Children's Dental Care in Green Bay, WI

When Should Children Visit the Dentist?

An important component of kids' dental care is scheduling a dental visit to our office by the time your child has their first baby tooth. This follows the guidance set by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. The first dental visit should occur no later than your child's first birthday, but it's common for teeth to erupt through the gums earlier. Seeing the dentist regularly early in life can prevent oral health issues and help children understand the importance of practicing good oral health habits.

Although they may not seem important because they're not permanent, baby teeth coming in puts your child at risk for cavities. A specific type of tooth decay that affects children is called baby bottle tooth decay, and it develops when your child's teeth are frequently exposed to sugar. Putting your baby to bed with a bottle is a common cause. Giving your child a bottle before going to sleep can reduce the risk of baby bottle tooth decay. To learn more about how you can prevent tooth decay in children, call us to schedule an appointment with our children's dentist in Green Bay.

What Happens During a Child's Visit to the Dentist?

Our compassionate team prioritizes your child's comfort and strives to create a comfortable experience while providing pediatric dental care. Younger children usually feel more comfortable sitting on the parent's lap during their appointment, but older kids may prefer to sit in the dentist's chair. Our dentist will check your child's teeth and jaw for proper development and cavities, and the hygienist will clean your child's teeth to remove any plaque or tartar buildup.

X-rays may be performed for older kids to ensure normal development and closely examine their bite and jaw alignment, but younger kids usually don't receive x-rays. Schedule your child's first dental appointment with our children's dentist today.

What Are Children's Dental Services?

We provide a variety of dental services that can help protect your child's oral health. Dentistry for kids includes these common services and treatments:

Teeth cleaning for children: Dental cleanings are a routine treatment provided at our office, and it's essential for removing the buildup of plaque and tartar.

Fluoride: A fluoride treatment for children keeps tooth enamel strong and resistant to tooth decay.

Dental sealants: Dental sealants for children can also prevent cavities by preventing food particles and bacteria from entering teeth.

Fillings: A kid's cavity filling is a restoration treatment that treats tooth decay in either baby teeth or permanent teeth.

Pediatric crowns: White crowns for baby teeth are designed to treat advanced tooth decay that can't be treated with a typical dental filling.

Mouthguards: We can customize a children's mouthguard to protect your child's teeth while playing contact sports. A mouth guard can also protect teeth from the effects of tooth grinding.

When Do Baby Teeth Start to Develop?

When it comes to the development of baby teeth, there is some variability because every child's mouth is unique. Six months is the average age for most babies to develop their first teeth, but it can occur anytime between six to twelve months of age. The two bottom front teeth are generally the first teeth to come in, and the two upper teeth in the front usually erupt soon after. You can expect your child to have all 20 of their baby teeth by the age of three, but if you have any concerns, we encourage you to contact our kids' dentist.

When Do Baby Teeth Start to Fall Out?

Most kids begin the process of losing their baby teeth by the age of six. In general, the teeth that kids develop first are also the first teeth to fall out. This is commonly referred to as a "first in, first out" pattern. Most children will lose their two bottom teeth first, which are closely followed by the two top teeth.

Why Do Children Get Toothaches?

Toothaches can affect children for many reasons, but tooth decay is one of the most common reasons. Other causes of toothaches include pain from developing teeth, cracked or chipped teeth, and having a piece of food stuck between teeth. See our children's dentist as soon as you can if your child's toothache lasts longer than one day.

If your child has developed baby teeth, it's time to start looking for an experienced children's dentist near me. Call us today to schedule a convenient appointment with our children's dentist in Green Bay.