San Antonio Pediatric Dentistry
The Importance of Pediatric Dentistry
A child’s dental journey begins even before the first tooth has developed. Pediatric dentistry is important for ensuring the child’s teeth develop normally, and to teach children about proper oral hygiene at a young age so they know how to take care of their teeth on their own.
We recommend bringing a child in for their first visit before the age of one. Babies are prone to gum infections before teeth even develop. Children should see a dentist every six months to a year, especially since their dental state is always changing.
At Wurzbach Parkway Family Dental in San Antonio, we strive to provide a warm and safe environment for children so they feel comfortable continuing their dental journey into adulthood.
You can ensure your child has healthy oral hygiene habits that will lead to beautiful adult smiles with reduced complications by scheduling an appointment today.
Pediatric Dentistry FAQS
The development and proper health of children’s teeth is essential to their growth into adulthood. Baby teeth can also get cavities and induce pain in a child. Cavities in baby teeth correspond to decay in permanent teeth, so it is imperative to make sure children are brushing and flossing properly. Even if adult teeth will soon appear, it is still important to fill any cavities that could delay the development of adult teeth. Children who visit the dentist at an early age are likelier to develop excellent dental habits, including brushing and flossing, that will prevent cavities and the possible need for dental work into adulthood.
Baby bottle tooth decay is another common issue involved in pediatrics. Thumb-sucking and other oral habits can affect a child’s bite. Pediatric dentists can monitor children’s bites, and possibly recommend orthodontics if a child is found to have crooked or gapped teeth after adult teeth appear. Once a year teeth cleanings, brushing, flossing and baby teeth removal are also something pediatric dentists at San Antonio’s Wurzbach Parkway Family Dental can assist patients with.
- When children are young, they have a maximum of 20 teeth. Incisors are the first teeth to come in, while the flat teeth are the most visible part of the smile that continue toward the molars at the back of the jaw. Molars first develop when children are around 6 years old. Another full set of molars develop at the age of 12, and wisdom teeth complete the set of 32 at adulthood.
- Central front teeth at 6 to 12 months
- Lateral front teeth at 9 to 13 months
- Canine teeth at 16 months to 2 years
- First and second molars at 1 to 3 years
We recommend bringing a child in for their first visit before the age of one. Babies are prone to gum infections before teeth even develop. Children should see a dentist every six months to a year, especially since their dental state is always changing.
