At River Birch Dental, we see our patients as part of our family. We know how important your family’s health is, which is why we treat you like our own. No matter their age, we want to ensure excellent dental and overall health for your loved ones.
Your Child’s First Appointment
Usually, children are brought to the dentist between the appearance of their first tooth and their first birthday. To set them up for a lifetime of healthy smiles, we advise bringing them to our office as early as possible.
For our younger patients, we offer:
- Oral Examinations
- Oral Cleanings
- Tooth Extractions
- Tooth Fillings
With gentle expertise, we hope to instill good dental hygiene habits in our patients from a young age. We want to make taking care of your teeth fun.
Tips for Keeping Your Child’s Smile Healthy at Home
When your child’s first tooth erupts, they’ll typically experience soreness and sensitivity. It’s an unavoidable process, but to ease the pain, you can rub a clean, wet cloth along their gums.
Another way to alleviate their teething pain is with a teething ring. These have a cooling effect, which can reduce inflammation and soothe your child’s aching gums.
We advise you to never freeze a teething ring as it can cause frostbite and bruise your child’s fragile gums.
Help your child avoid tooth decay by limiting their intake of sugary foods and drinks. Make brushing and flossing their teeth fun by doing it with them every morning and night.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your child’s dental appointments will include the same practices that you’re used to. We’ll check their teeth, gums, and jaw to ensure there aren’t any problems. We may also take x-rays to check for early signs of decay or cavities.
We’ll also thoroughly clean your child’s teeth and provide you with additional instructions and tips on how to improve their oral care routine. If you have any questions, we’ll be happy to answer them for you.
We recommend scheduling check-ups and professional cleanings every six months. Depending on your child’s oral health, more frequent visits may be necessary. These additional visits will help reduce the risk of cavities and keep their oral health on track.
You’ll want to make appointments at our Centuria location twice a year for checkups and cleanings. In addition to following and recommendations given by our friendly staff, you’ll want to make sure your child:
- Limits sugary and acidic foods
- Uses oral hygiene products containing fluoride
- Limits snacking between meals
- Ask our dentists about fluoride treatments and dental sealants
We suggest trying to make their oral hygiene routine fun and be a good role model. If your child sees you regularly brushing your teeth, they’ll mimic your behavior. If you need any additional help, feel free to ask our friendly staff for tips during your visit.
We’re happy to educate you and your child on proper brushing and flossing techniques. Until your child has developed the motor skills necessary to perform their oral care routine on their own, you’ll want to provide guidance during brushing and flossing.