Madison Family Dental

Pediatric Dentistry

At Madison Family Dental, we look forward to meeting the dental needs of your entire family. We realize that all children are unique and strive to provide the best care possible for your child.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dental Association recommend your child visit the dentist around their 1st birthday, or within 6 months of the eruption of their first tooth. While children this age typically do not need a traditional dental cleaning, this initial appointment with the dentist provides an opportunity for parents to gain a better understanding of their child’s oral health needs. Please keep in mind that young children often do better with morning appointments, when they are well rested and have had breakfast.

We provide a full range of services to even our youngest dental patients. Our hope is to provide your child with positive dental experiences and a lifetime free from preventable oral disease.

What are some important habits that will help contribute to my child's oral health?

- Never put your baby to bed with a bottle.
- Keep juice out of sippy cups and bottles.
- Water is best in a sippy cup for your child during the day.
- Limit fruit juice to four ounces or less each day. Serve in a "big kid" cup.
- Start cleaning your child’s mouth with the eruption of the first tooth.
- Start flossing at an early age.
- Have your child visit the dentist regularly and always call with questions or concerns.

Pediatric Dentistry FAQs

When do I start cleaning my child’s teeth? And what is the best way to do it?

You should start cleaning your child’s mouth with the eruption of the first tooth, using a child-size toothbrush and water. After the age of two, a pea sized amount of fluoride toothpaste should be used.

Do I need to floss my child’s teeth?

Most baby teeth have space between them. If spaces are present, then flossing is not necessary as the brush can clean all sides. If your child’s teeth do not have spaces between them, it is very important that you try to floss them each evening before bed. Anywhere that the teeth touch, a child can get a cavity just like an adult can. The easiest way to floss your child’s teeth is to have them lay down with their head in your lap.

My child uses a pacifier/sucks his/her thumb, is this harmful?

In the pacifier vs. thumb debate, pacifiers are recommended over thumbs to comfort new babies. A pacifier habit is easier to break at an earlier age. Sucking on a pacifier or thumb is normal for infants and most children stop by the age of two. If a child does not stop on his or her own, the habit should be discouraged around the age of three to four. The earlier the sucking habit is discontinued, the less chance the habit will lead to orthodontic problems. Your dentist can offer suggestions.

Can I put my child to bed with a bottle?

If you must put your baby to sleep with a bottle, use nothing but water. Going to sleep with a bottle of formula, milk, or juice can lead to an alarming amount of tooth decay, especially in the top front teeth.

My child needs a filling or an extraction, what can I expect at that appointment? How do I get him/her ready?

Kids are amazing and typically do very well with dental work. With all of the advances in dentistry today, most procedures are virtually pain free. Using age appropriate information, the dentist will let your child know what to expect during the appointment. If a parent or other sibling has a dental fear, it is best not to express this to the patient. Sometimes children do better with a nervous parent waiting in the waiting room. Each child and situation is different. Our goal is to make you and your child comfortable during treatment. If you have questions about treatment, feel free to call your child’s dentist ahead of time to discuss them.

What is a sealant?

A sealant is a plastic coating that goes over the grooves on the chewing surface of a tooth to serve as a barrier to plaque acid and food. One of the most common places decay develops is on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Because these surfaces have deep pits and grooves that are difficult to keep clean, your dentist may recommend a sealant. The procedure is simple and fast and there is usually little, if any discomfort.

First the teeth to be sealed are thoroughly cleaned and conditioned. The dentist or hygienist then applies the sealant to the tooth where it bonds with the enamel. A special curing light may be used to help the sealant harden. Sealants which hold up well under the normal forces of chewing, usually last several years. Sealants prevent decay during the higher-risk years where children may not be cleaning their teeth as well.