Questions For Your Apple Valley Dentist
At Carousel Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we understand that there is a lot involved in helping your child develop a healthy smile and a positive attitude about oral health care. Dr. Katie and Dr. Kyle welcome and encourage your questions because they want you to have all the information you need to do your part as a parent.
Some of the most common questions we hear are answered below. If you have other concerns, please don’t hesitate to call us so we can provide the information you need.
Infant Oral Health
It's never too early to create healthy smiles! Did you know that your baby's oral health care starts even
before their first teeth erupt?
Parents can clean the bacteria out of their little one's mouth after feedings by using a warm washcloth to wipe excess milk or formula from their gums. This helps babies acclimate to oral care early on and keeps their mouths clean and bacteria-free.
What Happens When My Baby's Teeth Erupt?
When their first teeth erupt, you can brush them with a soft infant toothbrush. You can also use a small amount of toothpaste that's safe to swallow early on.
Your little one should visit their pediatric dentist after their first teeth arrive and no later than their first birthday. These early visits help acclimate them to visiting the dentist and help them become comfortable in the dental chair.
Dr. Nordeen examines and counts their teeth and answers their parents' questions. We're happy to give you tips on oral care at home, products that can benefit your little one's dental health, nutrition, and other important oral health care topics.
Reach Out To Learn More
Do you have additional questions about infant dental care in Apple Valley, MN? Contact your pediatric dentist in the 55124 area at (952) 715-6177 for more information or to schedule your baby's first dental appointment.
This is one of the first questions parents ask, right after they ask why we start seeing children at such an early age. As to why we recommend pediatric dental exams at this age, the answer is that we need to start to monitor the development of their baby teeth. The answer to how we conduct dental exams or cleanings at this age is that we perform them in a comfortable knee-to-knee position.
Calm & Comfortable Pediatric Dentistry in Apple Valley, MN
In this position, you and the pediatric dentist in Apple Valley, MN sit knee-to-knee. Your baby is laying in your lap facing you, with their head positioned so that our dentist can see inside their mouth. Not only is this position comfortable and reassuring for your little one but it also allows you to participate in the appointment. Since both you and the dentist can see inside your child’s mouth, it’s also a very helpful position for demonstrating to parents how to best care for their child’s teeth.
If you worry about how your child will react and whether or not they’ll be receptive, trust us to proceed at their own pace and in the comfort of their own boundaries. That is why the knee-to-knee examination is beneficial for so many children—throughout the appointment, they can maintain eye contact with you that helps put them at ease.
Call Us To Schedule Your Child's Dental Appointment
We recommend dental examinations starting at age one, but we are always happy to see younger children too. If you have a concern about your infant’s oral health or pediatric dentistry in general, please don’t hesitate to call our Apple Valley dental office to schedule an appointment.
Being a parent is one of the most rewarding things in life, but it can also be challenging to know when and
how to care for your child’s oral health. When it comes to brushing your baby’s teeth, how often should you do it? Let’s take a look at your Apple Valley dentist’s recommendations.
Brushing Tips for Your Baby’s Teeth
Your baby’s teeth will probably begin to erupt between the ages of six and twelve months. Because plaque can build up on even the tiniest teeth, you should start a brushing routine as soon as your baby gets their first tooth.
We recommend brushing your child’s teeth at least twice a day, preferably in the morning and again at night. However, if you want to brush your baby’s teeth after every feeding, it can help their teeth stay strong and healthy.
When you brush your baby’s teeth, use a small amount of fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. For best results, gently brush their teeth and gums for two minutes.
Looking for Oral Health Tips in Apple Valley?
If you live in Apple Valley, MN, or the surrounding area and need information about your baby’s oral health, we can help! Call the expert dental team at Carousel Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics to learn more about how to care for your baby’s teeth. Our number is (952) 715-6177.
Yes! Carousel Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics recommends using fluoridated toothpaste with
the eruption of a child’s first tooth. The amount of fluoride toothpaste used is the most important factor in ensuring optimal health benefits while limiting any potential risks. For children under 3, we recommend brushing two times per day with just a smear of toothpaste about the size of a grain of rice on their toothbrush. Children between 3 to 6 years of age should use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste when brushing, two times per day.
Call Us To Book Your Appointment!
Do you want to learn more about oral health habits just for children? Give Carousel Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics a call to ask any further questions and schedule your next dental visit with us!
Even though your child’s baby teeth will eventually come out, it’s still essential to begin good dental hygiene habits at an early age. Besides brushing, flossing, and visiting your Apple Valley dentist for regular checkups, the foods and drinks you give your child can also affect their oral health. So, what foods and drinks should you avoid giving your baby to protect their teeth?
Foods and Drinks to Avoid
There are certain foods and drinks you should avoid giving your child to help them maintain the best oral health possible. These include the following:
- Chewy or gummy snacks – Fruit snacks, caramel, taffy, and other chewy snacks can stick to your child’s teeth.
- Chips – The starch in potato chips converts to sugar in your child’s mouth. Chips can also easily get wedged between your child’s teeth.
- Sour foods – Foods that taste sour often contain acid that can damage your child’s teeth.
- Soda – Soda is loaded with sugar, which can decay your child’s teeth.
- Fruit juice – Even though fruit juice seems like a healthy choice, it contains a lot of cavity-causing sugar.
Protect Your Baby’s Teeth in Apple Valley, MN
If you want more information about protecting your baby’s teeth and helping them maintain their oral health from an early age, call Carousel Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics today! Our dental team prides itself on providing compassionate dental care, so call us at (952) 715-6177 with any questions or to schedule an appointment.
As a parent, you have many things to worry about, so when it comes to your baby’s dental care, you might be unsure about the best way to help your child avoid tooth decay and other oral health issues. If you need guidance about when to begin brushing your baby’s teeth, the following information can help.
When to Brush Your Baby’s Teeth
As soon as your child’s first tooth erupts, they are susceptible to plaque. Because plaque can build up and cause tooth decay, you should start brushing your baby’s teeth as soon as they erupt. Keeping your baby’s mouth clean and healthy will help establish a good oral health routine that will last a lifetime.
To brush your baby’s teeth, use a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and a very thin layer of toothpaste. Using a circular motion, brush your baby’s teeth for two minutes in the morning and two minutes before they go to bed.
Your Baby's Oral Health in Apple Valley, MN
We are ready to take your call if you want to speak to a dental team member about your baby’s oral health needs! At Carousel Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we want to help your child form lasting oral health habits, so contact our dental office at (952) 715-6177 for more information.
You might wonder if your little one’s baby teeth really need the same level of attention and care as their permanent teeth. The answer is: absolutely yes! Baby teeth play an important role in your child’s future oral health. This makes infant dental care in Apple Valley essential to your growing baby’s needs.
Baby teeth (also known as primary teeth) serve as placeholders for permanent teeth and function to guide them into the right position. A baby’s temporary teeth not only serve as guides for their permanent teeth, but they also have to be functional for six or seven years, until they fall out. Healthy baby teeth also support speech development and children’s ability to chew food. In other words, they may be temporary, but they are very important!
Why Early Tooth Decay Is Harmful
When tooth decay takes root in a baby’s mouth, it can cause serious complications for their permanent teeth, along with pain and discomfort. Untreated cavities may lead to infection that can spread throughout the mouth or body. Severe decay can even lead to early extractions, which disrupts natural tooth development and may cause spacing issues that require future orthodontic treatment. Decay-related issues can also make eating and sleeping difficult for infants.
Prevention Is Key
Preventive dental care in Apple Valley can be practiced on a daily basis by parents. This might include daily brushing, limiting sugar intake, and scheduling regular dental visits starting at age one. At Carousel Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, we love helping parents and infants establish healthy oral habits that protect baby teeth throughout the all-important developmental years.
As a parent, you realize the importance of your child’s oral health, but did you know that dental care
should begin when your child is an infant? Many parents don’t realize the importance of dental care for infants, so keep reading to learn more about why infant oral health is so important.
Why Is Infant Oral Health Important?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that you take your child to the dentist around their first birthday. However, even before your infant has teeth, they can experience gum inflammation or other oral concerns, so keeping their mouths clean is essential to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
When your baby drinks from a bottle, the sugars in their milk can affect their gums and developing teeth. So, by cleaning their gums and mouths regularly, you are helping them adapt to developing oral health habits as early as possible.
Do You Have Questions about Your Infant’s Oral Health in Apple Valley?
If you need more information about the importance of your infant’s oral health, the dedicated team at Carousel Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics is ready to take your call! We want to help your child keep their teeth for a lifetime, so call our dental office at (952) 715-6177 to schedule an appointment.