In the Know for You to Know

Wondering how often your Preschooler should see your Pediatric Dentist?

Or, What you should be doing at home? Maybe you’ve been thinking it’s time for your appointment but you’re not sure because your child loves to explore and sitting still is challenging, but you need to go because there’s that tooth that is turning color from when they were running and tripped and you’re really concerned. So what do you do?

First things first – make the appointment. This way you and your Dentist will approach this together. For 2, 3, and sometimes 4 year olds you may sit facing each other with your knees touching and laying your child across both of your laps. This is known as knee-to-knee with your child’s legs around your waist and their head in your Dentist’s lap facing you. There are times when they will want to climb up onto the dental chair and sit there smiling from ear to ear and opening wide to have their teeth counted. Sometimes a little reassurance is needed to sit in the chair alone, or they may want to sit on your lap. What’s important is to be positive and have fun.

What do you do at these visits?

Your child is growing fast. During these visits we examine the growth of their head and neck, their mouth, their teeth, their bite and so much more. We also talk about your oral hygiene routine for them, if your child needs fluoride supplements, diet and how it affects their teeth, and what you can expect in terms of their growth and dental development over the next few months. We also discuss any habits like thumb sucking, finger sucking, or pacifiers.

Brushing teeth at home

Children really do need help brushing their teeth. It’s adorable to watch them brush their front teeth, but what about their back teeth? For young children it’s a good idea to lie them down on the bed with you sitting to their side so you have the best view of their mouths and support their head. If you are right handed sit to their right. If you are left handed (like me!) sit to their left. If there are two of you you both can do this. You can use a soft wet wash cloth or a toddler size soft toothbrush with a teeny tiny rice grain size of fluoridated tooth paste on the brush. Remember a dab will do ya and lift their lips to see the full teeth. Keep some wet wash cloths close at hand to wipe their teeth, tongue, gums, and cheeks when you’ve finished brushing.

Let your child watch you brush and floss. They love to do things you do, so watching you and being a part of your daily oral hygiene routine instills this in them even at this young age, and best of all you are doing this together.

What do I do if an unexpected injury happens?

Children love to explore. Whether they toddle, walk, run, climb or jump the possibility of teeth getting hurt is there. Falls are also causes of tooth or mouth injuries. Children who have seizures are at risk for tooth and/or mouth injury. The teeth most often hurt are the top and bottom front teeth. Teeth can be moved or broken, they can change color, and the gums, tongue, cheeks or lips can be cut or bruised. Always keep your Pediatric Dentist’s phone number in your phone and call for help if anything happens or go to the nearest emergency room.

Pediatric Dentists stand by their families to lay the foundation for a lifetime of good oral health.

More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!