We recommend the first checkup by 12 months old to make certain that teeth and jaw development are normal, and even more importantly so that parents and guardians know how to help their children be healthy from the start.
Guidelines for working with children
Parents/guardians are always welcome in the room. Comfort is always our concern. Parent/guardian consent and guidance are vital, before any procedure.
First Visit
We recommend the first checkup by 12 months. A simple guide for when to schedule a first visit: no longer than 6 months after the first tooth has erupted.
Try having your child lie down. Put your child on your lap or on the floor, keeping his/her head steady with your legs. If your child is standing, have his/her back to you with their head tilted slightly and resting against your body. Have your child hold a mirror while you brush and floss their teeth so your child can see what is being done.
Yes. If you have to miss a brushing, the bedtime one is probably the worst one to miss. If you don’t get rid of the bacteria and sugar that cause cavities, they have all night to do harm. While you are awake, saliva helps keep the mouth clean. When you are asleep, there is less saliva produced to clean the mouth. For this reason it is important to brush before bedtime.
Every day plaque forms on the inner, outer, and chewing surface of teeth and the gums. Tooth brushing is one of the most effective ways to remove the plaque.
The best kind of toothbrush to use is one with soft, round-tipped bristles.
A child will need a smaller brush than an adult.
Young children do not have the manual dexterity to brush properly. Your child will need your supervision and help brushing until he or she is 8-10 years old to ensure a thorough brushing has been done.
When the bristles become bent or frayed, a new brush is needed.
Start flossing your child’s teeth when the teeth touch each other and you can no longer brush in between them.