Pediatrics and Orthodontics Brentwood - Dental Care for Children

Dental care for children: a look at pediatrics and orthodontics in Brentwood?

Posted By Dr. Jamil Alkhoury

At Brentwood Family Dental we love treating patients of all ages, especially children. Pediatric dental care is extremely important as it helps young patients establish good oral hygiene habits that lead to long-term oral health. The dental needs of children are unique, from routine visits to orthodontics, we are experienced in providing age-appropriate care to help prevent future issues such as tooth decay or gum disease.

Why oral health is so important for children

You may be wondering why it’s so important to care for your child’s baby teeth like you would their permanent teeth. They all end up falling out eventually, right? The health of primary teeth can directly impact the permanent teeth that just below the gum line. Untreated decay in primary teeth can end up causing the same problems for emerging permanent teeth.

Furthermore, oral health is a major part of your child’s overall health and wellbeing. Helping them care for their teeth, and teaching them how to do it properly, can help them stay healthy.

Treatment by stage

Because the needs of children can vary by age, we often break down their care into stages. The following highlights the different components of oral hygiene by stage.

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Infants

Did you know that you should start caring for your baby’s teeth before you can even see them? Babies are born with all their teeth hidden below the gum line. Taking care of the mouth and the gums can help ensure that healthy teeth emerge.

After feeding, make sure to wipe your baby’s gums with a washcloth. Once teeth begin to emerge, you can brush them softly with a tiny smear of children’s toothpaste. Avoid putting your baby to bed with a bottle, as it can lead to tooth decay. Make sure to schedule their first dental visit after their first tooth erupts or by their first birthday, whichever comes first
As your child gets more permanent teeth it’s important to continue to practice good dental hygiene to prevent decay.

As your child gets more permanent teeth it’s important to continue to practice good dental hygiene to prevent decay.

Children

As kids grow, their oral hygiene habits should continue to expand. In most cases, children have all their baby teeth by the age of 3 and will start losing them around the age of 6 when permanent teeth start to emerge. Permanent teeth are usually all in place by around age 13.

At some point, your child will start to express an interest in brushing his or her own teeth. It’s a major step because it helps the child to take responsibility for good oral health. Allow your child to brush solo, but consider following-up afterwards when they are still young. Make sure to floss the teeth every day and maintain dental visits every six months. These visits are important to monitor the health of the mouth and check for any early signs of decay or disease.

You should also monitor your child for common signs of tooth decay such as:

Tooth discoloration
Bleeding gums
Pain
Swelling around a painful tooth

Pre-teens and Teens

As your child gets more permanent teeth it’s important to continue to practice good dental hygiene to prevent decay. You may still need to remind your teen to brush for a full two minutes and continue to floss daily.

At this age, your teen may need an orthodontic evaluation. Orthodontics is important because misaligned teeth can be difficult to keep clean and lead to higher rates of decay. It can be a tough time for teens as they begin to become more conscious of their appearance. We will emphasize the importance of a healthy, beautiful smile, and how orthodontic treatment is temporary, while the results can last for a lifetime. Orthodontic options such as metal braces and Invisalign can straighten the teeth and correct bite problems.
At Brentwood Family Dental, we are committed to providing dental care for children and adults

At Brentwood Family Dental, we are committed to providing dental care for children and adults

Healthy diet, healthy teeth

In addition to dental hygiene, it’s important for children of all ages to consume a healthy diet. A balanced diet that is low in sugar can help keep the teeth healthy. Encourage your child to brush his or her teeth after meals to remove food particles that can lead to decay.

At Brentwood Family Dental, we are committed to providing dental care for children and adults. If you would like to schedule an appointment for your child, or simply want to learn more about our services, call 925-344-5296.

Dr. Jamil Alkhoury

Dr Jamil Alkhoury believes dentists to be artists. Taking care of another person’s teeth is definitely an art in which Dr Jamil Alkhoury is an expert. Having graduated from University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) with a degree in Advanced Education in General Dentistry, he has always focused on the well-being of his patients. Brentwood family dental headed by Dr Jamil Alkhoury offers a wide range of services. He always keeps in touch with the developments in the field, to serve his purpose to the best of his abilities.

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