Dentistry for Kids
Pediatric dentistry
A child's first visit to the dentist should be enjoyable. Children are not born with a natural fear of the dentist, but they can fear the unknown. Our office makes a special effort to use pleasant, non-frightening, simple words to describe each treatment. We want you and your child to feel at ease from the moment your family arrives at our office. The more you and your child know about the first visit, the better you will feel.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends children should visit the dentist by their first birthday. It is important that your child's newly-erupted teeth (emerging at six to 12 months of age) receive proper dental care and benefit from good oral hygiene habits right from the beginning.
Getting to know your teeth is fun!
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When new teeth arrive
Your child's primary or "baby" teeth will begin to erupt between the ages of six and 12 months, and will continue to erupt until about age three. During this time, your child's gums may feel tender and sore. To help alleviate this discomfort, we recommend that you soothe the gums by rubbing a clean finger or a cool, wet cloth across them. You may also choose to make use of a teething ring.
Your child's primary teeth are shed at various times throughout childhood. Permanent teeth begin erupting at age six, and continue until age 21. Adults have 28 permanent teeth — 32, including wisdom teeth.
Click on the ages below to learn more about dental development.
- Know your teeth:
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Age: 6-10 months
Primary lower central incisors erupt.
Age: 8-12 months
Primary upper central incisors erupt.
Age: 9-16 months
Primary upper and lower lateral incisors erupt.
Age: 13-19 months
First molars erupt. The upper molars generally erupt before the lower molars. Average age of shed: 9-11 years.
Age: 16-23 months
Canines erupt. The upper canines generally erupt before the lower canines. Average age of shed: 9-12 years.
Age: 23-33 months
Second molars erupt. Generally, the lower molars erupt first, followed by the upper molars. Average age of shed: 10-12 years.
Age: 6-7 years
The primary upper and lower central incisors are shed, and the permanent upper and lower first molars and lower central incisors erupt.
Age: 7-8 years
The primary upper and lower lateral incisors are shed, and the permanent upper central incisors and lower lateral incisors erupt.
Age: 8-9 years
The permanent upper lateral incisors erupt and the primary upper first molars are shed.
Age: 9-10 years
The primary upper and lower canines and the lower first molars are shed, and the permanent lower canines erupt.
Age: 10-12 years
The primary upper and lower second molars are shed, and the permanent upper canines erupt, as well as upper and lower first and second premolars.
Age: 11-13 years
The permanent upper and lower second molars erupt.
Age: 17-21 years
The upper and lower third molars (or wisdom teeth) erupt.
Adopting healthy oral hygiene habits
As your child's teeth erupt, be sure to examine them every two weeks, checking for lines and discoloration that may be caused by decay. Remember that sugary foods and liquids can attack a new tooth, so make sure your child brushes his or her teeth after feeding or eating. We recommend brushing four times a day for optimal oral hygiene: after breakfast, after lunch, after dinner, and at bedtime.
Brushing can be fun, and your child should brush as soon as the first tooth arrives. When a baby's tooth erupts, parents should brush the tooth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. For children younger than two, do not use fluoride toothpaste unless advised to do so by your dentist or other healthcare professional. We suggest reviewing proper tooth brushing procedures with your child.
Flossing is also a part of good oral hygiene habits, and your doctor will discuss with you the right time to start flossing. If you notice signs of decay, contact your dentist immediately.
Preventing tooth decay with regular checkups
Tooth decay is caused by sugars left in your mouth that turn into an acid that can break down your teeth. Children are at high risk for tooth decay for a simple reason: many children and adolescents do not practice regular, good oral hygiene habits. Proper brushing and flossing routines combined with regular dental visits help keep tooth decay away.
Your child should visit the dentist every six months for regular dental cleanings and checkups. We recommend fluoride treatments twice a year, along with cleanings to keep teeth their strongest. Tooth sealants are also recommended because they "seal" the deep grooves in your child's teeth, preventing decay from forming in these hard-to-reach areas. Sealants last for several years, but will be monitored at your regular checkups.