As an Austin, TX pediatric dentistry office we work with a lot of parents that are concerned about the oral health of their children, and understandably so. We depend on parents to partner with us so that we can take care of teeth in our office while parents are supervising the oral hygiene routine at home. If you want to have your child examined or their teeth cleaned call (512) 266-1308 and schedule an appointment with our 78734 dental office.
Common Pediatric Dentistry Questions Asked by Our Austin Patients
When should I start brushing my child's teeth?
As soon as your child have teeth they need to be brushed. You can start with a baby brush and then should buy them an age appropriate one as they grow.
What type of toothpaste should I use?
Your older child should have their teeth brushed with a fluoride toothpaste. This is because fluoride is a mineral that can help to strengthen their teeth.
How frequently should I buy a new toothbrush?
At Austin Lakes Dentistry: Scott T Gordon DDS recommends that you change your child's toothbrush at least once every 3 months. If your child is an aggressive brusher, you may need to replace it sooner since their bristles will be frayed and not doing a good job cleaning their teeth.
Do I really need to floss my child's teeth?
Absolutely. At Austin Lakes Dentistry: Scott T Gordon DDS recommends that you floss your child’s teeth on a daily basis and recommends that you use flossing tools in order to do so. This will make the process far easier as this is an important step for preventing gum disease.
Is there anything an Austin, TX pediatric dentistry office can do to prevent cavities?
Yes, we recommend that you have your child's teeth cleaned twice a year. This will allow us to remove any plaque and tartar that has built up on them. No matter how good of a job you do helping your child to brush, it is difficult to remove all of the plaque without our help. During these appointments, we can also give them a fluoride treatment which is directly placing minerals on their teeth in order to strengthen them and prevent tooth decay. Fluoride is so effective that it has been known to reduce the occurrence of cavities by 30%. Additionally, we can place dental sealant on your child's teeth that will work as a protective barrier preventing food and plaque from becoming trapped in the deep ridges on the surfaces of their teeth. This will also help to reduce the likelihood of them developing cavities.
What can I do to protect my child's teeth while they play sports?
This is an excellent question and something every parent should think about. Whether your child is 6 or 16, wearing a mouthguard while playing sports can help to prevent dental damage. At Austin Lakes Dentistry: Scott T Gordon DDS recommends this for children with their permanent teeth because this is the only set of permanent teeth they will ever get. A mouth guard can reduce the likelihood of a tooth being knocked out while playing sports, chipped, or cracked. This is a simple solution that can save you a lot of money in dental restorations down the road.
To have more of your pediatric dentistry questions answered, call (512) 266-1308 and schedule an appointment with our 78734 dental office. We will be happy to assist you and to partner with you in keeping your child’s teeth healthy and strong.
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