Fairhope Kids Dentist

Why

Kids Dentistry

at Living Oaks

At Living Oaks Dental, we treat your family as an extension of our own, and we’ll make sure your little ones look forward to their visit with Dr. Brabston. With 7 grandchildren of his own, Dr. Brabston knows the importance of good dental habits from an early age. He’s gentle and friendly, and will spend the time he needs to make sure that your little ones are comfortable and have a pain-free experience during their visit to Living Oaks. 

Know

What to Expect

During your child’s first visit, we’ll make sure that their experience sets the tone for positive future visits. If you’re unsure about proper cleaning or oral hygiene habits, Dr. Brabston is happy to offer his expert advice and help you craft a yearly dental care plan for your child. Our intention is to create a long-lasting relationship with all our patients at Living Oaks Dental, which is why our care extends past childhood. Dr. Brabston himself is not a pediatric dentist as his goal is to provide the same quality care for every patient, regardless of their stage in life. For this reason, Dr. Brabston’s focus is on your child’s long-term health. No matter what the procedure, you and your family will always feel safe and cared for at Living Oaks Dental.

What

To Do When Your Child’s Teeth Start To Come In

Children usually begin to teethe around 6-12 months of age, and will have all of their teeth by the time they are between 2-3 years old, in most cases. To make sure that they get the dental care they need for a healthy mouth, there are a few things you should do.

First, make sure you’re brushing their teeth and gums properly. You should brush each of their teeth individually and clean their gums with a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove plaque and bacteria, and prevent the buildup of tartar. Your child’s teeth need to be brushed at least twice a day for two minutes. Ideally, you should brush their teeth once in the morning and once before bed.

Until your child learns how to spit out toothpaste, you should be using a grain-of-rice-sized dab of fluoride toothpaste. Once your child knows how to spit on command and won’t swallow the toothpaste, you can use a larger, pea-sized amount of toothpaste.

Your child may also experience some pain and discomfort while teething. They can chew on teething rings to help with this discomfort. You can also use a clean cloth soaked in ice water to help with pain related to teething. Dr. Gene Brabston can provide you with more tips for dealing with teething at your child’s first appointment.

When your child’s first tooth comes in, this is also a great time to visit the dentist for the first time. This may seem early, but regular visits to the dentist from a very young age help your child become more familiar with the process. This reduces anxiety, and helps encourage better oral health habits in your child. Contact us now to get started!

Teaching

Your Child Good Oral Health Habits

When it comes to teaching your child good oral health habits, it’s important to lead by example. For example, if you are limiting your child’s sugar intake and ensuring they eat a healthy diet to help prevent cavities, you shouldn’t be consuming a lot of sugar or unhealthy foods. 

In addition, you should set an example by brushing and flossing regularly and properly. Kids can usually start brushing their teeth around age 5-6, when they have enough dexterity to tie their own shoes. Make brushing a family affair! You can brush with your kids to show proper technique, ensure they are brushing for long enough, and to make sure they’re actually brushing their teeth. 

Finally, seeing a dentist helps your child learn more about their teeth and good oral health habits. Family dentists like Dr. Gene Brabston at Living Oaks Dental can explain dentistry and oral health in simple terms that they can understand, and encourage them to take better care of their teeth.

The Importance

Of 6-Month Cleanings & Fluoride Treatments For Kids 

During your child’s first visit, we’ll make sure that their experience sets the tone for positive future visits. If you’re unsure about proper cleaning or oral hygiene habits, Dr. Brabston is happy to offer his expert advice and help you craft a yearly dental care plan for your child. Our intention is to create a long-lasting relationship with all our patients at Living Oaks Dental, which is why our care extends past childhood. Dr. Brabston himself is not a pediatric dentist as his goal is to provide the same quality care for every patient, regardless of their stage in life. For this reason, Dr. Brabston’s focus is on your child’s long-term health. No matter what the procedure, you and your family will always feel safe and cared for at Living Oaks Dental.

Have

Questions?

We’re here to answer any questions you may have about your child’s dental health. Dr. Brabston is passionate about starting kids off on the right track, and he’ll make sure that you are always well informed about your family’s oral care. If your child has anxiety or has oral and tooth sensitivity, Living Oaks dental offers a pain-free experience with a variety of sedation options. Call us today to learn more about our family & kids dentistry or to schedule an appointment.