Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric Dentistry

A child’s first visit to the dentist should be enjoyable!

Parents Trust Us – Kids Love Us!

Your child should experience an enjoyable first dental visit free of fear and anxiety. Children fear the unknown; one of the most important factors in the experience a child has at the dentist, is that they are provided a warm, caring environment where they feel safe and, and yes, informed. We explain your child’s treatment in easy to understand, non-frightening language they can understand.

From the moment you arrive in our office, you will find our caring staff ready to assist with making your child comfortable and providing a safe, enjoyable, and even a learning experience.
We love kids!

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends…

Usually, kids should visit the dentist around the time of their first birthday. At that age your child has newly erupting teeth, and dental care becomes important and oral hygiene habits established at this early age.

Great Hill Dental in Somerville understands the importance of your child’s visits to the dentist, and setting a routine for your child’s oral care.

A relationship built on trust, with both you and your child, allows for the most comfortable visit.

When New Teeth Arrive

Your child’s first primary or baby teeth will begin to erupt between the ages of six and twelve months, and will continue to erupt until about age three. During this time, your child’s gums may feel tender and sore. To help alleviate this discomfort, we recommend that you soothe the gums by rubbing a clean finger or a cool, wet cloth across them. You may also choose to make use of a teething ring. When your child has finished teething, you can expect a total of 20 primary teeth.

Your child’s primary teeth are shed at various times throughout childhood, and their permanent teeth begin erupting at age six, and continue until age 21. Adults have 28 permanent teeth, 32 including wisdom teeth.

Adopting Healthy Oral Hygiene Habits

As your child’s teeth erupt, be sure to examine them every two weeks, looking for lines and discoloration that may be caused by decay. Remember that sugary foods and liquids can attack a new tooth, so take care that your child brushes after feeding or eating. We recommend brushing four times a day for optimal oral hygiene: after breakfast, after lunch, after dinner, and at bedtime.

Brushing can be fun, and your child should brush as soon as the first tooth arrives. When a baby’s tooth erupts, parents should brush the tooth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. For children younger than two, do not use fluoride toothpaste unless advised to do so by your dentist or other healthcare professional. We suggest reviewing proper tooth brushing procedures with your child.

Flossing is also a part of good oral hygiene habits, and your doctor will discuss with you the right time to start flossing. If you notice signs of decay, contact your dentist immediately.

Preventing Tooth Decay/Regular Checkups

Tooth decay is caused by sugars left in your mouth that turn into an acid which can break down your teeth. Children are at high risk for tooth decay for a simple reason, many children and adolescents do not practice regular, good oral hygiene habits. Proper brushing and flossing routines combined with regular dental visits help keep tooth decay away.

Your child should visit the dentist every six months for regular dental cleanings and checkups. We recommend fluoride treatments twice a year along with cleanings to keep teeth their strongest. Tooth sealants are also recommended because they “seal” the deep grooves in your child’s teeth, preventing decay from forming in these hard-to-reach areas. Sealants last for several years, but will be monitored at your regular checkups.