Your child’s first visit
Dr. Noemi Cruz-Orcutt recommends that the first “regular” dental visit be just after your child’s first tooth has erupted. The first dental visit is usually short and involves very little treatment. Dr. Cruz-Orcutt will examine your child’s mouth, teeth, and gums.
X-rays may be recommended to identify decay and to check on the progress of your child’s permanent teeth under the gums. We may clean your child’s teeth and apply topical fluoride to help protect the teeth against decay. Dr. Noemi Cruz-Orcutt and her team will review with you how to clean and care for your child’s teeth.
Baby teeth are important as they not only hold space for permanent teeth, but are crucial for chewing, biting, speech, and appearance. For this reason, it is important for children to maintain a healthy diet and daily hygiene.
When do baby teeth erupt?
The first baby teeth that come into the mouth are the two bottom front teeth. You will notice this when your baby is about 6-8 months old. Next to follow will be the 4 upper front teeth and the remainder of your baby’s teeth will appear periodically. They will usually appear in pairs along the sides of the jaw until the child is about 2 1/2 years old.
At around 2 1/2 years old your child should have all 20 teeth. Between the ages of 5 and 6 the first permanent teeth will begin to erupt. Some of the permanent teeth replace baby teeth and some don’t. Don’t worry if some teeth are a few months early or late as all children are different.
Cavity prevention
Most of the time cavities are due to a diet high in sugary foods, lack of fluoride, and inadequate brushing and flossing. Limiting sugar intake, fluoride treatment, brushing, and flossing regularly can help prevent cavities. Also, regular dental checkups and cleanings are important in order to prevent tooth decay.
Call (641) 424-9398 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Noemi Cruz-Orcutt at Mint Springs Dentistry in Mason City, IA.
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