Generally, the first dentist visit should start as soon as the first tooth erupts and by no later than a child’s first birthday. From there, you will want to get your child into a healthy routine of consistent visits to the dental office. The earliest visits are about getting your child used to our team, office, and the dental appointments process. They are also essential to support the health of a developing mouth.

Infants and very young children do not have the ability to care for their mouths themselves. We can advise on techniques to clean the gums and teeth that are trying to break through the gums. Pay attention to baby teeth. Take care of them. The premature loss of baby teeth can lead to lots of complications, from problems with chewing and speech to the shifting and misalignment of secondary teeth.

If primary teeth cannot be preserved, Dr. Rashid is well-equipped to prevent the complications that result from this situation. She may recommend “space maintainers” to “hold” a place for the surfacing permanent teeth. Additionally, our dentist is knowledgeable and experienced in administering “baby root canals.” This procedure, called a “pulpectomy,” treats the vulnerable tooth. Diseased tissues are removed, and the tooth is filled or “sealed off” to prevent further damage. In this manner, baby teeth can be saved.

As children continue to grow, they can benefit from many different services available at Smiles4Life Dental, including: