Dental Tips for Moms

Dental Care Associates of Buffalo is a family practice that provides a child-friendly environment. Two of our dentists are both mothers themselves, so they try to make it easy for you to fit dental care into your busy mom life. Both dentists have cared for children of all ages and are experienced in providing gentle care to even the most anxious of children. You can be certain your child will receive the highest-quality care at our practice. Our friendly, caring team will treat your children like members of our own family.

Children should visit the dentist every six months for a routine dental evaluation and professional cleaning. This time frame is ideal so we can address any minor issues swiftly and prevent them from becoming more complex problems.

Yes, for sure! As a parent, you can choose which dentist you would like your child to see. We do schedule the same dentist for each appointment to allow for continuity of care. However, on occasion, your preferred dentist may not be available, in which case we’ll provide you with an opportunity to see another dentist or reschedule. Our dentists at Dental Care Associates of Buffalo are excellent; we’re sure you’ll love them!

Yes, we realize taking the kids to the dentist requires much effort for parents, so we can schedule all of your family on the same day to make it easier for everyone.

It sure is! Unfortunately, many people who ignore their dental health find years later that they have major oral health issues requiring extensive (and expensive) treatment. Preventive dentistry allows you to avoid this scenario by helping you maintain good oral health for a lifetime. It means issues can be identified and fixed early without complex treatment, and you and your family will be healthier because good oral health is closely linked to overall physical health.

Parents can model good dental hygiene by letting their children see them brush and floss their own teeth regularly. You can also make it fun by singing songs about brushing teeth or reading children’s books that explain the importance of dental hygiene in a child-friendly way. In the early days, when your child is a baby or toddler, you will need to help them brush their teeth properly. But it’s also important to let your child become familiar with a toothbrush and try to brush their teeth themselves. As your children become more independent, they will be able to brush their teeth more effectively. When you reach this stage, you can just support them by reminding them when it needs to be done and giving them tips to brush properly.

The American Dental Association recommends that both adults and children brush their teeth twice daily.

There are some difficult-to-reach spots in the mouth that even kids with the best at-home brushing routine might not be able to reach with their toothbrushes. All children (and adults) need regular dental checkups because a qualified dentist can spot potential problems that the untrained eye cannot. Also, dental X-rays can show things behind the scenes that even dentists can’t see in a regular dental evaluation.

You should limit foods and drinks that are high in sugar, such as sweets and soda. Excess sugar can cause tooth decay and long-term dental problems.

Kids love our No Cavity Club. Each child who comes in for an evaluation and has no cavities can become a member. They also go into a drawing for our monthly prize. We find the No Cavity Club works well to positively reinforce to children the importance of maintaining good dental habits. The club provides recognition to kids for taking positive steps toward maintaining their oral health. This is helpful to encourage a lifetime of good dental habits.

You should bring your baby to the dentist after their first tooth erupts or by their first birthday, whichever comes first. Early dental visits help your child become familiar with the dental office setting, get to know the team, and reduce any fear of the dentist.

If your child is experiencing unexplained tooth or gum pain, or if they suffer injuries to the face or mouth that result in chips, cracks, or tooth loss, this is an emergency. Call us to make an emergency appointment.

If injuries to the face and mouth are extensive, you should see your nearest hospital emergency room first, but you can still call us, and we will advise you on what to do about any teeth-related issues.

Yes, baby teeth are important as they help to guide permanent teeth into the right spots in your child’s mouth. If your child loses a baby tooth prematurely, your dentist may recommend a space maintainer. As the name suggests, this device maintains the space that the baby tooth has left behind and stops the surrounding teeth from shifting. This prevents problems with adult teeth when they come through.

Your dentist at Dental Care Associates of Buffalo will assess the orthodontic state of your child’s smile as part of their regular dental evaluations at our office. It is important that children are assessed by age 7 for orthodontic care to make sure permanent teeth can come in as they should. This prevents the need for more extensive orthodontic treatment later in life.

We recommend children should have an orthodontic assessment by age 7. But if your child has not had an assessment yet and they are older than this, you can still bring them in for an initial evaluation. As a teenager, they will likely need a different course of treatment than a younger child whose teeth and jaw are still developing, but it is never too late.