Pediatric dentistry Whitehall

It’s never too early to begin a healthy oral care routine. In fact, you should begin caring for your child’s gums long before their first tooth emerges, which is usually around the six-month mark of their life. Healthy gums are an important predicator of healthy teeth, and maintaining clean gums will help ensure that your child has healthy, cavity-free baby teeth. But how can you keep your infant’s mouth clean? Below are some tips that will you keep your new child’s mouth clean, and set them up for a healthy smile later in life.

Avoid Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Baby bottle tooth decay is one of the most common ailments that young children encounter. It usually occurs when infants drink milk or other sugary beverages in their bottle without cleaning their mouths afterwards. You can avoid baby bottle tooth decay by giving your child water after they’ve had milk, and by limiting or eliminating sugary beverages in their bottles. If your child requires a bedtime bottle, then make sure that it is filled with only water so that you’re not exposing their teeth to sugar for long periods.

Use a Washcloth

You can clean your infant’s gums – or their first teeth – by simply using a cold, clean wash cloth. Simply rinse a clean, soft wash cloth with cool water and wring it out. After your child has finished eating, or drinking a sugary drink, use the damp wash cloth to gently wipe out their mouth. This will remove any sugar or acid that’s left by their food, and help prevent early cavities.

Find the Right toothbrush

Once your child has a few more baby teeth – usually between 8 and 12 months – then you can graduate from a wash cloth to a toothbrush designed for toddlers. There are a lot of toothbrushes designed for babies and toddlers from which to choose. Generally speaking, toothbrushes designed for babies have much softer bristles and a smaller head than those meant for older children.

After finding the right toothbrush, begin brushing your child’s teeth and gums twice per day. Make sure to be extra gentle, since their teeth and gums are still developing and are quite sensitive. Use toothpaste with fluoride that is made for very young children, and not as spicy as adult’s toothpaste. Use only a smear of toothpaste – about the size of a grain of rice – to brush their teeth. When they’ve gotten older and have more teeth, use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Always be sure to rinse their mouth out with cool water after you’re done brushing, and try to keep them from swallowing any toothpaste.

Visit Our Office

If you’ve just had a baby, and are unsure about how to properly care for their mouth, then visit our office. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry advises new parents that their child should establish a dental home by their first birthday. By doing so, you can help your child avoid cavities, and become more comfortable visiting the dentist as they age. Our office is designed to cater to children, and create a relaxing and unintimidating atmosphere which they look forward to visiting.

Just as you take your children to a pediatrician for their general health, you should also take the kids to a pediatric dentist for their best oral health care. Pediatric dentists are not only trained in the special dental needs that children have, they also know how to examine and treat children so they’re comfortable and not afraid. Whitehall pediatric dentist Dr. Mujica helps hundreds of children enjoy healthy and happy smiles, and she can do the same for your kids, too!

Becoming a Pediatric Dentist

In addition to the four years of schooling required for dental school, Whitehall pediatric dentist Dr. Mujica completed the Pediatric Dental Residency program at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry and received a Certificate of Residency in Pediatric Dentistry along with a Master of Science degree in Dentistry. A program in pediatric dentistry includes hospital and emergency training, as well as several orthodontic treatment methods. Dr. Mujica often works closely with general dentists or pediatricians who refer young patients to her for specialized dental treatment that only a pediatric dentist can provide.

Who Should See a Pediatric Dentist?

As a pediatric dentist in Whitehall, Dr. Mujica is qualified to treat children from infancy through the teenage years. Also, if a child has special needs or must be treated in hospital because of another medication condition, Dr. Mujica is trained to offer that treatment, too.

Services Provided by a Pediatric Dentist

Just like their colleagues general dentists, pediatric dentists are primarily focused on preventing and maintaining dental and oral health. With this in mind, Dr. Mujica offers the following pediatric dentistry in Whitehall:

• Oral health exams during infancy, including risk assessment for tooth decay
• Preventive dentistry, such as dental cleanings, dental exams, fluoride treatment and digital radiography
• Nutrition and diet recommendations for a healthy smile
• Counseling to parents whose children use a pacifier or thumb suck
• Restorative care of cavities with tooth-colored fillings and repair of teeth with dental crowns
• Diagnosis of oral conditions that associated with certain illnesses such as diabetes, asthma, allergies, congenital heart defects and ADD or ADHD
• Treatment of pediatric gum disease
• Oral surgery for infants who are tongue-tied
• Care in case of dental emergencies such as a knocked out or broken tooth

Call Your Whitehall Pediatric Dentist Today

To take advantage of the expertise offered by a pediatric dentist, schedule an appointment with Dr. Mujica at All Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Whitehall.

Estimates are that between nine to 15 percent of adults in the U.S. avoid seeing the dentist because of anxiety or fear. That equals about 30 to 40 million people. So if that many adults are frightened to see the dentist, then it’s easy to understand why small children might be fearful, too. There they are, lying in a big chair, while a stranger wearing a mask pokes around in their mouth. No wonder they’re a bit frightened. Fortunately for parents and children, Whitehall pediatric dentist Dr. Mujica knows just how to soothe your children’s worries so they’ll be able to have the dental care they need.

Get an Early Start

The younger your children are when they begin seeing the dentist, the better. Dentists like to talk about a “dental home,” where all of your child’s dental needs are taken care of. Whether they are coming to their dental home for a checkup or an emergency visit, they’ll feel better being in familiar surroundings. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends scheduling an initial visit by the time your child is one year old.

Play Pretend

While at home, you can pretend to be the dentist. All you need is a toothbrush. As you brush, you can count their teeth, too, which is what we’ll do in the office. Let him hold a mirror to see his smile when you’ve finished brushing.

Allowing your child to be the dentist is another fun activity. Let her hold a toothbrush and brush the teeth of a favorite doll or stuffed animal. The more familiar your child is with the routine in a dentist’s office the more comfortable she’ll be when she gets here.

Say Little

When talking to your children about visiting the dentist, watch what you say. Never use words such as “shot,” “hurt,” or “pain.” Dr. Mujica and her team know what to say to keep your child calm even in a tough situation. Always stay positive about seeing the dentist; tell you child that the dentist helps everyone keep their teeth clean and healthy.

Praise but Don’t Reward

We don’t like the idea of telling children that if they behave at the dentist they’ll receive a reward. Doing so may increase their anxiety. They may start to wonder what’s going to happen at the dentist to make me want to misbehave? Instead, praise her for wanting to take care of her teeth and occasionally offer a surprise such as a sticker or small toy.

Call Our Office Today

If it’s time for your child to see the Whitehall pediatric dentist, then contact All Kids Pediatric Dentistry.