Children’s & Pediatric Services
Care for baby teeth should begin as soon as the first tooth appears. We recommend that you bring your child in for an exam no later than his or her first birthday. Regular six-month checkups will put kids on a schedule like most adults, establishing a routine that will hopefully last a lifetime.
The following early steps can help guard your child against tooth decay, even before their first dental visit:
The following early steps can help guard your child against tooth decay, even before their first dental visit:
- Your baby's teeth should always be rinsed with water or wiped with a damp cloth after feeding, especially before they fall asleep. Milk or formula residue left in the mouth can encourage decay even in the youngest patients.
- Try to wean your child off bottle feeding by their first birthday. This helps avoid decay and reduces the chance of developing jaw problems from excessive sucking.
- Begin brushing as soon as your child’s first tooth appears. Even if it’s barely poking through the gum, a tooth can develop decay if not cleaned properly. Start by brushing with a soft bristled brush and water. Ask Dr. Karr and Dr. Hardee or your child’s hygienist when it's ok to begin using a small amount of toothpaste.
- Help your child brush and remember that kids don’t have the dexterity to clean their teeth on their own until after they can tie their shoes.
- Don't give bottles filled with sugary drinks or milk before bedtime.
- If you do choose to offer sugary beverages, have your child use a straw, so the teeth have less contact with the liquid.
- Try to limit the overall sugary foods your child eats and drinks.
Dr. Thomas Karr and Dr. Clint Hardee believe a trip to a top-rated dentist should be fun, lighthearted, and not something to fear. The way your child is exposed to dentistry lays the groundwork for how they view dental care and dental visits for the rest of their lives.
Dr. Thomas Karr and Dr. Clint Hardee along with their team love caring for their patients. Children are treated with kindness and respect and are cared for as if they were our own. After necessary procedures are explained to parents, procedures are then explained to children in terms they feel comfortable with and can understand.