Every Child Deserves a Healthy Smile
At Framingham Family Dental Care, we love helping patients of all ages achieve great oral health. Our friendly, compassionate team helps kids feel comfortable so they can get off to a great start with their smiles. And since Dr. Adelina and Arvi Duka are parents themselves, they’ve been able to create a kid-friendly environment to help every child have a positive experience in the dental chair. If you’ve been looking for a children’s dentist in Framingham, give us a call today. We’d love to help your child achieve a healthy smile!
When Should You Schedule The First Visit?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends the first checkup when the first tooth comes in, or around the first birthday. These early visits won’t include X-rays or a cleaning until ages 3-5 but are still very important for multiple reasons:
- They ease your child into routine dental care and help them feel comfortable from early on.
- They’re a chance to learn about infant feeding practices, how to avoid baby bottle tooth decay, teething, pacifier use, thumb-sucking, and oral hygiene.
- Early checkups also keep the baby teeth healthy, which your child will need for many years to eat comfortably and speak clearly. They’re also involved in the development of the permanent teeth.
- Prevention is so much easier than treatment, especially for kids. But preventative efforts are most effective when they’re started early.
Kid-Friendly Services For Every Stage of Development
- Sealants – These thin, clear coatings prevent cavities from forming in the “grooves” of the back teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach.
- Fluoride – Fluoride treatments are a great way to strengthen the enamel and prevent tooth decay.
- Fillings – If your child needs a filling, we make their comfort a top priority from start to finish. We also offer nitrous oxide sedation to help them feel calm and relaxed in the dental chair. Since this type of sedation wears off right away, they can return to school or resume their normal activities immediately after their appointment.
- Mouthguards – If your child plays any type of contact sport or recreational activity like mountain biking, a mouthguard will prevent injuries like knocked-out teeth and have even been found to reduce the severity of concussions.
- Wisdom teeth extractions – The wisdom teeth (or third molars) typically come in between ages 15 – 25, so we’ll take a special type of X-ray around age 15 to show us if they’re starting to develop inside the jaws. If necessary, we’ll recommend extractions to help prevent problems such as crowding, oral infections, and bite alignment issues.
At-Home Oral Hygiene Tips For Kids
As a dentist in Framingham that’s focused on prevention, we’ll give you personalized tips for keeping your child’s teeth and gums clean at their checkup visits. But there are some general tips that can work for every family.
For babies, gently wipe their gums 2-3 times a day with a clean, damp cloth or use a special, ultra-soft teething brush. After their first tooth comes in, and prior to age 3, use a very light smear or rice-sized amount of toothpaste. After age 3, use a pea-sized amount.
Although it can be a struggle for some kids to get in the habit of brushing and flossing, positive reinforcement and small rewards for consistency can go a long way. When they’re old enough, let your child pick out their own age-appropriate toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and other products. As much as possible, set a good example. If your child sees you brushing and flossing regularly, they’ll be more likely to adopt good habits themselves.