Early Dental Care

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At Pediatric Dental Associates, keeping your child’s smile healthy and happy is the top priority. Quality care is provided in a fun, comforting environment designed to make every visit a positive experience. For children who feel nervous about dental visits, options like sedation dentistry help them stay relaxed and at ease. 

If you’re looking for a pediatric dentist in central Alabama, explore the full range of pediatric dental services or call the office to learn more.

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Maintaining Your Child's Dental Health

Baby teeth play a crucial role in lifelong children’s dental health, even though they won’t last forever.

Why Baby Teeth are Important

  • Guide permanent teeth into place, ensuring they come in straight and strong

  • Help children chew food properly

  • Support clear speech development

  • Keep smiles confident throughout childhood

Most kids rely on their primary teeth exclusively for the first six years, and continue to have a mix of baby and adult teeth until around age 12. 

Protecting baby teeth early helps prevent cavities, promotes healthy oral development, and sets the stage for a lifetime of strong, healthy smiles.

When Do Baby Teeth Come In?

Tooth Eruption Order:

  1. Lower front teeth (central incisors)

  2. Upper front teeth (central and lateral incisors)

  3. First molars

  4. Canines (cuspids)

Diagram of baby teeth with labels for upper and lower teeth, showing central incisor, lateral incisor, canine, first molar, and second molar, each in different colors.

Teething Tips

  • If your child experiences discomfort during this stage, speak with a pediatric dentist for guidance and relief strategies.

  • Gently wipe gums after each feeding with a damp cloth or gauze pad to keep them clean.

  • By age 2, start a daily brushing routine using a small, soft-bristled toothbrush with a thin smear of fluoridated toothpaste.

  • Most children will still need help brushing until around age 6 to ensure proper oral hygiene.

Illustration of teeth with plaque buildup and bacteria between teeth.

Your Child's First Dental Appointment

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According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), a child’s first dental checkup should take place by age one. 

Even though there may only be a few baby teeth visible at that age, the first visit is an important step in establishing healthy oral habits that make future dental visits easier and more enjoyable.

Why an early dental visit matters:

  • Detect early signs of tooth decay or cavities

  • Review proper ways to care for a young child’s mouth

  • Track developmental milestones for teeth and jaw growth

  • Discuss the importance of good oral hygiene from the very beginning

An early visit with a pediatric dentist sets the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Preparing for Your Child’s First Dental Visit

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Kids are amazing at picking up on their parents’ feelings, so if you’re a little nervous about the dentist, try to keep things calm and positive.

What to expect at the first visit:

  • A friendly chat with both parent and child to get everyone comfortable

  • A gentle peek inside your child’s mouth, no worries if they don’t open right away, our pediatric dental team are pros at making it easy and stress-free

  • Simple oral health assessments to establish a baseline for a healthy smile

Tips to make the visit easier and fun: 

  • Let your child know what to expect without making it a big deal

  • Build excitement

  • Bring a favorite toy, a snack, or anything that helps your little one feel comfortable

  • If Captain, our comfort dog, is at work that day come say hi to him! 

The goal of the first dental visit is to create a happy, positive experience, helping your child feel at ease and look forward to dental visits.

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Captain, our comfort dog!