Children's Dentistry
At McKenzie Towne Family Dental we welcome children!
At McKenzie Towne Family Dental we have been helping children for over 30 years! We feel that by encouraging proper dental care and techniques in a comfortable and caring environment, our child patients have an enjoyable time at the office and are eager to continue future dental visits.
Our team is exceptional at communicating with children of all ages. Most of our team are parents themselves and have many years of experience in child hygiene and treatment.
Ultimately, McKenzie Towne Family Dental strives to create a general awareness for good oral health. Early prevention and education help make long-term care and maintenance possible.
When it comes to your child’s dental health, there are many things to take into account. Below are some general guidelines for dental health that parents may consider as their child grows and develops.
Before Birth – Finish All Dental Work
To continue improvement in the oral health of children, parents must be diligent even before birth. Unbeknownst to most parents and providers, the bacteria responsible for dental cavities can be transferred from parents (primarily mothers) to their young offspring. Newborns are not actually born with the primary bacteria (Streptococcus mutans) necessary to cause dental cavities. Therefore it is recommended that parents have their dental treatment completed before the birth of their child to minimize the transference of Strep mutans. This can help minimize your child’s risk of developing early childhood cavities.
Infancy – Bedtime Bottles Should Only Contain Water
Another important fact to remember is never put your baby to bed with a bottle filled with anything but water. Milk, fruit drinks, apple juice, or sugar water in a bottle overnight can wreak havoc with developing teeth, often resulting in rampant dental cavities.
When Teeth First Come In – Begin Brushing
Another way to prevent early dental cavities is to begin brushing as soon as the first teeth erupt into the mouth. This should be done twice daily (once in the morning and once before bedtime) with very little toothpaste. Starting this pattern of home care early on will develop a healthy habit of good oral hygiene that will last a lifetime.
At 1 year – Begin Semi-Annual Exams
By one year of age, your child should have his or her first teeth and the first dental examination should follow soon thereafter. Regular checkups every six months should then be completed in order to maintain good oral health and treat issues while they are relatively small.
At 7-8 and 12 Years Old – Apply Dental Sealants
Dental sealants help prevent the development of dental cavities in newly erupted permanent back teeth (molars and premolars). They involve the application of a bonded material to seal off the deep grooves that these teeth possess. They are quick and easy to apply, but very effective in preventing the onset of cavities on these tooth surfaces.