We are excited to announce that our office is now open with a limited schedule for all treatments and procedures, and that we’re taking additional special measures to ensure the health and safety of our patients and team members.
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We are excited to announce that our office is now open with a limited schedule for all treatments and procedures, and that we’re taking additional special measures to ensure the health and safety of our patients and team members.
read moreWelcome back to our blog series about pediatric dental care. In today’s blog, we’ll be talking about what to expect when your children are between the ages of 6-12. Lots of big changes happen during this time, so it’s important to stay informed. Read on and get the details you need from Sea of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry.
Most kids can brush on their own at the age of 6. Flossing is a bit more difficult. Kids can usually learn to floss as early as 7-8, though some may not be able to do it properly until the age of 10.
Even though your kids may be able to brush and floss independently, it’s still a good idea to check in with them and supervise them when you can to make sure they’re using proper technique and are actually brushing their teeth.
Between the ages of 6-12, your child’s risk of cavities will go up, and these cavities may affect their adult teeth, so it’s important to make sure they’re taking proper care of their teeth and gums as they become more independent.
Dental sealants are usually applied to the rear adult molars when they erupt, and help prevent decay by covering these teeth up with a durable layer of dental resin that stops cavities from forming.
Fluoride treatments are also a good option for fighting back against cavities. This treatment is simple and is usually done right after a teeth cleaning. Your child’s dentist at Sea of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry will apply a layer of fluoride to their teeth, leave in place for a few minutes, and rinse it away. This helps strengthen their teeth and prevents cavities.
Your child’s permanent teeth will usually start to come in at about the age of 6, and they will have all of their adult teeth by the time they’re 12.
Usually, your child’s first molars will come in first at about the age of 6. Then, the rest of their baby teeth will usually fall out and be replaced by adult teeth in the same order the baby teeth came in, meaning their permanent front teeth will emerge and replace their baby teeth when they’re about 7-8 years old. The final set of molars is last, emerging at the age of 12 in most kids.
You should consider having your child screened for oral development issues between the age of 6-8, as this is when the first stages of interceptive orthodontics can take place. Even if you think your child’s smile is healthy and normal, it’s a good idea to get an ortho screening just to make sure their mouth is developing properly.
If your child’s new permanent front teeth look a bit yellow compared to the nearby baby teeth, this is normal. The anatomy of permanent teeth means they have more dentin and pulp, which means they look a bit more yellow than baby teeth.
This is normal. As the tooth develops, it will lighten somewhat, and the adjacent teeth will also be replaced with similarly-colored adult teeth, so your child’s smile will still look normal, healthy, and even!
Just like at every other age, routine six-month visits at Sea of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry are critical for your child’s oral health when they’re between the ages of 6-12. So don’t wait. Contact our Yardley, Bensalem, Warrington, or Glenside office now to schedule the dental care your little one needs.
