February is National Children’s Dental Health Month
Before the visit:
Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Dentist
• Do you have special training or interest
in treating children?
• Are you a member of the American
Dental Association (ADA) or the American
Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD)?
• Is the dental office set up for children?
Does it offer toys, books, games, and/or
child-sized furniture?
• How does your office deal with dental
emergencies?
• Is the office conveniently located to
your home or your child’s school?
• Does the practice accept dental benefit plans?
After the visit:
• Was my child seen promptly?
• Was I asked for a complete medical and
dental history of my child?
• Was the dentist gentle but thorough when
examining my child’s mouth?
• Did the dentist or staff talk with my child,
encouraging his involvement in dental health?
• Was I informed about my child’s tooth
development, the causes and prevention of
dental disease, and appropriate dental care at
home?
• Were my questions treated with concern
and respect?
• Was the visit a positive experience for my child?
— Source: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
FAQs About Visiting the Dentist
• When should my child
first see a dentist? At the
eruption of the first tooth and
no later than his first birthday.
• How often does my
child need to go? Every six
months.
• When should I first
clean my child’s teeth and
what should I use? Clean
your child’s gums right from
the start. Use a soft-bristled
toothbrush with a small head
and water, at least once a day
before bedtime.
• When can I begin using tooth-
paste? Fluoridated toothpaste should be
introduced when your child is between
the ages of 2 to 3.
• How do I know if my child is get-
ting enough fluoride? Ask your den-
tist to evaluate your primary source of
drinking water. If the fluoride level is
deficient, he may prescribe fluoride sup-
plements.
22 WNY Family February 2019
• What can be done to alleviate
pain during teething? Give your child
a clean teething ring, cold spoon, or cold
wet washcloth. Or rub his gums with a
clean finger.
• When should a child stop bottle
feeding? Between 12 to 14 months of age.
• What is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
and how can I prevent it? Baby Bot-
tle Tooth Decay is caused by nursing a
child to sleep or putting him to bed with
anything other than water. To
prevent it, have your child
drink from a cup by his first
birthday. Do not let him fall
asleep with a bottle. Night-
time breastfeeding should
be avoided after the first pri-
mary teeth erupt. Drink juice
from a cup instead of a bottle.
• When should my child
stop sucking his thumb or
fingers? Most children stop
by age 2. If your child is
still sucking his thumb after
age 4, discourage it and talk
with your dentist or pediatri-
cian. Prolonged thumb sucking can cre-
ate crowded and crooked teeth, or bite
problems.
• What should I do if my child has a
toothache? Rinse the irritated area with
warm salt water and place a cold com-
press on his face if it is swollen. Give
your child pain reliever for pain. See a
dentist as soon as possible.
— Source: American Academy
of Pediatric Dentistry