Tips on How to Get Your Child to Their First Appointment

Even as parents a trip to the dentist doesn’t sound like the most exciting thing. However, it’s important to get your child to the first dental appointment, even if it feels more like a chore than an exciting time. Here are some ways you can make it a bit easier on you and your child.

Preparation Comes Early

Some of the things that a dentist is going to do to check your baby’s teeth are completely unfamiliar to them. Before going to the dentist, you may want to prepare them a bit by mimicking some of the actions yourself and getting them familiarized with them.

Practice Brushing Teeth

Give your child their own little toothbrush with some safe toothpaste and let them go crazy. They may not brush their teeth, but they’ll get used to the idea of what may happen at the dentist and they’ll be practicing safe oral health habits at the same time.

Pick the Right Dentist

The dentist you choose for your child can make all of the difference in the world with how they react. Make sure you choose someone who is caring, friendly, and responsive to you and your baby. They should be gentle and be able to offer specific advice about your child’s individual needs.

Know that the first trip isn’t anything extreme. In fact, most dental offices expect it to be difficult for the child to open up with them and be comfortable. That’s why a big part of the first trip to the dentist is to familiarize the child with the setting.

Our team at Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental works hard to ensure the first dental visit for all children is a comfortable one. Call us today to schedule your appointment.

Tops Tips For Soothing Teething Babies

One of the most difficult times for any new parent is the time when their baby begins to teeth. You may not see teeth, but you’ll know through a number of signs such as constant drooling, the baby trying to bite multiple items, crying, fever, and even potentially a runny nose or diarrhea.

Whatever the sign, the moment you know your baby is teething, it’s important to know what steps you can take to help soothe them as quickly as possible. They’re going through a painful and unfamiliar situation, so make sure you are soothing their mouths often. Here are some ways to do that.

Teething Rings

These are some of the best things you can have for children. Whether you’re using the basic toys for teething or you have a ring you can put in the freezer to help numb the gums, teething rings can make a huge difference in your child’s comfort.

A Clean Finger

It may seem weird to some parents, but a clean finger is as good a soother than anything you can buy at the store. Take some time and rub your baby’s gums with your finger, applying just enough pressure so they can feel the massaging feeling.

Frozen Washcloth

Similar to a frozen teething ring, a frozen washcloth will give the baby something to bite on and the coldness will help to numb the gums and soothe the pain. Just wet a washcloth and place it in the freezer for a while. The textured fabric will also help.

When you need pediatric dentistry services, put your trust in our team at Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental. We know how difficult teething can be, but there are plenty of options available to make it an easier, and less painful, time for both parents and baby.

When Will My Baby’s Teeth Start Growing In?

Our children’s first anything is always a big deal and we always love to document it. First steps, first laugh, first words: everything is so important and timelines can be found online for all of these things. However, it’s important to know like all firsts, the first tooth is never guaranteed in a specific timeline.

The First Tooth May Appear at 6 Months

Don’t get too excited, six months is just a rough estimate on when the first tooth can appear. However, not all babies are alike and you shouldn’t expect the same results as a friend or family member’s baby. Every baby will begin the teething process on their own terms.

For instance, while some babies may start growing the first tooth at around roughly the 6 month mark, there are some situations in which they may not even come in until after the baby’s first birthday! Typically, it’s before that, but there are a number of factors that can determine when a baby’s first teeth will grow.

Sometimes, the development of the parents plays a factor — when did mommy and daddy start sprouting teeth? Another thing to consider is whether your baby was born prematurely or not. Regardless, it’s best not to worry about that first tooth and just let it happen as it should.

Speaking with a Dentist

If you are truly concerned about your child’s teething timeline, it’s best to speak with a pediatric dentist who can take a look at the gums and determine what may be causing the delay. However, it shouldn’t be much to worry about unless your child is well past the one year mark.
At Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental, we’ll explain everything to you in full detail so you have peace of mind every step of the way.

How Early Does My Child Start Visiting the Dentist?

Parents are in a difficult situation, especially with their first child when everything is so new and they’re unsure about what to do. You’re going to encounter a number of “first times,” and deciding when to officially take your child for their first trip to the dentist is just another one of these moments. Is it a matter of when the child gets their first few teeth? Should they wait until there is some kind of emergency? According to both the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the first trip to a dentist should occur when the first tooth erupts and no later than age two. Most people that a visit to the dentist is designed to do some work, but it’s not. The first visit is just a bit of a checkup and is designed to accomplish three things. These include the following: · Familiarization: Your child should meet their dentist and the staff and get to be more familiar around them so future trips aren’t very difficult. This builds trust and associates the dentist’s office in a non-threatening manner. · Understanding: There are going to be a lot of different things mentioned during the first trip to the dentist, but more for the parents, understanding the terminology and language can be important. · Checkup: The quick first trip can be used to allow the professional to look for any potential problems such as decay and explain what to look for as a parent. Meeting with our team at Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental for the very first time can be difficult for children. We understand this. However, we do everything can to ensure they—and you—feel the utmost comfort when in our office. Your child’s oral health is our number one priority and will be treated as such.

Call us today for your appointment.

Wiggling Teeth, Do I need to Worry?

For parents, waiting for your child to start sprouting teeth can be an exciting time, especially as you start to see them break through your infant’s gums and begin to fill their mouth. This is why it’s unfortunate, however, to watch the reverse happen after so many years.

As your child gets older, they’ll start to lose their baby tooth. This is a sad realization and you’ll suddenly start to feel your child’s teeth start to wiggle. While many may find some panic in this, there are a few reasons to stay calm.

Baby Teeth Aren’t Permanent

If your child’s tooth is wiggling and it is still their baby teeth, know that this is normal! It’s a part of the process and a wiggling tooth just means it’s almost time for that tooth to go and the adult tooth to come in.

Take a Trip to the Dentist

Many people feel that a wiggling permanent tooth is a sign of a serious problem and requires a lot of dental work. This isn’t necessarily true. Always speak with your dentist to determine the next steps in how to make it better.

Avoid Hard Foods

Until you get to see the dentist, ensure that you are only eating soft foods that won’t cause your tooth to move excessively and eventually force it to fall out. Biting into hard foods can mean that tooth is coming out at that very moment.

If you have any questions about your child’s wiggling tooth, speak with our team at Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental. We’ll answer your questions and provide you with a plan to help improve your child’s overall oral health. We’re here for you from start to finish. Call today and schedule your appointment with our skilled and friendly pediatric dental team.

Do I need to Worry About Thumb Sucking?

Let’s face it, there are going to be plenty of things to be concerned about when it relates to our children and their health. Unfortunately, we have more control over some things than we do others. One of the things we probably wish we had more control over is thumb sucking.

For many kids, thumb sucking is all about comfort and keeping themselves in a comfortable place. However, not many parents are sure of how this action affects their child. First, know that it is perfectly acceptable for infants. There are some problems that can be presented.

Thumb Sucking After the Age of Five

Typically, the longer the habit continues, the more changes there will be in the mouth and the more potential problems may arise. According to the American Dental Association, as kids get older, the sucking motion will begin to build pressure and cause changes in the mouth.

For instance, there may be the opening of the child’s bite that keeps the upper front teeth from touching the bottom front teeth. This is because of skeletal changes caused by the pressure, realigning the secondary teeth. It’s best to stop the habit as quickly as possible.

How to Stop Thumb Sucking

There are numerous ways that you can encourage your child to stop the thumb sucking habit. Here are some of the top ways to help break the habit and allow your child’s bite to correct before they get too old.

· Give the child a pacifier — they’re easier to take away · Reward your child for quitting · Praise your child when they try to stop the thumb sucking · Speak with a dentist to get advice At Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental, we look forward to helping our patients as they pursue the smile they desire. Let us help you and your child. Call us today to schedule an appointment.

Can Kids get Tooth Decay?

Often times, we assume kids get cavities because they aren’t brushing well and are eating a lot of sweets. Sometimes it’s more than that and can actually be genetic! Below are some of the most common habits that can result in tooth decay in your child.

Sugary Foods

Foods with lots of sugar are extremely hard on the enamel of the tooth. If the bacteria builds, it can break through causing a cavity

Lack Of Brushing

Kids have a difficult time reaching the back areas of the mouth, which is where chewing takes place. As food builds up, bacteria grows, and plaque gathers leading to decay.

Bed With a Bottle

When putting your child to bed, it’s important to give them water instead of milk. Milk can sit in your child’s mouth and create bacteria growth.

Genetics

Sometimes, individuals teeth need to be taken care of more than others. Thin enamel and cavity sensitivity can run in your family. At the end of the day, roughly 4 million pre-schoolers suffer from tooth decay. Over the past decade, that’s an increase of more than 600,000 kids. This emphasizes the importance of ensuring children have good oral health habits and are working to protect their teeth as much as possible. Even if the lack of healthy teeth and gums stems from genetics, brushing and flossing is important to help improve the health of your child’s mouth as much as possible. At Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental, we can help with a check-up and analysis of your child’s oral health, provide cleanings, and work hard to ensure your child shines as bright as possible.