Children & Family Dentistry

Children’s Dentistry Services
for Winston-Salem, Clemmons, Walkertown, Kernersville, NC & Beyond

Your child’s first pediatric dentistry visit

The first “regular” dental visit should be just after your child’s third birthday.

Little boy in the dental chairThe first dental visit is usually short and involves very little treatment. We may ask you to sit in the dental chair and hold your child during the examination. You may also be asked to wait in the reception area during part of the visit so that a relationship can be built between your child and your dentist.

Our pediatric dentistry team has shared these first experiences with many children in the Winston-Salem, NC area. During the appointment, they will gently examine your child’s teeth and gums. X-rays may be taken (to reveal decay and check on the progress of your child’s permanent teeth under the gums). We may clean your child’s teeth and apply topical fluoride to help protect the teeth against decay. We will make sure your child is receiving adequate fluoride at home. Most important of all, we will review with you how to clean and care for your child’s teeth. If you are looking for a children’s dentistry office serving the Winston-Salem, Clemmons, Pfafftown, Lewisville, Walkertown, Lexington, Wallburg, Kernersville, High Point, and Greensboro, NC areas, choose Winston Smiles. Contact our office today to learn more about our pediatric dentistry services and schedule an appointment!

What should I tell my child about the first dental visit?

We are asked this question many times. We suggest you prepare your child the same way you would before their first haircut or trip to the shoe store. Your child’s reaction to his first visit to the dentist may surprise you.

Here are some “First Visit” tips:

  • Take your child for a “preview” of the office.
  • Read books with them about going to the dentist.
  • Review with them what the dentist will be doing at the time of the first visit.
  • Speak positively about your own dental experiences.

During your first visit the dentist will:

  • Examine your mouth, teeth and gums.
  • Evaluate adverse habits like thumb sucking.
  • Check to see if you need fluoride.
  • Teach you about cleaning your teeth and gums.
  • Suggest a schedule for regular dental visits.

The Importance of Children’s Dentistry

Children’s dentistry is important because it sets the stage for how a child will take care of their teeth for the rest of their life. If a parent fails to prioritize the importance of dental care at home, then their child will fear the dentist and never want to brush or floss their teeth. Our children’s dentistry team at Winston Smiles can show you exactly what to do at home to teach your child the importance of brushing and flossing their teeth at home, as well as how to make it fun.  

What about preventative care?

Tooth decay and children no longer have to go hand in hand. At our office, we are most concerned with all aspects of preventive care. We use the latest in dental sealant technology to protect your child’s teeth. Dental sealants are space-age plastics that are bonded to the chewing surfaces of decay-prone back teeth. This is just one of the ways we will set the foundation for your child’s lifetime of good oral health.

Cavity prevention

Most of the time cavities are due to a diet high in sugary foods and a lack of brushing. Limiting sugar intake and brushing regularly, of course, can help. The longer it takes your child to chew their food and the longer the residue stays on their teeth, the greater the chances of getting cavities.

Every time someone eats, an acid reaction occurs inside their mouth as the bacteria digests the sugars. This reaction lasts approximately 20 minutes. During this time the acid environment can destroy the tooth structure, eventually leading to cavities.

Consistency of a person’s saliva also makes a difference; thinner saliva breaks up and washes away food more quickly. When a person eats diets high in carbohydrates and sugars, they tend to have thicker saliva, which in turn allows more of the acid-producing bacteria that can cause cavities.

Tips for cavity prevention

  • Limit frequency of meals and snacks.
  • Encourage brushing, flossing and rinsing.
  • Watch what your child drinks.
  • Avoid giving your child sticky foods.
  • Make treats part of meals.
  • Choose nutritious snacks.

Little girl flossing

The first baby teeth that come into the mouth are the two bottom front teeth. You will notice this when your baby is about 6-8 months old. Next to follow will be the 4 upper front teeth and the remainder of your baby’s teeth will appear periodically. They will usually appear in pairs along the sides of the jaw until the child is about 2 1/2 years old.

At around 2 1/2 years old your child should have all 20 teeth. Between the ages of 5 and 6 the first permanent teeth will begin to erupt. Some of the permanent teeth replace baby teeth and some don’t. Don’t worry if some teeth are a few months early or late as all children are different.

Contact our Team to Schedule an Appointment for Pediatric Dentistry 

It’s imperative that you ensure the dental health of your young children. Not only do baby teeth hold space for your child’s permanent teeth, but they encourage healthy chewing, biting, and speech. Thankfully, it’s possible to foster a lifelong passion for dental hygiene in your kids by providing healthy meals and conducting a series of daily cleaning sessions.

In addition to regular brushing, we recommend that you schedule standard checkups for your children at Winston Smiles Dentistry. Our pediatric dentistry specialists are always standing by to provide teeth cleanings and cavity screenings. All you have to do is contact one of our certified representatives today. We can’t wait to give you a tour of our welcoming location!