Children’s Dentistry

Your child’s first visit:

Dr. Faber and Mission Laser Dentistry in San Juan Capistrano, recommend bring in your child for their  first visit around the child's 4th birthday.  If you suspect a problem or notice something that looks abnormal in your child's mouth, of course you should bring the child in earlier.

This 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 Dr. Faber and the team at Mission Laser Dentistry.

We 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.

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-"Curious George goes to the dentist", "the Berenstein Bears, and Dr.
Seuss' "The tooth book" are all good.
Review with the child what the dentist will be doing at the time of the first visit and keep everything you say fun and positive.
Speak positively about your own dental experiences.

During your child's first visit, Dr. Faber and Mission Laser Dentisry will:

Examine the mouth, teeth and gums.
Evaluate adverse habits like thumb sucking.
Check to see if fluoride supplements are needed.
Teach the child about cleaning your teeth and gums.
Suggest a schedule for regular dental visits.

What about preventative care?

Tooth decay and children no longer have to go hand in hand. At Mission Laser Dentistry 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, a lack of good oral hygiene and a lack of regular preventive care.

Limiting sugar intake, helping you child brush and floss and scheduling appointments with the dentist twice per year all help ensure normal development and the minimization of risk.

Brushing:

We always suggest finding a toothpaste flavor the child enjoys.  Then make brushing a team effort-child gets to brush their own teeth for the first minute, then the adult gets to finish.

Every time someone eats, an acid reaction occurs inside their mouth as the bacteria digests the sugars. This is when the dental cavity process commences.
The consistency & quality of a person’s saliva also makes a difference in their risk for tooth decay.
Limiting the child's sugary 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.

When does my child first get teeth?

The first baby teeth that come into the mouth are usually the two bottom front teeth, though sometimes 2 of the 4 upper front teeth will be the first to appear. The first teeth eruptions usually occur 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. During this time your child's gums will hurt them and their only way to tell you often is to cry & be more "cranky".  Using approved & safe frozen implements for the child to suck & gnaw on feels soothing.  Also there are products called "teething tablets" that anecdotally provide some relief.  A children's pain reliever like Advil or Tylenol may be used if warranted.

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. *Baby (deciduous) teeth are important as they not only hold space for permanent teeth but they are important to chewing, biting, speech and appearance. For this reason it is important to see the dentist every 6 months & maintain a healthy diet and good brushing/hygiene.

Dr. Robert K Faber and Mission Laser Dentistry in San Juan Capistrano offer exceptional dental care for families with children of all ages. Our friendly staff and gentle approach to dentistry help children feel at ease with our procedures.

We are committed to providing a comfortable environment and an enjoyable experience for all of our patients. Mission Laser Dentistry teaches proper dental hygiene to all of our young patients to ensure good habits are established early in life. We also work with parents to make sure they understand how to properly brush their child’s teeth.

If you have any questions, please contact us at 949-493-3376.