Early Dental Care

little-girl-brushing

At Children’s Dentistry of Amarillo, Dr. Billy Metcalf and his talented team are committed to providing excellent pediatric dental care to children of all ages. We understand that the earliest experiences at a dental office can significantly shape a child’s oral health habits. That’s why we’ve created a safe, kid-friendly environment to help make dental visits as pleasant as possible and even fun!

The sooner your child begins seeing our Amarillo children’s dentist for regular dental checkups, the better opportunity he or she will have for maintaining a healthy and beautiful smile that can last a lifetime. This is why the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that all children should receive their first dental examination by the age of one.

Dental Care for Your Baby

Even before your baby’s first tooth appears, their gums can benefit from your careful attention. After feeding your baby, gently wipe his or her gums with a damp cloth to clear away any leftover milk and to begin the process of building good oral care habits.

Teething

Between the age of six and twelve months, you should start seeing your child’s first teeth emerging through the gums. During this time, your child will experience some gum soreness that can cause him or her to be cranky and irritable. While your child is teething, you can alleviate some of the pain by doing the following:

  • Gently massage the gums with a clean finger.
  • Rub the gums with the back of a cold spoon or a damp, chilly cloth.
  • Give your child a cool teething ring.

We don’t recommend teething biscuits because they contain sugar that can harm new teeth.

Watch for Signs of Baby Bottle Decay

Baby bottle decay occurs when sugar in the milk your baby is drinking mixes with the bacteria in dental plaque to form an acid that attacks tooth enamel. When your child is awake, there is sufficient saliva being produced to effectively wash away the acid. However, when your child is asleep, there is less saliva production, putting him/her at risk for decay. This is why you should not allow your child to fall asleep while drinking from a bottle.

It’s very important to check your child for signs of baby bottle decay every two weeks. Take the time to examine your child’s teeth and especially the inside of the teeth by the tongue. Signs to watch for include white spots or unusual lines on the teeth and dullness. If you notice any of these signs, please contact us for an appointment.

Your Child’s First Visit with Dr. Metcalf

When you bring your child to our office for his/her first dental visit at around the age of one, it will build trust to help make subsequent visits positive experiences. The most important part of this first visit is for your child to feel comfortable with all the sights, sounds, and people at our office. Our staff is very experienced in making children feel comfortable and at ease, which should make you feel better too! During this first dental examination, Dr. Metcalf will look for any problems that may be developing with your child’s new teeth.

Contact Your Amarillo Children’s Dentist

If you have any questions about early dental care or would like to know more about our practice, please don’t hesitate to contact us. If you’d like to schedule an appointment for your child, please call our office at (806) 351-0008. We look forward to your child’s visit with us!