A kid friendly dentist assists parents and their child through each step of teeth development, from the first emerging tooth to the removal of wisdom teeth if necessary during the teenage years. It is helpful for parents to learn more about dental milestones for chilren and how a kid friendly dentist can help with each one.
Of course, every child will have a unique set of treatment needs and goals, but there are common milestones that parents can expect to occur. The following is a review of four of the more notable dental milestones for children that a kid friendly dentist can assist with and potentially provide treatment for.
Baby teeth eruption, also called teething, is the first major child dental milestone. Parents are encouraged to visit a kid friendly dentist for the first time within six months after baby teeth erupt. The visit allows the dentist to check on the early development of the baby teeth and ensure there are no complications. They can also provide information for the parent on how to deal with the teething stages and how to care for their child’s teeth properly between dental visits.
Perhaps the child’s favorite milestone is the loss of their first baby tooth, especially if it means a visit from the Tooth Fairy. The first tooth loss typically occurs around the ages of five or six. Some children may experience tooth loss later. Permanent teeth will grow soon after the loss of primary teeth, which may cause some normal discomfort. Even though losing a baby tooth can be an exciting milestone, it is encouraged to protect baby teeth through dental sealants, cavity treatment and by wearing a mouthguard during sports.
Some kid friendly dentists recommend phase I orthodontics, which can occur around the same time permanent teeth come in. However, phase II orthodontics is far more popular. This can occur at any point during the teenage or adult years, although earlier is often better since the jaw and teeth structure is more malleable at a younger age. Most kid friendly dentists recommend parents begin thinking about phase II orthodontics for their child between the ages of 10 and 14.
Many people will not see their wisdom teeth come through until their adult years, but some may experience at 16 or 17. In other instances, a kid friendly dentist may recommend having wisdom teeth removed during the teenage years if they are impacted by or become problematic in phase II orthodontics. Although it might not be necessary until the child is an adult, it is helpful for parents to plan for the possibility that their child may need to have their wisdom teeth removed during their teenage years.
If your child’s baby teeth are starting to come in or if there are dental or orthodontic concerns, we encourage you to either give our kid friendly dental team a call today or reach out through email to arrange a time for a visit.
Request an appointment here: https://www.gatewaydental.org or call Gateway Dental Dr. William Swann DDS at (301) 485-7492 for an appointment in our Bowie office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Kid Friendly Dentist in Bowie, MD.
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