It’s your child’s favorite time of the year! As the back-to-school routine kicks into gear, you may be wondering if you’re doing your part to protect your child’s oral health.
We’ve saved you the research. As advanced pediatric dentists in the Fort Worth, TX, area, we understand the hustle and bustle of family life. As long as your child engages in these four stages for dental success, they are on their way to a smile that will suit them well in life.
Are you looking for a pediatric dentist near Cleburne, TX? Our office is excited to take new patients of all ages. Contact our office to schedule an appointment today!
Ages 0–5
You may not think of this age group as needing much dental work, but that is far from the truth. Here are some tips to help kickstart your child’s dental work:
- The First Visit: We recommend that your child start dental visits when their first tooth grows in. At this stage, we help guarantee that your child reaches essential dental milestones and ease your child into using fluoride to help secure their smile.
- Start Dental Habits: Drs. Mark and AnneMarie Benage recommend lightly brushing with a gentle toothbrush and water soon after the first appointment. Be sure not to brush too hard to avoid harming their developing gums.
- Work With Them: Children can have a hard time learning how to thoroughly take care of their smile. We usually suggest brushing with your child to help guarantee they are reaching the areas of the smile that they need.
Toddlers love to learn, and teaching them about their teeth can help them want to keep them healthy! There are also special toothbrushes for teething babies and toddlers that can help them learn to feel comfortable with bristles.
Ages 5–9
This stage of life is a lot easier for the parent and for the child. Most children can learn how to manage their smiles by themselves, so this stage is more about maintaining a specific health schedule for your child. These are some tips to keep in mind:
- Limit Sugar Intake: We understand this may be easier said than done. However, sugar and fatty foods can easily eat away at your child’s tooth strength. If your child seems to have a hard time with their diet, we offer dental sealants as an added protection.
- Start Using Mouthguards: As little leagues and soccer clubs get joined, be sure to protect your child’s smile with the help of mouthguards. Benage Dental Care offers mouthguards and other oral orthotics to fit these needs.
As your child’s adult teeth start to grow in, usually between the ages of 6–8, it’s important to make sure they are kept safe—they’re going to last a lifetime, after all!
Ages 9–13
Welcome to the pre-teen phase of your oral health regimen. Many patients find themselves needing orthodontic work as their adult teeth grow and develop. If your child’s teeth are growing slanted or crooked, give us a call to get started on our SureSmile® clear aligners.
SureSmile® orthodontics helps to refine your child’s smile with transparent aligners that require minimal dental intervention (compared to other products).
Give your child a boost of confidence with a flexible treatment plan that provides a clear smile during the often awkward teenage years. Give us a call to learn more about how SureSmile® aligners can help your child!
Ages 13–18
Don’t they grow up so fast! As your child enters the early stages of adulthood, be sure to reinforce a healthy dental regimen at home. We also recommend wisdom teeth removal before they leave the house to avoid added stress when they’re off on their own.
We will advise you on the ideal time for the procedure during your child’s regular dentist appointments.
Consistency Is the Key
No matter the age, two key factors will set your child up well for dental success:
- Establish Healthy Dental Habits: Help your child see the importance of dental care through positive reinforcement and productive dialogue at home.
- Visit the Dentist Biannually: Visits to the dentist twice a year can help us easily spot dental decay and make sure that your child’s care is up to par.
Childhood habits are also heavily influenced by the examples set by parents and caretakers, so don’t forget to upkeep your own at-home oral healthcare and regular dental visits. At Benage Dental Care, we can treat the whole family in one convenient location.
Your Family Will Love Benage Dental Care
Drs. Mark and AnneMarie Benage love to make connections with families in the Cleburne, TX, area. Give our office a call to schedule an appointment with our office today!
