Start Your Child on the Path to Good Oral Health
When teaching children, it’s essential to lead by example. It’s crucial to teach them how to care for their oral health. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentists recommends a child be seen by a dentist by their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth erupting.
At Spaulding Dentistry, Dr. Jocelyn Spaulding provides comprehensive pediatric dental care for children in the Decatur, Atlanta, and North Druid Hills, GA areas.
Instilling Good Brushing Habits
It’s important to brush your child’s teeth to help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Brush your child’s teeth once they first erupt. It may be difficult at first, but eventually, both you and your child will get used to it.
Begin using fluoride toothpaste on your child’s teeth starting at age two. From ages two to seven, we recommend using a small pea-sized amount of toothpaste to clean your child’s teeth. We recommend parents and/or guardians dispense toothpaste for young children and assist with brushing. In the meantime, here are some ways you can help them at home:
- Make It Fun – The main reason most children skip their oral hygiene routine is they find it boring. Try to incorporate a song or a game so they will look forward to brushing their teeth.
- Floss – Teach your child flossing as well as brushing. Even young children should be flossing their teeth regularly.
- Healthy Eating – Limit sodas and sugary drinks and foods that can damage your child’s teeth.
- Ditch the Binky – Try to wean your child from the pacifier by age three at the latest. This goes for thumb-sucking as well. The pressure from a pacifier or thumb can affect the alignment of their teeth and change the way their smile looks.
- Lead by example– If your child sees you brushing and flossing daily, they’ll be more likely to do it themselves.
Our Pediatric Dental Treatments
Our Decatur dentist loves working with kids, and we are always especially gentle with them. One of our top goals is to avoid dental anxiety and build a strong foundation for kids to have lifelong healthy habits. By creating a warm, welcoming environment, we can ease your child into their first experience with a dentist.
We can provide your child with the following procedures during their check-ups:
Oral Examinations — Our dentists examine your child’s teeth for signs of potential issues so they can be treated right away. By visiting our Decatur office for regular checkups, your child can maintain a healthy smile well into adulthood.
Dental Cleanings — We’ll clean and polish your child’s teeth to ensure they have a healthy and beautiful smile. We’ll use special dental tools to remove plaque and tartar from areas of the mouth that are difficult to reach with a toothbrush.
Tooth Extraction — If a tooth becomes impacted or threatens your child’s oral health in any way, we’ll gently remove it to solve the issue. Rest assured, our dentist will apply an anesthetic to ensure a pain-free experience for your child.
Tooth Fillings — Cavities are a common dental problem for children, which can contribute to gum disease, tooth loss, and other health consequences. If your child has a cavity, our Decatur dentists can restore the strength and appearance of their tooth with a customized filling.
A Lifetime of Healthy Smiles
Maintaining a healthy smile requires effort and dedication. Let us be your partner in this endeavor and bring your family to our state-of-the-art dental practice. Our experienced and friendly staff will provide personalized care and attention to detail, catering to the unique needs of each member of your family. Schedule your family’s appointment today by filling out this convenient contact form or by calling us at (404) 634-5738 and give them the gift of a lifetime of radiant, healthy smiles
Frequently Asked Questions
We know children aren’t always the most diligent when it comes to their oral health, which is why we can use a dental sealant to help them out. A dental sealant is a painless, effective way to protect your child’s teeth from damage and decay.
This clear plastic coating is “painted” onto the biting surface of a tooth, creating a barrier that keeps bacteria, plaque, and acid out. With the help of sealants, your child can maintain a healthy smile well into adulthood.
To become a general dentist, you must get a bachelor’s degree and four years of dental school. A pediatric dentist undergoes an additional two years of training specializing in children’s behavior and special dental needs.
A family dentist is trained to treat both adults and children. They can offer your family more treatment options, decreasing the need for referrals.
Before your baby’s teeth have erupted, you can use a soft, warm washcloth to gently wipe their gums. Once their first tooth comes in, use a minuscule amount of fluoride toothpaste (the size of a grain of rice) and a soft baby toothbrush to gently clean the tooth twice daily. You should also make an appointment at our Staten Island office as soon as their first tooth has appeared.
You can increase the amount of toothpaste to roughly the size of a pea as your child grows into toddlerhood. It’s also important that you encourage your child to brush their teeth starting at a young age.
Yes! The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has confirmed that fluoride treatments are not only safe for children, but they’re also an important means of preventing tooth decay. Just make sure that any fluoride applications for your child are performed by a qualified dentist.