Below are just a few of the most common questions we hear in our office:

1. When should my child first visit the dentist?
   According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, your children should first visit our Colorado pediatric dental office by the time they turn one or by the eruption of their first tooth; whichever one comes first. After this first visit, your child should continue to visit Dr. Raelene Fulford for a dental cleaning and exam every six months. This allows us to catch any potential problems early on and helps your child feel comfortable in our office.
   
   
2. Why are baby teeth so important?
   We’ve had some parents ask why it’s so important to care for their child’s baby teeth since they’re just going to fall out anyway. The answer is that, not only do baby teeth allow your child to speak and eat properly, but they also save space for the adult teeth to grow into later. If your child experiences dental problems in childhood, this can affect the health of their adult teeth later. Losing teeth too early due to cavities or decay can also cause the baby teeth to shift, preventing permanent teeth from growing into their proper location. The earlier you begin to care for your child’s teeth, the better!
   
   
3. How can I keep my infant’s teeth/gums clean?
   You can begin to care for your child’s dental health during infancy, even before any teeth have grown in. Use a warm, damp cloth to rub your baby’s gums after each feeding in order to remove any food buildup or bacteria. Once teeth do begin to grow in, brush them gently with a child-sized toothbrush and water. This will keep food debris and bacteria from building up on the vulnerable baby teeth.
   
   
4. What should I do if my child has a toothache?
   Toothaches aren’t something to be ignored, especially in young children. If your child is complaining of tooth pain, please contact our pediatric dental office, Camp Little Tooth® to set up an appointment with Dr. Rae. If it’s after hours, please use our emergency contact information. In the meantime, there are a few things you can do to help ease your child’s pain, including:
   Rinse your child’s mouth with warm salt water
   Administer over-the-counter pain medication as needed (check with your pediatrician or a pharmacist if you have questions about the dosage)
   Apply ice or a cold compress if your child’s face is beginning to swell – avoid using heat
   
   
5. How can I prevent tooth decay in my child’s teeth?
   The best thing you can do to prevent tooth decay, dental cavities, and other dental health problems is to teach your children about and help them practice good oral hygiene habits. Your child should be brushing his or her teeth at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day. You can begin to use a grain of rice size amount of fluoride toothpaste as soon as the first tooth erupts. Lastly, make sure your child is eating a balanced diet and visiting Camp Little Tooth® Pediatric Dentistry every six months for a dental cleaning and checkup
   .
6. How safe are dental X-rays?
   There is very little risk associated with dental X-rays, but even still we are very careful to limit the amount of radiation your children are exposed to in our office. We use lead aprons and high-speed film to make sure our X-rays are performed safely and with as little radiation as possible. Dr. Rae makes sure X-rays are only taken when they’re absolutely needed.

For any additional questions, or if you’re ready to make an appointment with Dr. Rae, please contact Camp Little Tooth® Pediatric Dentistry here at our Lafayette, Colorado pediatric dentistry office. Find a local pediatric dentist today!