Pediatric Dentistry in San Diego

Pediatric Dentistry in San Diego:  Importance of a Child’s Dentist

Good pediatric dentistry in San Diego should focus on the child and his or her potential fears. There are some very good dentists in San Diego, but not all are suitable for treating your child.  What you should be seeking is somebody that is able to tell children what is happening, while keeping them at ease.

When you take your child to see the dentist for the first time, your child should be shown that there is no need to be afraid. A bad first experience is sufficient to make a child afraid of dentistry for life. There are many of us like that – in fact, too many!  A large part of the reason for the state of many people’s teeth is an irrational fear that originates from childhood.

No Secrets – No Fears

Here at All Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, we understand your child’s potential fears and also understand that they have unique needs. Our highly trained staff will make certain that these needs are met, and that your child not only understands the importance of his or her oral health, but also that they do not fear visiting us.

As parents, you can also help with this by avoiding expressing any personal fears you may have of dentists to your children. Children love new things and new experiences, but they fear the unknown. By discussing dentistry as a means of keeping their teeth well, we will be able to make their first dental visit to the children’s dentist in San Diego a novel and exciting experience.

We are open with the children we welcome as patients, and explain to them truthfully about the health of their teeth and also what to expect of any necessary treatment. Children accept this, and our staff is passionate and caring about the way your children feel – and also about their oral health.

It is recommended by the AAPD (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry) that your child should visit a dentist during the latter half of his/her first year. It is essential that your child’s first teeth (that come from 6-12 months) develop appropriately. You can help ensure this by making the first visit to us by your child’s first birthday. Since they are so young, they are also less likely to develop a phobia about dentistry, particularly with All Smiles where we are so patient and caring with young children.

Your Child’s Baby Teeth

Baby teeth show from around 6 months to 1 year and develop until around 3 years of age. Young gums will be very tender, and a cool wet cloth or clean finger rubbed over them will help. Teething rings also help, and contribute to the teeth erupting through the gums.

Your child should have 20 primary or baby teeth that will be lost from age 6 onwards when the adult teeth begin to show. There will be 28 of these, with 32 once all the wisdom teeth have appeared by age 21. These are average ages, so don’t worry if your child develops their teeth sooner or later.

Oral Hygiene

Oral hygiene is very important. Every pediatric dentist in San Diego will tell you that oral hygiene starts as soon as the baby teeth appear. Children who get into the habit of having their teeth cleaned from an early age, and are  encouraged to brush and floss their own teeth when old enough, go on to develop good standards of oral hygiene when adults.

You should be looking for any discoloration or lines in their teeth that might indicate decay. This is caused by too much sugar, and while kids love fizzy drinks, they tend to be full of sugar – even ‘diet’ varieties. Milk, water and squashes are better for teeth than fizzy drinks, although it is possible to remove most of the sugar by regular brushing. After each meal is best for children and also at bedtime.

You can make brushing a fun game with them, using a soft bristle brush as soon as their first tooth arrives. Pediatric dentistry in San Diego would be a lot easier if parents got their children into this habit from as early an age as possible.

At All Smiles Pediatric Dentistry we prefer to practice preventive pediatric dentistry in San Diego than have to drill and fill teeth.

Dental Checkups at a Pediatric Dentist

If sugars are left around your child’s teeth after a meal, or even a drink, these sugars can be converted by certain bacteria into an acid. This acid can attack the tooth enamel and form holes that require filling. Most kids eat and drink too much sugary candies and drinks, which is why so many develop dental caries at a young age.

This is why regular brushing is so important. You should also bring your children for a dental checkup every six months, so we can make sure that their teeth are in good condition.  If we catch decay early, we can often prevent the tooth having to be filled, or even lost. We may seal grooves in your children’s teeth to protect them from further attack.

Throughout these procedures, All Smiles staff keep your children informed of what we are doing, and why.  We believe that children are less afraid if they know what is happening and the reasons for them being here.  We offer pediatric dentistry in San Diego, covering districts such as Serra Mesa, Linda Vista, Clairemont, Scripps Ranch, Tierrasanta, Grantville, University City, North Park and Kearny Mesa.