Losing baby teeth is a significant rite of passage for young children, and it can be exciting for kids with hopes that the tooth fairy pays them a visit. But this rite of passage is important for parents, too. As a pediatric dental office in Washington D.C., one of the common questions we hear from parents is regarding the proper timing for permanent teeth to fully appear. While every child is different, the average timeframe for an adult tooth to replace a baby tooth is about 6 months. In some instances, this timeframe can be longer, for a number of reasons. Learn more about a few of the more common reasons some teeth take more time to come in.     

• Teeth Spacing: Occasionally, baby teeth can come in too close together. Close spacing can cause issues when a baby tooth is lost and the new tooth is coming in. There may not be enough space for the new tooth to properly grow in. When this happens, the tooth may take longer to come in.  

• Impacted Teeth: An impacted tooth is normally caused when a baby tooth is lost prematurely, such as a tooth being knocked out. The emerging tooth can get lodged inside the bone, preventing it from emerging. This can also happen with a tooth that is partially exposed, creating a partially impacted tooth. 

• Incorrect Growth: Children’s teeth, more commonly than not, have a non-uniform appearance. In some instances, baby teeth can be misplaced which causes the adult teeth to come down in the wrong location. 

Sometimes new teeth struggle to erupt with no apparent cause. If you feel your child may be experiencing one of these permanent teeth growth issues, consult our pediatric dentist. We can determine if there is a cause and take the correct steps to start to improve the situation. If there is an issue with adult tooth eruption, the sooner it’s addressed the better. 

It’s important to regularly schedule dental cleanings and examinations for your children. During these visits with our pediatric dentist, we’ll monitor your child’s smile as it continues to transition. This allows our dentist to be more interceptive with any issues that may arise, making any treatments easier to manage as your child continues to grow. If you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment, contact our Washington D.C. pediatric dentist today.

Capitol Hill Pediatric Dentistry
Phone: (202) 849-3292
Url: https://capitolhillpediatric.dentist/
650 Pennsylvania Ave, SE, Suite 220
Washington, DC 20003

If our children are the future, we have a responsibility to ensure the next generation has the tools and skills they need to succeed. Without question, proper education, quality healthcare, and good oral health habits are at the foundation of this effort. Unfortunately for some, dental care can sometimes fall by the wayside when it comes to healthcare priorities. All the more reason why pediatric dental care is an essential part of making sure every child has access to the great dentistry services they deserve.

Maximize Overall Health

It may not be well known, but oral health has a large and direct role in overall health. If a child doesn’t receive quality dental care, it can cause problems not only with their dental health, but in other areas of their overall wellbeing. It’s important to know dental health and overall health go hand-in-hand. As with adults, routine dental cleanings and oral examinations should be scheduled about every six months. 

Prevent Future Dental Problems

Preventive dentistry, including routine dental cleanings and oral examinations, are the foundation for quality dentistry. Regularly scheduled visits to the dentist will ensure a child’s oral health is monitored and maintained. As children grow up they experience many changes related to oral health. Pediatric dentists are trained to monitor your child’s developing dental health, including the eruption of baby teeth and the growth of permanent teeth. Getting ahead of problems like crowding or decay can protect and preserve your child’s precious smile.

Education on Good Oral Habits

Education is important for a child’s development. Education related to dentistry can help start any child on the right path to maintaining their oral health. Sharing techniques for brushing or even explaining why we brush can give kids the informational foundation they need for maintaining their oral health. Pediatric dentists can only do so much during regularly scheduled visits to maintain oral health. Empowering children to start and keep a good oral hygiene routine will continue to benefit them throughout their lives. 

There’s nothing more beautiful than a child’s smile. Granting children access to quality pediatric dentistry from a young age will help set a trend for them to follow as they grow into adulthood. If you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment, contact our Washington, D.C. pediatric dental office today. 

Capitol Hill Pediatric Dentistry
Phone: (202) 849-3292
Url: https://capitolhillpediatric.dentist/
650 Pennsylvania Ave, SE, Suite 220
Washington, DC 20003

Helping children establish a foundation of quality oral health care at a young age is very important. Part of this foundation is built upon the professional dental care your child receives. That’s why choosing to use a professional pediatric dentist is a great way to set your child up for a lifetime of good oral health habits. Here are a few reasons why speciality pediatric dental care has benefits for both you and your child.

1. Specialty Training. Pediatric dentists are not only dentists that focus on younger patients. Additional training is required for those who wish to go into pediatric dentistry. Dentists looking to focus on pediatrics must successfully obtain their degree before focusing on obtaining a pediatric dental license. The average residency time needed to specialize in pediatric dentistry is between 2-3 years. Having the additional years of training helps separate pediatric dentists from other dentists when it comes to treatment protocols, and this training helps them deliver the best possible care and comfort to your child.

2. A Child-Friendly Office. It’s non uncommon for young children to have fear about going to the dentist, viewing it as a “scary” place. Pediatric dental offices do their best to put this stigma to rest. Often painted in fun color schemes, the offices are designed to look inviting. Often, waiting areas have child-centric activities such as toys, games, books, or even children’s programming on TV,  Combining the office with a professional pediatric dental staff can put you and your child’s mind at ease. Our staff can not only provide quality care but can help by telling jokes or even offering a small prize like a sticker once treatment is completed. The office environment can only help so much, but having the right pediatric dental team can turn a good experience into a great one. 

3. Teaching Your Child to Care for Their Teeth. Visiting a pediatric dentist for a cleaning and dental examination is very important, but being able to teach kids to take care of their teeth is also essential. Pediatric dental team members take the time to help educate kids with steps like showing them how to properly brush and floss their teeth. This makes your job of reinforcing good habits at home that much easier. 

If you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment, contact our pediatric dental office today. Our pediatric dental team is here to provide your child with the best dental care and to help your child learn and understand the importance of proper oral hygiene. 

Capitol Hill Pediatric Dentistry
Phone: (202) 849-3292
Url: https://capitolhillpediatric.dentist/
650 Pennsylvania Ave, SE, Suite 220
Washington, DC 20003

Thumb sucking is one of the most recognizable behaviors found in children. Sucking is a natural reflex and infants and young children may use thumbs, fingers, pacifiers, and other objects on which to suck. It may make them feel secure and happy, or provide a sense of security at difficult periods. Since thumb sucking is relaxing, it may even encourage sleep. Studies have proposed that as many as 90% of children have engaged in this type of activity in their lives. We have even seen that thumb sucking can begin in the mother’s womb during pregnancy. It’s natural, safe, and can be quite helpful to parents, as their baby learns to soothe themselves from time to time.

Whether this oral fixation is satisfied with a thumb or the commonly used pacifier, most children discontinue this practice before long. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry states that most children stop thumb sucking on their own between the ages of 2 and 4. 

Once your baby’s first set of teeth are in and thumb sucking persists, there is a chance that this habit could push the teeth slightly forward. Fortunately, this will in no way affect the placement of the adult teeth or add to the cost of your child’s future dental bills. Thumb sucking, even in toddlers, is considered normal. It does not mean there is anything wrong with your child and that they should feel embarrassed or ashamed. Even the most persistent thumb sucker ordinarily stops on their own by the time toddlerhood has ended.

Thumb sucking infrequently continues past the age of four. This is usually found to be the result of too much attention or negative reinforcement given to the habit in previous years. Beyond this age, thumb sucking can begin to impact the alignment of the adult teeth, so it is best your child shed the habit sooner rather than later.

How do you help them with this? Don’t reprimand them because of it, don’t remove the thumb from their mouth and don’t mention it. This is where their growing awareness and social cues come in handy. As your child begins to notice that the kids around them aren’t sucking their thumbs anymore, they won’t want to either. They will also start to discover other skills or items to give them comfort and security. Peer pressure becomes a much greater deterrent than a parent’s disapproval. 

What Can I Do to Support my Child Through Thumb Sucking?

• Insecurity often causes anxiety in children and this may lead to thumb sucking. Instead of reprimanding them, try to focus on what is making them feel anxious.

• Parents who provide comfort and positive reinforcement to their children will see a less likelihood of thumb sucking.

• Take note of the times your child tends to suck on their thumb and create diversions during these occasions.

• Ask your child’s dentist to speak with them about the impact thumb sucking will have on their mouths. 

• Place a band-aid or a sock on your child’s thumb as a reminder to avoid putting their thumb or fingers in their mouth.

Thumb sucking can be a troublesome habit for parents, mostly when it feels like your child is the only one still engaging in the behavior. Permitting your child to find other ways of comforting themselves is more helpful to them in the end. If you have any other questions on how to improve your child’s oral health, please give our pediatric dental office a call. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, visit our website or give us a call today.

Capitol Hill Pediatric Dentistry
Phone: (202) 849-3292
Url: https://capitolhillpediatric.dentist/
650 Pennsylvania Ave, SE, Suite 220
Washington, DC 20003

Your child’s primary teeth (commonly called “baby teeth”) are pretty interesting, and we’re not just saying that because we’re pediatric dentists. In most mouths, there are 20 primary teeth in total. They are already present in your child’s jaw at the time of birth and they will usually begin to appear between the ages of 6-12 months. 

Usually referred to as teething, this process can be an important and exciting stage in you and your child’s life. We probably all have at least one story of a lost baby tooth. However, despite their cultural significance, many fail to see the health-related importance of these teeth. One question we get quite frequently is, “If my child’s baby teeth are just going to fall out anyway, is it even worth taking care of them?”

While it may seem like caring for your child’s baby teeth isn’t all that important, nothing could be further from the truth. Called “Nature’s Braces” by some dentists, baby teeth are incredibly important to a child’s overall health and development. 

When baby teeth are lost too early, due to decay or some other factor, the gaps left behind can cause major issues in the development of your child’s permanent teeth. As permanent teeth start to come in, they can drift into the empty space left behind by a missing primary tooth, making it difficult for other teeth to come in straight. The end result is often a crooked and misaligned smile that requires expensive orthodontic care in the future. 

Additionally, baby teeth are necessary to help your child in everything from chewing and speaking to smiling with confidence.

Primary teeth are important to more than just the tooth fairy and are critical to your child’s development. To make sure they stay healthy and do their job, help your child brush their teeth at least twice a day and participate in all the other aspects of a great oral hygiene routine. 

As a part of that routine, make sure that you continue to schedule regular dental appointments for your child at our pediatric dental office. We are specialists in providing excellent, kid-focused dental care in a warm and welcoming environment. Contact our pediatric dental team to set up your next appointment today.  

Capitol Hill Pediatric Dentistry
Phone: (202) 849-3292
Url: https://capitolhillpediatric.dentist/
650 Pennsylvania Ave, SE, Suite 220
Washington, DC 20003