Parents can have countless moments of joy as they raise a young child, but they also have a large number of responsibilities when it comes to caring for a baby or toddler. One skill you will need to pick up quickly concerns caring for your child’s oral health. As soon as their teeth begin to arrive, they are vulnerable to dental decay. Fortunately, you do not face this particular task alone. Our Riverside, CA dentist’s office welcomes our younger patients. Starting with a first appointment to introduce them to the dentist’s office, we can help small children stay safe against oral health threats. We can also take time in their appointments to talk with you about their development, and provide tips on smart smile care.

When Should My Child Have Their First Dental Appointment?

An initial dental visit should occur when a child’s first tooth arrives, or at the time of their first birthday. This visit will not involve the kind of routine preventive dental care that adults receive in the office! It is important to give young children a comfortable welcome to this new environment. While prioritizing their comfort and happiness, your dentist can perform a careful evaluation to see how their oral structures are developing. Over time, a child’s visits can take on more qualities of adult dental care, with a focus on their development as well as their oral health.

How Dental Care Changes For Kids Over Time

At first, your dentist will gingerly check on your child’s smile, offer tips on cleaning their teeth, and help your youngster feel comfortable in our office. As they grow up, they can start to receive exams and cleanings that protect them from potential problems. Your dentist can assist you in preparing your child for brushing and flossing their own teeth, as part of a pediatric visit can focus on instructions and guidance. Once they are old enough, we can discuss the use of dental sealants and fluoride treatments to reduce their risks for dental decay.

Tips For Parents To Help Their Children Develop Good Oral Health Habits

Make sure that you model good habits for your kids when you care for your own teeth. Carefully brushing and flossing, and making time for your own dental exams, can make it easier for them to see that you also take the condition of your smile seriously. As they begin to brush and floss for themselves, modeling good habits can be especially important. Take the time to brush and floss with them, and ask them to watch how you care for your smile so that they can develop better form.

Our Riverside, CA Dentist’s Office Can Help Young Children Grow Up With Healthy Smiles!

Your Riverside, CA dentist’s office is ready to help your child develop good oral hygiene habits and a healthy smile! To learn more, or to reach one of our locations closer to you, call us at the following:

Riverside Dental Group at Woodcrest in Riverside, CA at (951) 776-9001.

Riverside Dental Group at Magnolia in Riverside, CA at (951) 689-5031.

Dental Associates of Moreno Valley in Moreno Valley, CA at (951) 697-6800.

Oasis Family Dental in Temecula, CA at (951) 695-2290.

Dental Associates of Riverside in Riverside, CA at (951) 369-1001.

Dental Associates of Corona in Corona, CA at (951) 273-9580.