Pediatric Dentist

Your baby’s first dentist appointment should be by age 1 or within six months after the first tooth erupts. In general, your infant’s primary teeth will begin growing in at 6-months old. Taking your kids to the dentist at this early age will allow your children’s dentist to make sure primary teeth are growing in healthy and identify any dental care needs early on.

In your kids’ first dentist visit the dentist will ensure primary teeth are growing incorrectly and go through proper dental care best practices. Dr. Fogel may also explain what to do in the event of a dental emergency and other dentistry for children tips.

Fluoridated toothpaste should be avoided by infants until the age of three. After age three, supervise your toddler’s brushing. Ensure they are only using a small, pea-sized amount of toothpaste and are not swallowing any excess toothpaste.

As soon as your baby’s first tooth appears you should begin a dental care regimen. Avoid toothpaste until your child is three years old. Instead, brush your child’s teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and water. You may deal with some resistance from your baby at first but they will slowly become used to this new routine. This will also help instill this routine in them when it is time to teach them to brush on their own.

From ages one to six, you should be involved in your child’s daily brushing routine. For the first few years, you should handle tooth brushing by sitting your child on your lap, facing away from you, and tilting your child’s head back so you can see all the surfaces of their teeth. Once they are ready, allow them to brush their own teeth and supervise to make sure they are brushing their teeth correctly. If the child is 3 or older, use a pea-sized amount of low-fluoride toothpaste. Move a soft children’s toothbrush in gentle circles on both the outer and inner sides of the teeth and gums and on the chewing surface. Encourage your child to spit out the toothpaste and rinse with water.