Pediatric dentistry is a specialized branch of dentistry focused on the oral health care of infants, children, and adolescents, including those with special healthcare needs. Pediatric dentists complete additional training beyond dental school to specialize in treating children from birth through the teenage years.

They are trained in child psychology, growth and development, and techniques to make dental visits comfortable and positive for young patients. Pediatric dental offices are designed to be child-friendly with colorful decor, smaller equipment, and entertainment to help children feel at ease.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children visit the dentist by age 1 or within six months of their first tooth appearing, whichever comes first.

This early visit, often called a well-baby checkup, allows Dr. Preston to:

• Examine the mouth for proper development
• Discuss proper oral hygiene techniques
• Address feeding practices that affect oral health
• Establish a dental home for your child

Early visits help prevent dental problems and make children comfortable with dental care from a young age.

Most children should visit the dentist every six months for routine checkups and cleanings. However, some children may need more frequent visits based on their risk factors for dental disease, such as:

• Poor oral hygiene
• High cavity risk
• Orthodontic treatment
• Special healthcare needs

Dr. Preston will recommend the appropriate frequency based on your child's individual needs. Regular visits help prevent problems, monitor growth and development, and maintain good oral health habits.

To prepare your child for their first dental visit:

• Read books about visiting the dentist or watch educational videos together
• Play pretend dentist at home by counting teeth and using a toothbrush
• Explain that the dentist is a friendly doctor who helps keep teeth healthy
• Avoid using scary words or sharing your own dental fears
• Schedule the appointment at a time when your child is well-rested and fed
• Arrive early to allow time to get comfortable in the office
• Bring comfort items like a favorite toy or blanket

Keep explanations simple and positive, focusing on the dentist as a helper who wants to keep their smile bright and healthy.

A typical pediatric dental visit includes:

• Review of medical and dental history
• Examination of teeth, gums, and mouth for decay, gum disease, and proper development
• Professional cleaning to remove plaque and polish teeth
• Fluoride treatment to strengthen teeth and prevent decay
• Oral hygiene instruction appropriate for the child's age
• Dietary counseling regarding foods that affect dental health
• Assessment of orthodontic needs

The dentist will also discuss any concerns with parents and provide home care instructions. For very young children, the first visit may focus primarily on examination and getting comfortable with the office environment.

Yes, baby teeth (primary teeth) are extremely important for several reasons:

• Help children chew food properly for good nutrition and digestion
• Are essential for clear speech development
• Maintain space for permanent teeth to erupt in the correct position
• Support proper facial development and jaw growth
• Affect self-esteem and social development through a healthy smile

Premature loss of baby teeth due to decay or trauma can cause permanent teeth to erupt crooked or crowded, potentially requiring orthodontic treatment. Caring for baby teeth establishes good oral hygiene habits and prevents pain and infection.

For babies without teeth: Clean gums after feeding using a clean, damp washcloth or gauze pad to wipe away bacteria and milk residue.

Once the first tooth appears: Brush with a soft-bristled infant toothbrush and water.

• Children under 2: Use a rice-grain sized amount of fluoride toothpaste
• Ages 2-6: Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste
• Brush teeth twice daily, especially before bedtime
• Parents should brush their child's teeth or supervise closely until around age 6-8

Make brushing fun with songs, colorful toothbrushes, and positive reinforcement.

Children should start flossing when they have two teeth that touch, usually around age 2-3. Initially, parents should floss their child's teeth daily, typically at bedtime.

As children develop better dexterity, usually around age 8-10, they can begin flossing independently with supervision. Use child-friendly floss picks or floss holders to make the process easier for small hands.

The key is to establish flossing as a daily habit early, even if the child cannot perform the task independently. Regular flossing prevents cavities between teeth where toothbrushes cannot reach and promotes healthy gums.

If your child has a toothache:

• Rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area
• Gently floss around the tooth to remove any trapped food
• Apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek to reduce swelling
• Give age-appropriate pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen following package directions
• Contact Dr. Preston as soon as possible for an appointment

Do not apply aspirin or topical pain relievers directly to the tooth or gums as these can cause burns. A toothache in a child often indicates decay or infection that requires professional treatment to prevent complications.

Prevent cavities in children by:

• Brushing teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
• Flossing daily once teeth touch
• Limiting sugary and acidic foods and drinks, especially between meals
• Offering water instead of juice or milk between meals and at bedtime
• Ensuring adequate fluoride exposure through toothpaste, water, or supplements as recommended
• Scheduling regular dental checkups and cleanings
• Considering dental sealants for back teeth
• Avoiding prolonged bottle feeding or sippy cup use
• Teaching children not to share utensils or cups to prevent transmission of cavity-causing bacteria

Establishing healthy eating and oral hygiene habits early creates a foundation for lifelong dental health.

Dental sealants are thin, plastic coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth (molars) to prevent decay. They fill in the deep grooves and pits where food particles and bacteria commonly accumulate and toothbrushes cannot easily reach.

Sealants are most effective when applied soon after permanent molars erupt, typically around ages 6 and 12. The application is quick, painless, and requires no drilling or anesthesia.

Sealants can prevent up to 80% of cavities in back teeth and last several years with proper care. Dr. Preston will evaluate your child's cavity risk and recommend sealants if appropriate.

Children typically start losing baby teeth around age 6, though this can vary from ages 4-8. The lower front teeth usually fall out first, followed by the upper front teeth. The process continues until around age 12-13 when most baby teeth have been replaced by permanent teeth.

Baby teeth usually fall out in the same order they erupted. If a baby tooth is lost prematurely due to injury or decay, a space maintainer may be needed to preserve room for the permanent tooth.

Late loss of baby teeth (after age 8 for front teeth) may indicate the permanent tooth is missing or impacted and should be evaluated by Dr. Preston.

If a permanent tooth is knocked out:

• Find the tooth and handle it by the crown, not the root
• Rinse gently with water if dirty but do not scrub or remove tissue
• Try to reinsert the tooth in the socket if possible and have the child bite on gauze to hold it in place
• If reinsertion isn't possible, store the tooth in milk or the child's saliva
• Get to Dr. Preston immediately as time is critical for successful reimplantation

For knocked-out baby teeth: Do not try to reinsert as this can damage the permanent tooth underneath. Apply pressure to control bleeding and contact Dr. Preston.

Thumb sucking is normal and comforting for infants and young children. It becomes a concern if it continues beyond age 4-5 when permanent teeth begin to erupt.

Prolonged thumb sucking can cause:

• Forward positioning of front teeth (overjet)
• Open bite where front teeth don't meet
• Narrowing of the upper jaw
• Speech problems

The intensity and frequency of sucking matter more than duration. Most children naturally stop thumb sucking between ages 2-4. If the habit persists past age 4, gentle encouragement, positive reinforcement, and sometimes dental appliances can help break the habit.

Dr. Preston will recommend your child to an orthodontist if needed; hoewver, in general...The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7, when the first permanent molars and incisors have erupted.

Early evaluation allows detection of potential problems with jaw growth and tooth positioning while some baby teeth are still present. Early intervention can sometimes prevent more serious problems and make later treatment shorter and less complicated.

Signs that may indicate orthodontic evaluation is needed include:

• Crowded or crooked teeth
• Early or late loss of baby teeth
• Difficulty chewing or biting
• Mouth breathing
• Thumb sucking beyond age 4

Help your child overcome dental anxiety by:

• Staying calm and positive about dental visits
• Avoiding words like 'hurt,' 'pain,' or 'shot'
• Reading books or watching videos about dental visits
• Playing dentist at home with dolls or stuffed animals
• Arriving early to allow time to get comfortable
• Bringing comfort items like a favorite toy
• Praising brave behavior rather than promising rewards for not being scared
• Communicating with the dental team about your child's fears

Pediatric dentists are trained in behavior management techniques and may use tell-show-do methods, nitrous oxide, or other comfort measures. Never use dental visits as punishment or threats, as this creates negative associations with dental care.

Foods that promote good dental health in children include:

• Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt that provide calcium and phosphorus for strong teeth
• Fresh fruits and vegetables that stimulate saliva production and provide vitamins
• Whole grains that are less likely to stick to teeth
• Lean proteins like chicken, fish, and eggs
• Nuts and seeds (age-appropriate)
• Water as the primary beverage

Limit sugary snacks, sticky candies, dried fruits, fruit juices, and carbonated drinks that feed bacteria causing tooth decay. When sugary treats are consumed, have them with meals rather than as standalone snacks, and encourage rinsing with water afterward.

Yes, dental X-rays are safe for children when used appropriately. Pediatric dentists follow strict guidelines to minimize radiation exposure, including:

• Using lead aprons and thyroid collars
• High-speed film or digital sensors that require less radiation
• Taking X-rays only when clinically necessary

The amount of radiation from dental X-rays is extremely small - less than what children receive from natural background radiation in a day. X-rays are essential for detecting cavities between teeth, monitoring tooth development, checking for missing or extra teeth, and evaluating orthodontic needs. The benefits of early detection and treatment far outweigh the minimal radiation risks.

Space maintainers are custom-made appliances used to keep space open for permanent teeth when baby teeth are lost prematurely due to decay, injury, or extraction. They prevent adjacent teeth from drifting into the empty space, which could block the permanent tooth from erupting properly or cause crowding.

Space maintainers can be removable or fixed (cemented in place). They are typically needed when back baby teeth are lost more than a year before the permanent tooth is expected to erupt.

Dr. Preston will evaluate each situation individually, as not all early tooth loss requires space maintenance. Proper maintenance and regular checkups ensure the appliance works effectively.