Pediatric Dentistry

After your baby teeth come out, you've only got one set of teeth to last you your whole life, which is why it's so important to take care of them from an early age with pediatric dentistry! Here at Short Pump Dental, our mission is to prepare all of our patients for a lifetime of beautiful, healthy teeth. Our years of experience as a Short Pump dentist has proven that the earlier you start taking care of your teeth, the longer they will last—so we've put together a quick guide to pediatric dentistry and how Short Pump dental can help ensure that your teeth stay healthy for years to come!

Early Treatment For Orthodontic Concerns

You may have heard that dentistry doesn't begin until a child has all of their adult teeth, but this commonly spread myth is harmful to many childrens' dental development. Here at Short Pump Dental, your local Short Pump dentist, we can recognize developing dental conditions before all of your child's adult teeth come in. Baby teeth serve as placeholders for adult teeth, so it is often possible to spot developing malocclusions or other harmful dental conditions in children as early as one-year-olds. Neglecting these issues can lead to misaligned teeth, speech impediments, and painful jaw conditions, all of which can be prevented by early dental treatment and pediatric dentistry. We recommend that you bring your child in for a screening at the age of one, and if necessary, begin orthodontic treatment at 7 years of age.

Preparing For Your Child's First Visit

Upon your child's first visit to Short Pump Dental, our friendly staff will make sure that he or she feels comfortable and in good hands. Then we will proceed to a brief evaluation of your child's teeth, looking for any signs of developing conditions or warnings of poor oral hygiene. Before your child is old enough to brush their teeth it is the parent's responsibility to take care of brushing and flossing. Before the age of two, simply wiping teeth with gauze before and after bedtime is adequate dental care, and after two you can start teaching your child to brush with a children's toothbrush and a small dab of fluoridated toothpaste. If you have any concerns or questions about your child's teeth or brushing and flossing, feel free to bring them into your local Short Pump dentist.

Schedule A Visit With Short Pump Dental Today!

Whether your child just turned one or if your child is older and you are wondering when he or she should start getting dental care, the best thing you can do to answer your questions is to bring your child into your local Short Pump dentist. Here at Short Pump Dental, we want to ensure that your child develops healthy teeth without having to confront painful and expensive dental conditions later in their life. Don't delay, your child will thank you for it—contact Short Pump Dental today to learn more about pediatric dentistry or to schedule an appointment.