Children grow their first teeth when they start teething, usually before age one. These teeth change your child's smile, help them express language, and allow them to try new foods. But eventually, these teeth will fall out to make room for permanent teeth.
With their teeth growing in at such a young age, you might think it's too soon to see a children's dentist. However, it's essential to establish a dental routine for your child so they learn good oral habits and have any issues treated that could worsen over time.
When to see a kid's dentist and which kind of dentist to see depends on your child's age and dental health.
Children should have their first dental appointment with a kid’s dentist by 12 months of age, with a follow-up every six months.
During this time, children begin teething. Teething starts when the first primary tooth erupts and continues until all 20 primary teeth are exposed – between the ages of 33 and 36 months old. Teething symptoms begin before you see their first tooth and may include irritability and a low-grade fever.
Although a regular dentist can care for most children’s dental issues, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists (AAPD) recommends taking them to a kid’s dentist (pediatric dentist) instead.
Kid’s dentists and general dentists treat children's teeth from infancy through their teenage years. The difference is the training a children’s dentist receives after graduation. After receiving their degree, a kid’s dentist completes up to two years of residency in children's dental care. This training highlights everything from dental issues seen primarily in children to pediatric communication skills. This makes a kid’s dentist office a haven for children and some adults with special needs. Their residency training also helps them deal effectively with dental anxiety, which tends to be more prevalent in these groups.
During a child's first visit with a kid’s dentist, they will have their teeth thoroughly examined and cleaned. Throughout the visit, the dentist examines the condition and structure of the teeth and gums and looks for signs of injury or infection. They often treat the issue if they spot an abnormality during the visit. If this abnormality involves the jawbone or the tooth's structure under the gums, they may refer the child to an orthodontist for orthodontic treatment.
An orthodontist can correct irregularities in the teeth or jaw. They can detect dental issues and fix them before they cause future problems. These issues may include unhealthy oral habits, crooked teeth, problems with speech, and an abnormal smile. They can also identify issues with your child's bite and jaw alignment. Some of these conditions are caused by poor dental hygiene, while others may be hereditary.
If a kid’s dentist completes two years of orthodontic residency, in addition to pediatric training, they can perform orthodontic procedures if needed.
Aside from the recommended first appointment by 12 months, some dental issues require immediate attention from a kid's dentist outside of customarily scheduled visits. Unfortunately, children can’t always articulate these issues, so it helps to be familiar with the following signs and symptoms.
Tooth discoloration is often attributed to tooth decay (kids cavities). According to the CDC, cavities are one of the most common childhood chronic diseases in the United States. More than 50% of children aged 6 to 8 have had at least one cavity in their primary teeth. Kids cavities are caused by a buildup of bacteria and acid erosion. Since every child has bacteria in their mouth, every child is at risk for kids cavities.
Symptoms of kids cavities in babies and toddlers include:
Although the same risk factors contribute, decay from kids cavities presents additional symptoms in older children. They include:
If a kid’s dentist determines that your child has a cavity, they will take x-rays (radiographs) to view your child's teeth below the surface. Depending on what the children’s dentist discovers, treatment options may include removing the cavity and filling the tooth with material such as silver-colored amalgam, composite resins that match the tooth color, or gold.
Misaligned teeth, also called malocclusions, present differently in preteens and teenagers. By age 13, they will have lost their baby teeth, and all 32 of their permanent adult teeth will have emerged. These permanent teeth could display a crossbite pattern, overcrowding, an overbite, underbite, or spacing issues.
If your child has misaligned teeth and is experiencing any of the following symptoms, take them to a children’s dentist:
Babies and toddlers are at an increased risk of malocclusion if they suck their thumbs excessively. Children who breastfeed or drink from a bottle past three years of age are also at increased risk.
Although surgery is an option to correct severe malocclusion, your pediatric dentist might recommend braces to straighten out crooked teeth.
If your young child or teen experiences gum bleeding despite changing toothbrushes or floss type, it may indicate gingivitis. An overgrowth of the bacteria streptococcus mutans is usually to blame for the gum inflammation seen with gingivitis. If not treated by a kid’s dentist, this infection may lead to more troubling symptoms like bone loss and tooth loss. Gingivitis is a reversible condition if treated soon enough. Treatment consists of regular cleaning, flossing, and medicated mouthwash if needed.
Inflamed gums due to teething are perfectly normal, and no cause for alarm. However, it's best to see a kid's dentist if your baby is excessively drooling, running a fever, or refusing their bottle.
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends your child see an orthodontist by age seven. However, depending on what your children’s dentist discovers during a regular visit, they might make an earlier referral. Common conditions an orthodontist treats are misaligned teeth and jaw abnormalities. Here are some reasons to take your child to an orthodontist for treatment:
Parents sometimes believe their teen’s teeth will straighten out independently, but this rarely occurs. About 10 to 15 percent of all malocclusion cases are severe enough to require braces. Without braces, their teeth will continue to grow crooked, which increases the risk of tooth decay and kids cavities.
The most common orthodontic treatment for crooked, gapped, or overlapping teeth is braces (also called dental hardware). Braces, made of metal or stainless steel, include small brackets that hold the teeth in place. Some braces are tooth-colored or clear (invisible).
Invisible braces, commonly called clear aligners, are fashioned from plastic or porcelain. Clear aligners are customized retainers. They are designed to move each tooth into alignment gently. A new aligner is crafted after one to three weeks to continue the straightening process.
If your child finds it hard to talk or chew or complains of a stiff jaw, it's time to see an orthodontist. The orthodontist can take radiographic images — x-rays — of your child’s mouth to determine where the problem is located.
Common conditions that cause these symptoms are:
Teething babies should be able to open their mouths, even if they're uncomfortable. If your baby isn't opening their mouth, or isn't closing their mouth when eating, see a children's dentist or orthodontist.
If your child complains of persistent gum or tooth pain, you should take them to see a kid’s dentist.
Keeping your child’s regular dental appointments helps reduce the risk of kids cavities and future dental issues. Unfortunately, most dental problems are difficult to reverse without a dentist's intervention.
Correcting dental problems can improve your child’s self-esteem and appearance. However, early orthodontic issues generally worsen as your child ages, so prompt treatment is vital to save their teeth.
