Children's Dental Health

Our dentists have been working successfully with children for many years.  At Angus Dentistry, youth of all ages will find special features that make going to the dentist easier.  We provide music connections with headphones, televisions with cable channels, and special prizes at the end of the appointment.  For anxious children, we are certified to provide oral sedation and nitrous oxide gas.  We love to see your entire family at Angus Dentistry.

Why Good Dental Health is Important

Innumerable studies and research have demonstrated the importance of starting children early in their lives with good dental hygiene and oral care. According to research, the most common chronic childhood disease in America is tooth decay, affecting 50 percent of first-graders and 80 percent of 17-year-olds. Early treatment prevents problems affecting a child’s health, well-being, self-image and overall achievement.

The National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research estimates that children will miss 52 million hours of school each year due to oral health problems and about 12.5 million days of restricted activity every year from dental symptoms. Because there is such a significant loss in their academic performance, the Surgeon General has made children’s oral health a priority.

Angus Dentistry partners with families by encouraging parents to take responsibility for introducing good oral hygiene habits to their children. Parents must introduce proper oral care early in a child's life—as early as infancy. The American Dental Hygiene Association states that a good oral hygiene routine for children includes:

• Thoroughly cleaning your infant’s gums after each feeding with a water-soaked infant cloth. This stimulates the gum tissue and removes food.
• Gently brushing your baby’s erupted teeth with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush.  Do not use fluoridated toothpaste until age 2 or 3 and then use only a pea-sized amount.
• Teaching your child at age 2 or 3 about proper brushing techniques. Brush your child’s teeth, or follow behind them until 7 or 8 years old.  Begin flossing instructions at 7 or 8 years old.
• Regular visits with their dentist to check for cavities in the primary teeth and for possible developmental problems.
• Encouraging your child to discuss any fears they may have about oral health visits, but not mentioning words like “pain” or “hurt,” since this may instill the possibility of pain in the child’s thought process.
• Determining if the water supply that serves your home is fluoridated; if not, discussing supplement options with your dentist or hygienist.
• Asking your hygienist or dentist about sealant applications to protect your child’s teeth-chewing surfaces and about bottle tooth decay, which occurs when teeth are frequently exposed to sugared liquids.
• Discourage baby pacifiers as early as possible.
• Do not send your child to bed with a bottle with anything other than pure water.