We know you have questions about your child’s dental development and how you can protect those smiles. We can help by providing some information for you! Learn about the amazing process your child’s teeth go through as they start from precious gummy smiles and grow into shiny adult ones.
0-12 M/o Infancy
You should clean their gums with a soft cloth. Your child’s teeth typically begin erupting at about 6 months. At this time, you can gently brush their teeth with a soft-bristled brush and fluoridated toothpaste. Bring your child to the dentist within 6 months of the first tooth’s eruption to get our help in protecting little smiles.
13-18 M/o
By this age, your child probably has quite a few teeth. These teeth should be brushed carefully twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste. Be careful when sharing drinks or utensils with your child because bacteria can easily be passed from your mouth to your child’s mouth.
19-28 M/o
Sippy cups can keep your child happy, but make sure these cups are filled with water instead of sugary juices. Limit your child’s juice intake to no more than 4-6 ounces a day because juice feeds cavity-causing bacteria, especially if your child is constantly bathing their teeth in sugar by sipping throughout the day.
29 M/o – 5 Y/o Toddler Years
You can easily use flossers to clean between teeth that touch. It is best if you can help your child stop sucking on pacifiers, thumbs, or other fingers by the second birthday. If you are having trouble with helping your child stop this type of habit, Creative Smiles Pediatric Dentistry can help!
6-9 Y/o
Consider brushing your child’s teeth first before turning the brush over for practice each night. This can help your child develop good brushing habits that can keep their teeth clean. We will check for dental caries and administer fluoride treatments to protect their teeth. This is also the time when your child begins losing baby teeth.
10-12 Y/o Pre-Teen Years
This is a time when we evaluate teeth very carefully because your child has a mix of baby and adult teeth. We may make recommendations that can help protect your child’s teeth from dental caries and other oral health issues. Your child may still need help with proper oral care, especially flossing.
13-19 Y/o Teen Years
The very last baby tooth will be lost during the teen years. Baby molars and canines are replaced with their adult counterparts. At this point, we hope your child is well-practiced in good oral hygiene and ready to protect their own smiles. We will continue to monitor your child’s oral health and make treatment recommendations to help your child smile confidently!
Activity Sheets
Special Needs
Your loved ones are important to us — no matter how challenging their dental care may be. We want to help every member of your family have healthy, happy smiles.
Here are some ways we can help you make dental care easier for your most challenging loved ones!
Prepare for the First Visit
You can read some of our pro-tips on the First Visit page. You can also bring your loved one by for a tour. For some patients, being familiar with the surroundings can help them feel comfortable when the actual visit occurs.
Become Your Trusted Dentist
It is easier to make dental health a priority when you know you have a trusted professional that can help. We can talk to you about the unique challenges that your loved one presents. Tell us about your loved one and how you manage their care. We are happy to become part of your team!
Sedation Services
Some patients have physical and emotional needs that make dental care very difficult. We have a wide array of options that can help even the most challenging patients get the dental care they need!
Creative Smiles Is Here to Help!
We are happy to help your loved ones enjoy sparkling smiles and great oral health. Call our office to get our help today!
