Aspen Grove Dental Associates, Family Friendly Dentists in Franklin, TN
Developing the habit of regular dental visits is a must for maintaining good health. At Aspen Grove Dental, we encourage our families to start as early as possible. Because we focus on the whole family, we’ve taken special care to be kid-friendly as well as adult-friendly.
What does it mean to be a “kid-friendly” dentist? Well, to us, it means celebrating the little people that come into our office. It means taking special care to understand and accommodate their unique dental needs. It means educating the entire family about good oral care at all ages.
With that in mind, we’ve compiled some of our favorite kid-friendly tips to help you understand what’s a good kid-friendly oral routine.
Baby Teeth are sometimes referred to as milk teeth.
Centuries ago, people thought that babies’ teeth grew in as a result of the mother’s milk washing over the baby’s gums. Thus, they became known as milk teeth.
Children have 20 primary teeth.
These primary teeth, also called baby teeth or milk teeth start to erupt through the gums at six months and continue to present until the child is three or four years old. They then begin to be pushed out by permanent teeth around the age of six, beginning with the two upper and two lower central teeth. Most adults have 32 permanent teeth.
Proper oral hygiene should start even before the first tooth.
Cleaning your infant’s gums is an important part of their early oral care. Keep her mouth healthy by wiping her gums with a clean, damp cloth twice a day from birth to one-year-old.
Bacteria can cause fever and diarrhea during teething.
Sore gums, appetite loss, and disturbed sleep can all be symptoms of teething. "Worrying" on a teething toy or a finger can provide some relief. Unfortunately, these things might also carry unwanted bacteria that can cause fever or diarrhea. If this happens, it’s best to err on the side of caution and consult your doctor for treatment recommendations.
Your child’s first dental visit should coincide with her first tooth.
Getting your child started out right is key to establishing a foundation of good oral health. If you’re unable to schedule a visit immediately after the first tooth, then do the next best thing and schedule an appointment at the child’s first birthday.
Sunglasses make dental visits fun.
The glare of the overhead light can make it hard for your child to settle into an already unfamiliar situation. A pair of inexpensive kiddie sunglasses helps shield their eyes from the exam room lights and makes for great photo ops!
Children’s toothpaste goes a long way.
Don’t waste your toothpaste or your money by overdoing it on the toothpaste. A little goes a long way. For babies, use a "rice-size" portion. Toddlers can graduate to pea-size.
Be sure to brush after Halloween candy and be sure you’re next dental visit is scheduled. If not,
