Children's Dentistry: Your Pediatric Dentist

Top-Rated, Family-Friendly Children Dentistry in Martinez, CA

Promoting healthy smiles starts the moment your child’s first tooth sprouts. Call (925) 370-9900 today to get your child’s oral health on the right track!

Visiting the dentist can be scary for young children. However, at Artesa Dental of Martinez, we approach every child’s dentistry needs with the utmost care and patience to ensure each patient’s visit is pleasant.

Your child’s first dental visit should happen after they turn one and their teeth have erupted. The first visit will only include formalities and won’t involve invasive procedures.

At our dental office in Martinez, CA, we take every step necessary to make your child feel at ease. Practicing good oral hygiene starts as soon as children are born. Building a bond between dentist and child is a great way to give them autonomy and control over their hygiene.

What Will a First Visit Look Like?

Depending on your child’s age, your dentist may ask you to stay in the room and hold your child during their dental examination. For older children, your dentist may ask you to wait outside so the dentist can form a bond with your child.

First, our dentists will carefully examine your child’s gums and teeth. We may use dental scans to identify decay and to study the development of permanent teeth under your child’s gums.

Our pediatric dentistry utilizes fluoride when cleaning children’s teeth to prevent decay. It’s essential to maintain a fluoride schedule with your child to promote long-term health. We will give you tips on cleaning your child’s teeth so you can help them form a routine.

Ready to bring your child in to see our dentists? Contact our children’s dentistry in Martinez, CA, to book an initial appointment today.

What to Do When New Teeth Arrive?

Your child’s baby teeth will spring up around six months to one year, continuing until around age three. Their gums may be tender and sore during this time from daily chewing and eating. You can help alleviate these uncomfortable sensations by massaging their gums with a clean finger or a cool, wet cloth.

Part of pediatric dental care is giving your child the means to tend to their discomfort. Giving them options to teethe, like with teething toys, allows them to relieve their pain. After your child’s teeth first emerge, check them every other week to search for lines or discoloration–this indicates decay. Stay away from sugary foods that rapidly decrease tooth health. Our dentists recommend that your child brushes their teeth–or is assisted in doing so–twice a day.

Use soft brushes with a small amount of toothpaste when your child only has a few teeth. If your child is under two, do not use fluoride toothpaste unless it is recommended by a dentist. Brush your child’s teeth for them and teach them the proper method. Then, let them develop a habit of brushing their teeth independently.

How to Prepare Your Child for Their First Dental Visit

Talk with your child and be honest about what they might expect when they visit the dentist for the first time.

Here are tips to inform them:

• Use an online tour of the office to prepare them for the sights and environment they will experience.

• Read books about the dentist with your child.

• Give them concrete examples of what will happen at the dentist.

• Reinforce that the dentist is a doctor who is here to help your child.
• Recount positive experiences you have had at the dentist and remind them that you go to the dentist regularly, too.

How to Maintain Oral Hygiene Post Visit

Get your child familiar with brushing and caring for their teeth at a young age, so they take responsibility for it into adulthood. Keep an eye out for any decay or plaque buildup, checking every two weeks.

Luckily, our dentists are equipped to handle tooth decay in children. Our cutting-edge sealant techniques can shore up any gaps or crevices in your child’s back teeth to keep them resistant to bacteria.

Of course, the best way to prevent decay at home is by building a rigorous brushing and flossing schedule. Please limit the number of sugary foods your child consumes. A healthy diet promotes long-term oral hygiene.

CONTACT OUR PEDIATRIC DENTIST & SCHEDULE YOUR CHILD’S FIRST DENTAL VISIT TODAY!

Are you ready to book your child’s first appointment? Rest assured that your child is in good hands at the top-rated children’s dentistry practice in Martinez, CA!

Call Artesa Dental of Martinez, CA at (925) 370-9900 today to book an appointment with one of our expert team members!