How to Care for Children's Teeth

Oral Health Care Tips for Children

List of Dental Health Tips for Children:

First Dental Visit: It is important your child see a pediatric dentist by age one to establish a long-term dental hygiene and professional dental cleaning plan.  

Dental Sealant Application: Dental sealants are used to protect teeth from decay and are appropriate as soon as a tooth erupts.

Baby Teeth Cleaning: Baby teeth should be cleaned as soon as they erupt. Clean your baby's teeth with a soft washcloth or gauze after every bottle or meal. When more than one tooth erupts, you can soak a small-bristled child-sized (age-appropriate) toothbrush in warm water before using it on your baby's teeth, as instructed by your dentist.

• Baby teeth should be brushed using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Use water without fluoride until approximately six months of age. Encourage your children to brush their own teeth once they have the coordination to do so. Replace toothbrushes every two to three months.
• Children's teeth should be brushed after they are given medicine. Acids contained in medicines may eat away at tooth enamel, which serves as a natural protective coating for the teeth.  

 Fluoride Treatments: Check with your dentist and water authority about the need for fluoride treatments. Fluoride is a major component in the prevention of childhood dental caries. This is because fluoride alters the molecular structure of the tooth, making it more resistant to acid attack and decay.  However, children require the right balance of fluoride treatment. Too much fluoride could be problematic and lead to fluorosis. 

Mouth Washing: Mouth washing is usually recommended by age seven, provided your child can perform the activity.

Dental Flossing: Parent-assisted dental flossing should commence when two teeth erupt next to each other. Independent flossing should occur when children have the ability to do it on their own (often by six years of age).

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Early Orthodontic Treatment- Chicago Pediatric Dentist

Need and Advantages of Early Orthodontic Treatment

Timmy had been extremely quiet when you talked to him after summer camp today. Some kids, he says, referred to him as “buck tooth”. You hugged and reassured him that they were just simply kids that do not understand that his smile is changing because of typical development and that very soon his beautiful, healthy adult teeth will be replacing all his primary teeth. Nevertheless, it became apparent that Timmy’s central teeth stick out too much. 

You might also be concerned with Timmy's appearance and psychological health?  Does the position of his tooth affect his speech? Is that this an ordinary developmental phase? And also, when it is a temporary phase should you intervene to avoid a few psychological or even social scarring of your child?


The U.S. Connection of Orthodontics recommends that all children be seen by an orthodontist by the age of 7. You can find good reasons behind this recommendation.


The following is a  “Bite & Smile" checklist. So grab any pad and keep an eye on at the child’s smile.
Chew & Smile Check List
-Do the youngster's top teeth stand out past an acceptable limit?
-Do your child's front teeth touch the lower too much?
-As soon as your kid's back teeth touch, can he/she stick their particular tongue among leading teeth?
-Is there be enough space for your child's enamel?


If you've answered yes to any of these questions, you should bring your child for an orthodontic consultation at a dental office in Chicago, or your local town.


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Pediatric Dentist | Orthodontist | Chicago

Chicago Pediatric Dentist

Child's First Visit
It is very important to start children early in the right direction for good dental hygiene.  A starting time for that first dental exam is when your child's teeth begin to appear, usually before age one.  You can make the first visit to the dentist enjoyable and positive.  Your child should be informed of the visit.  We will take the time to get to know your child and make sure he/she is comfortable while in our office. 

It is best to keep from using words around your child that might cause anxiety or fear, such as needle, pull, drill or hurt.

Pediatric dental offices make a practice of using words that convey the same message, but are pleasant and non-frightening to a child.

We encourage patients to come back to the treatment room alone so we may build a secure and comfortable relationship with them.  We find when the parent is present, their attention to us is divided.

Unlike some dental offices, we invite parents to accompany their child.  Brushing techniques, flossing, healthy snacks and fluoride recommendations are just some of the topics discussed during your child's initial cleaning and exam appointment. Most importantly, your child becomes comfortable with visiting the dentist from an early age.  It also allows us to watch growth patterns and look for any oral problems that may exist.

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Pediatric Dentist Chicago Free Parking

Just a reminder...

Chicago Pediatric Dentist

Although we are located in the heart of Lincoln Park, we do provide parking for our patients and families behind our building.  

We also provide dental care for adults and have an experienced general dentist on staff (Dr. Pannaralla). 

We also offer Orthodontic care for children. 

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Infant and Toddler Dental Care

Infants and toddlers are not immune to dental health problems.  The 2000, “Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General” found that tooth decay is the most prevalent chronic childhood disease – five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever.  It has become an alarming and growing problem in children aged 2 to 5 years old.  This is why we stress the importance of establishing a dental home for your child for the first tooth and learn the simple preventive measures for your home.

We highly encourage you seek the care of a pediatric dentist for your children.  If you choose our Chicago Pediatric Dental Office, we look forward to a happy and rewarding relationship with your family.

Why Choose A Pediatric Dentist

As pediatric dentist in Chicago, Dr. Boyd, is trained to create a positive enjoyable experience for children visiting the dental office.

Pediatric dentists must  complete a two-year specialty residency in addition to their basic four years of dental school.  The residency focuses on the special care of children from infancy through adolescence.  The doctors learn about the processes of a growing, changing and developing child.  They learn specifically about the mouth, face, head and neck development.  This residency also teaches dentists how the growing body’s health and nutrition relates to the oral health of the growing child.  During these  studies dentists learn how to calm an anxious young patient and how to use the dental equipment designed for children.

Dr. Boyd, like most pediatric dentists, specializes in the care of infants, children and adolescents as well as children and adults with special needs .  Dental care for an infant should begin as early as six months, or at the time the child receives his/her first tooth.  A pediatric dentist is trained to understand the growth and development of the mouth, the process of oral maturation and can identify and correct irregular growth patterns to create a solid bite and beautiful smile.

Pediatric dental offices often function, look, and feel different from a general dentist offices.  It is all part of helping a child and family have positive dental experiences.  At Dentistry For Children we focus on helping the child understand the importance and simplicity of a healthy nutrition and good oral health routines that will create strong beautiful teeth to last a lifetime.

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Dental Care for Your Baby

Dental Care for Your Baby (According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry)

Q. When should my child first see a dentist?

"First visit by first birthday" sums it up. Your child should visit a pediatric dentist when the first tooth comes in, usually between 6 and 12 months of age. This visit will establish a dental home for your child. Early examination and preventive care will protect your child’s smile now and in the future.

Q. Why so early? What dental problems could a baby have?

The most important reason is to begin a thorough prevention program. Dental problems can begin early. A big concern is Early Childhood Caries (formerly known as baby bottle tooth decay or nursing caries). Once a child’s diet includes anything besides breast-milk, erupted teeth are at risk for decay. The earlier the dental visit, the better the chance of preventing dental problems. Children with healthy teeth chew food easily and smile with confidence. Start your child now on a lifetime of good dental habits.

Q. How can I prevent tooth decay from nursing or using a bottle?

At-will breast-feeding should be avoided after the first primary (baby) teeth begin to erupt and other sources of nutrition have been introduced. Children should not fall asleep with a bottle containing anything other than water. Drinking juice from a bottle should be avoided. Fruit juice should only be offered in a cup with meals or at snack time.

Q. When should bottle-feeding be stopped?

Children should be weaned from the bottle at 12-14 months of age.

Q. Should I worry about thumb and finger sucking?

Thumb sucking is perfectly normal for infants; many stop by age 2. Prolonged thumb sucking can create crooked teeth or bite problems. If the habit continues beyond age 3, a professional evaluation is recommended. Your pediatric dentist will be glad to suggest ways to address a prolonged thumb sucking habit.

Q. When should I start cleaning my baby’s teeth?

The sooner the better! Starting at birth, clean your child’s gums with a soft infant toothbrush or cloth and water. As soon as the teeth begin to appear, start brushing twice daily using fluoridated toothpaste and a soft, age-appropriate sized toothbrush. Use a "smear" of toothpaste to brush the teeth of a child less than 2 years of age. For the 2-5 year old, dispense a "pea-size" amount of toothpaste and perform or assist your child’s toothbrushing. Remember that young children do not have the ability to brush their teeth effectively.

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