PHMC Health Dental, Cedar provides general, pediatric and emergency dentistry at the PHMC Public Health Campus on Cedar. Care is provided by predoctoral students and dental residents under the supervision of licensed, experienced faculty dentists from The University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. In honor of National Children’s Dental Health Month. Penn Dental Medicine’s Pediatric Dentistry Division addressed five questions to help parents stay on top of their children’s dental health and maintain their beautiful smiles.
- When do baby teeth develop?
Baby teeth usually begin to appear at around six months of age. However, it’s not uncommon for some children’s primary teeth to erupt earlier and others later. There’s generally no need to worry unless your child has reached the age of 12-15 months without signs of primary teeth pushing through. Even at that stage, there may not be automatic cause for concern. It’s important to ask your own parents when you got your teeth since some parents who developed their baby teeth late may see the same phenomenon in their children.
- When should you start brushing your child’s teeth?
You should start brushing as soon as the first tooth emerges. To help get your child accustomed to brushing even before baby teeth make an appearance, you can rub clean gauze or a washcloth along the gumline.
- How much toothpaste should you use?
Pediatric dentists recommend a smear of fluoride toothpaste for children under the age of two years and a pea-size amount for those who are either over the age of two years or have all their baby teeth.
- How often should you brush your child’s teeth?
Ideally, children should brush their teeth twice daily. Parents should help young children with brushing since they’re still developing their fine motor skills. Children don’t have the motor skills to move their hands and brush their teeth correctly on their own until they’re ages 7-8 years.
- Is it necessary to floss baby teeth?
Parents should do so when the teeth begin to contact each other. If your child has tight teeth all around, you can start flossing right away. It’s best to floss once or twice a week to begin building that habit and gradually increase the frequency as more teeth start coming in. As children become more independent, they may also want to floss on their own. However, as with brushing, it’s important for you to assist them until they’re a little older.
To schedule a dental appointment for your child, call 855.887.9229 or request an appointment online.
