Dr. Greg Reece and the dental care team at Dentistry of the Queen City are passionate about providing high-quality family dentistry in Charlotte, NC. This means we offer the appropriate preventative dental care to patients of all ages, even young patients. We love offering our services to growing smiles that stay with us through out the years.
From early dental visits for young patients to ongoing care for adults, we are committed to supporting growing smiles. We foster lasting relationships with our patients as they grow. We want to help every patient achieve and maintain a healthy, beautiful smile throughout their life.
Children’s Preventative Dental Care in Charlotte, NC
As your family dentist, we’re concerned with the long term maintenance of your child’s teeth. Our goal is to help children develop healthy oral habits that they will maintain for a lifetime.
We also offer the convenience of treating all members of your family under one roof. This will save you the time and hassle of traveling between many offices and making several appointments. By treating everyone, we simply make it easier on you.
Children often feel scared and full of anxiety at the dentist. When they see their parents or siblings being treated by the same people who treat them, it puts them at ease. They are more likely to model your calm and anxiety-free behavior.
Why Dentistry for Children is Essential
Keeping your child’s primary teeth healthy is essential for many reasons. Early preventive care visits give your child the opportunity to learn proper brushing and flossing techniques, as well as build a healthy patient-dentist relationship. Also, it simply helps them develop a beautiful smile.
Dental caries, or tooth decay, is a common problem for kids. It usually happens when they eat a lot of sugary foods and drinks, which feed the bad bacteria in their mouths. If kids don’t brush and floss their teeth regularly, these bacteria can make acids that damage their teeth and cause cavities.
Beginning dental care as soon as possible will help prevent cavities in your child. At these regular check ups, Dr. Reece will teach the proper ways to care for your child’s teeth to avoid tooth decay.
Dr. Reece, your family dentist, will also take the time to emphasize the role that a healthy diet can play in reducing tooth decay. A healthy diet, at-home care, and regular dental visits keep teeth strong and healthy for the long-run.
Reducing Dental Anxiety in Kids
We understand that many kids can feel afraid of the unfamiliar, especially when it comes to dental visits. Reducing dental anxiety in children can make visits to the dentist much easier and more comfortable. Start by introducing your child to the dentist early so they get used to the environment and the idea of dental check-ups.
When talking about dental visits, use positive and reassuring language. Instead of focusing on any potential discomfort, emphasize how visiting the dentist helps keep their teeth healthy and strong.
Reading children’s books or watching videos about going to the dentist can also help. These resources often explain the process in a fun and non-threatening way, making the visit seem less scary.
Role-playing a dentist visit at home can be another useful technique. Use a toothbrush as a pretend dentist’s tool and gently check your child’s teeth, which can help them get used to the idea of having their teeth examined.
Getting your child ready for the dentist can make the experience more pleasant and help them build good dental habits that will last a lifetime.
Your Child’s First Dentist Appointment
During your child’s first family dentistry visit in Charlotte, NC, Dr. Reece will:
- Examine their teeth and gums
- Address habits like thumb sucking
- Teach your child about cleaning their teeth and gums
- Chart their teeth
- Clean their teeth
- Take X-rays if needed
- Help you schedule regular dental visits for your child
During your child’s dental visit, Dr. Reece might clean their teeth and gums to keep them healthy, or take X-rays to check how their teeth are growing and developing.
During your child’s dental cleaning, the dental hygienist will have your child sit in a special chair that leans back. They will use a small, gentle tool to clean the teeth and remove any plaque or tartar buildup. Plaque is a soft, sticky film that can cause cavities and gum problems if it’s not removed.
Next, the hygienist will use a special toothpaste and a rotating brush to give the teeth a thorough cleaning. This toothpaste might taste like bubblegum or other fun flavors to make it more enjoyable for kids. After brushing, they’ll floss between the teeth to get rid of any food particles or plaque that the brush might have missed.
Sometimes, Dr. Reece might also take X-rays of the teeth to check for any hidden problems, like cavities between the teeth. Finally, he will examine your child’s teeth and gums to make sure everything is healthy.
FAQs: Dental Care for Children
Our frequently asked questions about dentistry for children covers general information you may need. However, if you have further questions, please feel free to reach out to our dental office staff. They would be happy to answer any questions you have about family dentistry in Charlotte, NC.
Are dental X-rays safe for my child?
Yes, a dental X-ray is generally safe for your child. They help diagnose dental issues that your dentist cannot see above the gum line. With tooth decay and cavities a major childhood issues, they are essential in treating children.
Our dentist office takes all the necessary precautions to keep your child safe when we take X-rays. We use lead aprons to minimize radiation exposure.
When will my child’s teeth begin to erupt and develop?
Children’s teeth erupt around the age of 6 to 10 months. Most children follow a predictable pattern once their teeth begin to erupt. By 16 months, all their incisors should be in. Then by 19 months, all their first molars; by 23 months, all their canines; and by 33 months, all of their second molars.
This is just the average and your child may develop at their own pace. Your dentist will let you know if their are concerned with your child’s oral development.
How essential are primary teeth?
Primary or “baby” teeth are very important to helping your child grow. Their main purpose is to help them chew food and aid in digestion. However, primary teeth also help aid in proper speech and language development.
They will help hold the spaces for the permanent teeth until they are ready to erupt. Also, the presence of healthy baby teeth will help your develop psychologically and socially.
How do you care for primary teeth?
As soon as your child’s first tooth shows, you should start cleaning them with a wet washcloth, wet gauze, or an infant toothbrush. As more teeth start coming in, you should then transition over to using a toothbrush designed for small children.
Just like you, you need to brush their gums and teeth twice a day. Once their teeth begin to touch, you will need to start flossing in between them. These are the basic steps you should follow until your child can care for their own teeth. At that point, you should monitor them until they care for their teeth themselves.
How old does my child have to be to get Invisalign?
Dentists recommend waiting until all of your child’s primary teeth fall out before considering Invisalign treatments. They should have fully-grown permanent teeth, be in their teens, and have a mild-to-moderate orthodontic issue. Bring your child in for a visit with our dentist to see if they qualify for Invisalign.
Where does decay on the primary teeth occur most often?
The upper front teeth or the upper primary molars found furthest back in the mouth are the most prone to decay. You should also floss these primary teeth to clean in between them.
When should I start using toothpaste on my child’s teeth?
Even before teeth come in, you should use an infant toothbrush or wet washcloth to clean your child’s gums. When teeth do come in, you should begin brushing them. Using a small amount of toothpaste to brush your child’s teeth twice a day will not harm them.
When will my child begin to lose teeth and develop permanent teeth?
Typically, children begin to lose teeth around age 6 or 7. Those teeth are then replaced by the permanent teeth. It takes several years for children to lose all their teeth and for all of their permanent teeth to come in. People in their 20’s can still have their third set of molars, or wisdom teeth, erupting.
How often should my child have dental check-ups?
A regular dental check up is just as essential for your child as it is for you. We suggest scheduling their appointments every six months, the same as your appointments. However, if your child requires extra care due to poor oral health or increased risk factors, we may suggest seeing them more often.
Schedule an Appointment to Visit Our Family Dental Office
Are your child’s first teeth showing? Call Dentistry of the Queen City at 704-486-8911 to schedule your child’s first dentist visit. We pride ourselves in providing comfortable and comprehensive family dentistry in our modern Charlotte, NC, dental office.