Here Are 14 Important Questions To Ask The Pediatric Dentist At Your Kid's First Visit

Pediatric dentist Dr. Ron Baise says this is so important because if you use too much toothpaste, your child could develop a condition called "fluorosis," but if you use too little, then their enamel becomes weakened.

Baise tells Romper that "Brushing your own teeth and teaching someone else how to brush their teeth are very different skills. Pediatric dentists and hygienists are very well practiced in this and can therefore teach children how to brush their teeth more effectively than parents can."

"Different children's teeth come out at different times. However if your child still has baby teeth after age 9 then its worth getting an x-ray to see if adult teeth are present underneath the gums," Baise says. "In very rare cases, children only have one set of certain teeth, and therefore baby teeth will not come out."

"Flossing is only effective when there are no visible gaps between children’s teeth," Baise says. "This occurs at a different time for children, so it's worth asking a pediatric dentist when your child should start to floss."

Many children (and adults, let's face it) have a hard time flossing. Whether it's time or the hassle of trying to get back to your molars. Baise says to ask your dentist about their recommended alternatives. He recommends water piks and interdental brushes.

As we've all heard before, thumbsucking and pacifier use can potentially lead to crooked teeth. Baise says, "The extent of the problem can be assessed by a dentist, so if you want to put your mind at ease over your child's thumbsucking its worth asking them if they feel that it has caused any noticeable effect."

"Often x-rays aren't taken until age 5 unless there is a cavity or trauma," Dr. David Zirlin, a pediatric dentist at White Plains and Larchmont Pediatric Dentistry tells Romper.

"X-rays help visualize parts of the teeth that can't be seen clinically. When the patient is older, x-rays that are taken also monitor normal dental development and aid in the diagnosis of the appropriate timing to be evaluated by an orthodontist. However, that is usually not until age 7 as recommended by the American Association of Orthodontists."

"For children under the age of 3 only a rice sized/smear of toothpaste amount is advised. The amount of fluoride in young children is limited to minimize ingestion. Too much ingested fluoride may cause dental fluorosis, a mottled appearance to the adult enamel," Zirlin explains.

"Fluoride mouthwash helps to protect the part of the teeth that may be difficult to clean with the bristles of the toothbrush alone," Zirlin says. "Some children have crowded overlapping teeth or wear orthodontic appliances/braces."

"Fluoride mouthwash is recommended for children that are able to rinse and spit — which is usually around ages 5 to 6. This is later than when children start using fluoride toothpaste."

Zirlin says "Shark Teeth" is the term used when the adult teeth grow in before the baby teeth fall out: "Sometimes the roots of baby teeth do not dissolve or the position of the newly erupting adult tooth isn't directly underneath the baby tooth it is supposed to replace."

"Once the over-retained baby tooth is lost/removed, the position of the adult tooth is evaluated. Often no treatment is needed and the adult tooth settles into the correct position. However, sometimes orthodontic intervention is needed to correct it's position. This can be done with braces, or a removable appliance/retainer," he says.

"People fall into habits when brushing their teeth, often missing certain areas of their mouth when brushing," Baise says. "This can be detected by a dentist, so it's worth asking whether your child has any of these 'blind spots' and then they can adjust their brushing accordingly."

Baise says the main cause of crooked adult teeth is overcrowding due to a lack of space in the mouth. "This can usually be anticipated before the adult teeth fully come through. If a lack of space is anticipated, a palate expander can reduce the need for expensive orthodontic treatment down the line."

"If a child has a chipped tooth, a visit is advised to evaluate the severity of the 'chip' or fracture," Zirlin says. "Sometimes the rough edge needs to be filed or smoothed, it may need to be repaired or bonded, and sometimes no treatment is needed."

Zirlin adds, "If it is a large fracture and the nerve is exposed, the tooth may need to be removed. Some teeth fall out or exfoliate between ages 5 and 6 while others not until ages 12 to 14. The treatment depends on the type of tooth (molar versus incisor, and baby versus adult), the age of the patient, and the severity/depth of the chip."

An untreated tongue or lip tie can affect how your child eats, speaks, and swallows, according to The Mayo Clinic. If your child hadn't been evaluated already if you were breastfeeding, then it's super important to check now.

Experts:

Dr. Ron Baise, pediatric dentist at 92 Dental

Dr. David Zirlin, pediatric dentist at White Plains and Larchmont Pediatric Dentistry