Chestermere Children’s Dental Hygiene
By encouraging proper dental care and techniques in a comfortable and caring environment, our child patients have an enjoyable time at the office and are eager to continue future dental visits.
Our team is exceptional at communicating with children of all ages. Most of our team are parents themselves and have many years experience in child hygiene and treatment.
Chestermere Dental strives to create a general awareness of good oral health. Early prevention and education help make long-term care and maintenance possible.
When it comes to your child’s dental health, there are many things to take into account. Below are some general guidelines for dental health that parents may consider as their child grows and develops.
Before Birth – Finish All Dental Work
To continue improvement in the oral health of children, parents must be diligent even before birth. Unbeknownst to most parents and providers, the bacteria responsible for dental cavities can be transferred from parents (primarily mothers) to their young offspring. Newborns are not actually born with the primary bacteria (Streptococcus mutans) necessary to cause dental cavities. Therefore, it is recommended that parents have their dental treatment completed before the birth of their child to minimize the transference of Strep mutans. This can help minimize your child’s risk of developing early childhood cavities.
Infancy – Bedtime Bottles Should Only Contain Water
Another important fact to remember is never put your baby to bed with a bottle filled with anything but water
When Teeth First Come In – Begin Brushing
Another way to prevent early dental cavities is to begin brushing as soon as the first teeth erupt into the mouth. This should be done twice daily (once in the morning and once before bedtime) with very little toothpaste. Starting this pattern of home care early on will develop a healthy habit of good oral hygiene that will last a lifetime.
At one year – Begin Semi-Annual Exams
By one year of age, your child should have his or her first teeth and the first dental examination should follow soon after that. Regular checkups every six months should then be completed to maintain good oral health and treat issues while they are relatively small.
At 7-8 and 12 Years Old – Apply Dental Sealants
Dental sealants help prevent the development of dental cavities in newly erupted permanent back teeth (molars and pre-molars). They involve the application of a bonded material to seal off the deep grooves that these teeth possess. They are quick and easy to apply, but very effective in preventing the onset of cavities on these tooth surfaces.
Our practice always welcomes new patients – no referral is required!(403) 263-8512 to book your new patient consultation with us for Children’s Dentistry today!
