We at Shelby Dental are here to treat your whole family!

Your child’s first visit to the dentist should occur around their second birthday. This initial “happy” visit will simply involve a visual inspection of the mouth and teeth. It will also give your child the chance to grow accustomed to the new environment and be more prepared to visit on a regular basis in later years.

After your child begins routine dental visits, you may want to schedule them on the same day and close to the same time as your own exam and cleaning appointments. As a family focused dental office, we can meet the unique dental needs of every family member, including the smallest ones!

Tips for Kids: Positive Dental Habits

Wondering what you can do to help encourage positive dental habits in your children? Read our suggestions below!

  • Start early: you can begin teeth cleaning as soon as the first tooth appears by wiping the tooth and gums with a clean, soft piece of cloth. As more teeth erupt, begin using a soft, infant’s toothbrush and water. By age 1 a small smear of fluoridated toothpaste and by age 3 a pea size amount of toothpaste should be used.

  • To help your child learn to brush long enough, play a medium length song (at least 2-3 minutes long) and make them brush until the song is over. Also, having your child say their ABC’s is the equivalent to how long they should be brushing.

  • Lead by example: your children won’t take dental hygiene seriously unless they see that you do, too.

  • Limit fluoride intake: while the mineral can help protect teeth against cavities, it can also lead to fluorosis (tooth discoloration) if too much is ingested during childhood. Use only pea-size amounts of toothpaste on your child’s toothbrush.

  • Choose your child’s dentist carefully. Most dental phobias stem from unpleasant experiences with dentists who are insensitive to a child’s feelings of discomfort.

Sealants

Dental sealants are made from biocompatible resin, and help prevent the tooth enamel erosion that causes tooth decay and cavities.

Sealants are highly effective at protecting the chewing surfaces of back teeth, particularly for children. The surfaces are shampooed to make it easier for the sealant material to bond to the tooth structure.

Dental Sealant Facts:

  • Dental sealants are applied simply by cleaning the tooth surface and then etching it in order to bond the sealant material.

  • Sealants are a thin white material, and are only visible up close.

  • Sealants are most effective if they are applied soon after the teeth have erupted (between ages 6 and 12.)

  • Sealants can last as long as 3 to 10+ years with proper care and maintenance.

  • Even after most of the sealant has worn away, remnants will remain in the deepest part of the groove to provide an extended period of decay prevention.

  • While they aren’t a guarantee, dental sealants are very effective at preventing tooth decay.