste until they can brush on their own, which is usually around the age of 6. After they start brushing their own teeth, supervise them to make sure they’re doing a good, thorough job.
You also should feed your child a healthy diet. Do not give them sugary drinks like juice or soda. For the most part, they should only drink water and milk. Sugary drinks are a major contributing factor to childhood tooth decay. You should also reduce their intake of sugary candy and starchy snacks, which can contribute to cavities.
In addition, you should make sure to bring your child to see the team at Dodds Dental for a routine teeth cleaning and oral exam every six months. At this time, Dr. Emily or Dr. Dustin can check on your child’s oral health, make suggestions on how you can fight back against cavities, and provide you with the guidance you and your little one need to avoid childhood tooth decay.
How Can I Prepare
For My Child’s First Visit?
It can be helpful to teach your child a little bit about dentistry before their first visit. We recommend finding some children’s books about teeth and dentistry at the library, or watching some kid-friendly YouTube videos so that your child can learn a little bit about why their oral health is so important.
Typically, we also recommend that kids come to our Long Beach office early in the morning when they’re well-rested. They’ll be less likely to be cranky and upset during their appointment, since they won’t be tired.
Beyond this, all you have to do is maintain a positive attitude. Talk about the dentist using positive language, and try your best not to act nervous or anxious. Once you arrive at Dodds Dental, our child-friendly dental team will take things from there, and make sure your little one has a positive first visit to the dentist.
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