You likely know that a checkup and cleaning every six months is recommended. But did you know that kids need regular checkups and cleanings, starting as young as age two? In today’s blog, your Londonderry, NH, dentist talks about our approach to pediatric dentistry, and how we help little smiles.

Starting Your Child’s Care

When should your child first start seeing the dentist? We recommend a visit starting as young as age one, when the first primary tooth erupts. This is a simple wellness visit with no treatment. Starting at age two, kids need to see us for an exam and cleaning, so we can watch for issues that impact little smiles, like failure of primary teeth to fall out on time, tooth decay, infection, or gingivitis. We also clean the teeth, removing the harmful buildup of plaque and tartar that can cause tooth decay, stains, and halitosis. These visits help protect your child’s oral health, and help them better understand their smiles. They’ll be less likely to develop dental anxiety and more likely to continue care as adults.

Preventing Cavities

Our team also provides unique treatment to help lower the risk of tooth decay in little smiles. During their six-month checkup visit, our team will apply fluoride in a varnish form to the teeth. This material strengthens the weakened portions of enamel to lower the risk of tooth decay. We could also discuss dental sealants too, applying a unique acrylic material to the rear teeth, as molars are often hard for kids to reach when they brush and floss. The sealants prevent food and drink particles from being caught between the teeth, and can stay in place for up to ten years, protecting little smiles from tooth decay.

Major Milestones

Our team will also be there to help kids going through major oral health milestones, ensuring baby teeth arrive and fall out on time and if they don’t we can assist with a tooth extraction. We can discuss options to help ensure permanent teeth can erupt without complication, and monitor the smile as it grows and changes to ensure optimal oral health and to safeguard kids against issues like cavities and gingivitis. From babies and toddlers to older kids and teens, we’re there through each of your child’s oral health milestones to ensure optimal oral health and beautiful smiles!

If you have any questions about how we safeguard little smiles against issues that threaten the teeth and gums, or if you want to schedule their first checkup and cleaning of 2024, contact our team today.

Schedule Your Child’s Next Visit Today!

We’re ready to help kids of all ages in our community maintain strong and healthy smiles. Give us a call at My Dentist in Londonderry, NH at (603)965-3407 today!