Have you taken your toddler to see the dentist yet? How was their experience? Dr. Plumb and his team strive to provide a great experience for every patient that sets foot in our door. We believe that we are shaping a lifetime of oral health care so we want to create an enjoyable experience from the very beginning. We want your children to enjoy coming to see us and look forward to their next visit. Below are a few questions our parents ask in regards to caring for their children.

When should I take my child for their first dental visit?

Children will benefit from a dental visit as early as 18 months.These visits are a great opportunity for the child to become accustomed to the dental environment, and learn to see a dentist as fun and exciting. We make sure that teeth and tissues are developing properly and any bad habits are being avoided.

How soon do we begin brushing a child’s teeth?

Though teeth come in at different times for different children, the answer is always the same. As soon as you see them, start brushing them. Use a small soft bristled brush. With our own children, my wife and I never bought baby toothpaste, we used a regular children’s brand. Living in a non-fluoridated area, Washington County residents do not need to be concerned by children swallowing small amounts of toothpaste with fluoride. Regardless of brands and brushes, parents ought to make oral hygiene fun for their kids. Our children watch us closely, and if we treat this special time as a chore or necessary evil, our children will mature with that same perspective on oral health.

It’s important for parents of little children to remember that when we’re born, our mouths are bacteria free. Now there are good bacteria that promote health, and bad bacteria that cause disease. Babies receive all this bacteria mainly from their primary caregivers( moms and dads). So it’s essential that we keep up on our own oral health (brush and floss everyday, avoid sticky sugary foods, and see your dentist regularly). That way, the majority of the bacteria we pass along will help our kids develop healthy teeth and gums.

We all have bacteria in our mouths. Some of this bacteria is beneficial, but others can cause disease. The key is to make sure the conditions in our mouths allow the good bacteria to thrive. These bacteria prefer an environment that is cool and wet, and slightly basic. Those bacteria that damage our teeth and tissues require dry, hot, acidic conditions. Sugar and carbonation are two things that can dry out our mouths and lower the pH. Some of these pathologic bacteria adhere to the tooth structure at and below the gumline. When they are allowed to accumulate, the acids they secrete damage the tissue and lower the pH, making your mouth more susceptible to disease and decay. So remember to drink plenty of water, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, and brush and floss. These habits will raise your pH and strengthen the bacteria that help you be healthy.

What questions would you like Dr. Plumb to answer?

We want to hear from YOU!   Comment below or send us an email with your questions. plumbdental@gmail.com

And Remember, Healthy Smiles = Healthy Lives