Just like your dining and television preferences (most likely) differ from your little one’s, so, too, do your dental care needs. Children are at a higher risk of developing cavities while they are busy growing new teeth, while you may require treatment for gum disease or even tooth replacement. A family dentist is well prepared to provide the defense younger smiles need to help them smile happily and healthily for life — keep reading to find out how.
Your Child’s Smile: A Timeline
Most parents know that some kids are late bloomers while others race through the childhood milestones — but in general, smiles follow a pretty similar timeline throughout the younger years. From the appearance of those first little teeth to when they are lost and replaced with new ones, here is what you can expect.
- 6 to 9 months, your child’s first teeth start to come in. You should begin brushing with a very soft brush and a tiny amount of toothpaste at this time.
- 3 years old, all baby teeth have appeared. Floss teeth as soon as two are touching each other.
- 6 or 7 years old, your child’s first permanent teeth appear and their first baby teeth will become loose and fall out. The teeth are lost in about the same order as they appeared — so the lower front teeth are usually the first to go.
- By ages 12 or 13, most kids have all their permanent teeth except the third molars (wisdom teeth).
During this tooth loss time, visiting the dentist regularly is important. Your child’s dentist will monitor the development of the new teeth to ensure everything is on track. Usually, nature takes over and professional intervention is not needed as teeth are lost. But if help is required, routine preventive care will ensure that we can offer help right away. Professional care at the right time can prevent more costly future problems.
Preventive Dentistry for Growing Smiles
Children should visit the dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning. Prevention is key for little ones, as their teeth are more vulnerable to tooth decay in their early years. During a routine prevention visit, our hygiene team will remove plaque and tartar buildup from around the teeth and gums while also providing helpful educational tips about oral hygiene at home. We will take X-rays to allow your child’s dentist to get a better look beneath the visible surface of the teeth. Once the checkup is complete, we apply a topical fluoride treatment to strengthen the tooth enamel to help defend it against tooth decay — and that’s it!
Positive dental experiences from a young age are important for putting your little one on track to receiving a lifetime of regular dental care. Don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment for a checkup and cleaning today!
Meet the Practice
The team at Cowlitz River Dental provides comprehensive dental care for patients of all ages — including the youngest in your family. To learn more about their services or to schedule an appointment for general, restorative, or cosmetic dentistry, you are invited to contact your dentist in Castle Rock at 360-274-9100.