Kid friendly dentist in Gambrills, MD offers tips on how to help oral hygiene become a way of life
When Dr. Vickii Bingham-Lester visits adult patients who have not seen the dentist for a while out of fear or anxiety, she often finds that they had negative experiences at other dentist’s offices as children. So, dental visits early in childhood play an important role in the development of healthy smiles for life. As a kid friendly dentist in Gambrills MD, Dr. Bingham-Lester loves working with children, and likes to spend extra time with them. So, they get comfortable with routine checkups, and with people who are working with them to keep their smiles healthy.
However, depending on when your child first visits Bingham-Lester Dentistry, those earliest visits are more about getting you as a caregiver comfortable with the office, and with the special techniques that are involved with cleaning baby teeth and gums.
- Do not wait to schedule your baby’s first dental appointment. We like to see babies as soon as the first tooth appears, by no later than their first birthday.
- Even if your baby’s mouth is toothless, it is still important to clean the gums with a sterile, soft gauze or moistened washcloth after each feeding.
- So many parents dip their children’s pacifiers in sugary substances, or fill their bottles with sugary juices, that a condition exists called “baby bottle decay.” Do not pacify your child with sugars that promote the development of bacteria and plaque. Limit these substances.
- Certain fibrous fresh vegetables and fruits are great natural tooth cleansers. We can discuss good options for your child, at every age and stage of development.
- Baby teeth are important. They help to ensure healthy development of adult teeth. So, it is important to keep them clean with a soft-bristled brush and a pea-sized amount of toothpaste, as directed (and shown) by your dentist or our skilled dental hygienists.
- As your child gets older and develops the motor skills necessary to independently clean his or her teeth, Dr. Bingham-Lester will work directly with them on “technique” and other habits that can keep their smiles looking great and healthy.
We will also discuss preventive treatments that might be beneficial, such as dental sealants placed in back teeth to keep food from getting lodged in nooks and crannies.
Oral hygiene should become a way of life for your child. Schedule an appointment at Bingham-Lester Dentistry in Gambrills, MD. Call 410-885-6522.
