Services

We recommend first seeing your child at 2 1/2 to 3 years of age.

This visit helps to establish a positive relationship between your child and our office. Every child is at a different dental and emotional level so our examination will correspond to this.

If you have any questions about our Complete Family Dental services please call 512.454.9691.

Establishing lifelong oral care habits

Establishing good oral care habits includes continued checkups with your dentist.

An examination includes:

• An evaluation of your child’s teeth and gums
• Determining if your child is receiving adequate fluoride at home
• A review of your child’s oral home care

Depending on the age of your child, we may:

• Take X-rays in order to reveal early decay and potential developmental concerns.
• Clean your child’s teeth (with standard dental cleaning procedures or with a toothbrush.)

Preventing decay of baby teeth

Baby (primary) teeth usually begin erupting as early as six months after birth and most children have a full set of 20 primary teeth by the time they are three years old.

As soon as teeth appear in the mouth, decay can occur. Establishing good oral hygiene habits (brushing/wiping the new teeth when they first appear) is very important.

One of the risk factors for early childhood caries (sometimes called baby bottle tooth decay) is frequent and prolonged exposure of a baby’s teeth to liquids containing sugar, like sweetened water and fruit juice and potentially milk, breast milk and formula.

Tooth decay can occur when parents or caregivers put a baby to bed with a bottle – or use them as a pacifier for a fussy baby. Infants should finish their bedtime and naptime bottle before going to bed. If you use a pacifier, use a clean one. Never dip a pacifier in sugar or honey before giving it to a baby. Ask your child’s physician or dentist to recommend a type of pacifier.

Preventing decay of adult teeth

Your children’s adult (primary) teeth are highly susceptible to tooth decay due to an increased amount of sugar in American’s diets.

Today Americans are consuming foods and drinks high in sugar more often and in larger portions than ever before. It’s clear that “junk” foods and drinks gradually have replaced nutritious beverages and foods for many people. For example, the average teenage boy drinks 81 gallons of soft drinks per year while the average teenage girl drinks 61 gallons.

Alarmingly, a steady diet of sugary foods and drinks, including sports drinks, can ruin teeth, especially among those who snack throughout the day.

Common activities may be contributing to the tendency toward tooth decay. These include “grazing” habitually on foods with minimal nutritional value, and frequently sipping on sugary drinks.

Establishing good oral hygiene and dietary habits is imperative to maintaining a healthy smile.


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