1 – What’s the best way to clean my baby’s teeth?
Use an infant toothbrush with a small head and soft, nylon bristles. Brush at least twice a day, preferably at bedtime to remove plaque that cause tooth decay.
2- When is my child ready for his first dental check-up?
We recommend you bring your child to the pediatric dentist as soon as he attains his first birthday, or when his first tooth appears. The first visit helps to check the child’s oral health as well as preventing dental problems from occurring.
3 – Should I take my child to a pediatric dentist or a family dentist?
While a family dentist specializes in treating everyone in your family, a pediatric dentist has specialty training in children’s oral health and is dedicated to providing dental care to infants, toddlers, children, and adolescents.
4 – How important are baby teeth to my child’s oral care?
Baby teeth (primary teeth) are very important to your child’s oral health and should be well looked after. Besides helping him chew naturally and speak well, they also help with holding space in the jaw that is needed for proper growth of permanent teeth.
5 – How do I get my baby off thumb-sucking and pacifier habits?
Thumb-sucking and pacifier habits are usually fine because the baby will eventually outgrow them. If the habit continues past age three, your dentist may recommend mouth guards or space maintainers as a method of intervention to help prevent bite and crooked teeth problems.
6 – How often should I take my child to a pediatric dental clinic?
Dentists recommend taking your child for dental check-ups every six months. This helps to prevent tooth decay and other dental problems from occurring. Sometimes your dentist may suggest more frequent visits depending on your child’s oral health needs.
From birth until your child’s tooth first arrives, clean your child’s gums using water and soft-bristled toothbrush. Once the teeth have erupted, clean twice a day with a rice grain size of fluoride tooth paste. From 3-6 years old, brush twice a day with a pea sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. We always recommend monitoring their brushing, ensuring they never swallow the toothpaste.
8 – Are dental sealants really necessary?
Yes. Dental sealants are used to fill in cracks found on chewing surfaces of your child’s teeth, helping to prevent food particles from building up there and causing cavities.
9 – Are dental X-rays safe?
Dental X-ray exposes you to less radiation than traditional X-ray films. Not only do they help with accurate diagnosis of your child’s dental problems, they make treatment highly effective, comfortable and pain-free. We also offer digital X-rays which emits even less radiation.
10 – What should a parent do to prevent tooth decay in their children?
Teach your child the importance of good oral hygiene and ensure your kids brush and floss their teeth at least twice a day. Monitor your children’s dietary and make sure your child stays away from sugary foods and drinks. In addition, bring your children to for dental exams on a regular basis to keep their smiles healthy and beautiful.
Meet Dr. Corina Ramirez
Dr. Ramirez has been in the field of dentistry since 1986. She received her doctor of dental surgery from USC, where she graduated in the top four percent of her class. She received pediatric specialty training at UCLA, where she also served as the chief resident of the class of 2006.