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According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, children should visit the dentist when their first tooth erupts or before they are one year old. If that seems early, then think about this: your child\u2019s teeth began forming in utero and ideally they\u2019ll have them for a lifetime. So doesn\u2019t it make sense to begin taking care of them sooner rather than later? The Lincoln children\u2019s dentist at Williamsburg Dental provides a wide variety of services to help your children enjoy many years of healthy and happy smiles.
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\nJust like their parents, children need to see the dentist for regularly scheduled dental cleanings and exams. Of course, the first few visits might not be too extensive\u2014we\u2019re really just trying to get your child used to the sights and sounds in a dentist\u2019s office. If they seem ready, then we may quickly clean their teeth. Then, at ensuing visits we\u2019ll count and examine their teeth.<\/p>\n
We also use these visits to instruct you and your child on how best to brush and floss. Needless to say, this will be your responsibility for the first few years of your child\u2019s life. And even when they want to brush their own teeth, you should still supervise and help them with flossing. Most children will not be able to adequately brush and floss their own teeth until they are seven or eight years old.<\/p>\n
Just because children\u2019s teeth are relatively new doesn\u2019t mean they aren\u2019t susceptible to tooth decay. To the contrary, because young children\u2019s teeth are often difficult to clean, they may be even more prone to cavities. If we find a cavity during an exam, then the children\u2019s dentist in Lincoln will fill it with a tooth-colored filling. If the decay is extensive, or if the tooth is otherwise damaged, then one of our dentists may elect to cement a dental crown over the tooth. These treatments can sometimes be long and overwhelming for a child. If so, we can use nitrous oxide\u2014laughing gas\u2014to help them relax. They inhale the laughing gas through their nose, so we can easily work in their mouths while they relax and watch their favorite show on television. When the mask comes off, the effects of nitrous oxide wear off almost immediately.<\/p>\n