FAQ and Answers About Children’s Dentistry in California

If you have a child then you likely have questions about their oral health. At California Dental Group we believe it’s important to promote healthy habits from a young age, which is why we’re proud to be a family dentist. Here are some of your most frequently asked questions. Do you have additional questions? Then call California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161.

What exactly does a family dentist do?

Family dentists offer dental care for everyone in the family. At California Dental Group, we generally start seeing children around two years of age. For kids, we’ll usually do a check-up if your child is up for it, but in some cases their first visit is more about getting them comfortable in our office and used to our staff.

When do we need to start oral care for our child?

The day they’re born. You may think that they don’t need dental care until they have teeth, but the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry offers the suggestion to begin wiping the gums of your baby with a moist cloth once a day from the day they’re born. When they get their first tooth, then you’ll start brushing their teeth with a child’s toothbrush. When they have two teeth next to each other, then it’s time to start flossing.

When should kids start brushing their teeth on their own?

It all depends on your child. Some kids want to start doing it themselves right away around 2, while others are 5 or older before they’re brushing for themselves. Your main goal when they’re young is to install lifelong habits of good oral hygiene at home. Don’t force them to brush on their own before they want to or they may dislike brushing for the rest of their lives.

When do kids start losing their teeth?

Most kids start to lose their baby teeth, otherwise known as primary teeth, when they’re around 6 or 7. If they fall out considerably sooner than that, then we may recommend a space maintainer. Why? Because your child’s baby teeth serve the important purpose of guiding their adult teeth into the right spot. If there’s nothing there to position them, then they may end up needing teeth straightening services later in their lives.

I have additional questions about my child’s teeth. What do I do?

If you have additional questions not answered on this guide then we urge you to call California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161. We’re happy to make an appointment for you and your child to come in and see us or we can answer simple questions over the phone. The main takeaway we hope all parents will understand from this guide is that good oral health starts from a young age. We are committed to creating healthy and happy smiles. The earlier a child begins to follow the necessary steps to do so, the better their chances of great teeth are.