Kids Dentist
Muscle Shoals, AL
If you are a first-time parent, you may have a number of questions about oral hygiene, brushing, and other topics related to oral healthcare.
Many new parents have these questions. The team here at Singing River Dentistry in Muscle Shoals, AL is here to help you better understand dentistry for kids and what you can do to help your child grow up with strong, healthy teeth.
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How Can a Dentist Help Your Child?
We provide all of the basic services to children, such as dental cleanings and exams.
We perform routine check-ups in an environment designed to appeal to and reassure young children. We strive to keep these appointments short and easy so your child can be in and out fast.
Our office responding to common dental emergencies and space maintenance.
During every visit, we always take time to inform you of all the latest advice on brushing your child's teeth, what foods they should avoid, how you can motivate them to take personal responsibility for their teeth, and more.
When Do Kids Start Going to the Dentist?
Many new parents wait until their child has at least a few teeth before they make an appointment.
We typically ask that you bring your child in when they get their first tooth or when they turn a year old, whichever comes first.
This gives us time to examine their mouth and check that their baby teeth are coming in correctly.
After that, we will have you bring your child in every six months, just like you should do as an adult, for a dental exam. As they get older, we will start adding cleanings and other tasks to these visits.
How Do I Care for Baby Teeth?
When your child begins getting their baby teeth, they are going to be too young to really take care of them. You will need to brush their teeth. You will want to get a soft-bristled toothbrush that is designed for infants. These brushes have much smaller heads on them, so it is easier to get them into the baby's mouth. Brush once a day, wetting the toothbrush before you use it. You can use a very small amount of toothpaste, too, but only a small dab is necessary.
What If My Child Loses a Baby Tooth Early?
Baby teeth are very important to your child's development. This set of teeth helps them learn how to speak and chew food. Baby teeth also help guide your child's permanent teeth into position and prevent them from coming in misaligned. If your child loses a baby tooth too early (before age six), you need to bring them in for an examination. We may need to put in a spacer, so their permanent teeth come in correctly.
Read More About Baby Teeth
How to Make Brushing and Flossing Fun
 Picking Out a Toothbrush
Everyone likes to have something that they can call their own, and your child's toothbrush should be no exception.
With a rainbow of colors and lots of movie and TV show tie-ins, there are more options than ever for toothbrushes at most retail stores and online, so you can make a fun outing out of picking out your child's own toothbrush.
You will want to look for brushes that have very soft bristles and small heads so your child can easily handle their toothbrush.
Make Brushing a Game
Standing in the bathroom for two minutes staring at your reflection can bore anyone, let alone a kid, so why not turn it into a game? There are all kinds of ways that you can make brushing fun.
While your child brushes, you can sing their favorite song to them or read a story. You can find countless videos online that are timed to help children learn healthy brushing habits.
You can also hang charts in the bathroom that give your child a visual representation of how well they are following through on their good habits, such as brushing all their teeth or for the proper amount of time.
By having them fill it out themselves, it can give them a sense of fulfillment, and maybe they can even get a reward at the end!
How Can I Help Protect My Child's Teeth?
Many parents want to know how they can help their child maintain good oral health and have healthy teeth and gums. There are a few different things you can do.
First, make sure they are eating a healthy diet and are not getting too much sugar. Save the cookies, cakes, sodas, and other sugary foods for a special treat rather than allowing your children to consume them every day.
Second, if your child plays sports, make certain that they have a sports mouth guard. This will help protect them from injuries that could cause their teeth to get knocked out. It also helps prevent cuts and other damage to the tongue, gums, lips, and insides of the cheeks.
When to Take Kids to the Dentist
Make sure you bring your children in to see us regularly. With school, work, after-school activities, hobbies, and other events, your life is going to get busy. However, it is important that your child comes in every six months. If they have not been in recently, it is time to change that.
Schedule Today with Your Muscle Shoals, AL Kids Dentist!
Here at Singing River Dentistry, there is nothing more important to us than your child's teeth and how that impacts their overall health. Call us at 256-712-3186 today to schedule your child's next check-up with us.
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