Common Dental Questions

Here at Little Smiles of Delaware, we believe firmly in patient education. We are asked many questions in our office each day and have compiled a list of the most common pediatric dental queries and their answers.

Common Questions Regarding Pediatric Dentistry

• When should children first visit the dentist?
  The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has stated that children first visit their pediatric dentist by the age of one. After this initial visit, your child should be seen for a dental cleaning and a checkup every six months. The sooner you show your child the importance of regularly visiting the dentist, the less fear and anxiety they will experience regarding dental care.
• Are baby teeth that important?
  Many parents assume that, because they’ll fall out eventually, baby teeth don’t need as much care as permanent teeth. However, your child’s baby teeth are very important to his or her oral health both now and in the future. Below are a few reasons why baby teeth are important:
  • Baby teeth that are properly developed will help your child’s speech development
  • Baby teeth allow your child to chew and eat food properly
  • Baby teeth save space for your child’s permanent teeth to grow into
  • Baby teeth that develop cavities will eventually start to hurt and if infected could damage your child’s permanent teeth
  • Lastly, a healthy smile is a great confidence booster for children
• How much toothpaste should my child be using?
  Once your child’s baby teeth begin to erupt, brush them with a soft-bristled brush and with a rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. When your child turns three, you can start using a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, as this has been shown to help prevent dental cavities. Children can begin to brush their own teeth around the age of 5-6 with supervision and some help from an adult.
• Why is flossing so important?
  Many parents view flossing as a dental habit that can be performed occasionally, but ideally, you and your children should be flossing every day. This is because dental floss is the only way to clean plaque and bacteria from between the teeth where the toothbrush cannot reach. It’s common for dental cavities to occur between the teeth because children neglect to floss. Please make sure this is a habit you incorporate every day.
• How can I help my child feel more comfortable about visiting the dentist?
  Here at Little Smiles of Delaware, we’re specially trained to help nervous or anxious children feel comfortable in the dentist’s chair. Let us know beforehand if your child struggles with dental anxiety so we can make sure to put him or her at ease. There are also children’s books about visiting the dentist that can help make your child feel more comfortable.

If you have any additional questions that have not been answered, please don’t hesitate to contact Little Smiles of Delaware located here in Delaware, Ohio. Your child’s dental health is our number one priority!