Pediatric Dentistry in Elk Grove, CA

Your Child’s First Visit

At Wackford Dental, we pride ourselves on our ability to serve patients of all ages. When it’s time for your child to see the dentist for the first time, we’ll make sure their visit is enjoyable.

We’ve designed our office to promote a friendly and comfortable environment that encourages children to feel relaxed and confident when they visit the dentist. From the moment you and your child walk in, we’ll use gentle language to explain each step in the process, and why we’re doing it.

When Should My Child Have Their First Appointment?

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists, your child should see a dentist after their first tooth erupts (typically between the ages of four and six months) and no later than their first birthday. Following these guidelines will give your child the best chance to prevent dental issues in the future.

In addition to examining your child’s smile and assessing their oral health, our Wackford Dental dentists will teach your child proper oral hygiene habits. Teaching them to care for their teeth at an early age is the best way to ensure that your child will have a lifetime of healthy smiles.

After Their First Tooth Erupts

Once your child’s first baby tooth appears, they may experience a slight sensitivity, tenderness, or soreness in their mouth. You can protect the tooth from decay and alleviate some of the discomfort by rubbing a clean, wet cloth across their gums.

Teething rings are soft, plastic objects that your child can chew on for pain relief. According to the Mayo Clinic, you should never freeze your child’s teething ring because it can bruise and damage their delicate gums, as well as causing frostbite. You can avoid these issues by placing the teething ring in the refrigerator — this cools it to a temperature that relieves discomfort, but it won’t be cold enough to cause damage.

Setting Your Child Up for Success

Now that your child’s teeth are beginning to grow in, it’s essential to watch out for any lines or discoloration — this can be a sign of decay. Sugary foods are particularly harmful to your child’s primary teeth. That’s why we recommend brushing your child’s teeth four times a day (after breakfast, after lunch, after dinner, and at bedtime) to protect their smile.

Tooth decay occurs when sugar is allowed to remain on your teeth after a meal. This sugar turns to acid that causes cavities, eating away your child’s teeth. When you start teaching them about effective oral hygiene habits at an early age, it will carry over into adulthood and help prevent tooth decay.

Sympathetic Care for Your Child

At Wackford Dental, we’ll make sure your child’s teeth are ready to grow into the strong and healthy smile that will serve them for a lifetime. As soon as their first tooth erupts, we suggest scheduling an appointment for your child with one of our dentists, Dr. Elsemary or Dr. Salem.

Both of our dentists enjoy working with kids and they’re trained to provide them with the special care they need. We’ll encourage good oral hygiene habits for your child and show them there’s nothing to fear at the dentist’s office.