Pediatric Dentistry in Fredericksburg and Stafford, VA
Your Local Pediatric Dental Office
Dr. Swanson offers pediatric dentistry in Fredericksburg and Stafford, VA, helping children achieve optimal dental health in their early years.
The sooner a child begins getting regular dental checkups, the better chance that he/she will have at maintaining a healthy & beautiful smile that can last a lifetime. This is why the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that children receive their first dental examination by the time they reach the age of one. If your child is in need of a dental exam, please contact our office and we will be happy to help you schedule an appointment.
Importance Of Primary (Baby) Teeth
The primary or “baby” teeth play a key role in your child’s development. Your child needs his or her primary teeth for:
- Biting and chewing
- Preserving space for permanent teeth
- The proper development of clear speech
- Because primary teeth are so important, it’s essential that they’re well cared for. If primary teeth become unhealthy it can lead to pain, infection, loss of tooth function and early tooth loss.
Your Child's First Dental Visit
We agree with the American Dental Association’s recommendation that a child should see a dentist for the first time by the time he/she reaches the age of 1. By this time, many of the primary teeth have erupted. While your child will be given an examination, the most important part of this first visit is to get your child comfortable and used to seeing a dentist and being in a dental office. Our team works hard to make this a positive experience and a happy memory for your child.
Healthy Teeth
The teeth, bones and soft tissue of the mouth all require a healthy balanced diet. You should focus on providing your child with a variety of healthy foods that will help keep tooth decay and other dental problems at bay. Instead of providing your child with sugary snacks, offer more healthy alternatives like fresh fruits, low fat cheeses and low fat yogurt. These types of foods are calcium-rich to promote strong and healthy teeth.
Tips For Relieving Teething Discomfort
Your baby is teething when his or her primary teeth start breaking through the gums. While teething typically starts around the age of six months, it can begin at any time between three months and one year of age.
To alleviate pain and discomfort associated with teething, you can rub sore gums gently using a clean finger, a cold, wet cloth or the back of a cold spoon. It’s fine to give your child a teething ring but do not give him or her teething biscuits as they contain sugar which is harmful to the teeth.
While your child is teething, it is important to watch for the signs of baby bottle decay. Examine your child’s teeth regularly and especially on the tongue side. Warning signs of baby bottle decay are white patches or lines on the surface of teeth.
Don’t give your child a bottle filled with anything other than water at nap or bedtime. Feeding your child milk or juice can cause tooth decay, which could result in pain and tooth loss.
Contact Your Stafford & Fredericksburg Pediatric Dentist
Our team is always happy to speak with you. If you have any questions about early dental care or wish to schedule your child’s first visit with us, please contact us at your earliest convenience. We have dental offices in both Fredericksburg and Stafford for your convenience and extend our services to those living in Spotsylvania, Massaponax and the surrounding areas.
