You will need to floss your child’s teeth for them until they’re about 10, since it’s a lot harder to learn proper flossing technique than it is to learn proper brushing technique. 
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Flossing your child’s teeth will not be dissimilar to flossing your own. Depending on their age, you may need to find a toy or distraction to keep them entertained while you floss their teeth. Floss holders may be helpful for toddlers so they don’t bite your fingers. Just make sure you’re flossing between every two teeth that make contact and behind their most rear molar. 
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We recommend flossing your child’s teeth once per day, and having them rinse with water or mouthwash after flossing to remove any food particles that were dislodged during the process. 

Healthy baby teeth are essential for your child to eat and chew properly, and damaged or decayed baby teeth can cause them a lot of pain and discomfort. Though they will fall out naturally as your child ages, your child’s baby teeth should remain in place until they fall out on their own, the last of which is typically around age 12. If they lose one or more teeth prematurely, this can affect their future oral development. This is because baby teeth help form the “paths” that the adult teeth follow when they emerge. If your child loses one or more baby teeth prematurely, this can lead to future oral development problems. 

Yes. Almost every dental insurance plan covers preventive care, like six-month cleanings and exams, for dependents. Fluoride treatments and dental sealants may also be covered, in some cases. However, coverage for each insurer and dental plan varies, so we recommend consulting directly with your insurer to learn about coverage limits for pediatric preventive care, covered treatments, and other such information. 

It can be frustrating to see your child getting cavities even when you seem to take every precaution to maintain their oral health. Let’s start with how cavities form. When you neglect to brush or floss, food particles get left behind and plaque begins to form. 

Bacteria feed off of the sugars in the mouth, converting them into acids that attack your enamel. Over time, this erodes your teeth and forms cavities. Cavities are often caused by a perfect storm of too much sugar or frequent snacking paired with inadequate oral hygiene and a dry mouth. 

Saliva is important for washing away left-behind food particles in between brushings. However, if your child doesn’t stay hydrated or is a mouth breather, they might deal with dry mouth which increases their risk for cavities.

Eating too often also reduces the saliva’s ability to neutralize the pH in the mouth. Other factors that can cause cavities include using a baby bottle past the age of one, sharing saliva by using the same utensils, using a pacifier past 4 years old, not getting enough fluoride intake, and a genetic predisposition for cavities.

Drinking water is incredibly important for staying hydrated, preventing dry mouth, and strengthening your teeth. Fibrous vegetables like carrots, celery, and apples remove plaque buildup and are like nature’s toothbrush. They naturally increase saliva production too. 

It’s important to consume vitamin C, which helps to fight against harmful bacteria in the mouth. Calcium, which can be found in dairy products, dark leafy vegetables, and nuts and seeds, strengthens the teeth in a number of ways. 

Vitamin D is also important for maintaining strong bones, including your teeth. Limit your consumption of sugar, citrus, and carbohydrates. Eating a balanced and nutritious diet is the best way to strengthen your child’s teeth.

X-rays are used to get a deeper look into the teeth and gums, revealing potential oral health problems that are not visible to the naked eye. A digital x-ray gives us a high-definition view of the jaw, between the teeth, and within the teeth. 

This can reveal interproximal cavities, tooth decay that has penetrated to the dental pulp, and show us how your child’s teeth are developing. X-rays may be used to look for the eruption of certain teeth. This becomes especially important when your child’s wisdom teeth start to come in. 

If your child has orthodontic problems, we can use x-rays to plan treatment for orthodontic treatment. X-rays are used preventatively, to diagnose active oral health problems, and to plan treatment like oral surgery.

We only use x-rays as often as is necessary for your child’s oral health. Digital x-rays emit very minimal and safe levels of radiation. You can be assured that we will always keep your child’s health as our first priority in determining if an x-ray is necessary or not.