The Dental Associates of Basking Ridge

(Specialty)

(Location)

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Dental Health

Contact Us
20 North Finley Avenue
Basking Ridge NJ 07920

phone: 908 766-1300
fax: 908 766-5604

Children’s Dentistry

Your child's first visit

The first "regular" dental visit should be just before or after your child's third birthday. The first dental visit is usually short and involves very little treatment. We may ask you to sit in the dental chair to hold your child during the examination.

We will gently examine your child's teeth and gums. X-rays may be taken (to reveal decay and check on the progress of your child's permanent teeth under the gums). We may clean your child's teeth and apply fluoride to help protect the teeth against decay. We will make sure your child is receiving adequate fluoride at home. Most importantly, we will review with you how to clean and care for your child's teeth.

What should I tell my child about the first dental visit?

We suggest you prepare your child the same way that you would before their first haircut or trip to the shoe store. Your child's reaction to his first visit to the dentist may surprise you.

Here are some "First Visit" tips:

  • Take your child for a "preview" or online tour of the office.

  • Read books with them about going to the dentist.

  • Review with them what the dentist will be doing at the time of the first visit.

  • Speak positively about your own dental experiences and use only simple child friendly descriptions.

During your child's first visit the dentist will:

  • Examine your child's mouth, teeth and gums

  • Evaluate adverse habits like thumb sucking

  • Check to see if your child needs Fluoride supplements

  • Teach you about cleaning your child's teeth and gums

  • Suggest a schedule for regular dental visits.

What about preventive care?

Tooth decay and children no longer have to go hand in hand. At our office we are most concerned with all aspects of preventive care. We use the latest in sealant technology to protect your child's teeth. Sealants are space-age plastics that are bonded to the chewing surfaces of decay prone back teeth. This is just one of the ways we will set the foundation for your child's lifetime of good oral health.

Cavity prevention:

Most of the time cavities are due to a diet high in sugary and starchy foods and a lack of brushing. Limiting sugar intake and brushing regularly can help. The longer it takes your child to chew his or her foods, the longer the residue stays on the teeth, and the greater the chances of getting cavities.

Every time someone eats, an acid reaction occurs inside the mouth as the bacteria digests the sugars. This reaction lasts approximately 20 minutes. During this time the acid environment can destroy the tooth structure, eventually leading to cavities.

Consistency of a person's saliva also makes a difference; thinner saliva breaks up and washes away food more quickly. When a person eats foods high in carbohydrates and sugars they tend to have thicker saliva, which in turn allows more of the acid-producing bacteria to cause cavities.

Tips for cavity prevention:

  • Limit frequency of meals and snacks.

  • Encourage brushing, flossing and rinsing.

  • Watch what they drink (especially acidic soda and juices)

  • Avoid sticky foods and candies.

  • Make treats part of meals.

  • Choose nutritious snacks, such as fruits and vegetables.

  • Use sugarless gum only

The first baby teeth that come into the mouth are the two bottom front teeth. You will notice this when your baby is about 6-8 months old. Next to follow will be the 4 upper front teeth and the remainder of your baby's teeth will appear periodically. They will usually appear in pairs along the sides of the jaw until the child is about 2 1/2 years old.

At around 2 1/2 years old your child should have all 20 teeth. Between the ages of 5 and 6 the first permanent teeth will begin to erupt. Some of the permanent teeth replace baby teeth and some don't. If some teeth are a few months early or late don't worry, as all children are different.

Baby teeth not only hold space for permanent teeth but aid in the development ofare important to chewing, biting, speech and appearance.

For this reason it is important to maintain a healthy diet and daily hygiene. We encourage regular visits every 6 months to our office to ensure the child's overall dental health.