Dental Care Timeline

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Good oral hygiene is critical – especially for children. But, quite often, many parents don’t know when and where to begin when it comes to their children’s dental care.  

According to The Partnership for Healthy Mouths, Healthy Lives, you may find it shocking to know that dental decay is the most common chronic childhood disease – with more than 16 million kids suffering from untreated tooth decay in the U.S. The Coalition estimates that oral disease causes kids to miss 51 million school hours and their parents to lose 25 million work hours annually.

Here is a basic dental care timeline to help guide parents on what they should expect and when.

Baby Steps (0 – 6 months)

RELAX. There is no need to worry at this age.

Stop Teething Me! (6 months – 1 year old)

Begin brushing. As soon as that first tooth breaks through, it’s time to start brushing. Using a baby toothbrush with soft bristles and only water, gently brush the teeth and the gums.

Suppose you do not already have a family dentist. In that case, you should begin researching dentists in your area, and you may even want to schedule an introductory meeting to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.

Open Wide – First Trip to the Dentist (1-2 years old)

Your child’s first trip to the dentist doesn’t have to be traumatic. Leading up to the appointment, you can prepare your little one by getting them excited about it. This is what generally goes on at a first appointment:

  • The dentist counts your child’s teeth, ensuring everything is developing properly.
  • Often, their teeth can be cleaned to remove any plaque or stains – the kids usually enjoy this part!
  • The best part of the visit – yummy fluoride paste to make baby teeth strong and resistant to decay.
  • And a trip to the treasure chest for a prize!

A check-up every six months is recommended to prevent cavities and other dental problems.

X-Ray Vision (6 years old)

To make sure everything is progressing as it should, the dentist will recommend a panoramic x-ray. This type of x-ray shows the entire mouth, including the teeth that have not yet erupted. Using this image, the dentist can diagnose future problems years before they become apparent.

Seal the Deal – Sealants (6-7 years old)

To help prevent cavities, the dentist will recommend sealing your child’s 6-year-old molar teeth. Sealants work by filling in the grooves on the chewing surfaces of the teeth. This shuts out food particles that could get caught in the teeth, causing cavities. The application is fast and comfortable and can effectively protect teeth for many years.

The Tooth Fairy Years (7-11 years old) 

These are the years of great changes. Every time you look in your child’s mouth, there is another wiggly tooth. In these years, most of your child’s teeth will change from baby teeth to permanent. Your dentist will carefully monitor their development and recommend orthodontic treatment at this age.

Sign, Sealed, Delivered (12 – 13 years old)

At about 12 years old, second molars come out, and they need to be sealed just like the 6-year old molars were.

Uncharted Areas Periodontal Charting (Late teens and into adulthood)

Periodontal charting is a procedure done to detect any signs of gum disease. Careful measurements of your gums are taken, watching for signs of inflammation, recession, and gum disease. 80% of adults have some form of gum disease, whether it is just gingivitis (bleeding gums) or actual deterioration of gum attachment and accompanying bone loss. Early detection of Periodontal or gum disease is critical in treating it.

Most importantly, children and adults should always maintain a regular schedule, visiting their dentist at least twice a year. In between visits, parents should establish and encourage a routine of brushing and flossing at least twice a day. With the proper dental care, you can ensure the health of your teeth and gums for a lifetime.

Keep smiling!

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EJ
EJ Flynn is a 12-year resident of Mamaroneck. She is mom to a dynamic 9-year-old daughter Abigail who attends FE Bellows Elementary School. She is celebrating her 10-year anniversary this month with her wonderful husband, lifelong resident of Mamaroneck, John Flynn. EJ is a graduate of Mahopac High School and Dutchess Community College where she studied Communications and Media Arts. She currently works as Community Manager at Carrworkplaces in Harrison, NY and Marketing Manager for Dr. Aki Shirakura Cosmetic Dentists in Armonk, NY. And she runs her own marketing firm, In Like Flynn Marketing, in her “spare time”. She is also an author of two published novels, Perspectives of the Heart and 12 Days and was recently picked as a finalist in the James Patterson Co-Author Competition. She is currently working on 2 more novels, One Season which she plans to publish in December, and Footage, the one that caught James Patterson’s attention. Lastly and most profoundly, EJ is a Stage 3 Breast Cancer survivor. She battled through most of 2015 and into 2016, enduring a double mastectomy, 6 months of chemotherapy, 2 months of radiation and a full radical hysterectomy. She still has more surgeries and a lifetime of monitoring but EJ is cancer free and despite it all you will never find her without a smile. Her philosophy is to always be moving forward, in business and in life, with intelligence, intention and integrity.