Frequently Asked Questions About Kids Dental Health

Here at Surfside we care about your child’s dental health!

We also care about your peace of mind, and we know you probably have a lot of questions for us. Below are some commonly asked questions that we get and some simple answers to put your mind at ease.

Why should I choose a pediatric dentist for my child?

Pediatric dentists have 2-3 extra years of specialty training and limit their work to pediatric patients. These highly trained professionals provide both primary and specialty care for your child from infancy through adolescence. We know the best techniques for how to offer your child a fun and stress-free experience with their provider and dental care in general.

Check out this full article on the subject of choosing a pediatric dentist.

When should I bring my child to the dentist for their first appointment?

It is recommended by the Academy of Pediatric Dentistry that children see a dentist before their first birthday or 6 months after their first tooth. This first visit appointment is all about having a fun and comfortable introduction to their dentist office. The dentist will check that teeth are emerging correctly, teach essentials for tooth and gum care and allow time for parents to ask questions and learn the ins and outs of keeping your child’s teeth free of decay. The first appointment is an important step for your child as they build healthy habits for good oral hygiene.

Are baby teeth important?

Yes! Baby teeth provide more than an aesthetic purpose. As your child’s body, brain, and social-emotional skills develop they rely on baby teeth to learn to speak,  feel confident in their image as well as hold space for the developing jaw bones and muscles and incoming permanent teeth. Diseased and crooked baby teeth can provide clues to the dentist about the conditions of incoming teeth and help to prepare the mouth to avoid the same issues with their permanent teeth. Thumb sucking and pacifier use with baby teeth is not urgent, as long as these habits are resolved before the eruption of permanent teeth.

How can I support my child’s good feelings about the dentist?

If it is their first appointment with us, you can let them know a little bit about what to expect. At your Surfside Kids Dental appointment, you will be greeted and invited to wait in the waiting room with toys and games. Children take cues from their parents about whether to feel calm and comfortable, so stay calm. If your child cries, remember that crying is a natural response to anxiety, and the calmer you can stay the more at ease they will feel. Each check-up will include a cleaning with a flavored toothpaste, a fluoride treatment, as well as reminders of how to maintain a healthy mouth and smile. Sometimes there will be pictures taken (x-rays).

Every kids dental appointment ends with getting to choose a toy from the toy wall, and getting to take home a goodie bag of fun treasures. Reminding your little ones of all of these things will help them feel cool, calm and relaxed. Our goal is to make each their appointment feel predictable and familiar. Also, parents are always invited to come back with their child. We have special parent seating and an open exam room style with in-ceiling TV’s and headphones for the kidos. Keeping the first few apointments calm and relaxing will go a long way to making your child feel safe at the dentist. Learn more about the Surfside Experience Here or by following us on IG.

Why do my kids need fluoride treatments?

Tooth decay is caused by the combination of sugar and bacteria that cause acid in the mouth. Young children have not yet developed regular dental hygiene routines to combat tooth decay. Studies show that regular treatment with the mineral fluorine(fluoride) has been shown to reduce the risk of tooth decay by 40% by strengthening tooth enamel. Fluoride is found in city drinking water and many children’s toothpastes. However, dental treatments of fluoride are stronger and better at targeting the teeth. Fluoride varnish provides and affordable, efficient and not unpleasant way to apply fluoride directly to the tooth without risk of swallowing.

Hopefully, this list has quelled some of your concerns! So now you can get back out to the beach or the pool or wherever you are that the sun is out and you’re having fun. See you later, surfers, hang loose!