Pediatric
At Southview Dentistry, a Charlotte family dentist office, we believe that good dental habits begin as soon as the first tooth erupts. We care for families by providing the best, most consistent and effective dental care for your children; from their formative years, through adolescence and beyond.
When Should Your Child Have Their First Dental Visit
Taking care of your child's oral health starts early, and one of the most important steps is scheduling their first dentist appointment. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that your child see a dentist by their first birthday or within six months of getting their first tooth—whichever comes first. Did you know that dental cavities are the most common childhood disease, occurring four times more frequently than asthma? If left untreated, dental cavities can cause significant pain, difficulty eating, overuse of emergency departments, and lost school time.
How Can You Help Your Child Prevent Cavities
Cavities, commonly known as dental caries, are one of the most prevalent oral health disorders that children face. They arise when bacteria in the mouth produce acids that erode the enamel, the hard outer surface of the teeth. These bacteria feed on sugars and starches left on teeth from food and drink, generating acid that slowly erodes the enamel, resulting in cavities. Despite being a common concern in pediatric dentistry, cavities are easily preventable.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene With Your Child
Ensure that your child brushes their teeth twice a day, preferably in the morning and before bed. Use age-appropriate toothpaste and supervise brushing until they can do it correctly on their own, which usually occurs around the age of 6-7. Brushing correctly helps remove plaque and food particles, which are the primary causes of cavities.
Flossing is crucial for removing food particles and plaque between teeth that a toothbrush can’t reach. Begin flossing your child’s teeth as soon as they have two teeth that touch. Teaching them to floss daily sets the stage for a lifelong habit!
We are all pretty much aware that sugary and acidic foods and beverages, such as candy, sodas, and fruit juices, can erode enamel and cause cavities. Encourage your youngster to eat these goodies moderately and then rinse their mouth or wash their teeth.
Finally, encourage a balanced diet! A diet high in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and dairy products promotes general health, including oral health. Foods heavy in calcium and phosphorus, such as cheese and yogurt, can help strengthen teeth. Crunchy fruits and vegetables, such as apples and carrots, can also help clean your teeth naturally.
Focus On Creating A Positive Dental Experience for Your Child
Visits from an early age help children become accustomed to the dental office environment, reducing fear and anxiety associated with dental visits.
Teach your child the significance of dental hygiene in a fun and engaging manner. Use stories, songs, and even apps that promote brushing and flossing routines. When children understand the reasons behind their oral care routine, they’re more likely to follow it diligently.
Preventing cavities in children is an ongoing task that demands dedication and consistency. You can help your child keep a healthy, cavity-free smile by teaching them excellent oral hygiene, maintaining a balanced diet, and scheduling frequent dentist checkups. Remember, early prevention lays the groundwork for a lifetime of good oral health.
Charlotte Family Dentist and Pediatrics
We strive to make every patient’s experience stress free. We realize that a great dental experience at an early age will only help continue good dental habits in the future. We recommend bringing your child to sit and watch their parents or siblings so they can see how easy the experience can be. We recommend bringing your child to Southview Dentistry for educational tips on pediatric hygiene once they start getting teeth.We DO NOT recommend sealants for your child. We have been lead to believe that sealants help prevent cavities. This may be true in the short term but after being placed years later sealants can start to break down and actually lead to cavities later in life. Why place anything on a healthy tooth? If a child or parent is doing a good job keeping the tooth clean then why add a layer of sealant over the grooves that are cavity free? We routinely see cavities on back molars on patients that had sealants placed when they were younger. Usually these patients have never had a cavity in their life and have great home care. This cavity is hardly ever their fault and would probably never occurred if the sealant was never placed.
Additional Information
Are you looking for convenient, confident, and comfortable care from a Charlotte family dentist? If you are, then you’ve come to the right place. At Southview Dentistry, the best Charlotte family dentist, we care about you and your family and that is why we work to help you achieve the healthiest and brightest of smiles.From the moment you step into our Charlotte family dentist office, you will notice the difference. We value our patients’ relationships and we make gentle compassionate care our top priority. Our professional and highly trained team works hard to make you feel at ease by providing you with exceptional dental care in the most relaxed and convenient atmosphere. With a combination of professional compassionate staff and the latest technology, we ensure your healthy smile lasts a lifetime.
We strongly believe that our patients should have enough information to make educated decisions concerning their oral health and other treatment options. We provide patient education resources on our website and in our office. We pride ourselves on being a comprehensive Charlotte pediatric dentistry office and take our time with each patient to understand their concerns and needs. We offer a variety of services including:
