Child Dentistry | Trusted Pediatric Dentist

Your child’s first Dentist visit

The first “regular” dental visit should be just after your child’s third birthday. The first dental visit is usually short and involves very little treatment. We may ask you to sit in the dental chair and hold your child during the examination. You may also be asked to wait in the reception area during part of the visit so that a relationship can be built between your child and your dentist.

We will gently examine your child’s teeth and gums. X-rays may be taken (to reveal decay and check on the progress of your child’s permanent teeth under the gums). We may clean your child’s teeth and apply topical fluoride to help protect the teeth against decay. We will make sure your child is receiving adequate fluoride at home. Most important of all, we will review with you how to clean and care for your child’s teeth.

What should I tell my child about the first Dental visit?

We are asked this question many times. We suggest you prepare your child the same way you would before their first haircut or trip to the shoe store. Your child’s reaction to their first visit to the Dentist may surprise you—many children are curious or even excited about this new experience. Visiting a nurturing, experienced pediatric Dentist (like Dr. Laudati) will help to foster and maintain this excitement.

Here are some “First Visit” pediatric Dentist tips:

During your child’s first visit the Dentist will:

• Examine their mouth, teeth, and gums.
• Evaluate signs of any adverse habits, like thumb sucking.
• Check to see if your child needs fluoride.
• Teach you about cleaning your child’s teeth and gums.
• Suggest a schedule for regular pediatric dental visits.

What about preventative Dental care for children?

Tooth decay and children no longer have to go hand in hand. At our dental office, we are most concerned with all aspects of preventive care. We use the latest in Dental sealant technology to protect your child’s teeth. Dental sealants are space-age plastics that are bonded to the chewing surfaces of decay-prone back teeth. This is just one of the ways we will set the foundation for your child’s lifetime of good oral health.

Pediatric cavity prevention

Most of the time, pediatric Dental cavities are due to a diet high in sugar and a lack of brushing. Limiting sugar intake and brushing regularly, of course, can help. The longer it takes your child to chew their food and the longer the residue stays on their teeth, the greater the chances of getting cavities.

Every time someone eats, an acid reaction occurs inside their mouth as the bacteria digests the sugars. This reaction lasts approximately 20 minutes. During this time the acid environment can destroy the tooth structure, eventually leading to cavities.

Consistency of a person’s saliva also makes a difference; thinner saliva breaks up and washes away food more quickly. When a person eats diets high in carbohydrates and sugars they tend to have thicker saliva, which in turn allows more of the acid-producing bacteria that can cause cavities.

Tips for cavity prevention in children

• Limit their frequency of meals and snacks.
• Encourage brushing, flossing, and rinsing.
• Watch what your child drinks to limit liquids high in sugar.
• Avoid giving your child sticky foods.
• Make treats part of meals to avoid prolonged acidic dental exposure.
• Choose nutritious snacks.

When Will My Child’s Teeth Come In?

The first baby teeth that come into the mouth are the two bottom front teeth. You will notice this when your baby is about 6-8 months old. Next to follow will be the 4 upper front teeth and the remainder of your baby’s teeth will appear periodically. They will usually appear in pairs along the sides of the jaw until the child is about 2 1/2 years old.

At around 2 1/2 years old your child should have all 20 teeth. Between the ages of 5 and 6, the first permanent teeth will begin to erupt. Some of the permanent teeth replace baby teeth and some don’t. Don’t worry if some teeth are a few months early or late as all children are different.

Why Worry About Temporary Baby Teeth?

Baby teeth are important, as they not only hold space for permanent teeth but they also help with chewing, biting, speech, and appearance. For this reason, it is important to maintain a healthy diet and daily hygiene.

Is My Child’s Dentistry Covered Under My Insurance?

Your child’s Dental coverage depends on the type of insurance plan and the provider you have. North Country Smiles proudly accepts Dental insurance from the following providers:

• Cigna PPO
• Metlife (PDP Plus)
• Humana
• GEHA
• CSEA
• JJ Stanis
• Delta Dental (Premier)
• Aetna PPO
• Guardian PPO
• UHC PPO

You can consult your insurance plan and provider to review the extent of your child’s Dental coverage. If you do not see your provider listed here, give our office a call. Our Dental experts continually expand our insurance offerings to help meet the needs of our clients. If you (or your child) do not have Dental insurance, you can receive routine Dental care at a significantly discounted rate by joining Smile Club, our in-house coverage plan.

Pediatric Dentist Near Me | North Country Smiles

Here at North Country Smiles, we are known for our approach to Dentistry, which helps us accommodate the individualized Dental needs of both children and adults. If your child is afraid of the Dentist, we can help with our Dental Anxiety and Phobia resources. For a patient, knowledgeable, and trusted Pediatric Dentist, visit North Country Smiles. Our St. James Dental office proudly serves the greater Long Island community, including Smithtown, Kings Park, Suffolk County, Nissequogue, Commack, Stony Brook, Nesconset, Centereach, Lake Grove, Terryville, Lake Ronkonkoma, Port Jefferson Station, Selden, and beyond. Contact our office to schedule your child’s Dentist appointment today!